• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.814-819
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• 2005

There is growing consciousness of the environmental performance of buildings in Hong Kong. The Buildings Department, the Lands Department and the Planning Department of the Hong Kong Government issued the first of a series of joint practice notes [1] to promote the construction of green and innovative buildings. Green features are architectural features used to mitigate migration of noise and various air-borne pollutants and to moderate the transport of heat, air and transmission of daylight from outside to indoor environment in an advantageous way. This joint practice note sets out the incentives to encourage the industry in Hong Kong to incorporate the use of green features in building development. The use of green features in building design not only improves the environmental quality, but also reduces the consumption of non-renewable energy used in active control of indoor environment. Larger window openings in the walls of a building may provide better natural ventilation. However, it also increases the penetration of direct solar radiation into indoor environment. The use of wing wall, one of the green features, is an alternative to create effective natural ventilation. This paper therefore presents a preliminary numerical study of its ventilation performance using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The numerical results will be compared with the results of the wind tunnel experiments of Givoni.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.475-482
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• 2020

Background: Active natural ingredients, especially small molecules, have recently received wide attention as modifiers used to treat neurodegenerative disease by promoting neurogenic regeneration of neural stem cell (NSC) in situ. 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), one of the bioactive ingredients in ginseng, possesses neuroprotective properties. However, the effect of PPD on NSC proliferation and differentiation and its mechanism of action are incompletely understood. Methods: In this study, we investigated the impact of PPD on NSC proliferation and neuronal lineage differentiation through activation of the Wnt/glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β/β-catenin pathway. NSC migration and proliferation were investigated by neurosphere assay, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and EdU assay. NSC differentiation was analyzed by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Involvement of the Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway was examined by molecular simulation and Western blot and verified using gene transfection. Results: PPD significantly promoted neural migration and induced a significant increase in NSC proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, a remarkable increase in anti-microtubule-associated protein 2 expression and decrease in nestin protein expression were induced by PPD. During the differentiation process, PPD targeted and stimulated the phosphorylation of GSK-3β at Ser9 and the active forms of β-catenin, resulting in activation of the Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. Transfection of NSCs with a constitutively active GSK-3β mutant at S9A significantly hampered the proliferation and neural differentiation mediated by PPD. Conclusion: PPD promotes NSC proliferation and neural differentiation in vitro via activation of the Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway by targeting GSK-3β, potentially having great significance for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.418-425
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• 2022

Background: Sorafenib is effective in treating hepatoma, but most patients develop resistance to it. STAT3 signaling has been implicated in sorafenib resistance. Artesunate (ART) and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) have anti-hepatoma effects and can inhibit STAT3 signaling in cancer cells. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Rg3 in combination with ART (Rg3-plus-ART) in overcoming sorafenib resistance, and to examine the involvement of STAT3 signaling in these effects. Methods: Sorafenib-resistant HepG2 cells (HepG2-SR) were used to evaluate the in vitro anti-hepatoma effects of Rg3-plus-ART. A HepG2-SR hepatoma-bearing BALB/c-nu/nu mouse model was used to assess the in vivo anti-hepatoma effects of Rg3-plus-ART. CCK-8 assays and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining were used to examine cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. Immunoblotting was employed to examine protein levels. ROS generation was examined by measuring DCF-DA fluorescence. Results: Rg3-plus-ART synergistically reduced viability of, and evoked apoptosis in HepG2-SR cells, and suppressed HepG2-SR tumor growth in mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that Rg3-plus-ART inhibited activation/phosphorylation of Src and STAT3 in HepG2-SR cultures and tumors. The combination also decreased the STAT3 nuclear level and induced ROS production in HepG2-SR cultures. Furthermore, overactivation of STAT3 or removal of ROS diminished the anti-proliferative effects of Rg3-plus-ART, and removal of ROS diminished Rg3-plus-ART's inhibitory effects on STAT3 activation in HepG2-SR cells. Conclusions: Rg3-plus-ART overcomes sorafenib resistance in experimental models, and inhibition of Src/STAT3 signaling and modulation of ROS/STAT3 signaling contribute to the underlying mechanisms. This study provides a pharmacological basis for developing Rg3-plus-ART into a novel modality for treating sorafenib-resistant hepatoma.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Resources Recycling Conference
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• 2001.05b
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• pp.85-91
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• 2001

This paper provides a case study of landfill gas (LFG) utilization fer direct use as process fuel, and for electrical power generation at restored landfills in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China (HKSAR). The paper specifically covers the LFG utilization schemes, which are required under landfill restoration contracts at the Shuen Wan and Urban Landfills. These contracts provide for the restoration and aftercare of six landfills, and are administered by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the Hong Kong Government. The LFG utilization scheme at the Shuen Wan Landfill incorporates the direct use of LFG by compressing and dehumidifying the LFG prior to conveyance through a 1.6-kilometer (1-mile) pipeline. The pipeline provides an alternate fuel source to naphtha during process heating for gas production at the Tai Po Gas Production Plant of the Hong Kong and China Gas Limited (HKCC). The LFG utilization scheme at the Jordan Valley Landfill (one of the Urban Landfills) beneficially uses the LFG as fuel for electrical power generation with reciprocating internal combustion engines. The LFG is compressed, cooled, and filtered prior to delivery to two engine/generator sets. This system provides power to operate the leachate pre-treatment plant, which processes leachate from all of the Urban Landfill sites. The case study will examine the technical and non-technical considerations, including harriers, for developing, designing and implementing the LFG utilization projects in Hong Kong. Specific regulatory considerations and external governmental agency approvals are discussed, including the requirement to register as a gas-producing utility. While the paper focuses on LFG utilization applications in Hong Kong, many of the considerations discussed are also applicable to development of LFG utilization in other regions of Asia.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2002

The present study was aimed to examine the role of endothelium in the relaxant effect of hawthorn fruit extract of Crataegus pinnatifida in four different types of rat arteries, posterior cerebral communicating artery, right descending coronary artery, common carotid artery, and aorta. In $9,11-dideoxy-11{\alpha}$, $9{\alpha}-epoxy-methanoprostaglandin$ $F_{2{\alpha}}$ (U46619)-preconstricted arterial rings except for aorta, the extract produced endothelium-independent relaxations with similar potency. This relaxation was unaffected by pretreatment with $100\;{\mu}M\;N^G-nitro-L-arginine$ methylester (L-NAME, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), $3\;{\mu}M$ 1H-[l,2,4]oxadiazolo$[4,2-{\alpha}]$quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, the guanylate cyclase inhibitor), or $10\;{\mu}M$ indomethacin (the cyclooxygenase inhibitor). Putative $K^+$ channel blockers (charybdotoxin plus apamin or glibenclamide) did not affect the extract-induced relaxation in cerebral or coronary artery rings. In contrast, in rat aortic rings the extract produced significantly smaller relaxant response in endothelium-denuded rings than that in endothelium-intact rings. Pretreatment with L-NAME or ODQ abolished the extractinduced endothelium-dependent aortic relaxation, whilst indomethacin $(3\;{\mu}M)$ had no effect. The present results indicate that hawthorn fruit extract possesses a vasorelaxing effect in cerebral, coronary and carotid arteries and this effect is independent of the presence of a functional endothelium. However, the extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat aorta was mediated through endothelial nitric oxide and cyclic GMP-dependent mechanisms, suggesting that active components in the extract may act on endothelium to stimulate release of nitric oxide in large conduit arteries of the rats.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7679-7686
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• 2014

Background: This study aimed to seek insights into Chinese women's lay beliefs about cervical cancer causal attributions and prevention. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three new immigrant adult women from Mainland China and thirty-five Hong Kong adult women underwent semi-structured in-depth interviews. Interviews were audio taped, transcribed and analyzed using a Grounded Theory approach. Results: This study generated three foci: causal beliefs about cervical cancer, perceived risk of cervical cancer, and beliefs about cervical cancer prevention. Personal risky practices, contaminated food and environment pollution were perceived as the primary causes of cervical cancer. New immigrant women more likely attributed cervical cancer to external factors. Most participants perceived cervical cancer as an important common fatal female cancer with increased risk/prevalence. Many participants, particularly new immigrant women participants, expressed helplessness about cervical cancer prevention due to lack of knowledge of prevention, it being perceived as beyond individual control. Many new immigrant participants had never undergone regular cervical screening while almost all Hong Kong participants had done so. Conclusions: Some Chinese women hold pessimistic beliefs about cervical cancer prevention with inadequate knowledge about risk factors. Future cervical cancer prevention programs should provide more information and include capacity building to increase Chinese women's knowledge and self-efficacy towards cervical cancer prevention.

• Korean Management Science Review
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.73-89
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• 2013

This paper develops an investment algorithm based on Markowitz's Portfolio Selection Theory, using historical stock return data, and empirically evaluates the performance of the proposed algorithm in the U.S. and the Hong Kong stock markets. The proposed investment algorithm is empirically tested with the 30 constituents of Dow Jones Industrial Average in the U.S. stock market, and the 30 constituents of Hang Seng Index in the Hong Kong stock market. During the 6-year investment period, starting on the first trading day of 2006 and ending on the last trading day of 2011, growth rates of 12.63% and 23.25% were observed for Dow Jones Industrial Average and Hang Seng Index, respectively, while the proposed investment algorithm achieved substantially higher cumulative returns of 35.7% in the U.S. stock market, and 150.62% in the Hong Kong stock market. When compared in terms of Sharpe ratio, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Hang Seng Index achieved 0.075 and 0.155 each, while the proposed investment algorithm showed superior performance, achieving 0.363 and 1.074 in the U.S. and Hong Kong stock markets, respectively. Further, performance in the U.S. stock market is shown to be less sensitive to an investor's risk preference, while aggressive performance goals are shown to achieve relatively higher performance in the Hong Kong stock market. In conclusion, this paper empirically demonstrates that an investment based on a mathematical model using objective historical stock return data for constructing optimal portfolios achieves outstanding performance, in terms of both cumulative returns and Sharpe ratios.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2003.07d
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• pp.2331-2333
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• 2003

전력계통의 원방감시제어시스템(SCADA)은 원방의 전력계동을 화면에 표시하고 감시하며 필요한 제어명령을 실행하는 시스템을 말한다. 철도청의 기존 전력계통 제어시스템은 UNIX를 기반으로 하여 특별히 교육 받은 운용자만이 감시제어 및 관리할 수 있고 구축비용이 많이 소요되며 지역 사무소에서 운용되기 때문에 원격지의 전력계통 사고의 경우 시스템 운용자는 현장의 근무자와 연락하여 사고의 원인을 파악하고 조치해야 하는 단점이 있다. 또한 새로운 통합 SCADA 시스템이 구축되면서 기존 지역사무소에서 운용하던 전력계통 제어시스템이 없어지고 중요 역사마다 지역사무소의 전력계통 제어시스템을 대체할 수 있는 소규모 전력계통 제어시스템의 설치가 요구되고 있다. 본 논문에서는 기존 UNIX를 기반으로 한 SCADA 시스템의 기능을 모두 수용하고 현장의 근무자들이 쉽게 감시제어 및 유지보수까지도 할 수 있는 경제적인 전력 계통 제어시스템을 개발하고자 한다. 소규모 전력 계통 제어시스템을 개발하기 위해 Cimon 이라는 산업자동화프로그램을 이용하였으며 철도청 철암 역사에 직접 시스템을 설치하여 원격소 장치(RTU)와 새로 추가 설치된 전자식배전반을 동시에 수용할 수 있는 소규모 전력계통 제어시스템을 개발하고 실험하였다.

• Journal of Service Research and Studies
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.1-23
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• 2018

This study suggests a way through Hong Kong as an alternative strategy for Korean companies to enter Chinese service market which is rapidly expanding due to China's recent policy switch toward service economy. Service market is generally more regulated, labor-intensive, and domestic demand-oriented than goods market, which makes opening of domestic markets to foreigners slow. In case of China, market control and regulations by the State is tighter than other economies. Therefore, it is important to find ways to avoid regulations from the Chinese government if possible. In this sense, this study investigates the China-Hong Kong CEPA and draws its strategic value for entering Chinese service market by comparing it with the Korea-China FTA service sector. In addition, utilizing the difference in tax agreements between Korea-China and China-Hong Kong, and the human network of Hong Kong entrepreneurs in China may play an important role in reducing the risk that might arise in China.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2007.03a
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• pp.289-298
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• 2007

The development of construction industry has led to the increase in the number of criteria imposed by project clients for selecting contractors. For example, clients often request tenderers to satisfy various conditions such as tight programme, financial strength, managerial ability, relevant work experiences, technical strength, high workmanship standard, safety requirement, quality specification, and yet others. This trend has attracted research interests of devising various methods for helping project clients to assess contractors' bids. For example, in recent development, the Works Bureau of the Hong Kong Government has introduced two mechanisms in tender evaluation for various public work contracts, namely, the Marking Scheme effective from June 2002 and the Formula Approach effective from November 2002 [1], [2]. These approaches evaluate a contractor's tender by considering collectively its tender price and performance attributes, the latter including contractor experience, past performance, technical resources and technical content of his proposal. The tender with the highest combined price and performance score (CPPS) will be normally recommended for acceptance. It appears, however, that there is little existing research in helping contractors to identify a competition strategy that enables the contractor to offer his most competitive bid collectively taking into account his resource capacities and project client's multiple performance criteria. This paper examines the factors affecting contractor's competition strategy to compete for works in Hong Kong. The understanding about the factors will contribute to identifying effective competition strategy. The data used for the analysis were collected from Hong Kong construction industry. The research findings may provide valuable references for investigating effective competition strategies in other construction industries outside the region.