Risk factors for child physical abuse and neglect among Chinese young mothers

Lo, Camilla K.M.,Tung, Keith T.S.,Chan, Ko Ling,Yip, Paul S.F.,Lau, Joseph T.F.,Wong, Wilfred H.S.,Wong, Rosa S.,Tsang, Anita M.C.,Tsang, Hannah Y.H.,Tso, Winnie W.Y.,Ip, Patrick Elsevier 2017 Child abuse & neglect Vol.67 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Although studies have reported a linkage between young pregnancy and child maltreatment risk, it is still unclear about what factors place young mothers at greater risk of maltreating their child in Chinese context. Based on the socio-ecological model, risk factors in 4 domains: family background/structure, maternal stressors, mother-child interaction, and child behavioral issue in relation to physical assault, neglect, both physical assault and neglect, and either physical assault or neglect among Chinese young mothers in Hong Kong were assessed. 392 young mothers were recruited from an integrated supportive program for young mothers. The mean age of mothers at delivery was 21.8 (SD=3.0) and 52.3% were married. Individual risk factors and cumulative risk domains related to different child maltreatment groups were examined. Our results show both overlapping and unique risk factors across the domains associated with physical assault and neglect. Further, young families exposed to higher number of risk domains show higher rates for physical assault and neglect, co-occurrence of physical assault and neglect, and either form of maltreatment. In addition, various risk domains were found to be particularly important for different forms of maltreatment: family background/structure domain was found to be an important risk domain for neglect; mother-child interaction domain for both physical assault and neglect; family background/structure and maternal stressors domains for either physical assault or neglect. Closer examination of a subgroup of adolescent mothers aged 18 and below shows that family background/structure was an important risk domain for this group.</P>

A Further Development of TQM Model: Meeting Organisational Development Needs

Chan, Y.K.,Chan, Jimmy S.F.,Chau K.Y. The Korean Society for Quality Management 2005 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.6 No.2

While there are many successful cases where application of the TQM model has reaped substantial benefits (Corcoran, 1996; Hayday, 1996 and Massey, 1996), there is little attempt to further develop the TQM model to meet organisations' development needs. The purpose of this paper is introduce the process of development of a fit-for-purpose management system model to meet the development needs of the MTR Corporation Limited, a metro company of Hong Kong. The new management system model is formulated based on the previous research results, on TQM but comprises a new approach to bridging their pitfalls. The formulation of the TMS elements is based on the common factors of four National Quality Awards (Japan, USA, Europe and Australia) and the critical factors developed by seven studies. These studies include those of Saraph et al. (1989), Flynn et al. (1994), Anderson et al. (1995), Powell (1995), Handfield and Ghosh (1995), Black and Porter (1996), and Ahire et al. (1996).

Influence of Dissimilar Cores on the Mode-Coupling Dynamics of Multicore Fibers

Chan, F. Y. M.,Mudhana, G.,Byeong Ha Lee IEEE 2012 Photonics Technology Letters Vol.24 No.16

<P>We present a theoretical analysis of the mode-coupling dynamics of heterogeneous 6- and 7-core multicore fibers (MCFs). Simple analytical expressions for the mode amplitudes are derived, which highlight the effects of dissimilar cores on the coupling characteristics. Although power transfer is confined among the group of identical cores, the coupling within each group is significantly affected by the presence of neighboring dissimilar cores and is dependent on the propagation constants of the eigenmodes of the composite multicore structure. The dissimilar cores can enhance or mitigate the coupling effects by choosing appropriate design parameters. The formulas can serve as a basis for understanding the cross-talk of MCFs for more complicated cases involving longitudinal perturbations.</P>

Corporate Reengineering for MRPII Implementation: Via a Hierarchical Modelling Approach

Chan, Jimmy S.F.,Chau K.Y.,Chan, Y.K. The Korean Society for Quality Management 2005 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.6 No.2

Manufacturing Resources Planning (MRPII) is one kind of manufacturing information system that can help manufacturing companies gain competitive advantages. It is estimated that more than one hundred MRPII systems are available in the market, many of them are mature enough to solve most operational issues in accordance with users' requirements. More often than not, many of these systems provide more functions than a company expects. Manufacturing companies worldwide have attempted to implement these MRPII systems, however, many companies experienced failure (Turbide, 1996) due to managerial rather than technical issues. The authors propose an approach utilising a roadmap to integrate BPR and the MRPII implementation in order to overcome this difficulty. A detail road map is developed to guide this implementation, which is designed using a hierarchical analysis technique known as Integrated DEFinition Method (IDEF). IDEF is a systematic manufacturing management and integration-modeling tool. The proposed approach is implemented and illustrated using a reference company and the results indicated that 66% reduction in errors for maintaining the bills of materials system; 99% reduction in time to carry out material requirement planning; and 70% reduction in time previously taken for non-productive discussions.

Structural health rating (SHR)-oriented 3D multi-scale finite element modeling and analysis of Stonecutters Bridge

Li, X.F.,Ni, Y.Q.,Wong, K.Y.,Chan, K.W.Y. Techno-Press 2015 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.15 No.1

The Stonecutters Bridge (SCB) in Hong Kong is the third-longest cable-stayed bridge in the world with a main span stretching 1,018 m between two 298 m high single-leg tapering composite towers. A Wind and Structural Health Monitoring System (WASHMS) is being implemented on SCB by the Highways Department of The Hong Kong SAR Government, and the SCB-WASHMS is composed of more than 1,300 sensors in 15 types. In order to establish a linkage between structural health monitoring and maintenance management, a Structural Health Rating System (SHRS) with relevant rating tools and indices is devised. On the basis of a 3D space frame finite element model (FEM) of SCB and model updating, this paper presents the development of an SHR-oriented 3D multi-scale FEM for the purpose of load-resistance analysis and damage evaluation in structural element level, including modeling, refinement and validation of the multi-scale FEM. The refined 3D structural segments at deck and towers are established in critical segment positions corresponding to maximum cable forces. The components in the critical segment region are modeled as a full 3D FEM and fitted into the 3D space frame FEM. The boundary conditions between beam and shell elements are performed conforming to equivalent stiffness, effective mass and compatibility of deformation. The 3D multi-scale FEM is verified by the in-situ measured dynamic characteristics and static response. A good agreement between the FEM and measurement results indicates that the 3D multi-scale FEM is precise and efficient for WASHMS and SHRS of SCB. In addition, stress distribution and concentration of the critical segments in the 3D multi-scale FEM under temperature loads, static wind loads and equivalent seismic loads are investigated. Stress concentration elements under equivalent seismic loads exist in the anchor zone in steel/concrete beam and the anchor plate edge in steel anchor box of the towers.

Enhancement of Excretory Production of an Exoglucanase from Escherichia coli with Phage Shock Protein A (PspA) Overexpression

( Y. Y. Wang ),( Z. B. Fu ),( K. L. Ng ),( C. C. Lam ),( A. K. N. Chan ),( K. F. Sze ),( W. K. R. Wong ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2011 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.21 No.6

Production of recombinant proteins by excretory expression has many advantages over intracellular expression in Escherichia coli. Hyperexpression of a secretory exoglucanase, Exg, of Cellulomonas fimi was previously shown to saturate the SecYEG pathway and result in dramatic cell death of E. coli. In this study, we demonstrated that overexpression of the PspA in the JM101(pM1VegGcexL-pspA) strain enhanced excretion of Exg to 1.65 U/ml using shake-flask cultivation, which was 80% higher than the highest yield previously obtained from the optimized JM101(pM1VegGcexL) strain. A much higher excreted Exg activity of 4.5 U/ml was further achieved with high cell density cultivation using rich media. Furthermore, we showed that the PspA overexpression strain enjoyed an elevated critical value (CV), which was defined as the largest quotient between the intracellular unprocessed precursor and its secreted mature counterpart that was still tolerable by the host cells prior to the onset of cell death, improving from the previously determined CV of 20/80 to the currently achieved CV of 45/55 for Exg. The results suggested that the PspA overexpression strain might tolerate a higher level of precursor Exg making use of the SecYEG pathway for secretion. The reduced lethal effect might be attributable to the overexpressed PspA, which was postulated to be able to reduce membrane depolarization and damage. Our findings introduce a novel strategy of the combined application of metabolic engineering and construct optimization to the attainment of the best possible E. coli producers for secretory/excretory production of recombinant proteins, using Exg as the model protein.

<i>DLEC1</i> is a functional 3p22.3 tumour suppressor silenced by promoter CpG methylation in colon and gastric cancers

Ying, J,Poon, F F,Yu, J,Geng, H,Wong, A H Y,Qiu, G-H,Goh, H K,Rha, S Y,Tian, L,Chan, A T C,Sung, J J Y,Tao, Q Nature Publishing Group 2009 The British journal of cancer Vol.100 No.4

<P>Promoter CpG methylation of tumour suppressor genes (TSGs) is an epigenetic biomarker for TSG identification and molecular diagnosis. We screened genome wide for novel methylated genes through methylation subtraction of a genetic demethylation model of colon cancer (double knockout of <I>DNMT1</I> and <I>DNMT3B</I> in HCT116) and identified <I>DLEC1</I> (Deleted in lung and oesophageal cancer 1), a major 3p22.3 TSG, as one of the methylated targets. We further found that <I>DLEC1</I> was downregulated or silenced in most colorectal and gastric cell lines due to promoter methylation, whereas broadly expressed in normal tissues including colon and stomach, and unmethylated in expressing cell lines and immortalised normal colon epithelial cells. <I>DLEC1</I> expression was reactivated through pharmacologic or genetic demethylation, indicating a DNMT1/DNMT3B-mediated methylation silencing. Aberrant methylation was further detected in primary colorectal (10 out of 34, 29%) and gastric tumours (30 out of 89, 34%), but seldom in paired normal colon (0 out of 17) and gastric (1 out of 20, 5%) samples. No correlation between <I>DLEC1</I> methylation and clinical parameters of gastric cancers was found. Ectopic expression of <I>DLEC1</I> in silenced HCT116 and MKN45 cells strongly inhibited their clonogenicity. Thus, <I>DLEC1</I> is a functional tumour suppressor, being frequently silenced by epigenetic mechanism in gastrointestinal tumours.</P>

Simulation of vibrations of Ting Kau Bridge due to vehicular loading from measurements

Au, F.T.K.,Lou, P.,Li, J.,Jiang, R.J.,Zhang, J.,Leung, C.C.Y.,Lee, P.K.K.,Lee, J.H.,Wong, K.Y.,Chan, H.Y. Techno-Press 2011 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.40 No.4

The Ting Kau Bridge in Hong Kong is a cable-stayed bridge comprising two main spans and two side spans. The bridge deck is supported by three towers, an end pier and an abutment. Each of the three towers consists of a single reinforced concrete mast strengthened by transverse cables and struts. The bridge deck is supported by four inclined planes of cables emanating from anchorages at the tower tops. In view of the heavy traffic on the bridge, and threats from typhoons and earthquakes originated in areas nearby, the dynamic behaviour of long-span cable-supported bridges in the region is always an important consideration in their design. Baseline finite element models of various levels of sophistication have been built not only to match the bridge geometry and cable forces specified on the as-constructed drawings but also to be calibrated using the vibration measurement data captured by the Wind and Structural Health Monitoring System. This paper further describes the analysis of axle loading data, as well as the generation of random axle loads and simulation of vibrations of the bridge using the finite element models. Various factors affecting the vehicular loading on the bridge will also be examined.

Promoter methylation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling antagonist <i>Dkk‐3</i> is associated with poor survival in gastric cancer

Yu, Jun,Tao, Qian,Cheng, Yuen Y.,Lee, Kwan Y.,Ng, Simon S. M.,Cheung, Kin F.,Tian, Linwei,Rha, Sun Y.,Neumann, Ulf,Rö,cken, Christoph,Ebert, Matthias P. A.,Chan, Francis K. L.,Sung, Joseph J. Y. Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2009 Cancer Vol.115 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P><B>BACKGROUND:</B></P><P>Abnormal activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway is common and critical in the pathogenesis of digestive cancers. In this study, the authors investigated the promoter methylation of the dickkopf homolog 3 gene <I>Dkk‐3</I> in these cancers and its prognostic significance in gastric cancer.</P><P><B>METHODS:</B></P><P><I>Dkk‐3</I> methylation was assessed in 173 patients with gastric cancers (including 104 patients who were followed for up to 4090 days) and in 128 patients with colorectal cancer. Cell growth was evaluated by using a colony‐formation assay. For survival analyses, the authors used Kaplan‐Meier plots, the log‐rank test, and Cox proportional regression.</P><P><B>RESULTS:</B></P><P><I>Dkk‐3</I> was silenced or down‐regulated in 12 of 17 gastric cancer cell lines (70.6%) and in 3 of 9 colon cancer cell lines (33.3%). The loss of gene expression was associated with promoter methylation, which could be restored by demethylating agents. Ectopic expression of <I>Dkk‐3</I> suppressed colony formation. Moreover, methylation of <I>Dkk‐3</I> was detected in 117 of 173 primary gastric tumors (67.6%) and in 67 of 128 colorectal tumors (52.3%). The clinical significance and the prognostic value of <I>Dkk‐3</I> methylation also were examined in 104 gastric cancers and in 84 colorectal cancers. Multivariate analysis indicated that <I>Dkk‐3</I> methylation was associated significantly and independently with poor disease survival (relative risk, 2.534; 95% confidence interval, 1.54–4.17; <I>P</I> = .002) in gastric cancer, but not in colorectal cancer. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves revealed that patients who had <I>Dkk‐3</I> methylated gastric cancers had a significantly shorter survival (median, 0.76 years) compared with patients who did not have <I>Dkk‐3</I> methylation (median, 2.68 years; <I>P</I> < .0001; log‐rank test).</P><P><B>CONCLUSIONS:</B></P><P>Epigenetic silencing of the <I>Dkk‐3</I> gene by promoter methylation was a common event in gastric cancer and was associated with a poor outcome in such patients. Cancer 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.</P>

Association of genetic variation in <i>FTO</i> with risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes with data from 96,551 East and South Asians

Li, H.,Kilpelä,inen, T. O.,Liu, C.,Zhu, J.,Liu, Y.,Hu, C.,Yang, Z.,Zhang, W.,Bao, W.,Cha, S.,Wu, Y.,Yang, T.,Sekine, A.,Choi, B. Y.,Yajnik, C. S.,Zhou, D.,Takeuchi, F.,Yamamoto, K.,Chan, J. C.,Man Springer-Verlag 2012 Diabetologia Vol.55 No.4

<P><B>Aims/hypothesis</B></P><P><I>FTO</I> harbours the strongest known obesity-susceptibility locus in Europeans. While there is growing evidence for a role for <I>FTO</I> in obesity risk in Asians, its association with type 2 diabetes, independently of BMI, remains inconsistent. To test whether there is an association of the <I>FTO</I> locus with obesity and type 2 diabetes, we conducted a meta-analysis of 32 populations including 96,551 East and South Asians.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>All studies published on the association between <I>FTO</I>-rs9939609 (or proxy [<I>r</I><SUP>2</SUP> > 0.98]) and BMI, obesity or type 2 diabetes in East or South Asians were invited. Each study group analysed their data according to a standardised analysis plan. Association with type 2 diabetes was also adjusted for BMI. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to pool all effect sizes.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The <I>FTO</I>-rs9939609 minor allele increased risk of obesity by 1.25-fold/allele (<I>p</I> = 9.0 × 10<SUP>−19</SUP>), overweight by 1.13-fold/allele (<I>p</I> = 1.0 × 10<SUP>−11</SUP>) and type 2 diabetes by 1.15-fold/allele (<I>p</I> = 5.5 × 10<SUP>−8</SUP>). The association with type 2 diabetes was attenuated after adjustment for BMI (OR 1.10-fold/allele, <I>p</I> = 6.6 × 10<SUP>−5</SUP>). The <I>FTO</I>-rs9939609 minor allele increased BMI by 0.26 kg/m<SUP>2</SUP> per allele (<I>p</I> = 2.8 × 10<SUP>−17</SUP>), WHR by 0.003/allele (<I>p</I> = 1.2 × 10<SUP>−6</SUP>), and body fat percentage by 0.31%/allele (<I>p</I> = 0.0005). Associations were similar using dominant models. While the minor allele is less common in East Asians (12–20%) than South Asians (30–33%), the effect of <I>FTO</I> variation on obesity-related traits and type 2 diabetes was similar in the two populations.</P><P><B>Conclusions/interpretation</B></P><P><I>FTO</I> is associated with increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, with effect sizes similar in East and South Asians and similar to those observed in Europeans. Furthermore, <I>FTO</I> is also associated with type 2 diabetes independently of BMI.</P><P><B>Electronic supplementary material</B></P><P>The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00125-011-2370-7) contains peer-reviewed but unedited supplementary material, which is available to authorised users.</P>