v NIH invests in rapid innovation and development for COVID-19 testing By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (University of Massachusetts Lowell) UMass Medical School and UMass Lowell will perform a key role in a new National Institutes of Health initiative aimed at speeding innovation, development and commercialization of COVID-19 testing technologies via their Center for Advancing Point of Care Technologies collaboration. Full Article
v Study shows need for new focus in anti-vaping efforts for older teens and young adults By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan) They know it's addictive. They know it's linked to dangerous lung diseases. And they know it delivers more nicotine than the cigarettes it's supposed to replace. But the social aspects of vaping drives young people to use Juul and other e-cigarettes, according to nearly two-thirds of teens and young adults in a new study. Less than 5% say the availability of fruity flavors drives use of e-cigarettes by members of their generation, and only 10% say addiction does. Full Article
v Could a polio vaccine stop the coronavirus pandemic? (video) By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (American Chemical Society) The COVID-19 pandemic has scientists considering a few less-conventional options while vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are being developed. One option might be the oral polio vaccine. We chatted with one of the researchers proposing the idea -- Robert Gallo, M.D. -- to understand why a vaccine that hasn't been used in the U.S. for two decades might provide short-term protection against this new coronavirus: https://youtu.be/Wqw4aX4c33c. Full Article
v New guidelines for treating the sickest COVID-19 patients By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (University of Houston) A new set of recommendations for health care workers on the front lines, to help them make decisions on how to treat the most critical COVID-19 patients, those with severe lung or heart failure, has been published. Full Article
v GSA's North-Central Section Meeting goes virtual By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (Geological Society of America) The annual meeting of The Geological Society of America's North-Central Section, originally scheduled to take place in Duluth, Minnesota, will be held virtually on May 18-19, 2020, with technical sessions in the morning and student programming in the afternoon. The online meeting is open and available to everyone for free. No registration is required. Full Article
v Ultraviolet light exposes contagion spread from improper PPE use By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (Florida Atlantic University) Despite PPE use, reports show that many health care workers contracted COVID-19. A novel training technique reinforces the importance of using proper procedures to put on and take off PPE when caring for patients during the pandemic. Researchers vividly demonstrate how aerosol-generating procedures can lead to exposure of the contagion with improper PPE use. The most common error made by the health care workers was contaminating the face or forearms during PPE removal. Full Article
v 'Terrible twos' not inevitable: With engaged parenting, happy babies can become happy toddlers By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (University of Cambridge) Parents should not feel pressured to make their young children undertake structured learning or achieve specific tasks, particularly during lockdown. A new study of children under the age of two has found that parents who take a more flexible approach to their child's learning can - for children who were easy babies - minimise behavioural problems during toddlerhood. Full Article
v COVID-19 dog case explained By www.news.gov.hk Published On :: Wed, 04 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0800 A pet dog repeatedly tested weak positive for the COVID-19 virus, indicating a low-level of infection with the virus, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department said today. The department first collected test samples from the dog on February 26. It detected low levels of COVID-19 virus from its nasal and oral cavity samples on February 27. The dog also tested weak positive for the virus when the department repeated the test on February 28 and March 2. Experts from Hong Kong University’s School of Public Health, City University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Life Sciences and the World Organisation for Animal Health have been consulted, and unanimously agreed that these results suggest that the dog has a low-level of infection and it is likely to be a case of human-to-animal transmission, the department noted. The dog has not shown any signs of disease related to COVID-19. It is currently under quarantine at the animal keeping facility at the Hong Kong Port of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. The department will closely monitor the dog and repeat the test later. To ensure public and animal health, the department strongly advises that mammalian pets from households with COVID-19 infected people, or close contacts of infected individuals, should be put under quarantine in the department’s facilities. The department emphasised that there is currently no evidence that pets can be a source of infection of COVID-19 and under no circumstances should people abandon their pets. Full Article
v CE visits country park By www.news.gov.hk Published On :: Sat, 07 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0800 Chief Executive Carrie Lam today visited Tai Mo Shan Country Park to inspect its management services amid the COVID-19 epidemic. She was accompanied by Secretary for the Environment KS Wong and Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Dr Leung Siu-fai. Mrs Lam visited personnel working at the park’s visitor centre and Twisk Country Park Management Centre of Tai Lam Country Park. She observed how they enhanced campsites and associated facilities, improved hiking trails with natural materials, provided more lookout points for people to enjoy the scenery and strengthened services at visitor centres. Mrs Lam learnt about the department’s anti-epidemic measures and management work, including running temperature checks on all park visitors. Noting that the number of visitors in various country parks increased by 25% in February, Mrs Lam praised staff for their commitment to strengthening anti-epidemic work to safeguard public health. The department enhanced its promotions and public education on anti-epidemic measures and protecting the environment through various means including social media and the networks of partner organisations. Mrs Lam also visited a refreshment kiosk to learn about its business. The department has provided rent concessions to all kiosks in country parks and will extend such relief measures until September this year to help shop operators during these difficult times. Mrs Lam said she appreciated the kiosk’s efforts to protect the environment and reduce waste and disposable plastics, which encourages people to adopt a greener lifestyle. She also appealed to the public to exercise social distancing while enjoying the countryside amid the epidemic. Full Article
v Heng Tai Hse partially evacuated By www.news.gov.hk Published On :: Sat, 14 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0800 People living in units 13 and 14 of the top six floors of Heng Tai House in Fu Heng Estate, Tai Po need to be quarantined as a precaution. Hong Kong University Chair of Infectious Disease Prof Yuen Kwok-yung made the statement at a media briefing today after an expert team conducted initial epidemiological investigations in the building to find the cause of a new COVID-19 infection. The new case announced this afternoon involves a 59-year-old man who lives on the 34th floor of the building. Prof Yuen said: “There is a possibility that when the patients on the 32nd floor are defecating - we know now that the fecal material actually contains the virus - while they’re defecating the fecal material goes into the sewer system. “There is a vent of air that comes through the venting pipe, which goes to the top floor and maybe aerosolised in the air and then the droplets try to settle but, while at the same time, when there’s a light wind blowing, in which the air current going over the rooftop carries the particles back into the top floors. “And of course, the 34th floor is the top floor. That is the most dangerous, followed by the 33rd and 32nd floors.” Prof Yuen added he is uncertain if the venting pipe will continue to produce more infected aerosolised particles. “So it is just a precautionary measure that we must remove the residents from the top six floors in units 13 and 14 for a period of time.” For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government's dedicated webpage. Full Article
v Dog tests positive for COVID-19 By www.news.gov.hk Published On :: Thu, 19 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0800 The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) today said a pet dog has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The case involves a German Shepherd dog whose owners live in Pok Fu Lam. This follows an earlier case in which a 17-year-old Pomeranian dog tested weak positive during repeated tests for the virus. When the German Shepherd's owner was confirmed with COVID-19, it was sent for quarantine with another mixed breed dog from the same residence to the animal keeping facility at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge's Hong Kong Port yesterday. No positive results were obtained from the mixed breed dog and neither dog has shown any signs of the disease. The department will continue to closely monitor both dogs and conduct repeated tests on them. It strongly advises that mammalian pet animals including dogs and cats from households with people confirmed as infected with COVID-19, or close contacts of COVID-19 infected people, should be put under quarantine in AFCD facilities. The department emphasised that there is currently no evidence pet animals can be a source of COVID-19 for humans or that this virus can cause the disease in dogs. Pet owners are reminded to maintain good hygiene practices and under no circumstances should they abandon their pets. Full Article
v Meteorological dev't plan welcomed By www.news.gov.hk Published On :: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0800 The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today welcomed the promulgation of the Meteorological Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (2020-2035) by the China Meteorological Administration. In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the promulgation of the plan would further strengthen meteorological co-operation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau in areas such as data sharing, scientific research and innovation, and training of meteorological personnel. Such co-operation would in turn enhance the meteorological services in the three places, it added. The relevant co-operation initiatives will benefit the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) in its development of fine-scale meteorological monitoring, warning and forecasting services, and will further enhance Hong Kong's capability in forecasting extreme weather events, the statement said, adding the HKO will take forward the initiatives in collaboration with the relevant authorities in Guangdong and Macau. The full text of the meteorological plan is available on the China Meteorological Administration's website. It can also be accessed via the Hong Kong SAR Government's Greater Bay Area and HKO websites. Full Article
v About the cover: The Fine–Petrović Polygons and the Newton–Puiseux Method for Algebraic Ordinary Differential Equations By www.ams.org Published On :: Fri, 13 Mar 2020 16:19 EDT Vladimir Dragović and Irina Goryuchkina Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. 57 (2020), 293-299. Abstract, references and article information Full Article
v Hausdorff Dimension, Lagrange and Markov Dynamical Spectra for Geometric Lorenz Attractors By www.ams.org Published On :: Fri, 13 Mar 2020 16:19 EDT Carlos Gustavo T. Moreira, Maria José Pacifico and Sergio Romaña Ibarra Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. 57 (2018), 269-292. Abstract, references and article information Full Article
v Group actions, divisors, and plane curves By www.ams.org Published On :: Fri, 13 Mar 2020 16:19 EDT Araceli Bonifant and John Milnor Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. 57 (2020), 171-267. Abstract, references and article information Full Article
v Exploring HK through creativity By www.news.gov.hk Published On :: Sun, 22 Sep 2019 00:00:00 +0800 The traditionally blue-collar neighbourhood of Sham Shui Po is home to a kaleidoscopic collection of landmarks, streets and shops. Participants of the Sham Shui Po Ensemble project explored the area and told its story through video and music production. One of the project’s creative productions, the short film Collage created by Cobe Yau and her team, documented the daily lives of the area’s residents. Ms Yau said Sham Shui Po’s diversity inspired her team to combine footage of residents’ daily activities, such as the unloading of meat and vegetables in wet markets and hawkers selling their wares. “We hope our viewers can realise that although there are some street sleepers and it may be a bit grimy in some parts of Sham Shui Po, there are also many interesting aspects that make this community stand out.” Creative journeysSham Shui Po Ensemble is under the Community Record Company, an 18-month community-based programme which also showcases two other unique locales. Last year, participants explored Sai Ying Pun under the West Side Re-Discovery project. Sham Shui Po Ensemble was launched in April and concluded in late July, while the Wander in To Kwa Wan project began this month. Local documentary maker Wong Siu-pong, the Community Curator of the Sham Shui Po project, hopes participants are able to explore the community without bias. “Apart from the basics of film production, I did not teach them a lot of filmmaking skills. I hope they learn to be humble when making a documentary. “A lot of the time, we read the news to learn about a community. I hope they can discover these places without prejudice, this is important.” Project participants were also able to paint a picture of the community with music. Warren Luk joined the project’s music stream and wrote the song Rich on Life with his team. “People always have preconceived ideas of Sham Shui Po. But when you walk through the neighbourhood, you can find lots of quirky and interesting landmarks. “When you observe the interactions between residents there, you can see that although their lives may be tough, they are enjoying themselves a lot. It is very inspiring.” The Community Record Company programme is organised by non-governmental organisation MaD Institute and sponsored by the Home Affairs Bureau’s Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme, which seeks to strengthen Hong Kong’s cultural software and build up the arts sector. Application details for the next funding exercise will be available in November. Full Article
v Cavern plan frees up land By www.news.gov.hk Published On :: Sun, 06 Oct 2019 00:00:00 +0800 The Government is actively exploring sustainable and innovative approaches to expand the city’s land resources. One viable source of land supply is rock cavern development. The relocation of suitable existing government facilities to caverns can release above-ground sites for housing and other beneficial uses. This would reduce the amount of land occupied by them, as well as relocate facilities which do not need to be above-ground and are incompatible with the surrounding environment and land uses nearby. Mountain moveSha Tin Sewage Treatment Works is one such facility. It will be relocated to caverns in Nui Po Shan of A Kung Kok to release the existing site of about 28 hectares for housing and other uses that will enhance Hong Kong’s living quality and bring extended benefits to the community and environment of Sha Tin. Drainage Services Department Sewerage Projects Division Engineer Brian Chan said that moving the sewage treatment plant to caverns minimises any adverse impact on the environment and community. “The whole sewage treatment works will be put inside the cavern and the cavern will serve as a natural barrier fully enclosing the sewage treatment works. With the implementation of an effective odour management system, the odour impact to the community will be minimised.” Mr Chan added that moving the existing plant, which has been in operation for more than 35 years, provides an opportunity to formulate a long-term strategy for the ageing facility. High-tech solutionsThe relocated Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works will consist of several caverns. A successful local example of accommodating facilities in rock caverns is Stanley Sewage Treatment Works on which the layout for the Sha Tin treatment plant is based. To reduce the required cavern space and shorten the construction period, advanced sewage and sludge treatment technologies will be used. Water recycling is a multi-stage process in wastewater treatment plants. Mr Chan explained that moving bed biofilm reactors will be used in the secondary treatment process at the relocated Sha Tin plant as they require less space than the traditional wastewater treatment. “Compared to the conventional method, there will be some biofilm carriers inside the reactor and this biofilm carrier will enlarge the surface area for the biological treatment and therefore, the overall size will be reduced. In terms of the sewage treatment process, there will be about a 20% reduction in the areas.” Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works serves a population of about 630,000 in Sha Tin and Ma On Shan, which produce 250,000 cubic metres (m3) of sewage daily. After the relocation, the facility will be able to handle 340,000 m3 of sewage per day. The first phase of works to relocate Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to caverns began in February. The Drainage Services Department hopes to start the second phase from the end of next year to early 2021 with the excavation of the caverns. The department plans to move the whole sewage plant in five stages. The project is expected to be completed by 2031. Members of the public can visit the department's website for more details about the project and its latest developments. Full Article
v Active ageing with technology By www.news.gov.hk Published On :: Sun, 27 Oct 2019 00:00:00 +0800 Seventy-year-old Theresa Chan suffers from joint degeneration, which is why she needs a walking stick. “My joints are severely abraded. They are painful when I walk or stand. My doctor suggested I replace some joints with implants, but I don't want surgery,” she said. Smart seniors Interested in how gerontechnology can help improve the quality of life for older adults, Ms Chan joined the Gerontechnology Practitioner Training Course under Lingnan University’s Gerontechnology & Smart Ageing Project. The course targets elderly people and caregivers. It introduces them to devices that help seniors get around with ease and live more independent lives. Ms Chan was impressed by a smart walking stick that is equipped with senior-worthy features like a flashlight with an adjustable safety light, a siren for emergency use and a radio. “I am grateful for the course because I can learn more about gerontechnology in my free time. After class, I can share my knowledge with others who have no idea about this new technology. It is modern and I want to keep up with the times and progress,” she said. Youth opportunities Gerontechnology has also opened up career opportunities for young people. Cecilia Auyeung recently graduated from Lingnan University with a major in marketing. Last year she set up a social enterprise called Gatherly. It provides a platform for the elderly to teach other people handicraft skills and helps them to sell their products online. Ms Auyeung joined the Socialpreneur Incubation Course under the Lingnan University project. It encourages the development of social enterprises in Hong Kong, gerontechnology and marketing. She quickly drew inspiration from other socialpreneurs. “I discovered that my social enterprise has to change every two years according to market demands. For example, fabric bags are popular among youngsters. While the elderly at Gatherly are equipped with blue-dye techniques, I make use of their skills to create products that match the market situation.” University contribution According to the Census & Statistics Department, in 2036, the proportion of the population aged 65 and over is projected to be 31%. To meet the needs of an ageing population, the Government is promoting gerontechnology, which combines gerontology and technology. It focuses on providing effective solutions to increase vitality and quality of life. The Lingnan University’s three-year project aims to enhance public understanding of gerontechnology and support smart ageing socialpreneurship development. The project also covers studies with the goal of building a database for gerontech products and services as well as social innovation and startups. The overall vision is to offer policy recommendations to the industry and Government. Lingnan University Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies Project Manager Chloe Siu said: “Most of the participating students are willing to think out-of-the-box, using their creativity and knowledge learnt from their courses and to echo the needs of the society. We are trying to facilitate different stakeholders and community partners to create a co-working atmosphere.” The university has also built a 2,000 sq ft Gerontech-X Lab to display over 40 gerontech products catered to healthcare, dining, living and transport. Anyone interested can book an appointment for a free visit from November 28. Full Article
v A century of saving lives By www.news.gov.hk Published On :: Sun, 01 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0800 The ambulance service has been part of the Fire Services Department since 1919 and its mobile ambulance technology is keeping pace with the evolution of technology in hospitals. To aid ambulance crews in the race against time to save lives, the department installed automatic chest compression machines in all ambulances in October. The advanced device helps medics respond to a cardiac arrest by delivering uninterrupted compressions at the right rhythm and the right amount of pressure. Fire & Ambulance Services Academy Deputy Commandant (Ambulance Services Training) Terence Ng explained that the device enables paramedics to treat patients on their way to the hospital. “It has other advantages as well, like reducing the compression pause significantly, lowering the risk of injuries suffered by ambulance personnel as a result of performing chest compressions in different environments, allowing ambulance personnel to perform chest compression continuously in a constrained environment, and releasing more ambulance manpower to carry out other treatment procedures.” Keeping paceSuch advanced equipment was not available to ambulance crews in the past. Retired Principal Ambulanceman Simon Wong and Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer Conrad Yung visited the Fire & Ambulance Services Education Centre & Museum to discover the century-long history of ambulance services in the city. Both have witnessed the continuous improvement and development of equipment, knowledge and techniques of ambulance personnel. Mr Wong joined the Fire Services Department as an ambulanceman in 1978 and retired after 34 years of service. He noted one of the major changes to the department was the implementation of the Paramedic Ambulance Service in 2005. “When I joined the department, we were well trained to provide ambulance services. We would arrive at the scene and then transport the patient to the hospital as soon as possible. We rarely provided pre-hospital treatment. However, when I retired, there was an obvious change. Ambulance personnel now provide paramedic care for patients in ambulances.” Mr Ng said the service provides medications and equipment to help improve the survival rate of emergency patients. “Advanced treatments like airway insertion and defibrillation used to be confined to the hospital. However, paramedics brought them into pre-hospital settings. Paramedics administer advanced treatments and protocols to the patient at the scene or en route to hospital in order to stabilise the patient and increase the patient’s survival rate. This protocol allows ambulance personnel to treat a wide range of emergencies, including cardiac arrest, shortness of breath and cardiac origin chest pain.” Mr Yung, who joined the Fire Services Department in 1960, noted that treatment methods have come a long way since then. “I was an ambulanceman when typhoon Wanda hit Hong Kong in 1962. At that time, ambulances were only equipped with respiratory equipment, a medicine box and blankets. These tools are simple but important. But in the past, even though we knew that a patient had internal bleeding, we could not do anything to help. We did not have the tools and equipment for that.” Ambulances these days are equipped with ultrasound scanners to detect internal bleeding. Up-close lookThe Fire & Ambulance Services Education Centre & Museum, housed inside the Fire & Ambulance Services Academy in Tseung Kwan O, has a four-story exhibition hall offering interactive and multimedia information facilities. Visitors can get a close-up look at fire appliances and ambulances parked in the large exhibition areas, as well as uniforms and equipment. The venue is open for group and individual visits which can be booked on its website. Full Article
v A smart space for innovation By www.news.gov.hk Published On :: Sun, 08 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0800 Entrepreneur Ricky Chan’s information technology company has been hard at work developing a virtual reality application that enables designers and their clients to walk through different versions of their home or office without having to physically move a single piece of furniture. From the colour of the walls to the style of fixtures and fittings, Mr Chan’s app caters to all personal tastes and design ideas. “We have customers who are interior designers or furniture retailers. Our virtual reality application brings their sketches to life. Designers in the past needed weeks to produce sketches. Now they can make designs instantly,” he explained. Up to 40% of the application was developed at Smart-Space 8 in Tsuen Wan, Cyberport’s first co-working space outside its main Pok Fu Lam campus. “Cyberport provides funding that helps to lower our expenses and we can hold seminars here with a rental fee that is much lower than the market price,” Mr Chan added. The 20,000 sq ft space launched last year was specifically designed with young entrepreneurs in mind and provides workshops and seminars for startups. For companies that wish to join the Smart-Space 8 community, one of its founders must be aged between 18 and 35 and the company itself should not have been in operation for longer than seven years. Smart-Space 8 users are entitled to comprehensive entrepreneurial support and value-added services to accelerate their businesses such as the Cyberport Creative Micro Fund and Cyberport Incubation Programme. Mr Chan, who lives in the New Territories, said the added bonus of setting up shop in Smart-Space 8 is the commute, as Cyberport in Pok Fu Lam is farther away for him and his clients. Cyberport may be expanding beyond Pok Fu Lam, but some entrepreneurs like agriculture technology company CEO and founder Gordon Tam have opted to stay at the home campus because of the incentives available. “The business network here is unique. There are so many startups and we encourage and learn from each other.” Mr Tam’s company sells vegetables from an indoor farm to local supermarkets and is now exploring the overseas market. He credits the vibrant community and ecosystem at Cyberport for building up his business. “Traditional agriculture comes with a host of problems and the efficiency of Hong Kong’s agriculture industry is relatively low. This is why we are looking into indoor agriculture. We want to grow plants in industrial buildings.” When Mr Tam joined the Cyberport Incubation Programme, his firm was offered two years of rent reduction. But more importantly, he said, the space is a one-of-a-kind ecosystem where his team can brainstorm ideas and continue to innovate. Other startup owners share the same sentiment. Information technology company CEO and founder Stark Chan noted that with Cyberport as a public body, it offers a lot of support and rents are more stable. “We have been here since we first started up. My colleagues are familiar with this environment and the atmosphere is good for innovation,” Mr Chan said. Full Article
v MacLehose Trail evokes memories By www.news.gov.hk Published On :: Sun, 15 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0800 Stretching from Sai Kung on the east coast to Tuen Mun in the west, the whopping 100 km-long MacLehose Trail is the longest and first long-distance hiking trail in Hong Kong. The trail is divided into 10 sections and traverses eight country parks which embrace magnificent natural scenery, interesting historical relics and a wide range of wild fauna and flora, winding past the coastline, rugged mountains, valleys and reservoirs to provide a diverse outdoor experience for hikers. It was even named as one of the world's 20 dream trails by National Geographic. A lot of hard work went into building the trail, with Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department workers out in the elements without much shelter, often carrying heavy equipment uphill and downhill over varied terrain. Building bondsWan Keung and Lai Hing joined the department around 40 years ago. They both took part in the MacLehose Trail project which was started in 1979 to promote hiking activities in Hong Kong. The project was named after the then-Governor Sir Murray MacLehose - who was himself a keen walker - for his significant efforts to conserve Hong Kong’s countryside. “I have contributed a lot to the trail. I am happy as it is packed with people now,” said Mr Wan. While Mr Lai added: “We are going to retire, but the trail will be here for a long time.” Despite working on the same project, the pair - now in their 60s - only met for the first time recently because they were assigned to different work stations back then. However, they became firm friends instantly. From setting up the many signposts along the way, to hand-building the heavy stone steps, the two men eagerly shared all the skills and techniques they learnt on the project. Listening to their conversations now it is hard to imagine that when they first started work, both had little practical knowledge about constructing a trail. They acquired welding, plastering and woodwork skills through hands-on experience and with the support of their seniors. But that was not the biggest challenge they encountered. “Building the trail was really difficult, as there were so many sections. We were either drowned in sweat or drenched by rain while working,” Mr Lai explained. One poignant memory for Mr Wan was of working during wildfires that raged through the countryside. “There was only one thing for it: we stayed until the fire was extinguished. That was really hard.” Lasting legacyAfter nine months’ hard work the MacLehose Trail was finally opened on October 26, 1979. These days Mr Wan and Mr Lai enjoy the trail for leisure instead of work. Both said receiving compliments from family and friends or witnessing the sheer enjoyment of hikers on the trail made their hard work worthwhile. They now hope to pass on their skills to the younger workers, so that a new generation of Hong Kong people can take care of the trail and ensure it lasts for decades to come. Full Article
v SAS Notes for SAS®9 - 40995: The SAS Universal Viewer converts null values into zeros when you save an XPT file as an XML or CSV file By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Thu, 7 May 2020 10:31:41 EST The SAS Universal Viewer displays null values appropriately as blanks for XPT files. However, when you select Table ? Save As and save an XPT file as either an XML or CSV file, the SAS Universal Viewer con Full Article SASUNIVIEWER+SAS+Universal+Viewer
v SAS Notes for SAS®9 - 53757: Frequently asked questions about report alerts in SAS Visual Analytics in 7.5 and earlier By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Tue, 5 May 2020 12:39:04 EST SAS Visual Analytics can be configured to send a notification to specific users when report objects contain data that meets certain criteria. This SAS note contains frequently asked questions about setting up alerts. Full Article VISANLYTBNDL+SAS+Visual+Analytics
v SAS Notes for SAS®9 - 34114: Creating a detailed SAS Stored Process Server log by default By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Fri, 1 May 2020 13:14:27 EST The SAS Stored Process Server does not create a detailed log file by default. However, you can create a detailed SAS Stored Process Server log file (that will contain information about all of the code that was executed) by using this approach. AUTO Full Article INTTECH+SAS+Integration+Technologies
v SAS Notes for SAS®9 - 65885: The ability to connect to a Google BigQuery database via OAuth Authentication has been added to SAS/ACCESS Interface to Google BigQuery By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Fri, 1 May 2020 09:59:50 EST The ability to connect to a Google BigQuery database via OAuth is now available with this hot fix. Three new options have been added, REFRESH_TOKEN=, CLIENT_ID=, and CLIENT_SECRET=. You can use these options with  Full Article BIGQUERY+SAS/ACCESS+Interface+to+Google+
v SAS Notes for SAS®9 - 65884: The ability to connect to a Google BigQuery database via proxy has been added to the SAS/ACCESS Interface to Google BigQuery By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 12:50:08 EST The ability to connect to a Google BigQuery database via a proxy is available with this hot fix. You can use the newly added option, PROXY=, with the following methods of connection to the Google BigQuery database: Full Article BIGQUERY+SAS/ACCESS+Interface+to+Google+
v New Study Measures Impact of U.S. Treasury Supply Versus Fed’s Monetary Policy on Bank Deposit Funding By www8.gsb.columbia.edu Published On :: Tue, 28 Jan 2020 18:04:08 +0000 Business Economics and Public Policy Tuesday, January 28, 2020 - 13:00 New Research from Columbia Business School Challenges Conventional Wisdom of Bank Funding Full Article
v Balancing Act: Consumers Are Willing to Sacrifice Privacy to See Fewer Digital Ads, According to New Columbia Business School Research By www8.gsb.columbia.edu Published On :: Mon, 17 Feb 2020 18:01:28 +0000 Business Economics and Public Policy Marketing Media and Technology Tuesday, February 4, 2020 - 12:45 NEW YORK – In the era of online surveillance, consumers continually express concerns about how their digital footprint is being tracked and their privacy compromised. Full Article
v Researchers Answer a Diversity Puzzle: Why Chinese Americans but not Indian Americans are Underrepresented in Leadership Positions By www8.gsb.columbia.edu Published On :: Thu, 20 Feb 2020 16:26:43 +0000 Leadership Thursday, February 20, 2020 - 11:15 New studies identify the boundary and causes of the “Bamboo Ceiling” Full Article
v How to Make Sound Decisions with Limited Data During the Coronavirus Pandemic By www8.gsb.columbia.edu Published On :: Thu, 02 Apr 2020 17:56:26 +0000 Leadership Operations Risk Management Strategy Thursday, April 2, 2020 - 13:00 Coronavirus presents an unprecedented predicament: Everyday, leaders must make momentous decisions with life or death consequences for many—but there is a dearth of data. Oded Netzer is a Columbia Business School professor and Data Science Institute affiliate who builds statistical and econometric models to measure consumer behavior that help business leaders make data-driven decisions. Here, he discusses how leaders from all fields can make sound decisions with scarce data to guide them. Full Article
v Research from Columbia Business School Suggests Hypersensitivity to Coronavirus News Is Driving Market Reactions – and Vice Versa By www8.gsb.columbia.edu Published On :: Fri, 03 Apr 2020 02:46:58 +0000 Business Economics and Public Policy Capital Markets and Investments Healthcare Media and Technology Friday, April 10, 2020 - 22:45 NEW YORK – On March 11th, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 1,485 points, ending the longest bull-market run in history, and sending the market into nosedive the likes of which has not been witnessed since the Great Recession. While it could take years to fully understand all of the factors that led to this recent crash, a consensus has emerged that fear of an economic downturn brought on by the coronavirus has played a large role. Full Article
v New Research from Columbia Business School Shows Radical Changes in Household Spending Habits During COVID-19 Epidemic By www8.gsb.columbia.edu Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 18:37:51 +0000 Business Economics and Public Policy Operations Risk Management Tuesday, April 28, 2020 - 14:30 Study provides first real-time view into household consumption during outbreak in U.S., showing an initial sharp increase in key categories, followed by a sharp decrease in overall spending Full Article
v New Research: Crisis of Confidence over COVID-19 Could Delay Economic Recovery for a Decade By www8.gsb.columbia.edu Published On :: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 15:42:22 +0000 Business Economics and Public Policy Strategy Wednesday, April 29, 2020 - 11:45 Working Paper from Columbia Business School Quantifies Impact of “Belief Scarring” on Economic Recovery, Finds Crisis Could Result in over 180% loss of annual GDP Full Article
v Lockdown Losses: Lack of Government Transparency during COVID-19 Pandemic Holds Back Businesses from Taking Risks, Making Financial Decisions By www8.gsb.columbia.edu Published On :: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 18:19:09 +0000 Business Economics and Public Policy Operations Risk Management Strategy Thursday, April 30, 2020 - 14:15 NEW YORK – Since the coronavirus outbreak began, states across the U.S. have implemented stay-at-home orders, disrupting businesses and causing many to shut down. In addition, almost half of U.S. states from New York to Oregon have extended their lockdown orders beyond the original end date. These extensions of lockdown policy, while clearly beneficial to address public health concerns, can damage the economy beyond their immediate impact on business closures and layoffs. Full Article
v New Research: Entrepreneurship, New Business Creation are Critical to COVID-19 Economic Recovery By www8.gsb.columbia.edu Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 13:02:07 +0000 Business Economics and Public Policy Entrepreneurship Tuesday, May 5, 2020 - 09:00 Working Paper from Columbia Business School Emphasizes the Need to Accelerate New Businesses, Not Just Protect Existing Ones, to Restore the U.S. Economy Full Article
v Quality Over Quantity: In A Financial Crisis, Innovation Is A Survival of the Fittest By www8.gsb.columbia.edu Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 15:54:13 +0000 Business Economics and Public Policy Entrepreneurship Operations Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - 11:45 NEW YORK – Innovation is at an all-time high, but the economic damage from the COVID-19 outbreak has the potential to stifle inventions and patents. But new research shows that financial crises are both destructive and creative forces for innovation. Full Article
v New therapeutic targets for infertility and cancer revealed By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (Center for Genomic Regulation) An analysis of 13,000 tumours highlights two previously overlooked genes as potential new therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Researchers also identify potential new therapeutic targets for male infertility. Both findings are the result of the most comprehensive evolutionary analysis of RNA modification proteins to date, published today in the journal Genome Biology. Full Article
v Androgen-deprivation treatments for prostate cancer could protect men from COVID-19 By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (European Society for Medical Oncology) A study of 4,532 men in the Veneto region of Italy has found that those who were being treated for prostate cancer with androgen-deprivation therapies (ADT) were less likely to develop the coronavirus COVID-19 and, if they were infected, the disease was less severe. The study is published in Annals of Oncology. Full Article
v Cancer survivors' experiences with financial toxicity By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (Wiley) A recent Psycho-Oncology analysis of published studies found that few cancer survivors received financial information support from healthcare facilities during their initial treatment, even though cancer-related financial toxicity has multiple impacts on survivors' health and quality of life. Full Article
v Focused ultrasound opening brain to previously impossible treatments By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (University of Virginia Health System) Focused ultrasound, the researchers hope, could revolutionize treatment for conditions from Alzheimer's to epilepsy to brain tumors -- and even help repair the devastating damage caused by stroke. Full Article
v Comparing opioid-related deaths among cancer survivors, general population By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (JAMA Network) Death certificate data were used to compare the rate of opioid-related deaths in the US among cancer survivors with that of the general population from 2006 through 2016. Whether opioid-associated deaths in cancer survivors, who are often prescribed opioids for cancer-related pain, are rising at the same rate as in the general population is unknown. Full Article
v Researchers have found accumulation of gene mutations in chronic Graft-versus-host disease By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (University of Helsinki) Mutations in white blood cells can contribute to abnormal immune profile after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Full Article
v Palliative care for patients with cancer in COVID-19 era By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (JAMA Network) The considerations and challenges affecting the palliative care specialty and delivery of palliative care in the COVID-19 era, as well as potential solutions, are discussed in this Viewpoint. Full Article
v Cancer and COVID-19: Facing the 'C words' By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (JAMA Network) This essay discusses similarities between a doctor's experiences with diagnoses of cancer and COVID-19. Full Article
v University of Houston researcher developing device to treat babies with blood disorders By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (University of Houston) A University of Houston biomedical researcher is developing a new device to treat babies with blood disorders, because current technology is designed for adults. The ability to perform lifesaving leukapheresis safely and effectively in these most vulnerable pediatric patients will significantly increase their access to highly effective cell-based therapies. Full Article
v Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Meteorological Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (2020-2035), Meteorological Plan, China Meteorological Administration By www.hko.gov.hk Published On :: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government welcomes the promulgation of the Meteorological Development Plan ... Full Article I
v Online Video Course, Public Course, Weather Observation By www.hko.gov.hk Published On :: The "Online Video Course on Weather Observation" will explain concisely the basic weather observation methods and techniques, such... Full Article I
v Cool Met Stuff, rainstorms, Hong Kong, summer, loss of property, casualties, reviews, extreme torrential rain By www.hko.gov.hk Published On :: Every summer, rainstorms occur in Hong Kong occasionally, leading to loss of property or even casualties. Full Article I
v Plays exploring human drive and human touch win 2020 Neukom Honors By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (Dartmouth College) Expanded Dartmouth awards program gives prizes for 'spec fic' playwriting on what it means to be human in a computerized world. Full Article
v Vitamin D linked to low virus death rate -- Study By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT (Anglia Ruskin University) A new study has found an association between low average levels of vitamin D and high numbers of COVID-19 cases and mortality rates across 20 European countries. Full Article