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Cancer reprogramming is an important facilitator of cancer development and survival, with tumor cells exhibiting a preference for aerobic glycolysis beyond oxidative phosphorylation, even under sufficient oxygen supply condition. This metabolic alteration, known as the Warburg effect, serves as a significant indicator of malignant tumor transformation. The Warburg effect primarily impacts cancer occurrence by influencing the aerobic glycolysis pathway in cancer cells. Key enzymes involved in this process include glucose transporters (GLUTs), HKs, PFKs, LDHs, and PKM2. Moreover, the expression of transcriptional regulatory factors and proteins, such as FOXM1, p53, NF- κ B, HIF1 α , and c-Myc, can also influence cancer progression. Furthermore, lncRNAs, miRNAs, and circular RNAs play a vital role in directly regulating the Warburg effect. Additionally, gene mutations, tumor microenvironment remodeling, and immune system interactions are closely associated with the Warburg effect. Notably, the development of drugs targeting the Warburg effect has exhibited promising potential in tumor treatment. This comprehensive review presents novel directions and approaches for the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients by conducting in-depth research and summarizing the bright prospects of targeting the Warburg effect in cancer. This review summarizes the molecular mechanism of Warburg effect in cancer, and discusses the strategy of regulating Warburg effect to treat cancer. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Hong Kong, heat-related illness (HRI) represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality among healthy adults engaging in outdoor activities during summer. It can result in intensive care unit (ICU) admission. This retrospective study aimed to profile critically ill patients with HRI and identify potential risk factors for mortality. Methods: This retrospective case series included adults with HRI from 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2020 admitted to the ICU of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH). Demographics, admission severity, co-morbidities, and laboratory investigations were analysed. Outcome data studied included mortality, ICU length of stay (LOS), ventilator days, and hospital LOS. Results: Among the 38 individuals included, 97% were hikers. About 92.1% of patients survived, while 7.9% expired. The median age of the patients was 48 years, and 78.9% were men. Hypertension was the most frequent concurrent disorder. Most cases were presented during the hot summer months of May (29%), July (24%) and August (18%). The localities' median peak temperature and humidity were 33.2°C and 88%, respectively. Ninety-two percent of patients were airlifted to the hospital by helicopters. The median peak body temperature was 40.3°C. Central nervous system derangement (Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ⩽ 8) was the top presenting feature (65.7%). About 57.9% of patients required vasopressor support, followed by mechanical ventilation (50%) and renal replacement therapy (31.6%). Conclusions: Most critically ill patients suffering from HRI were hikers and middle-aged adults. Mortality was 7.9% despite advanced life support in ICU. Raising public awareness of the associated risk with hiking in hot summer is essential for the prevention of HRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to advances in medical care, a growing number of young people with life-limiting neurodevelopmental disabilities (LLNDDs) are now surviving into adulthood. However, the traditional model of care between pediatrics and adult medicine was fragmented and did not match their multi-facet needs. A special working group that includes pediatricians, adult palliative care team, and representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) was formed, providing a period of joint care of 12–24 months before transitioning to the adult palliative care team. A retrospective case series of 19 young adults with LLNDDs, recorded during the July 2015–June 2020 period at the study institution is presented. Recruited patients' age ranged from 18 to 38 (mean 26.2 [SD 6.1]). Majority of them (n = 14) require residential care at long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and high level of nursing care, which include artificial nutrition (n = 8) and home ventilator (n = 5). All patients referred to our palliative care (PC) program were engaged in a structured advance care planning (ACP) process. Seventeen patients (89.5%) had their Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) directives in place and two mentally competent patients completed their own advance directive (AD). All deceased (n = 10) had their DNR directives being honored. In conclusion, the palliative care needs of young adults suffering from LLNDDs should be properly addressed and implementation of a joint transitional care model between pediatrics and adult PC team is one possible method. Future research should encompass a better care model that addresses the multi-facet needs of young people suffering from LLNDDs, especially the transition from pediatrics to adult medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the common side effects after antipsychotic treatment of psychosis, but its potential neural mechanism is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the topological characteristics of white matter networks in schizophrenia patients with metabolic syndrome (SCZ-MetS) treated with risperidone and clozapine by graph theory. We obtained diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data from 39 schizophrenia patients treated with risperidone and clozapine (including 19 patients with metabolic syndrome (SCZ-MetS) and 20 patients without metabolic syndrome (SCZ-nMetS)) and 25 healthy controls (HC). Network topology attributes were calculated using DTI-based graph theory analysis and ANCOVA was used to compare the differences of network topology attributes among the three groups. Correlation between brain regions and clinical metabolic indexes and scale scores The white matter networks of the three groups showed obvious small-world properties. Compared with the HC, bilateral thalamic nodal degree (DC) and nodal efficiency (NE) were decreased in both groups. In the SCZ-MetS, the global efficiency (Eg) and characteristic path length (Lp) were decreased, and the DC and NE of brain regions such as supra-occipital and angular gyrus decreased. Compared with SCZ-nMetS, SCZ-MetS had lower Eg, Lp, and NE in the left medial frontal gyrus and left gyrus rectus. The Eg and Lp, NE of significantly different brain regions were negatively correlated with BMI, waist, and hip circumference in the two groups. There are differences in the topological properties of the brain white matter network between schizophrenia with metabolic syndrome and those without metabolic syndrome after treatment with risperidone and clozapine, which may provide new insights into the brain mechanism behind metabolic syndrome after treatment in psychotic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies will have a great impact for the radiation therapy field. At the frontline of patient care, therapists will have a significant role in assuring safe and effective clinical implementation of AI-based tools. A major part of clinical AI applications will focus on facilitating and enhancing healthcare practice, via automation. This may raise concerns on responsibility and decision boundaries of patient care. Another challenge related to the AI application in clinic is the "black boxes" perception. It may be difficult to understand why or how the algorithm performs, due to the complexity of these AI algorithms. This talk will provide an overall review of major areas that AI technologies are being launched in clinics, including segmentation, treatment planning, treatment decision support, and treatment plan QA etc. Additionally, this talk will also address some relevant topics such as ethics in developing and deploying AI tools in clinic, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Making online education effective and engaging has been a policy priority in the higher education (HE) sector since the COVID-19 pandemic arose in 2020. Based on an online survey and qualitative interviews, we examine experiences of HE students and teachers in Hong Kong, and provide recommendations that can enable countries/economies to leverage on the good practices of online education to rejuvenate HE in the post-COVID era. We find a need for greater institutional support beyond its current availability. Students' perception of online education is less optimistic than what such labeling as "digital natives" suggests. However, with time, online education is being viewed more positively. Teachers find their online education workload to be higher. More female teachers cite difficulties in balancing work and life, while older teachers report more technological difficulties. Since many respondents come from public affairs programs, which emphasize interaction in the classroom, the findings suggest that a rethinking of pedagogical strategies of public affairs education is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social and political unrest in Hong Kong in recent years has left many people feeling distressed and struggling to hold on to hope for the city. Some accounts have blamed the unrest on the ‘shortcomings’ of the young people involved. As a counter to this discourse, we sought to elevate the voices and knowledge of young people. This paper relates the story of a young person called Sammy, who struggled to resist the aftereffects of the trauma he experienced during the protests in 2014 and 2019. Through exploring the values that underpinned his actions during the events, he developed a preferred story of deeply held commitments to protecting the lives and wellbeing of others, and to the city of Hong Kong itself. Together we explored creative means to document and share his lived experience. Sammy eventually developed his own form of therapeutic documentation, devising a performance that wove together song and story. This performance also became a definitional ceremony through which witnesses to Sammy’s story came together as a community united by shared values and commitments, challenging the silencing and individualising of a collective experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although participation in sports and exercise is promoted widely due to its health benefits, sports-related injuries can also be a detriment to an individual's health and a burden for the healthcare system. Herein, the aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive review on the epidemiological profile and the risk for surgery of athletes presented to a sports injuries clinic in Hong Kong. Methods: A total of 566 patients attending the sports injuries clinic at a local hospital between October 2017 and September 2018 were reviewed. Only 271 patients sustaining injuries from sports activities were included. These patients attended a survey-based data collection session, which recorded their demographic, injury site, events leading to injury, exercise details (type, level-of-play, frequency, experience), and functional score according to the injury site. Results: The highest proportion of injuries was observed in amateur athletes (45.4%) than in recreational (28.8%) and professional (25.8%). Those patients aged between 18--29 years old (50.2%) had the most injuries. Both soccer (25.1%) and basketball (25.1%) were the two most common sports to incurred injuries. Whereas, the lower extremities being the most common injured sites. Based on our logistic model, athletes with less experience were more prone to required surgeries with injuries in the lower extremities. Conclusion: Preventive measures should be targeted at less experience athletes, focusing on strengthening the knee region, to reduce sports-related injuries and surgeries. Importantly, this study demonstrates the need to further identify factors to develop effective sports injury prevention programmes for tailoring athletes at different levels-of-play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban greenspace has been widely recognized for its beneficial role in mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) effect and enhancing human thermal comfort. However, understanding on the thermal effects of greenspace still remains limited, particularly in the areas of regional differences, scale issues, and modeling approaches. This study employs a multiscale approach to evaluate the cooling effect of greenspace in Hong Kong and Singapore by combining remote sensing techniques at the territory level, a hybrid modeling approach at the urban district level, and field measurements at the micro level. Results demonstrate that the approach generally performed well in evaluating the relationship between cooling effect and various explanatory variables. At the city scale, the average reduction in LST by greenspace (△ LST G − UF ) was found to be 3.08 ℃ in Hong Kong and 2.84 ℃ in Singapore, respectively. However, the cooling effect of greenspace is much reduced at the urban district level. Of the evaluated urban districts, greenspace was found to have a LST reduction effect ranging from 0.27 to 1.56 ℃ in Hong Kong and from −0.02–2.69 ℃ in Singapore, respectively. At the micro level, the study reveals that building height and greenspace volume have the most significant influence on ambient temperature variations during the hottest time of the summer season. These findings not only highlight the importance of considering scale and time variations when evaluating the thermal effects of greenspace but also help identify effective greenspace deployment strategies to combat excessive urban heat. • The thermal effect of greenspaces is evaluated at regional, district, and micro levels. • Greenspaces in Hong Kong and Singapore lead to an average LST reduction of 3.08 ℃ and 2.84 ℃, respectively. • The cooling effect of greenspaces is much reduced at the urban district level. • A hybrid approach coupling GWR and DNN well depicts the relationships between cooling effect and influencing factors at the district level. • Building height and greenspace volumes have the greatest influence on ambient temperature at the micro level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the direct and indirect associations among imaginational over‐excitability, cognitive play processes, affective play processes, and parent‐reported creative potential of Hong Kong Chinese kindergarten children. Participants were 106 parents of local kindergarten children (43.4% girls, mean age = 60.1 months). Parents reported their child's imaginational over‐excitability, cognitive play processes, affective play processes, and creative potential through a questionnaire. Results from the path model revealed that children's imaginational over‐excitability was positively associated with their cognitive and affective play processes. Children's parent‐reported creative potential was significantly related to their cognitive play processes but marginally related to their affective play processes. Furthermore, the relationship between imaginational over‐excitability and parent‐reported creative potential was fully mediated by children's cognitive and affective play processes. Theoretically, the findings suggest that children's cognitive and affective play processes may explain the association between their imaginational over‐excitability and parent‐reported creative potential. Practically speaking, the results highlight the importance of providing imaginative children with opportunities and supports to carry out imaginative pretend play so as to promote their creative potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green-lipped mussel Perna viridis was utilised for pollution biomonitoring in Victoria Harbour and its adjacent aquaculture area in Hong Kong. P. viridis was collected from a reference site and redeployed at five study sites for five weeks during the dry and wet seasons of 2019. Our study found various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals in the mussel tissue, while polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were not detected. P. viridis at the reference site generally displayed lower levels of pollutants. Comparing with previous research in the 1980s and 2000s, we observed substantial reduction in the tissue levels of PAHs, PCBs, OCPs and heavy metals in P. viridis. The human health risks associated with consuming these mussels were determined to be insignificant. Our findings imply that the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme has been effective in improving the water quality in Victoria Harbour and its adjacent aquaculture area. • Mussel biomonitoring to indicate bioavailability of pollutants • Water quality improvement in Victoria Harbour and its eastern aquaculture area • Minimal human health risks of consuming mussels from the study sites • Effectiveness of the chemically enhanced primary treatment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat-killed Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (HK-LGG) has been proven to improve intestinal health, boost immunity, and exert anti-tumor effects. However, the effect of LGG with different incubation times after heat-killing on the regulatory effect on the intestinal barrier remains unclear. The analysis of HK-LGG composition obtained after 18 h and 48 h culture (HK-LGG-18 h & HK-LGG-48 h) indicated that HK-LGG-48 h exhibited higher levels of S-layer protein, peptidoglycan, and lipoteichoic acid. In contrast, the content of capsular polysaccharides in HK-LGG-48 h was found to be lower than that in HK-LGG-18 h. HK-LGG effectively attenuated the increase in electrical resistance and cell permeability and prevented the disruption of tight junction proteins in Caco-2 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). HK-LGG suppressed the LPS-induced upregulation of protein expression related to myeloid differentiation factor 88, toll-like receptor 4, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). The regulatory effect of HK-LGG on the intestinal barrier is through the regulation of the NF-κB-mediated Myosin Light Chain kinase -p- Myosin Light Chain signaling pathway. In particular, HK-LGG-48 h regulated the expression of inflammation cytokines, with a more pronounced effect than HK-LGG-18 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracurricular participation has displayed positive effects on student development; it is, therefore, worthwhile to investigate the factors that influence students' willingness and ability to participate in extracurricular activities held by the school. Through a qualitative research design, this study hopes to reveal how school culture and other factors influence extracurricular participation among local high school students in Hong Kong. Focus groups were conducted with students from three local schools, and teachers and administrative staff were interviewed when available. The study focused on four main themes: school and student profile, participation requirements, activity availability, and school mission and academic emphasis. Hand coding and data analysis suggest that principal and school attitudes influenced the activities available, while timing and activity arrangement significantly affected student participation. Overall, there were mixed opinions toward extracurricular activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are generated by disinfectants reacting with organic matters. Previous studies have focused on DBPs in drinking water, but they have not paid sufficient attention to DBPs in sewage treatment plants (STPs), where the sources and compositions of DBPs are much more complicated, and there is a likelihood of more toxic DBPs being formed. In this study, the occurrence of DBPs in six STPs in Hong Kong and the potential impact of the effluents from the STPs on the marine environment were investigated. In STPs, the mean concentrations of the total DBPs ranged from 1160 to 17,019 ng/L, 1562 to 20,795 ng/L, and 289 to 1037 ng/L in the influent, effluent, and seawater, respectively. Trihalomethanes, haloacetonitriles, and trihalophenols were the most commonly detected DBPs, whereas hexachloro-1,3-butadiene and halocarbazoles were not detected in the STPs and in the marine environment in Hong Kong. Secondary treatment efficiently removed DBPs and DBP precursors. Regarding disinfection techniques, UV irradiation showed little effect on the concentrations of DBPs, whereas sodium hypochlorite significantly elevated the levels of both traditional and emerging DBPs. The effluents from two selected STPs that use chlorination have an obvious impact on the marine environment. This work presents the potential sources of DBPs in sewage, the influence of the treatment processes and disinfection techniques employed in STPs on the removal/formation of DBPs, and the impact of the effluents from the STPs on the marine environment. This work also highlights the need for investigating the emerging DBPs generated in STPs and their related environmental concerns. • The occurrences of traditional and emerging DBPs in STPs were investigated. • Effects of treatment processes and disinfection techniques were studied. • The proportions of bromo-DBPs were elevated after chlorination. • DBPs in STP effluents influenced the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Waste composition analysis is essential for implementing appropriate management strategies. In Hong Kong, on-site waste quantification is often not practical due to site space limitation at construction sites. In addition, as the construction waste problem urgently needs addressing, reliable waste generation rates need to be derived over a short time. To address these two issues, this study presents an off-site snapshot methodology for estimating construction waste composition. Three construction sites, at the initial stage, mid-stage, and end stage respectively, are selected for illustrating the proposed snapshot methodology. It is found that the composition of inert and non-inert waste varies significantly at different construction stages. Non-inert waste is an important component of building construction waste, of which wood & timber waste contributes the largest proportion. Following wood & timber waste, metal waste is the second largest source of non-inert waste. Results show that the proposed off-site snapshot methodology can sufficiently solve the problem of limited on-site sorting space and derive reliable detailed waste generation information over a certain short time. • An off-site snapshot methodology is proposed for direct waste quantification. • An inventory table for detailed classification of non-inert waste is developed. • Non-inert waste is an important component in building construction waste. • Wood & timber is the most significant contributor of non-inert waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2017, we identified a Clostridium difficile strain HKCD4 that caused community-acquired fulminant colitis in a previously healthy child. Phylogenetically, it belonged to clade 2, sequence type 67 and was resistant to fluoroquinolone and tetracycline. The strain was pathogenicity locus and binary toxin positive. It has a mutation in the trehalose repressor treR leading to the L172I substitution that was previously reported in the epidemic ribotype 027 lineage. HKCD4 has a tcdB sequence that shared very high identities with 3 highly virulent reference strains. It has a CpG depleted genome that is characteristic of hypervirulent C. difficile. The emergence of ST67 lineage with molecular feature of hypervirulence in the community is concerning and emphasizes the need for full characterization of strains causing severe disease in patients without classical risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is about a Hong Kong-based summer internship program designed to foster service leadership attributes through service-learning. We report research based on interviews with interns and their partner organization representatives (PORs) and on written assignments as required by the program. We also report how the research informed the redesigning of the program. The research identified factors that support service leadership emergence, including servant leadership by PORs; appropriate intern responsibilities; support from other stakeholders; and interns' possession of a secure knowledge foundation. Conservation of resources (COR) theory underpins our explanation of how these factors enhance service leadership emergence, while self-determination theory (SDT) also explains the impact of servant leadership by PORs. We conclude by explaining the subsequent actions that have been taken to leverage the supportive factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riverine organic carbon (OC) transport plays a role in regulating terrestrial and marine carbon pools and deteriorating coastal water quality. However, long-term OC transport in Asian rivers and its diffusion in marginal seas have remained unreported. This study reported the spatiotemporal variations in OC resources for Hong Kong waters, China, based on monthly monitoring data collected at 82 river stations and 94 ocean sites during 1986–2020. The station-based riverine OC varied spatially and was generally high, with a mean value of 1.4–52.0 mg/L. Moreover, along with improving water quality, OC at 97.6% of the river stations decreased during 1986–2020; overall, sewage treatment accounted for 83.4% of the exponential decrease in riverine OC (R 2 = 0.68, p < 0.01). However, the reduction in riverine OC accounted for only 10.4% of the reduction in the marine five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5), which occurred at 70.2% of the ocean sites, especially those closest to the shore. The linear reduction in the marine BOD 5 (R 2 = 0.24, p < 0.01) was mainly attributed to reduced OC input from the adjacent Pearl River (61.9%) and decreases in phytoplankton growth (19.0%). These results indicated that sewage treatment improved water quality and decreased OC resources in Hong Kong waters, which can serve as a sustainable development model for other coastal cities. This study has important implications for mitigating organic pollution in the context of human efforts to manage the water environment. • Sewage treatment decreased OC resources in waters between 1986 and 2020. • Riverine OC input primarily influenced organic pollution in nearshore waters. • The sustainable management of water resources in Hong Kong is exemplary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has already caused enormous damage to the global economy and various industries worldwide, especially the tourism industry. In the post-pandemic era, accurate tourism demand recovery forecasting is a vital requirement for a thriving tourism industry. Therefore, this study mainly focuses on forecasting tourist arrivals from mainland China to Hong Kong. A new direction in tourism demand recovery forecasting employs multi-source heterogeneous data comprising economy-related variables, search query data, and online news data to motivate the tourism destination forecasting system. The experimental results confirm that incorporating multi-source heterogeneous data can substantially strengthen the forecasting accuracy. Specifically, mixed data sampling (MIDAS) models with different data frequencies outperformed the benchmark models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aim to study the disease burden, risk factors and severity of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in Hong Kong.Methods: We conducted a prospective, case-control study in three acute-care hospitals in Hong Kong. Adult inpatients who developed CDI diarrhoea confirmed by PCR (n = 139) were compared with the non-CDI controls (n = 114). Ribotyping of isolates and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed.Results: The estimated crude annual incidence of CDI was 23-33/100,000 population, and 133-207/100,000 population among those aged ≥65 years. The mean age of CDI patients was 71.5. Nursing home care, recent hospitalization, antibiotics exposure (adjusted OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.3-7.1) and proton-pump inhibitors use (adjusted OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-3.9) were risk factors. Severe CDI occurred in 41.7%. Overall mortality was 16.5% (among severe CDI, 26.5%). The commonest ribotypes were 002 (22.8%), 014 (14.1%), 012 and 046; ribotype 027 was absent. Ribotype 002 was associated with fluoroquinolone resistance and higher mortality (47.6% vs. 12.7%; adjusted HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1-7.0).Conclusions: Our findings show high morbidity and mortality of CDI in the older adults, and identify ribotype 002 as a possible virulent strain causing serious infections in this cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban stormwater is an important pathway for transporting anthropogenic pollutants to water bodies. Phthalate esters (PAEs) are endocrine disruptors owing to their estrogenic activity and potential carcinogenicity and their ubiquitous presence has garnered global interest. However, their transportation by urban stormwater has been largely overlooked. This study, for the first time, investigated 15 PAEs in stormwater from six major stormwater drains in the highly urbanized Hong Kong, a major metropolitan city in China. The results showed that PAEs were ubiquitous in the stormwater of Hong Kong, with total concentrations (∑ 15 PAEs) spanning from 195 to 80,500 ng/L. Bis(2- n -butoxyethyl) phthalate (DBEP), diisopentyl phthalate (DiPP), dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) and di- n -pentyl phthalate (DnPP) were detected in stormwater for the first time. Spatial variations in PAEs were observed among different stormwater drains, possibly due to the different land use patterns and intensities of human activities in their respective catchments. The highest and lowest levels of ∑ 15 PAEs were found in Kwai Chung (3860 ± 1960 ng/L) and the Ng Tung River (672 ± 557 ng/L), respectively. Additionally, significantly higher concentrations of ∑ 15 PAEs in stormwater were found in the wet season (2520 ± 2050 ng/L) than in the dry season (947 ± 904 ng/L). Principal component analysis classified domestic and industrial origins as two important sources of PAEs in the stormwater of Hong Kong. Stormwater played a crucial role in transporting PAEs, with an estimated annual flux of 0.705–29.4 kg. Thus, possible stormwater management measures were proposed to protect the receiving environment and local ecosystems from stormwater. [Display omitted] • Urban stormwater is non-negligible source of PAEs to receiving waters. • DMP, DEP, DiBP, DBP, and DEHP were detected in all stormwater drains. • The occurrence of PAEs in stormwater exhibits spatiotemporal variations. • PCA identified sources of PAEs in stormwater as domestic and industrial sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the perishable nature of tourism products/services, an increasing number of tourism and hospitality companies, such as restaurants, hotels, travel agencies, and spas, are using multiple distribution channels to increase the market exposure of their brands and products. This study investigated the impact of promotion time frame (i.e., time lapsed and time to go) on the sales performance of tourism and hospitality group-buying deals. We also evaluated if the days of the week affect the sales of these deals. We analyzed 603 observations of 101 restaurant deals from the top 25 group-buying websites m Hong Kong and conducted an analysis of covariance to analyze the collected data. Results showed that the daily sales of restaurant deals are affected by the lapsed time, time to go, and day of the week. Given the combined effects of time lapsed and time to go, restaurants can achieve optimum sales of their group-buying deals by observing a five-day promotional period. The deals made available on Thursdays were found to achieve the highest sales. The results of this study will help restaurateurs and group-buying websites to determine the ideal promotional time frame for generating sales from group-buying deals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of world-class Bay makes the marine ecology in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Great Bay Area in risk. Based on the DPSIR index framework, Lotka-Volterra symbiosis model is applied to calculate symbiosis degree between coastal socio-economic system and marine ecosystem in 9 coastal cities. It is found that the marine ecological pressure in this area have not been reversed in recent 20 years. Most cities are in the stage that socio-economic development and marine ecological damage coexist. In Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Dongguan and Zhongshan, the damaged marine ecology has begun to restrain the further expansion of economy and society. The massive population agglomeration in Hong Kong, Macao and other places has caused serious marine ecological stress. It is urgent to improve the marine ecological security by cultivating ecological industrial system and industrial clusters, establishing a land-sea ecological restoration, promoting joint-protection and co-governance across different administrative regions. [Display omitted] • Relationship between coastal socio-economic system and marine ecosystem was revealed. • The marine ecological security was evaluated by Lotka-Volterra symbiosis model. • DPSIR system was constructed with marine ecological, economic, and social indicators. • Suggestions for improving marine ecology in the Greater Bay Area were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) incidence and prevalence increasing, it is necessary to identify patients with advanced fibrosis (F3-F4 stages). We evaluated the performance of new biomarkers and algorithms for diagnosing advanced fibrosis in an Asian population. Data from two Asian cohorts (including 851 biopsy-proven MAFLD [578 from Wenzhou, 273 from Hong Kong]) were studied. The association between N-terminal propeptide of type 3 collagen (PRO-C3) and the histologic stage of liver fibrosis was analyzed by multivariable linear regression. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to test the diagnostic performance of serum PRO-C3 and the ADAPT score for advanced fibrosis and compared them to other established non-invasive tests. Serum PRO-C3 levels increased progressively across liver fibrosis stages and correlated with advanced fibrosis (P < 0.001). The ADAPT score had an AUROC of 0.865 (95% confidence interval 0.829–0.901) for advanced fibrosis; the accuracy, sensitivity and negative predictive values were 81.4%, 82.2% and 96.1%, respectively. This result was better compared to that of PRO-C3 alone or other non-invasive fibrosis biomarkers (aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index, Fibrosis-4, BARD, and NAFLD fibrosis score). In subgroup analyses (including sex, age, diabetes, NAFLD activity score, body mass index or serum alanine aminotransferase levels), the ADAPT score had good diagnostic performance. PRO-C3 and the ADAPT score reliably exclude advanced fibrosis in MAFLD patients and reduce the need for liver biopsy. • The N-terminal propeptide of type 3 collagen can be used for the staging fibrosis. • The ADAPT score has better diagnostic performance for identifying advanced fibrosis. • The ADAPT score can be used as new noninvasive tests for diagnosing advanced fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study utilizes almost ideal demand system (AIDS) models to examine Hong Kong''s competitiveness as an international tourist destination in comparison with its competitors. The empirical findings of the study shed new light on the destination competitiveness literature and demonstrate that a destination''s competitiveness should be examined from a market-specific perspective. The results also suggest that Hong Kong is more competitive than Macau, particularly in terms of its ability to attract Australian and mainland Chinese tourists, while price elasticity calculations suggest Singapore and South Korea are more competitive than Hong Kong. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Pneumococcal universal vaccination in Hong Kong was introduced in 2009. Objectives: We assessed the health and economic impact of the 10-valent pneumococcal nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PCV-10) compared with the current 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) recommended for Hong Kong in 2011, providing new elements to be considered by public health authorities in the future decision-making process for pneumococcal vaccines in this country. Methods: An analytical model was used to estimate the annual economic and health outcomes of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), community-acquired pneumonia, and acute otitis media (AOM), including nontypeable H. influenzae–related AOM, for a birth cohort in Hong Kong from the payer perspective with a 10-year horizon. Clinical impact including morbidity-mortality, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), incremental costs, and cost-effectiveness comparing PCV-10 and PCV-13 were estimated. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses by using alternate scenarios were performed. Results: Model projections indicate that PCV-13 and PCV-10 have approximately equivalent impact on the prevention of deaths caused by IPD and pneumonia. PCV-13 is projected to prevent 6 additional cases of IPD, whereas PCV-10 is projected to prevent 13,229 additional AOM cases and 101 additional QALYs. For the base case, PCV-10 vaccination is estimated to save 44.6 million Hong Kong dollars (34.1 million Hong Kong dollars discounted). Sensitivity analysis indicated that PCV-10 would generate more QALYs and save costs as compared with PCV-13. Conclusions: Universal infant vaccination with new available pneumococcal vaccines is expected to generate a significant additional impact on reducing the burden of pneumococcal diseases in Hong Kong. PCV-10 vaccination would be potentially a cost-saving strategy compared with PCV-13 vaccination, generating better cost offsets and higher QALY gains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background & Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second-most common cancer in Hong Kong. Relatives of patients with CRC have an increased risk of colorectal neoplasm. We assessed the prevalence of advanced neoplasms among asymptomatic siblings of patients with CRC. Methods: Patients with CRC were identified from the Prince of Wales Hospital CRC Surgery Registry from 2001 to 2011. Colonoscopies were performed for 374 siblings of patients (age, 52.6 ± 7.4 y) and 374 age- and sex-matched siblings of healthy subjects who had normal colonoscopies and did not have a family history of CRC (controls, 52.7 ± 7.4 y). We identified individuals with advanced neoplasms (defined as cancers or adenomas of at least 10 mm in diameter, high-grade dysplasia, with villous or tubulovillous characteristics). Results: The prevalence of advanced neoplasms was 7.5% among siblings of patients and 2.9% among controls (matched odds ratio [mOR], 3.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5–6.3; P = .002). The prevalence of adenomas larger than 10 mm was higher among siblings of patients than in controls (5.9% vs 2.1%; mOR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.45–7.66; P = .004), as was the presence of colorectal adenomas (31.0% vs 18.2%; mOR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.52–3.17; P < .001). Six cancers were detected among siblings of patients; no cancers were detected in controls. The prevalence of advanced neoplasms among siblings of patients was higher when their index case was female (mOR, 4.95; 95% CI, 1.81–13.55) and had distally located CRC (mOR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.34–7.14). Conclusions: In Hong Kong, siblings of patients with CRC have a higher prevalence of advanced neoplasms, including CRC, than siblings of healthy individuals. Screening is indicated in this high-risk population. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT00164944. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Special Administration Region Institution is a basic institution explicitly regulated in Chinese Constitution and is based on the Constitutional system. Therefore, the Constitution shall reasonably be implemented within the territory of SAR, where the requirement of "One Country Two Systems" should be adhered to: by upholding "One Country", the Constitution should be implemented nationwide including the SAR; by realizing "Two Systems", the contents and manners of the implementation can be flexible within the SAR. Through effective implementation of the Constitution, a stable relationship between China mainland and Hong Kong and Macao SAR can be ensured. Furthermore, a law ruling relationship may be materialized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines and presents a discussion on school psychology services available to students with special needs in Hong Kong primary and secondary schools. An in-depth case study was conducted to describe the professional development experiences of a Hong Kong school psychologist named Cindy (pseudo name). Using the case-study method with verification via various sources, we investigated Cindy's professional training and the services she provides in school. This article presents challenges facing Cindy and their implications for her personal adjustment in the school team. This article concludes with certain reflections regarding school psychologists' roles in the 21th century and presents suggestions for professional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There has been a lack of research on exploring how beliefs about language learning (BALLs) and out-of-class language-learning activities are related. BALLs and out-of-class language-learning activities play an important role in influencing the learning behaviours of learners and learning outcomes. Findings of this study provide useful pedagogical implications for English teaching in Hong Kong. Aim: The aim of the study is to gather information on the BALLs and out-of-class language-learning activities of young adult ESL learners in Hong Kong. Sample: Convenience sampling is adopted in this study of 324 ESL (English as a Second Language) learners undertaking vocational education in Hong Kong. Methods: Surveys on BALLs and out-of-class language-learning activiti Results: Findings indicate that learners held mostly positive beliefs. Watching films and television, reading, listening to English songs, music and radio channels, formal learning and practising speaking with others were the out-of-class language-learning activities reported by subjects that they carried out most frequently. There is an association between BALLs and the implementation of activities. Learners who regarded out-of-class language-learning activities as useful were found to possess more positive beliefs regarding their English learning in terms of BALLI (Beliefs About Language Learning Inventory) items. Learners who implemented out-of-class language-learning activities were found to have more positive beliefs in terms of two factors, Perceived value and nature of learning spoken English and Self-efficacy and expectation about learning English. Conclusion: The contextual influences of English being a prestigious language in Hong Kong and being attached with tangible rewards and power are suggested to contribute to the prevalence of instrumental motivation among ESL learners in Hong Kong. These influences, together with notion of modesty and the fear of losing face in Confucianism, also contribute to the popularity out-of-class activities related to receptive skills such as reading newspapers and watching TV rather than those involve productive skills such as face-to-face contacts and writing [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Marine waters from six sites around Hong Kong with varying levels of sewage pollution were examined for noroviruses (NoVs) by PCR cloning and sequencing of a highly-variable N-terminal region of the VP1 capsid gene, at the ORF1-ORF2 junction of NoV. Phylogenetic analysis of genogroups GI- and GII-specific PCR clones obtained from different marine sites indicated that human NoV GI.1 and GII.4 strains are the most prevalent genotypes circulating in Hong Kong waters. GI- and GII-specific TaqMan-based real-time PCR assays targeting the ORF1-ORF2 junction of NoVs were used to quantify NoV particles in marine water samples in parallel with total Escherichia coli counts which were enumerated on TBX medium. No correlation of any significance between NoV and E. coli counts was observed which highlighted the inadequacy in using E. coli as a fecal indicator to predict the level of NoVs in marine waters to protect public health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Marine waters from seven sites around Hong Kong with varying levels of sewage pollution were analyzed for Hepatitis A virus (HAV) by PCR cloning and DNA sequencing of the highly variable VP1/2A junction of the HAV genome. Phylogenetic analysis of 10 PCR clones from each of the HAV-positive marine sites indicated that human HAV genotype IB is the most widely distributed type in Hong Kong waters. A sensitive and quantitative TaqMan-based PCR method targeting the 5′-noncoding region (5′-NCR) of HAV was used to quantify HAV particles in marine water samples along with the total Escherichia coli counts being enumerated on TBX medium for comparison. Our results showed that no correlation of any significance between HAV and E. coli counts was observed which underscores the inadequacy in using E. coli as a sanitary standard to predict the levels of HAV in marine waters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Environmental fate of fish farm wastes (FFW) released from an open-sea-cage farm at Kat O, Hong Kong was examined by measuring carbon and nitrogen stable isotope (SI) ratios in selected benthic organisms collected along a 2000m transect from the farm. Our results showed that FFW significantly influenced the energy utilization profile of consumers near the fish farm. Although nitrogen enrichment effect on δ15N was anticipated in biota near the farm, the predicted patterns did not consistently occur in all feeding guilds. Two species of suspension-feeders, which relied on naturally δ15N-depleted sources, were δ15N-enriched near the fish farm. In contrast, both species of benthic grazer and deposit-feeder, which relied on naturally δ15N-enriched algal sources, were δ15N-depleted under the influence of FFW. The SI signatures of biota can, therefore, serve as feasible biomarkers for FFW discharges only when the trophic structure of the receiving environment is fully elucidated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper analyzes a series of population census and by-census data from 1991 to 2006 to examine the economic adaptation of Chinese immigrants in Hong Kong, focusing on their employment, occupational and earnings attainment. We pay particular attention to the adaptation of immigrants over time, and the effect of changes in the (overall) quality of the immigration cohort as a result of the immigration policy shift after Hong Kong's reunification with China in 1997. Results show that at the time of entry, mainland immigrants were less likely to be employed, more likely to be trapped in elementary occupations and to be earning much less than the natives. As they stayed longer, the gaps tended to decrease, but most immigrants were unable to reach parity with the natives with respect to earnings throughout their working lives. Men generally adapted at a faster pace than women. While new immigrants after 1997 fared worse in terms of employment and occupational attainment compared to those who arrived earlier (before 1997), there is no evidence to suggest that the changing cohort quality had any significant effect on overall income inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This commentary looks at the contributions and future research implications of the four articles in this Special Issue of Thinking Skills and Creativity to the fields of creativity and creativity education, both in culture-specific and culture-general terms. The articles included in this Special Issue draw attention to issues of development, implementation, and assessment of creativity and creativity education programs in three distinct Chinese societies: China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. They also point to broader academic trends regarding Chinese and Asian creativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface and core sediments collected from six fish farms in Hong Kong and from reference sites were investigated for the enrichment and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Moderately high ∑PAH16 levels (123–947ngg−1, mean: 450ngg−1) were found in the surface aquaculture sediments. In comparison with the sediments from the reference sites, the average enrichment percentage of total organic carbon (TOC) and PAHs in surface sediments were 21.4 and 43.8%, respectively, and in the core sediments, 24.6 and 73.7%, respectively. Mathematical source apportionment analyses (i.e. isomer ratios, hierarchical cluster analysis, principal components analysis with multiple linear regression analysis) suggested a higher percentage of petrogenic sources in aquaculture sediments. The fish feeds might be the main source of the enriched PAHs in the aquaculture sediments. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing that PAHs in aquaculture sediments could be attributed to human aquaculture activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: One of the theme of educational reform is to improve the reading performance of pupils in Hong Kong. The Curriculum Development Council stated "to promote a reading culture" is one of the four key tasks of school curriculum reform on 2002. After several years, Hong Kong pupils have a better result in international assessments. In the Programme for International Student Assessment(PISA), Hong Kong pupils have a clear up from 10th in 2003 to3rd in 2006, Meanwhile, Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2006 finds that Primary 4 pupils in Hong Kong come second in reading literacy among 45 participating jurisdictions, up from 14th in 2001. Aims: To investigate the improvement of pupil's reading by a case study and analysis the school-based strategies used. Method: Beside the quantitative and qualitative data of a primary school, focus and in-depth interviews are used to triangular the reasons of the improvement of this primary school. Results: The improvement of pupils' reading in this school causes from several reasons. The school utilize self-evaluation concept to regulate the pupils reading, create more opportunity for pupils' to read, adopt useful reading strategies for the school development. Conclusion: The case illuminates the process of a school to improve pupils' reading performance and gives reasons for why Hong Kong pupils have a better reading performance in these years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Data from literature on neutral red retention time (NRRT) in lysosomes, micronucleus (MN) frequency and condition index (CI) in mussel Mytilus, especially Mytilus edulis and Mytilus galloprovincialis, were re-analyzed to ascertain their statistical power in detecting a minimum 20% spatial/temporal change in field studies. Results showed that CI largely displayed higher statistical power (>90%) than lysosomal NRRT and MN frequency (<50%), suggesting that data from the latter two biomarkers may lead to erroneous conclusions if sample size is inadequate. Samples of green-lipped mussel Perna viridis were also analyzed in Hong Kong. To achieve statistically valid power, the optimal sample sizes for monitoring lysosomal NRRT, MN frequency, CI and gonosomatic index (GSI) were determined as ⩾34, ⩾90, ⩾16 and ⩾29, respectively. Natural variability of lysosomal NRRT and MN frequency was significantly greater than CI and/or GSI in mussels, rejecting the general belief in the greater variability of higher-tiered hierarchical biomarkers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Monitoring the coastal water quality (CWQ) and determining the effects of meteorological factors (MF) on the long-term CWQ adjacent to urban agglomerations are key topics in coastal monitoring and management. This study used satellite-derived data to study the long-term CWQ around the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) with indicators of chlorophyll-a concentration (Chla) and diffuse attenuation coefficient for downwelling irradiance at 490 nm (Kd(490)). The sea surface temperature (SST) and total precipitation accumulation (TPA) of the waters around the GBA were also studied from 2003 to 2019. Furthermore, statistical analysis was conducted to identify the impact of the MF on CWQ by quantifying trends and relationships of CWQ & MF. The results showed that (1) An increasing trend of annual Chla, Kd(490), and TPA were observed, whereas a decreasing trend of SST has been recorded from 2003 to 2019. Both CWQ indicators and meteorological variables showed significant differences among seasons, and the values of Chla, Kd(490), and SST were found higher in the coastal area but lower in the open waters area. (2) SST was the crucial factor of the high values of CWQ indicators in summer: the highest values of Chla and Kd(490) in summer are likely to be attributed to the proper SST (r = 0.87; r = 0.83) and higher TPA in spring (r = 0.95; r = 0.93). The precipitation played an uncertain role in driving the CWQ (r > 0.9 and r < −0.9 in spring and winter, respectively). A significant increase in TPA was associated with the decrease of SST in the coming year. (3) Due to the relatively stable change of natural environment and human activities, the trends of Chla, Kd(490), and TPA remained broadly consistent with those of the past 17 years. However, SST indicates a slight downward trend. In summary, the TPA and SST-driven patterns were essential in the management of water quality indicators in the GBA area. This study can improve our comprehensive understanding of the water quality status in the coastal regions of the GBA and provide references to the coastal zone and marine management, as well as the sustainable development of the GBA. [Display omitted] • Spatio-temporal analysis of the coastal water quality and meteorological state characteristics in the coastal area. • Research the trends of water quality and meteorological state through geographic mathematics analysis. • Mapping combined with quantitative analysis of the distribution characteristics of water quality and meteorological state. • Settled a comprehensive understanding of the water quality status in the coastal area. • Provide references for the coastal zone and marine management, even the sustainable development of the urban agglomeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying truck-loaded materials is a problem in many industrial operations. In construction and demolition waste (CDW) management, inspectors at disposal facilities are often required to measure the amount of different waste components loaded by incoming trucks to determine admissibility. Due to the bulky and mixed nature of construction materials, accurate quantification of specific waste categories without sacrificing operability in the field is a challenge. This study proposes a CDW volume estimation algorithm based on monocular vision which can automatically quantify from a single image the amount of specific material components, e.g., rock, gravel, and wood, in waste mixtures. The algorithm achieves a relative error of 0.065 in calculating truck bucket dimensions, and a relative error of 0.169 in estimating material-level construction waste volume. It takes 3.3 s in average to process one image. In applying the algorithm to analyze 2,914 waste truckloads received by an off-site sorting facility in Hong Kong, we observe that the facility entrance received around 800.0 m3 CDW per day of which about 10.8 m3 were rejected. Since non-inert wood/cardboard accounts for the highest proportion among all material types, this may imply that many waste dumps accepted by the facility may have been in violation of the admissibility criteria. The study contributes to the knowledge body by providing a novel, non-destructive approach to quantifying CDW via monocular vision. It can be extended to address the general problem of truck payload quantification in scenarios such as road construction, warehouse inventory management, and logistics and supply chain management. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study examined gender differences in creative self-efficacy. • Gender differences were analyzed based on both mean and variability analyses. • The results of mean comparisons suggest a pattern of male superiority. • The results of variability analyses revealed a pattern of greater male variability. This study investigated gender differences in creative self-efficacy among 398 (49.5% female) undergraduate students in Hong Kong by analyzing both means and variability. The Creative Self-Efficacy (CSE) subscale in the Short Scale of Creative Self (SSCS) was translated and adapted to Chinese to assess creative self-efficacy. Interesting gendered patterns were found. First, the results of mean comparisons suggest a pattern of male superiority, though the effect size was small (d = 0.24). Second, the results of variability analyses suggest a pattern of greater male variability: (1) men exhibited greater variance than women in the overall distribution of creative self-efficacy scores, with the male/female variance ratio (VR) = 1.64, and (2) men were overrepresented at both the high and low extremes of the score distribution, with the male/female ratio = 2.62 – 9.99. The important methodological implication is that both means and variability should be analyzed to gain a more thorough understanding of gender differences in creative self-efficacy. The practical implication of the findings is that gender differences should be considered in the cultivation of creative self-efficacy, which has been shown to positively influence creative outcomes and creative achievements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of salinity on the removal of dissolved organic carbon and nutrients from municipal wastewater by constructed mangrove microcosms planted with Aegiceras corniculatum were investigated. During the four-month wastewater treatment, the treatment efficiency was reduced by high salinity, and the removal percentages of dissolved organic carbon, ammonia-N and inorganic N dropped from 91% to 71%, from 98% to 83% and from 78% to 56%, respectively, with salinity increasing from 0 to 30 parts per thousands (ppt). In spite of such inhibition at high salinity, 100% of the effluents discharge from the constructed mangrove microcosms still complied with the discharge standards set by the Hong Kong Government for Coastal Water Control Zones. These results suggested that constructed mangrove wetland treatment systems were promising to effectively treat municipal wastewater, even those with high salinity. In addition, the denitrification potential in soil was found to be retarded by the high salinity while mangrove plants grew best at 15ppt salinity condition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Despite its wealth, excellent vital indices and robust health care infrastructure, Hong Kong has a relatively high incidence of tuberculosis (TB) (85.4 per 100 000). Hong Kong residents have also experienced a very rapid and recent epidemiological transition; the population largely originated from migration by southern Chinese in the mid 20th century. Given the potentially long latency period of TB infection, an investigation was undertaken to determine the extent to which TB incidence rates reflect the population history and the impact of public health interventions. Methods: An age-period-cohort model was used to break down the Hong Kong TB notification rates from 1961 to 2005 into the effects of age, calendar period and birth cohort. Results: Analysis by age showed a consistent pattern across all the cohorts by year of birth, with a peak in the relative risk of TB at 20-24 years of age. Analysis by year of birth showed an increase in the relative risk of TB from 1880 to 1900, stable risk until 1910, then a linear rate of decline from 1910 with an inflection point at 1990 for a steeper rate of decline. Period effects yielded only one inflection during the calendar years 1971-5. Conclusions: Economic development, social change and the World Health Organisation's short-course directly observed therapy (DOTS) strategy have contributed to TB control in Hong Kong. The linear cohort effect until 1990 suggests that a relatively high, but slowly falling, incidence of TB in Hong Kong will continue into the next few decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-year study was conducted in the vicinity of a harbour in sub-tropical Hong Kong, to examine the progress of improvement in sediment quality and recovery of macrobenthic community upon cessation of organic pollution caused by sewage discharge. Median sediment particle diameter (Mdϕ) and levels of total organic carbon (TOC), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), ammonia–nitrogen (NH3–N) and total phosphorus (TP), as well as macrobenthic species composition and abundance were determined bi-monthly at three inside-harbour and two outside-harbour locations. At the two inside-harbour locations, significantly higher levels of TOC, TKN, NH3–N and TP in sediments were observed than the outside-harbour locations. However, no significant temporal change of nutrient levels was detected at all sampling locations during the two-year study, except a significant decrease in TKN and NH3–N levels at one outside-harbour location and a decline in NH3–N content at another outside-harbour location. Spatially, the highest in mean total species number, individual number, species diversity H′ and lowest evenness J was found at one outside-harbour location, whereas the other four locations had relatively similar values. H′ was negatively correlated with TOC, TKN, NH3–N and TP content in sediments while J was positively correlated with MDϕ. Across the study period, the patterns of macrobenthic community were significantly different among all samplings and that the spatial difference of benthic community was best correlated with MDϕ, TOC, TKN and water depth. A weak sign of recovery in macrobenthic community structure was detected at inside-harbour locations, with replacement of opportunistic by ubiquitous species over the two-year study. The slow recovery of macrobenthic community was related to sediment characteristics. Results of a larval settlement bioassay using the polychaete Capitella sp. I also demonstrated that the inside-harbour sediments were still unfavourable for colonization and larval settlement of species sensitive to pollution. The slow biodegradation of the organic pollutants and continuous presence of heavy metals in the sediment may hinder settlement and colonization of benthic animals. However, increases of H′ and J were observed in a longer time scale when comparing the present data with those obtained four years ago. This suggested that a detectable recovery of benthic community in the harbour may take at least three years and a complete recovery may even take longer duration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A two-year study was conducted in the vicinity of a harbour in sub-tropical Hong Kong, to examine the progress of recovery of macrobenthic community, based on analyses of both life-history traits and trophic guilds of polychaetes, upon cessation of organic pollution caused by sewage discharge. Seventy seven out of 83 species collected were classified under four ecological groups based on the life-history traits and sensitivity to organic gradients. The mean ATZI marine biotic index (AMBI) derived from these ecological groups showed spatial difference among the five sampling locations. In particular, the presence of different percentages of polychaete species from Groups III (unbalanced community) and IV (polluted community) suggested the presence of pollution stress in certain degree at all sampling locations. However, no significant temporal changes were noted over the study period. From all polychaete species identified, they were classified into 13 feeding guilds. The mean diversity of these feeding guilds at most of the sampling locations was significantly higher than that at one of the inside-harbour locations. The composition of feeding guilds was also significantly different spatially. At one of the inside-harbour locations, the dominant feeding guilds were motile/discretely motile surface deposit feeders with tentaculates or unarmed pharynx, and motile omnivores with jawed pharynx in the first year of study, but were replaced by motile, jawed carnivores in the second year of study. The increased proportion of carnivores over the study period can be seen as a sign of recovery in the community structure since abundance of predators is commonly higher in habitats with better environmental quality. The implications of using life-history traits and feeding guild analyses for benthic community are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study explores the influence of national culture on trust development of virtual community members across China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The research extends trust research by employing trust tendency, privacy policy, social presence, stickiness, and word-of-mouth to measure the trust of virtual community members. The quantitative analysis suggests that China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are three culturally diverse regions and there exists significant differences in individual trust tendency, social presence, stickiness, and word-of-mouth. When testing the relationship between antecedents of trust and trusting belief the analysis shows that individual trust tendency and social presence relates to trusting belief positively. Furthermore, trusting belief influences trust behavior positively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]