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This essay looks at the mobility of pregnant Mainland women in Hong Kong to expose the reverberations of the SAR government's immigration policies relating to cross-border birth tourism. Pregnant Mainland women and their children (fetuses), as emergent social subjects, embody conflict and the negotiation between population governance and economic benefits. The government denies pregnant Mainland women the right to give birth in Hong Kong based on their non-eligible status while admitting their children to be born in Hong Kong on the grounds that their children meet Hong Kong's future demand for population renewal, in this way boosting the development of childbirth tourism. However, the localism, which has had an extensive influence on Hong Kong local society in recent years, has rejected the SAR government's "population renewal" imaginary by suggesting its own "locust imaginary." The government's acceptance and the local's exclusion of the population flow between China and Hong Kong imply distinct cross-border subject imaginations. Only by contextualizing and critically analyzing the various othering identities such as the non-eligible or locusts can we better understand the cultural politics of Hong Kong birthright citizenship over recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on neoliberal economic human in China. Topics discussed include Michel Foucault's "The Birth of Biopolitics," video documentary "The Wenzhou Merchants," and Xiao Bin's "The Wild World of Real Estate." The publications titled "Merchant Guilds: The Rise of Mainland's New Wealthy Class" and "The Wild World of Real Estate: The Real Story Behind the Impossibly Lucrative Business' are examined.

This study aims to analyze the effects of climate parameters on the number of urolithiasis treatments in our hospital and understand the effects of climate parameters on the prevalence of urolithiasis in southern Taiwan. We also look at trends associated with urolithiasis and treatments. Retrospectively reviewed the records of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureteroscopy (URS), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), and percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) performed in our hospital from January 2012 to December 2018. Climate data for were collected from Central Weather Bureau. The monthly meteorological data included average temperatures, humidity, rainfall, sunshine hours, atmospheric pressure, and wind speed. Monthly numbers of patients undergoing stone management was positively correlated to average temperature (r = 0.657), relative humidity (r = 0.234), monthly rainfall (r = 0.261) and monthly sunshine hours (r = 0.348), while it was negatively correlated to atmospheric pressure (r = − 0.522). The multivariate linear regression model demonstrated temperature (ß = 10.682, 95% CI 6.178–14.646, p < 0.001) and Relative humidity (ß = − 95% CI − 5.233- − 1.216, p = 0.002) to be independently related to numbers of stone treatment. The data also revealed a rising prevalence of urolithiasis with an associated increase in the number of interventions, with fewer ESWL (74.0–49.4%). Temperature and relative humidity are associated with monthly numbers of stone treatment. Ambient temperature is the most critical climate factor affecting the prevalence of symptomatic urolithiasis and intention of active stone removal in southern Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the broad consensus among academic geographers that a new matrix of global city‐regions is on the rise, this paper attempts to show how urban linkage has become not only a social reality that produces various cosmopolitan identities but a discursive framework for the formulation and articulation of these identities so as to reproduce the urban networks. With a particular emphasis on the ‘imaginary of identity’ and its problems, I will explore Taipei‐Shanghai as a global city‐region first by examining the ideology inherent in the discourse of the so‐called ‘New Shanghai People’ (xin shanghai ren), a popular discourse which has recently emerged to represent the identity of transmigrants. The second part of the paper will analyze several representative cultural texts including Wang Wen‐hua’s bestsellers in Shanghai, The Protein Girl, its sequel The Protein Girl II, and Chen‐pin’s bestsellers in Taipei, a series of non‐fiction works on how to survive and succeed in Shanghai. Situating these texts in the context of the Taipei‐Shanghai linkage, I will critique the imagination of the cosmopolitan identity, enabled by the material conditions of the urban network, and further lay bare not just the intricate connections between the new geopolitical regionalism and cultural narrative of Chinese transmigrants but the intense contradictions between the flexible accumulation of capital and the production of ‘flexible citizenship’ in Aihwa Ong’s terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines Wong Kar-wai's Chungking Express, a 1994 urban film about the sensory experience of walking in Hong Kong. Illustration of how walking as a spatial practice interacts with the global city; Global and local compression; Impact of globalization on city-walkers; Walking in a global city as an epitome of freedom and liberation; Personal attempt to create more space.

The article presents a case study of a 52-year-old man with prostate cancer, who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection, and had anal urinary leakage during micturition, who underwent robotic-assisted transanal repair of rectourethral fistula.

To enhance the accuracy of predicting stone-free rates after retrograde intrarenal surgery, we devised a novel approach to assess the renal infundibulopelvic angle. We conducted a retrospective review of patient records for those who underwent retrograde intrarenal surgery for renal stones between April 2018 and August 2019. Patient demographics, stone characteristics, and perioperative data were recorded. Subsequently, we introduced a modified angle measurement called the pelvic stone angle and evaluated its predictive performance for stone-free rates by comparing it with the traditional method in scoring systems. A total of 43 individuals were included in this study. Notable differences in stone burden and Hounsfield unit measurements were found between stone-free and non-stone-free patients. The pelvic stone angle demonstrated a good model fit when used in scoring systems, performing equally well as the conventional approach. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the R.I.R.S. scoring system using the pelvic stone angle and the conventional approach did not show a significant difference. In conclusion, the predictive ability of the pelvic stone angle for stone-free rates was comparable to the old measurement method. Moreover, scoring systems using the pelvic stone angle exhibited a better model fit than those using the conventional approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of the study is to evaluate the three stone scoring systems (S.T.O.N.E nephrolithometry scoring system (STONE), Guy's stone score (GSS) and Seoul National University Renal Stone Complexity (S-ReSC)) for the stone-free rate (SFR) of mini-PCNL. We retrospectively analyzed 72 patients who received mini-PCNL from February 2018 to October 2020. The SFR, complication rates, hospitalization days and recurrence rates were analyzed using three stone scoring systems. The result showed statistical significance in the association between scoring system and stone-free (STONE: OR 95%CI 0.409 (0.221–0.759), p = 0.0045; S-ReSC OR 95%CI 0.633 (0.401–0.999), p = 0.0497), but not GSS (OR 95%CI 0.776 (0.397–1.516), p = 0.4581). After adjusting the potential confounding factors, the area under curve (AUC) of STONE, GSS, and S-ReSC was 0.86, 0.78, and 0.81, respectively, and Akaike information criterion (AIC) of STONE, GSS, and S-ReSC was 64.65, 74.89, and 69.92, respectively. The accuracy rate of STONE, GSS, and S-ReSC was 0.81, 0.75, and 0.79, respectively. There was no statistically difference of predicting stone recurrence (p = 0.46, 0.53, 0.86), complications (p = 0.74, 0.51, 0.16) and hospitalization days (p = 0.77, 0.86, 0.87) in STONE, GSS, and S-ReSC, respectively. In conclusion, both the STONE and S-ReSC stone scoring systems are viable for predicting the SFR following mini-PCNL, especially after variable adjustment with the STONE system demonstrating superiority over S-ReSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antegrade flexible URSL is a minimal invasive option for treating distal ureteral stones in patient after urinary diversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the case of a 56-year-old man who in a motor vehicle collision developed a pelvic fracture and complete urethra rupture. Sudden onset of intermittent severe urethral bleeding occurred and it led to life-threatening blood pressure drop and dyspnea. An angiography of internal iliac artery showed a pseudoaneurysm involving the right obturator artery. Super-selective embolization of the feeding vessel was performed with cessation of the blood flow immediately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Giant condyloma acuminatum (GCA) is a rare, sexually transmitted disease with a high rate of local recurrence and malignant transformation. However, the optimal treatment for patients in whom GCA coexists with penile cancer is not well defined. We report a case treated successfully with preservation of the penis. Wide tumor excision was performed and the patient received adjuvant intra-arterial chemotherapy with methotrexate. We also evaluate the efficacy and functional outcome of penile preservation management for GCA with penile cancer transformation. In the present case, no recurrence of penile tumor or of condyloma was noted during follow-up for more than 12 months after treatment. The patient is very satisfied with the cosmetic and functional results following preservation of the penis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is suggested to be a precursor of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and could influence the risk of testosterone deficiency (TD). Fatty liver index (FLI) is a simple and useful screening tool for NAFLD. We determined the association between the risk of NAFLD assessed by FLI and TD in aging Taiwanese men, especially those without MetS. Materials and Methods: A free health screening program was conducted for men (age: >40 years) in a medical center in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. All participants underwent a physical examination; answered a questionnaire assessing demographics, medical history, and clinical symptoms of TD; and provided 20‐mL whole blood samples for biochemical, adipocytokine, and hormonal evaluations. The risk of NAFLD was evaluated using FLI. The presence of NAFLD was ruled out if FLI value was <25 and ruled in if FLI value was ≥35. Results: A total of 552 men (mean age: 54.7 ± 7.7 years) were enrolled. The prevalence rates of TD and MetS were significantly higher among men with NAFLD than those without NAFLD (both p < 0.001). FLI was significantly correlated with total testosterone (TT) and adipocytokines associated with insulin resistance, such as adiponectin, leptin, and retinol‐binding protein‐4 (RBP‐4) levels, respectively (all p < 0.001). Among men without MetS, those at risk of and with NAFLD had a 3.82 and 8.50 times higher risk of TD, respectively, than those without NAFLD after adjusting for potential covariates. Conclusion: The FLI is associated with the risk of TD in aging Taiwanese men, especially in those without MetS. Our findings also suggest that insulin resistance may be an important link among the inter‐relationships of NAFLD, MetS, and TD. Further population‐based studies with larger sample sizes of different ethnicities are warranted to confirm these preliminary results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To share our multicenter experience using a safe and effective method for treating large proximal ure-teral calculus by simultaneous supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (sPCNL) and retrograde ureterolithotripsy (URSL) in the Galdakao-modified supine Valdivia position.Materials and Methods: Between December 2014 and August 2017, all patients with large proximal ureteral stones (> 15 mm) who underwent simultaneous sPCNL and retrograde URSL at three medical centers were retro-spectively reported. The ureter stone was pushed back (retrograde) with the ureteroscope and was retrieved using forceps with a nephroscope through an Amplatz sheath. Surgical methods and outcomes were described to improve our experience and management of large proximal ureteral calculi.Results: A total of 31 patients underwent simultaneous sPCNL and retrograde URSL. The mean patient age, stone size, operating time, and postoperative hospital stay were 57 years (range, 32-74 years), 20.1 mm (range, 15.0-37.9 mm), 81 minutes (range, 30-150), and 3.2 days (range, 2-7 days), respectively. There were 10 modified Clavien grade I and five grade II complications. No blood transfusions were necessary in this series. All patients were treated with double-J stents without a nephrostomy tube. Only one patient did not achieve stone-free status because of the strict stone impaction into the ureteral wall. This patient received auxiliary URSL after two months. Thereafter, the overall stone-clearance rate at three months was 100%.Conclusion: Our preliminary data showed that this modified method is safe and effective for treating large prox-imal ureteral stones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF4A) can influence the risk of insulin resistance that is postulated to be an important link between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and testosterone deficiency (TD) in men. Aim To investigate the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of HNF4A and the risk of developing MetS and TD in a population of aging Taiwanese men. Methods A free health screening of men over 40 years of age was conducted in a medical center in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. All participants underwent a physical examination, answered a questionnaire on demographics and medical history, completed the Androgen Deficiency in The Aging Male questionnaire to assess clinical symptoms of TD, and provided 20-mL whole blood samples for biochemical, hormonal, and genetic evaluation. Main Outcome Measure 3 common SNPs (rs11574736, rs1884613, and rs2144908) of HNF4A were selected and identified using a TaqMan 5' allelic discrimination assay. Results 559 men were enrolled for this study (mean age, 55.8± 4.9 years). Prevalence of TD was significantly higher (P =.031) in subjects with MetS (16.8%) than those without MetS (10.1%). In SNP rs1884613 of HNF4A, subjects with the C allele carried a 1.31- and 1.50-times higher risk of developing MetS and TD, respectively, compared to those with the G allele, after adjusting for potential covariates. In addition, subjects with the CC genotype were exposed to a 1.91- and 2.20-times higher risk of developing MetS and TD, respectively, compared to those with the GG genotype. Clinical Implications Our findings may point to the importance of the role played by insulin resistance in the link between MetS and TD. Strength & Limitations Our current work is the first report with adequate sample size to evaluate the role of genetic variants of HNF4A on the risk of both MetS and TD in men. The limitations included subjects enrolled from a free health screening and single measurement of serum testosterone levels. Conclusion The rs1884613 SNP marker of HNF4A is significantly associated with an increased risk for developing both MetS and TD in aging Taiwanese men. Further population-based studies utilizing larger samples of different ethnicities may be needed to confirm these preliminary results. Liu C-C, Lee Y-C, Hung S-P. Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-4α P2 Promoter Variants Are Associated With the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome and Testosterone Deficiency in Aging Taiwanese Men. J Sex Med 2018;15:1527–1536. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MtS) and kidney stone are two common aging diseases with male dominant. This is the first study regarding the potential impact of MtS and its components on kidney stone in aging Chinese population.Methods: A total of 694 males with a mean age of 55.6 years were enrolled. The definition of MtS was according to the modified criteria developed by the Bureau of Health Promotion in Taiwan. Subjects were classified as having a disease of kidney stones according to diagnosis by a physician with available medical records or evidence from ultrasonography judged by an investigator of urologist.Results: Using age-adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis, our results showed that subjects with kidney stone had significantly higher prevalence of MtS (p = 0.04, OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.0 1-3.00). The presence of MtS had significant correlation with kidney stone (p = 0.01, OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.1 4-2.93), which were associated with the increment of MtS components (p < 0.01). After adjusting for age and testosterone level, abnormal blood pressure (BP) was the most significantly independent component of MtS for kidney stone among the MtS components (p < 0.01, OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.46-5.39).Conclusions: In aging Taiwanese males, the presence of MtS and its components are strongly associated with kidney stone. Abnormal BP is the most significant risk component of MtS for kidney stone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel transient voltage suppressor (TVS) that features ultralow capacitance is proposed. This structure is able to reduce the input capacitance by 21.1%, and is designed to protect against electrostatic discharge (ESD) issues for high-speed ports. The device is also able to withstand IEC 61000-4-2 contact testing at ±14 kV and transmission line pulse (TLP) testing at 20 A. The device is fabricated using a typical planar Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) process. By slotting the doping well to decrease the concentration of diodes, a TVS with an ultralow Cj is obtained without the need to add to the process procedures or without damaging the ESD capability. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

AlGaN/GaN dual metal Schottky barrier diodes (SBD) are demonstrated on a silicon substrate. The anode is composed of two metals with different work functions to achieve a better trade-off between the forward and the reverse characteristics. The low work function metal Ti reduces the turn-on voltage and the high work function metal Ni at the edge of the anode reduces the reverse leakage current and maintains the breakdown voltage. The turn-on voltage of the Ni-SBD is reduced from 1.47 V to 0.57 V by employing the dual metal anode, and the breakdown voltages are virtually unaffected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple scheme is proposed to increase the hold voltage and not change the original trigger voltage of a silicon‐controlled rectifier (SCR) to enhance its latch‐up immunity without changing the device dimensions. It is found that using the lightly doped P‐diffusion instead of the highly doped P+ diffusion as the P emitter of the anode can increase the hold voltage of an SCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the flexible ureteroscopy (URS0 which has enabled the treatment of tortuous ureteral stones, but is not available worldwide due to high cost, skill dependence and long operative time, making it challenging for hospitals where it is unavailable. It states that ureterolithotomy is the available method for treating stones in tortuous ureters but is more invasive and is associated with greater postoperative morbidity.

• It is unclear whether melamine induces kidney damage via increased oxidative stress. • Melamine was significantly and positively correlated with 8-OHdG and MDA in urine. • MDA mediated 36 %–53 % of the total effect of melamine on renal tubular injury. • Melamine-induced oxidative stress increased the risk of early kidney damage. Melamine contamination has remained pervasive in the environment even after the 2008 toxic milk scandal. Exposure to chronic low dosages of melamine is known to induce renal tubular damage, increasing the risk of stone formation and early kidney injury. This damage may come about via increased oxidative stress, but no studies of this possibility have been performed in humans. We conducted two human studies in 80 workers from melamine tableware factories (melamine workers) and 309 adult patients with calcium urolithiasis (stone patients) to evaluate the relationships between urinary melamine levels and two urinary biomarkers of oxidative stress, 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Both human studies showed urinary melamine levels to be significantly and positively correlated with urinary 8-OHdG and MDA, indicating melamine exposure can increase oxidative stress. Additionally, we used structure equation modeling to evaluate relative contribution of type of melamine-induced oxidative stress on renal tubular injury and found that MDA mediated 36 %–53 % of the total effect of melamine on a biomarker of renal tubular injury, N-Acetyl-β- d Glucosaminidase (NAG). In conclusion, our findings suggest exposure to low-dose melamine can increase oxidative stress and increase the risk of early damage to kidneys in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]