bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Probing the Antimalarial Mechanism of Artemisinin and OZ277 (Arterolane) with Nonperoxidic Isosteres and Nitroxyl Radicals
Authors: Fügi Matthias A. , Wittlin Sergio , Dong Yuxiang , Vennerstrom Jonathan L. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

Peroxidic antimalarials such as the semisynthetic artemisinins are critically important in the treatment of drug-resistant malaria. Nevertheless, their peroxide bond-dependent mode of action is still not well understood. Using combination experiments with cultured
Plasmodium falciparum
cells, we investigated the interactions of the nitroxide radical spin trap, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO), and four of its analogs with artemisinin and the ozonide drug development candidate OZ277. The antagonism observed for combinations of artemisinin or OZ277 with the TEMPO analogs supports the hypothesis that the formation of carbon-centered radicals is critical for the activity of these two antimalarial peroxides. The TEMPO analogs showed a trend toward greater antagonism with artemisinin than they did with OZ277, an observation that can be explained by the greater tendency of artemisinin-derived carbon-centered radicals to undergo internal self-quenching reactions, resulting in a lower proportion of radicals available for subsequent chemical reactions such as the alkylation of heme and parasite proteins. In a further mechanistic experiment, we tested both artemisinin and OZ277 in combination with their nonperoxidic analogs. The latter had no effect on the antimalarial activities of the former. These data indicate that the antimalarial properties of peroxides do not derive from reversible interactions with parasite targets.
AatA Is a Novel Autotransporter and Virulence Factor of Avian Pathogenic
Escherichia coli
Authors: Li Ganwu , Feng Yaping , Kariyawasam Subhashinie , Tivendale Kelly A. , Wannemuehler Yvonne , Zhou Fanghong , Logue Catherine M. , Miller Cathy L. , Nolan Lisa K. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

Autotransporters (AT) are widespread in Gram-negative bacteria, and many of them are involved in virulence. An open reading frame (APECO1_O1CoBM96) encoding a novel AT was located in the pathogenicity island of avian pathogenic
Escherichia coli
(APEC) O1's virulence plasmid, pAPEC-O1-ColBM. This 3.5-kb APEC autotransporter gene (
aatA
) is predicted to encode a 123.7-kDa protein with a 25-amino-acid signal peptide, an 857-amino-acid passenger domain, and a 284-amino-acid β domain. The three-dimensional structure of AatA was also predicted by the threading method using the I-TASSER online server and then was refined using four-body contact potentials. Molecular analysis of AatA revealed that it is translocated to the cell surface, where it elicits antibody production in infected chickens. Gene prevalence analysis indicated that
aatA
is strongly associated with
E. coli
from avian sources but not with
E. coli
isolated from human hosts. Also, AatA was shown to enhance adhesion of APEC to chicken embryo fibroblast cells and to contribute to APEC virulence.
A Foreign Protein Incorporated on the Tip of T3 Pili in
Lactococcus lactis
Elicits Systemic and Mucosal Immunity
Authors: Quigley Bernard R. , Hatkoff Matthew , Thanassi David G. , Ouattara Mahamoudou , Eichenbaum Zehava , Scott June R. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

The use of
Lactococcus lactis
to deliver a chosen antigen to the mucosal surface has been shown to elicit an immune response in mice and is a possible method of vaccination in humans. The recent discovery on Gram-positive bacteria of pili that are covalently attached to the bacterial surface and the elucidation of the residues linking the major and minor subunits of such pili suggests that the presentation of an antigen on the tip of pili external to the surface of
L. lactis
might constitute a successful vaccine strategy. As a proof of principle, we have fused a foreign protein (the
Escherichia coli
maltose-binding protein) to the C-terminal region of the native tip protein (Cpa) of the T3 pilus derived from
Streptococcus pyogenes
and expressed this fusion protein (MBP*) in
L. lactis
. We find that MBP* is incorporated into pili in this foreign host, as shown by Western blot analyses of cell wall proteins and by immunogold electron microscopy. Furthermore, since the MBP* on these pili retains its native biological activity, it appears to retain its native structure. Mucosal immunization of mice with this
L. lactis
strain expressing pilus-linked MBP* results in production of both a systemic and a mucosal response (IgG and IgA antibodies) against the MBP antigen. We suggest that this type of mucosal vaccine delivery system, which we term UPTOP (for unhindered presentation on tips of pili), may provide an inexpensive and stable alternative to current mechanisms of immunization for many serious human pathogens.
Predicting the elevated dead fine fuel moisture content in gorse (Ulex europaeus L.) shrub fuels
Authors: Anderson Stuart A.J. , Anderson Wendy R. 
Published: December 2009

Methods were developed to predict the moisture content of the elevated dead fine fuel layer in gorse ( Ulex europaeus L.) shrub fuels. This layer has been observed to be important for fire development and spread in these fuels. The accuracy of the Fine Fuel Moisture Code (FFMC) of the Canadian Fire Weather Index System to predict the moisture content of this layer was evaluated. An existing model was used to determine the response time and equilibrium moisture content from field data. This response time was incorporated into a bookkeeping model, combining the FFMC and this response time–equilibrium moisture content model. The FFMC poorly predicted the elevated dead fuel moisture content in gorse fuels, and attempts to improve its accuracy through regression modelling were unsuccessful. The response time of the elevated dead fine fuel layer was very fast (38–77 min) and has important implications for fire danger rating. The bookkeeping approach was the most promising method to predict elevated dead fuel moisture content. A limitation was the inability to model fuel-level meteorology. However, this model warrants further validation and extension to other shrub fuels and could be incorporated into existing fire danger rating systems that can utilize hourly weather data.
Spatial variation in reference conditions: historical tree density and pattern on a Pinus ponderosa landscape
Authors: Abella Scott R. , Denton Charles W. 
Published: December 2009

The reference conditions of historical tree density and pattern underpin ecological restoration and management of Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex Lawson & C.Lawson forests in western North America, yet the potential spatial variation in these variables across the landscape remains unclear. We reconstructed historical (1880) tree density and spatial pattern on 1 ha plots at 53 sites within a 110 000 ha P. ponderosa landscape in northern Arizona, compared these variables among US Forest Service ecosystem classification units, and modeled spatial variation with environmental variables. Mean tree density differed 19-fold among nine ecosystem types, and regression trees using four soil or climatic variables explained 62%–74% of the variation in density. Although density was more sensitive to environmental variation than was pattern, we did not find the clumped pattern widely described for P. ponderosa forests to be universal across ecosystems. Results suggest that (i) multivariate combinations of soil and climatic properties influenced historical forest structure, (ii) as much variation exists in reference conditions within the study landscape as between P. ponderosa regions, (iii) ecosystem classification is a useful framework for quantifying spatial variation in reference conditions, and (iv) determining spatial variation in reference conditions can assist resource managers in prioritizing areas for management and in developing ecosystem-specific management strategies within landscapes.
Stand structure and dynamics of Picea mariana on the northern border of the natural closed boreal forest in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Rossi Sergio , Tremblay Marie-Josée , Morin Hubert , Levasseur Valérie 
Published: December 2009

The boreal forest of higher latitudes constitutes a reservoir of trees of great ecological importance and unknown economic potential, but the stand dynamics in these regions still remain essentially unexplored. This paper examines the change in age and size structures during stand development on the northern border of the natural closed boreal forest in Quebec, Canada. Height, diameter, and age of trees were measured in 18 plots with stand ages between 77 and 340 years. The occurrence, size, and origin (layer or seed) of seedlings and saplings were assessed in subplots. Tree density ranged from 600 to 3750 trees·ha–1. Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP was the dominant species, mainly originating by layering. A cluster analysis segregated plots into even-aged and uneven-aged stands according to tree age, but size distribution of trees, saplings, and seedlings did not differ statistically between the two groups. Even-aged stands exhibited a 60% probability of assuming an uneven-aged structure between 120 and 200 years after stand initiation. At high latitudes, the closed boreal forest of P. mariana appears homogeneously sized, with similar distributions of diameter and height across all stages of stand development.
自助小组的增权策略: 「参预研究」与「组织发展」
Authors: 莫 邦豪 , 孙 励生 , 邓 志荣 
Published: December 2009

本文从「参预研究」和「组织发展」两个视角讨论自助小组的增权策略；并以作者推动的两项实践计划加以阐析。两项计划在个人层面及团体层面的增权皆见成效；但在社会和政策方面的影响却是较为薄弱的。作者指出，香港自助小组的功能仍停留在自助和互助所产生的节省社会资源上；若要达至争取平等、改变权力关系及重新分配资源目标，仍待努力。 This paper discusses the empowerment strategies of self-help groups from the perspectives of "Participatory Research" and "Organisation Development", with two practice projects carried out by the authors as illustrations. Results of the projects indicated that the self-help groups involved were empowered at individual and group levels, but not at social and policy levels. The authors pointed out that the function of self-help groups in Hong Kong is at present limited to saving social resources, resulting from self-help and mutual help. There is still a long way to go for self-help groups to achieve the goals of promoting equality, changing community power relationships and re-distributing social resources.
香港政府的福利信念与医疗融资改革
Authors: 杨罗 观翠 , 余 伟锦 
Published: December 2009

本文的目的，是讨论香港政府的福利信念，并探讨其如何表现于香港医疗融资改革的发展。全文共分为两部份。前部份将介绍香港政府的「积极不干预政策」的基本特性及其所志決保卫的四项「社会福利发展禁区」；而后半部份则引用香港政府多项医疗改革的建议为案例，阐释其维持这些「社会福利发展禁区」的策略。 The aim of this paper is to discuss the Hong Kong government's welfare philosophy and how it is manifested in the reforms of the medical finance. It is mainly divided into two parts. The first part introduces the positive non-interventionalism upheld by the Hong Kong government and how it is related to the four "prohibited areas" to the development of social welfare. The second part illustrates the Hong Kong government's strategy for strengthening these "prohibited areas" with reference to the reforms of the medical finance.
社会福利行政的反思
Authors: 徐 明心 , 张 超雄 
Published: December 2009

本文检视社会福利行政的理念核心(Concept)，分辨社会福利行政作为一建构(Construct)与工商管理之别，厘清社会福利行政的主要内涵(Content)，并且探索社会福利行政的实践环境(Context)。最后，笔者会就社会福利行政的教学、研究和实践提出意见。 This paper reviews the key concept of social welfare administration. The authors differentiate social welfare administration, as a social construct, from business administration, identify its major content, and explore the context for practising social welfare administration. The implications for teaching, research and practice will also be discussed.
THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL WORK IN AUSTRALIA
Authors: O'CONNOR IAN 
Published: December 2009

This article identifies the key challenges confronting social work and human services in Australia. The implications of such challenges, in particular, managerialism, on the social work profession are examined. Future viability of the profession depends on its capacity to re-invent itself and engage in these fundamental contextual changes. Such a move necessitates the social work profession to adopt a change in its culture and orientation. O'Connor 在〈 澳 洲 社 会 工 作 未 来〉 一 文 中 检 视 了 社 工 专 业 面 对 的 重 大 挑 战， 其 中 尤 以 管 理 主 义 的 影 响 最 大。 社 工 专 业 是 否 能 延 续 它 对 社 会 的 贡 献， 则 有 赖 社 工 专 业 是 否 能 在 它 的 文 化 和 取 向 方 面， 作 出 基 本 的 改 变； 从 而 使 专 业 提 升 自 我 更 生 的 能 力。
MANAGERIALISM AND STATE SOCIAL WORK IN BRITAIN
Authors: MORGAN STEVE , PAYNE MALCOLM 
Published: December 2009

Two forms of managerialism are distinguished: generalist managerialism, that which affects the daily experience of social work practice and policy managerialism, that which affects the development of policy. The development of social work in Britain led social workers to adopt the role of bureau-professionals, mitigating the inflexibility of the bureaucratic provision of welfare in state social services. However, through case studies of local government social services and probation services, the impact on this conception of social work managerialism through its adoption by new Right governments during the 1980s and 90s is demonstrated. It is argued that distinguishing the impact of inflexibility in services through bureaucratisation from the impact of policy managerialism, the inclusion of a wide range of stakeholders and ensuring advocacy for the voices of service users and the community mitigates the effects of managerialist bureaucratisation. 作者认为管理主义普遍理论对社会工作日常运作的影响有别于管理主义理论应用于公共行政的范畴上。作者以英国的地区社会福利服务及感化工作的展为案例，指出社工专业需要对管理主义对不同服务的影响，先作检视，然后作出适当的回应。 总的来说， 社工可以联系著不同背景及业的人士，与服务使用者一起去倡导及争取他们的权益。 积极参与公共政策的厘订， 来减低管理主义对社工服务的不良影响。
DETERMINING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR THE SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICE IN HONG KONG
Authors: CHAN CHARLES C. , WAN DEBORAH L. Y. , LUI WACY W.S. 
Published: December 2009

With the new managerial system of Funding and Service Agreement (FSA) in Hong Kong, the performance standards in social welfare services are still difficult to define. In this paper, the problems and difficulties arising from the current method of determining performance standards in the Supported Employment Service (SES) were first examined. The current formulation was also considered inadequate for the consideration of the actual service recipient outcomes. Research data from a university and a rehabilitation organisation partnership revealed the complex relationship among service quality, service output and service recipient outcomes. A conceptual model with variables considered as crucial by service operators and researchers was mapped out for better service accountability. This "percentage of best fit" model which was formulated by the empirically derived typologies of SES pathways and service recipients was suggested to form the performance standards. Significant implications include offering a workable alternative to the over-reliant, yet unsatisfactory use of mean discharge rates as the major performance standard in FSAs. This model also helps clarify information on who would fit into what kind of SES modules and for how long they would produce the best outcomes. The applicability of this empirically derived model to other social services should be further explored. Finally, this paper should be regarded as a practical response to the present demands for service quality and best value outcomes, based on an integrated use of clinical social work skills and empirical research methods. 香港社会服务界于一九九九年引入了一些带有管理主义色彩的新制度， 但在与服务提供者共同制订服务表现标准上， 社会 服务界却遇上重重困难。 本文先论述现制度下服务表现标准的限制与不足之处。该标准既未能保证服务质素 ，也未能反映接受服务者在不同阶段的特殊需要及服务成效。 这制度明显不能达致以接受服务者为中心及专注服务成效的两项重要目标。 本文建基于一份大学与康复机构的夥伴研究成果， 并以辅助就业服务为例， 详细阐释了一个以「数据为本」的服务表现标准模式。 此模式的优越性， 在于能以服务数据来厘定一个衡量服务成效的最恰当百分比。 此模式的制订， 将极具深远影响。 首先， 这模式突破了多年来只可用平均值作划一基准的种种限制。 其次是能够厘定服务成效与质素的 关系。 香港社会服务界将可利用此模式作为日后替不同服务制订个别表现标准之参考。 最后， 本文结合了实证研究的技术及社会工作中的临床知识， 为回应香港社会服务界迈进对服务质素及成效有要求的年代所作出的一可行例证 。
INTERPRETING WORKERS' RESISTANCE TO WELFARE "REFORM"
Authors: CHAN FUNG YI , CHU SHUK FAN 
Published: December 2009

This article presents and analyses the background to the resistance of many frontline welfare practitioners against the recent introduction of reforms to the welfare management and subvention system and process in Hong Kong. The "progress" discourse optimistically engaged in by the government is challenged by a rather pessimistic assessment by workers, accompanied by a strong critique of the compromises welfare management groups have agreed to when accepting the Lump Sum Grant proposal. The context of the reform is interpreted as a strategic repositioning by the post-1997 government, intent at rebuilding its legitimacy and re-assigning the role of the welfare sector within its vision for the future. In the course of a long conversation between the two authors, one an academic, the other a core organiser in the "Alliance for the Protection of Welfare" several important areas of discourse were touched upon: the nature of welfare and its normative underpinning; social workers' struggle to relocate themselves within the emerging managerial paradigm; the search for an environment in which dialogue between the various parties would allow open negotiation about a more positive reform of the welfare system. The relationships among workers, management, government and service users are interpreted within a historical perspective, looking back at the constitution of the problem on both the level of Hong Kong as well as, more theoretically, on the level of (Western) welfare states. 近日香港政府提出社会福利管理及津助制度的「改革」，受到前线同工大力反对。 本文旨在勾画出相关的背景脉络，以助了解同工的「悲 观」判断怎样质疑官方铺陈的乐观「进步」论，及批评管理阶层在接纳一笔过拨款上的妥协态度， 展示当中蕴含的重要议题。 改革的背景被理解作九七后特区政权的策略性再定位，在新的发展远景下以重建管治的合法性，亦重新厘订社会福利的角色。 本篇文稿是由学院成员与「捍卫社会福利大联盟」的组织者合撰，透过真诚的详谈，尝试剖析以下范畴： 福利的性质及价值规范、 在管理典范逐渐形成下前线社会工作员的挣扎、 及寻求一个有利对话的环境，以促进开放的态度磋商较具积极意义的福利改革。 在探讨前线同工、 管理阶层、 政府及服务使用者的多角关系时，更从历史的进程思考如何构成现今的问题， 当中涉及香港的独特环境及西方社会福利国家的理念性讨论。
HOW DO HONG KONG CHILDREN REACT TO MATERNAL I-MESSAGES AND INDUCTIVE REASONING?
Authors: CHEUNG SIU-KAU , KWOK SYLVIA Y.C. 
Published: December 2009

The study investigated the affective reactions (unhappiness, animosity and compassion) and behavioural tendencies (antagonistic and conciliatory) of Chinese children to four kinds of maternal communicative behaviours, namely, I-message revealing primary feelings, I-message revealing anger, You-message implying moralising, and You-message implying criticising. The sample was composed of 527 Chinese students studying at primary four to form three in Hong Kong. Participants rated their affective reactions and behavioural tendencies to videotaped parent disciplinary messages. Results showed that children are most receptive to mothers' I-messages revealing parental distress, next comes You-messages in the form of inductive reasoning, then I-messages revealing anger whereas they are most antagonistic towards You-messages implying criticising. Implications for parent education practice are discussed. 本 研 究 探 讨 本 港 儿 童 对 母 亲 在 管 教 时 所 采 用 的 不 同 说 话 方 式 的 情 绪 反 应 和 行 为 倾 向。 研 究 所 指 的 说 话 方 式 包 括 母 亲 向 子 女 表 达 内 心 困 扰 的 话 语、 母 亲 表 达 内 心 愤 怒 的 话 语、 母 亲 理 谕 教 诲 子 女 的 话 语 和 母 亲 批 评 子 女 的 话 语。 受 测 者 包 括 527 名 就 读 小 四 至 中 三 的 儿 童 青 少 年。 他 们 在 聆 听 一 名 母 亲 的 录 音 话 语 后， 评 估 自 己 的 情 绪 反 应 和 行 为 倾 向。 结 果 显 示， 受 测 者 对 母 亲 表 达 内 心 困 扰 的 话 语 最 为 正 面， 其 余 依 次 为 母 亲 教 诲 子 女 的 话 语、 母 亲 表 达 内 心 愤 怒 的 话 语 和 母 亲 批 评 子 女 的 话 语。 文 章 最 后 讨 论 结 果 对 亲 职 教 育 工 作 的 启 示 。
INTEGRATED TEAM MODEL FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES: YES OR NO?
Authors: LEE FRANCIS W.-L. 
Published: December 2009

From ten Integrated Teams (ITs) established in late 1994 for the provision of children and youth services, with some eight years of development, in 2001 there were more than 60 ITs in the territory. At the end of June 2003, there were 130 ITs (or Integrated Children and Youth Service Centres — ICYSCs) in the territory. It seems that employing an "Integrated Team Model" of the provision of children and youth services has gained the faith and confidence from the authority. However, the strengths and limitations encountered by youth workers in ITs have not been systematically explored. The present study, a questionnaire survey with all IT workers as target, has mainly explored the workers' opinions on the effectiveness and feasibility of implementing ITs, the difficulties/limitations they have encountered and the suggested ways for improvement. Based on the findings, recommendations are made so that further development of the IT model for children and youth services could be more promising. 於一九九四年尾成立的十支 "青少年综合服务队" ，在短短八年内，已增至超过六十支，在全港不同地区为青少年提供服务。二00三年六月尾，全港已有一百三十支 "青少年综合服务队" 。有关当局似乎对以 "综合服务队" 的模式来提供青少年服务充满信心，但目前探讨以该模式提供青少年服务的强弱、利弊及其有效性的研究十分缺乏。本文透过以 "综合服务队" 的工作人员为研究对象，探讨有关工作人员队以 "综合服务队模式" 提供青少年服务的有效性及可行性的意见。他们在提供服务期间遇到的困难或局限，及认为可如何提高 "青少年综合服务队" 的成效也是研究的内容。基於研究所得的发现，本文亦提出一些建议，希望能有助於 "青少年综合服务队" 的发展。
GROUP WORK WITH DISAFFECTED STUDENTS: A REALITY THERAPY APPROACH
Authors: NGAI SEK-YUM STEVEN 
Published: December 2009

This study evaluates a reality therapy group for students enrolled in the Form 1 classes of a low-band secondary school in Hong Kong who have exhibited signs of disaffection such as apathy toward study and school activities, repeated academic failure and disruptive classroom behaviour. The results, based on interviews with members and their teachers, indicate significant improvements in the self-esteem, life satisfaction and school performance of the adolescent participants. The results from a self-report evaluation questionnaire also show the members' satisfaction and their positive perceptions of the group in terms of goal attainment and the impact the group has had on them. The implications of these findings for future practice and research are discussed. 此研究評估一項爲就讀於香港某間低組別中學，對學習及校內活動感覺冷漠，在學業上遭遇重覆失敗，以及經常擾亂課堂的一年級學生而設之現實治療小組計劃。從訪問組員及他們的老師得來的結果顯示，青少年參加者的自尊感、生活滿意度和校內行爲均獲顯著改善。由自填問卷得來的結果亦顯示，組員在小組目標達成、參加者滿意度、以及小組對他們的影響等方面，對小組都有很正面的評價。本文並討論上述發現對未來實務及研究的含義。
"STRENGTH" COMMUNITY — THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IN SARS
Authors: FUNG KWOK-KIN , HUNG SUET-LIN 
Published: December 2009

Studies on disaster have been criticised as putting too much emphasis on individual therapy. The community perspective highlights the significance of the sociopolitical factors in causing disasters and intervention at the community level. This paper, examining the contribution of community development services during the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong, reveals the significance of establishing an extensive network of vulnerable groups and community organising groundwork in times of crisis. Intervention during the SARS crisis included crisis intervention, providing community education, promoting community care, community participation and supporting the unemployed. After SARS, the focus was on reinforcing the spirit of mutual help, anti-discrimination and reconstructing positive shared meanings of the disaster. In mobilising community resources, the concept of the "strength" community has been confirmed. The SARS experience has revealed that, although disasters are becoming complex and global, remedies can be found in the local community. Community is an important disaster resource. 本文檢視社區發展服務在“非典型肺炎”期間的貢獻：危機介入、社區教育、社區照顧、社區參與及支援失業人士。“非典”之後，服務集中於強化互助、反歧視及建構災難的正面意義。介入的過程引證了“力量”社區的概念。