有次和爸爸吃飯，談天說地講到興起時，他說我不夠厚道。字典對「厚道」的解釋是「誠懇寬厚」。寬厚不容易學習。言語上有厚道難，待人處事有厚道難，打從心底亦做到有厚道更難。可能我年紀尚輕，還未能夠充分掌握。
作為一個書店店員，接觸到不少無理的客人，財大氣粗可能是原因之一。自己也接觸到不少在金錢上斤斤計較的客人，大家可以稱他們為精明消費者，我們亦知道錢不容易賺取，但我覺得當中的禮貌和態度同樣重要。我發覺到在社區中精神失常的客人比一年前多得很，應對有一定困難。
對客人「誠懇寬厚」，在我看來，與同理心 (empathy) 有莫大關係，我們要學習設身處地，站在別人的位置去感受。例如昨天，有家長致電，她的小朋友遺失了教科書。因為我們不負責該校訂書，按常理不會跟進。不過，家長說在別的分店查到我們有現貨，她又道希望我們不要讓小朋友難做。所以，我便為家長留電話，請負責教科書的同事跟進。
本港自去年6月出現首宗耳念珠菌（Candida auris）海外輸入個案，至今累計約160宗。截至今年10月，個案較去年增加6倍，涉九龍西聯網的瑪嘉烈醫院、北大嶼山醫院、仁濟醫院，當中兩名患者出現尿道管感染及真菌血症。因應瑪嘉烈及仁濟於今年7月再現爆發，醫管局下周二（27日）會在全港急症醫院進行篩查，檢視帶有或感染多重耐藥性細菌（MDRO）病人涉耳念珠菌情況，料涵蓋約2000名住院病人。
(news.mingpao.com)
耳念珠菌是一種真菌，它首次發現於2009年，是在日本東京都老年醫院一位70歲的日本女性的耳道中分離出來的。耳念珠菌可引起侵襲性念珠菌病，如念珠菌菌血症、心包炎、泌尿道感染和肺炎等。念珠菌是廣泛存在自然環境的真菌，常見於口腔、消化道、皮膚及女性陰道。
(Wikipedia and Google Search)
想像遊戲 (imaginative play) 即表徵遊戲 (symbolic play)、 假裝遊戲 (pretend play, make-believe play) 和戲劇遊戲 (dramatic play)，意指非語言的活動或是幼兒以假想A物表現B物、或扮演他人角色的真實遊戲行為 (Fein, 1981; Rubin, Fein, & Vandenberg, 1983; Pellegrini & Boyd, 1993)。
Information: ntcuir.ntcu.edu.tw
校長張翔向港大師生及校友發信，表示即使他與申作軍及宮鵬，在加州大學柏克萊分校共事，但學術領域並不一樣，除了在校園見過幾次面，在公在私並無聯絡，自己作為遴選委員會主席，已採取所有必須步驟，避免潛在衝突，又重申大學在遴選過程中，有嚴格的守則防止利益衝突。
張翔表示，過去幾日不幸地洩漏遴選過程資料，引起爭議及推測，有關傳言及憂慮不只對香港社會造成困擾，亦令人選及其家人帶來痛苦。他表示，大學有道德及法律責任，確保候選人的資料在遴選過程中保密，洩漏候選人資料，不只傷害港大的聲譽，亦影響大學未來招聘人才的工作。
他又說，自己作為大學的領導者，一直提醒要對港大及香港負責任，願意聆聽不同意見，但希望全部討論均基於事實，而非推測。
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1556957-20201027.htm
Dear Colleagues, Students and Alumni,
Appointment of Two Vice-Presidents
The University of Hong Kong is committed to attracting outstanding academic talents from around the world. Facing fierce (激烈的) competition from the world's top universities, we recruit talented individuals based on their own merits, irrespective of race, nationality, gender, place of origin, political orientation or religious belief.
You may be aware the University Council has just resolved to appoint two Vice-Presidents, Professor Max Shen of UC Berkeley as VP Research and Professor Peng Gong of Tsinghua University as VP Academic Development. They are both world-class scholars and institutional leaders. During the last few days, unfortunately, a leakage of information of the selection process has given rise to a series of controversies (and speculations 猜測) in the local media. The leakage-caused rumors and anxiety not only have caused confusion in Hong Kong society, but also caused pain to the candidates and their families.
I am sure you would agree that we have a moral and legal duty to keep the candidates' information confidential during the selection process. The leakage of personal information of a candidate would inevitably not only injure the reputation of our University, but also affect our future recruitment of talents to Hong Kong.
In the light of the recent news reports and related controversies, I am obliged (強制) to give you the relevant information so you could have a better understanding of the facts related to the key issues (my apologies for not being able to give you such information earlier as I am bound by the same confidentiality code before Council's decision).
There are some news reports on the background of Professor Max Shen. Professor Shen has written to the Council and issued a public statement in response to the news reports and related rumors. I have attached to this email his statement and also the response from his current employer, University of California at Berkeley, to the inquiries of the Hong Kong media.
There were other news reports citing an online anonymous accusation (指控) against Professor Peng Gong. Professor Gong has issued a statement to the respective media which is attached here for your reference. I have also attached messages from two prominent professors who are familiar with the incident as testimonies.
Regarding the selection process, the University has stringent (嚴格的) rules to prevent conflict of interest. Although Professor Shen, Professor Gong and I have all taught at Berkeley, our academic disciplines are different, and save for bumping into one another a few times at campus events, we have not had any other contact, whether in a personal or work capacity. As Chairman of the Selection Committee, I have taken all necessary steps to avoid all potential conflicts. I am grateful to other committee members for giving me the great support.
As Interim Provost (臨時院長) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, it is Professor Richard Wong's role and duty to be involved in the selection of senior management team members. I wish to point out that this is not the first time Professor Wong had taken up the Provost post. He was selected for the Provost post by the Search Committee in 2004 and served for six years.
As you may know, our search committees include many colleagues with international academic standing, as well as a member from the Council and a student representative. I would like to thank all of them here for their contributions and support in the long selection process.
As the leader of the University, I keep reminding myself that I am accountable to both the members of the HKU family as well as Hong Kong at large. I am willing to listen to different views and comments. But I also hope all of our discussions could be based on facts, not just speculations. Let's work together to bring HKU to a higher level.
Xiang Zhang (Professor)
President and Vice-Chancellor
Atorvastatin reduces total-C (total cholesterol), LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and apo B (apolipoprotein B). Atorvastatin also reduces VLDL-C (very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and TG (triglycerides) and produces variable increases in HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol).
Before instituting therapy with atorvastatin, an attempt should be made to control hypercholesterolemia with appropriate diet, exercise and weight reduction in obese patients, and to treat underlying medical problems. The patient should continue on a standard cholesterol-lowering diet during treatment with atorvastatin.
Doses may be given any time of the day, with or without food.
Total cholesterol: 8.3 mmol/L (Margin: 5.2)
Triglycerides: 1.05 mmol/L (Margin: 1.7)
HDL: 1.74 mmol/L (Levels should be above 1 in men)
LDL: 6.1 mmol/L (Margin: 3.4)
療程︰Atorvastin 20 mg (每日一粒) 先服兩個月
(參考資料︰MIMS, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
grunt: the deep short sound characteristic of a hog
hog: domesticated swine
howl: to emit a loud sustained doleful sound characteristic of members of the dog family
growl: to utter a growl
ruddy: reddish
robe: a long flowing outer garment
trunk: a large rigid piece of luggage used usually for transporting clothing and personal effects
dump: to let fall in or as if in a heap or mass
nasty: disgustingly filthy
filth: foul or putrid matter
desperate: having lost hope
stride: to stand astride
strand: to leave in a strange or an unfavorable place especially without funds or means to depart
plump: having a full rounded usually pleasing form
swarm: to move or assemble in a crowd
gangling: tall, thin, and awkwardly built
jostle: to exist in close proximity
wrought-iron: a commercial form of iron that is tough, malleable, and relatively soft, contains less than 0.3 percent and usually less than 0.1 percent carbon, and carries 1 or 2 percent of slag mechanically mixed with it
drift: to cause to be driven in a current
chatter: to utter rapid short sounds suggestive of language but inarticulate and indistinct
hoot: to make the natural throat noise of an owl or a similar cry
dreadlock: a narrow ropelike strand of hair formed by matting, braiding, or twisting
shriek: to utter a sharp shrill sound
shrill: scream
shove: to push along
heave: lift, raise
pant: to breathe quickly, spasmodically, or in a labored manner
blimey: gorblimey
gorblimey: used to express amazement, surprise, or perplexity
gawp: gawk
gawk: to gape or stare stupidly
jerk: to give a quick suddenly arrested push, pull, or twist to
billow: to bulge or swell out
stern: having a definite hardness or severity of nature or manner
clamber: to climb awkwardly or with effort especially by using both the hands and the feet
awkward: lacking dexterity or skill
glance: to take a quick look at something
tarantula: a spider
blurt: to utter abruptly and impulsively
fringe: band
band: the front section of a person's hair when it is cut short and worn over the forehead —usually used in plural
gloomy: lacking in promise or hopefulness
live up to: to act or be in accordance with
dimple: (anatomy) a slight natural indentation in the surface of some part of the human body
rattling; to an extreme degree
pasty: a meat pie
corned beef: beef that has been preserved in salt water
swap: to give in trade
crooked: not straight
alchemy: a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life
tenpin bowling: a game in which players try to knock down 10 pins (standing pieces) by rolling a large ball towards them
marmalade: a clear sweetened jelly in which pieces of fruit and fruit rind are suspended
rind: a usually hard or tough outer layer
tripe: stomach tissue especially of a ruminant (such as an ox) used as food
nibble: to eat or chew in small bits
wail: to make a sound suggestive of a mournful cry
miserable: being in a pitiable state of distress or unhappiness
rummage: to make a thorough search through
battered: damaged or worn down by hard use
glint: of rays of light
unicorn: a mythical, usually white animal generally depicted with the body and head of a horse with long flowing mane and tail and a single often spiraled horn in the middle of the forehead
mellow: of a fruit: tender and sweet because of ripeness
witchcraft: the use of sorcery or magic
stun: to make senseless
dud: one that is ineffectual
flop: to move or drop heavily or noisily
whisker: one of the long projecting hairs or bristles growing near the mouth of an animal
prickle: a fine sharp process or projection
dumbfounded: to confound briefly and usually with astonishment
thickset: having a thick body
riffraff: disreputable persons
現時世衞並無就飲用水的酸鹼值與健康的關係下定論。無論這些飲用水是偏酸或偏鹼，其濃度相比其他飲品(例如汽水、橙汁)或食物為低。故一般而言，飲用水比如蒸餾水、礦泉水，我們的身體可以自我調節，控制體液酸鹼度，因此大家毋須擔心。
鹼性水由電解水機製造出來，故稱為電解水。其原理是依據「電化學」與「電解」原理，採用鈦白金或其他合金材料，作為製造電解槽之電極板。鹼性水含礦物質的種類與礦泉水相似。
坊間對鹼性水的功效有許多說法，例如用作治療癌症，但現時未有實質科學研究證實有關講法。另外，也有研究顯示鹼性水能中和胃酸令胃酸倒流的情況改善，但目前需要更多研究支持。
鑽石能量水是以濾心淨化自來水的食水，並同時把水礦化，所以鑽石能量水含有一些弱鹼性的礦物質。這款水聲稱可改善健康，但現未有確實。
topick.hket.com (2017)
Coenzymes are derived from several members of a special class of nutrients known as vitamins. For example, the coenzyme NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is derived from the B-vitamins niacin. As we will see, it plays major role in energy metabolism by transferring hydrogen from one substrate to another.
Widmaier, E.P., & Raff, H. (2008). Vander’s Human Physiology: The Mechanisms of Body Function. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
NAD+ is a cosubstrate for other enzymes such as the sirtuins and poly(adenosine diphosphate–ribose) polymerases. Cellular NAD+ concentrations change during aging, and modulation (調整) of NAD+ usage or production can prolong both health span and life span. Here we review factors that regulate NAD+ and discuss how supplementation with NAD+ precursors may represent a new therapeutic opportunity for aging and its associated disorders, particularly neurodegenerative diseases.
Verdin, E. (2015). NAD+ in aging, metabolism, and neurodegeneration. American Association for the Advancement of Science, 350(6265), 1208-1213.
Sirtuins are a conserved family of proteins found in all domains of life. The first known sirtuin, Sir2, regulates ribosomal DNA recombination, gene silencing, DNA repair, chromosomal stability and longevity. Sir2 homologues (同系物) also modulate lifespan in worms and flies, and may underlie (構成…的基礎) the beneficial effects of caloric restriction, the only regimen that slows aging and extends lifespan of most classes of organism, including mammals. Sirtuins have gained considerable attention for their impact on mammalian physiology, since they may provide novel targets for treating diseases associated with aging and perhaps extend human lifespan. In this review we describe our current understanding of the biological function of the seven mammalian sirtuins, SIRT1–7, and we will also discuss their potential as mediators of caloric restriction and as pharmacological targets to delay and treat human age-related diseases.
Michan, S., & Sinclair, D. (2007). Sirtuins in mammals: insights into their biological function. Biochemical Journal, 404(1), 1–13.
There's also the Kyoto Heritage Preservation Association's Autumn Special Exhibit, when 20 or so historic structures generally closed to the public - like Toji's (教王護國寺) five-storey pagoda (佛塔) - open their doors...The Autumn Special Exhibit takes place over roughly 10 days in late October and early November (for details see www.kobunka.com). This is a rare opportunity to see important works of art on temple walls and sliding doors that, for preservation reasons, can't be shown year-round. The places that open are different each year.
Morgan, K., & Milner R. (2018). Lonely Planet Kyoto. Lonely Planet.
