Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Om Mani Padme Hum

Om Mani Padme Hum


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Denise Ho seeks "talented" sperm donor

Denise Ho seeks "talented" sperm donor
Posted: 20 November 2012 1412 hrs
     
TAIPEI: Hong Kong singer-actress Denise Ho, who came out of the closet last week, revealed that she wants to have a baby, reported Taiwan media.

"Is that impossible to imagine?" Ho told surprised reporters, when she met the media on Monday ahead of the 49th Golden Horse Awards (GHA) in Taiwan.

Ho, who has been nominated for Best Actress at this year's GHA, for her performance in Hong Kong director Johnnie To's crime drama "Life without Principle", said she is currently seeking a sperm donor.

According to Ho, the donor must be "talented, quite good-looking and of good character".

She added that it didn't matter whether it was she or her partner who carried the child to term.

-CNA/ha

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KKH apologises for baby swap incident

KKH apologises for baby swap incident
By Shing Geok Shan | Posted: 19 November 2012 2012 hrs
     
SINGAPORE: Two new-born babies were wrongly discharged to different mothers at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) on Sunday.

The babies have been reunited with their biological parents and are doing well.

KKH said the incident came to light when one of the parents noticed that the baby taken home wore an identification tag belonging to another mother.

This happened about an hour after they brought him home.

KKH said all babies have double tags, and this baby had an incorrect tag and a correct tag on his legs when he was given to the wrong parents.

The hospital suspected that checks were not carried out properly when the baby was being discharged.

The other baby, also a boy, was with the wrong parents for about 10 hours.

He was wearing two correct tags but was given to the wrong set of parents during discharge.

The hospital informed the parents after a blood test of the first baby confirmed the mix-up.

It has conducted DNA tests on the babies and is waiting for the results.

KKH said on Monday that it deeply regrets this error and is now carrying out thorough investigations to find out how this error occurred.

It is extending full support to both families -- medically and emotionally.

Both mothers have been offered counselling by the hospital.

KKH said it takes a very serious view of the incident and it unreservedly apologised to the parents for this error and pledged to take all steps to prevent any recurrence.

A full review is being carried out, and the Ministry of Health has been informed.

- CNA/lp

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Tooth Decay to Be a Thing of the Past? Enzyme Responsible for Dental Plaque Sticking to Teeth Deciphered

Tooth Decay to Be a Thing of the Past? Enzyme Responsible for Dental Plaque Sticking to Teeth Deciphered

ScienceDaily (Dec. 4, 2010) — The Groningen professors Bauke Dijkstra and Lubbert Dijkhuizen have deciphered the structure and functional mechanism of the glucansucrase enzyme that is responsible for dental plaque sticking to teeth. This knowledge will stimulate the identification of substances that inhibit the enzyme. Just add that substance to toothpaste, or even sweets, and caries will be a thing of the past.

The results of the research have been published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

The University of Groningen researchers analysed glucansucrase from the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri, which is present in the human mouth and digestive tract. The bacteria use the glucansucrase enzyme to convert sugar from food into long, sticky sugar chains. They use this glue to attach themselves to tooth enamel. The main cause of tooth decay, the bacterium Streptococcus mutans, also uses this enzyme. Once attached to tooth enamel, these bacteria ferment sugars releasing acids that dissolve the calcium in teeth. This is how caries develops.

Three dimensional structure

Using protein crystallography, the researchers were able to elucidate the three dimensional (3D) structure of the enzyme. The Groningen researchers are the first to succeed in crystallizing glucansucrase. The crystal structure has revealed that the folding mechanism of the protein is unique. The various domains of the enzyme are not formed from a single, linear amino acid chain but from two parts that assemble via a U-shaped structure of the chain; this is the first report on such a folding mechanism in the literature.

Functional mechanism

The unravelling of the 3D structure provided the researchers with detailed insight into the functional mechanism of the enzyme. The enzyme splits sucrose into fructose and glucose and then adds the glucose molecule to a growing sugar chain. Thus far the scientific community assumed that both processes were performed by different parts of the enzyme. However, the model created by the Groningen researchers has revealed that both activities occur in the same active site of the enzyme.

Inhibitors

Dijkhuizen expects that specific inhibitors for the glucansucrase enzyme may help to prevent attachment of the bacteria to the tooth enamel. Information about the structure and functional mechanism of the enzyme is crucial for developing such inhibitors. Thus far, such research has not been successful, states Dijkhuizen: 'The various inhibitors studied not only blocked the glucansucrase, but also the digestive enzyme amylase in our saliva, which is needed to degrade starch.'

Evolution

The crystal structure also provides an explanation for this double inhibition. The data published by the Groningen scientists shows that glucansucrase proteins most likely evolved from amylase enzymes that degrade starch. 'We already knew that the two enzymes were similar', says Dijkhuizen, 'but the crystal structure revealed that the active sites are virtually identical. Future inhibitors thus need to be directed towards very specific targets because both enzymes are evolutionary closely related.'

Toothpaste and sweets

Dijkhuizen points out that in future glucansucrase inhibitors may be added to toothpaste and mouthwash. 'But it may even be possible to add them to sweets', he suggests. 'An inhibitor might prevent that sugars released in the mouth cause damage.' However, Dijkhuizen doesn't expect that toothbrushes have had their day: 'it will always be necessary to clean your teeth.'



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Half of Singaporeans find bosses unsupportive of vacation time: poll

Half of Singaporeans find bosses unsupportive of vacation time: poll
Posted: 19 November 2012 1816 hrs
 
SINGAPORE: Almost half of Singaporeans say their bosses are unsupportive of vacation time, revealed the 2012 Vacation Deprivation Study conducted by online travel company Expedia.

The annual study did an online poll with 8,500 employees across 22 countries between September 13 and October 12, including countries such as Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, US, UK, France, Australia, Japan, South Korea and India.

Latest results from the study showed 'pressure from superiors' as one of the biggest contributing factors to Singaporeans failing to clear all of their annual leave.

The study also revealed that 80 per cent of its Singapore respondents checked on work matters while on holiday, while 41 per cent have postponed vacations for work.

Worryingly, 11 per cent of Singaporeans surveyed indicated that 'work is life' for them and 14 per cent were under the impression that taking a vacation would trigger negative sentiments in the workplace.

"With the widespread global connectivity we enjoy nowadays, it is not at all surprising that Singaporeans are finding it difficult to detach themselves from work. Furthermore, there might also be a decrease in perceptions of job security that has Singaporeans put in the extra hours at work, even when away on holiday," explained Dan Lynn, CEO, AirAsiaExpedia.

Although bosses came out top in Singaporean's vacation woes, the survey also found that the inability to coordinate with family also ranked high on Singaporeans' list of vacation impediments at 32 per cent, followed by lack of planning at 21 per cent.

16 per cent also cited financial considerations as a deterrent when planning for a getaway, up 3 per cent from 2011.

Internationally, the study showed that Asia was the world's most vacation-deprived region, with employees continuing to take the fewest days off and work the longest weeks.

Japanese and Koreans workers trail the field with the average Japanese worker taking only five out of the 13 days off granted each year and South Koreans taking seven out of a possible 10 vacation days.

In contrast, workers in France, Spain, and Brazil report taking their full 30 vacation days off, while Germans take 28 of a possible 30 days off, and British, Norwegian and Swedish workers taking all 25 days they are given.

Employees in Asia also work the longest weeks with Korean, Singaporean and Taiwanese workers clocking in a staggering average of 44 hours a week.

The Dutch work only 35 hours a week, the fewest among the 22 nations surveyed.

The study also showed that an average of 50 per cent of respondents in Asia were unsure if their bosses were supportive of them taking time off, with 59 per cent of Koreans and 54 per cent of Taiwanese citing their head honchos as an obstacle to taking a holiday,

At 24 per cent, employees in India are the luckiest workers in the region when it comes to receiving positive affirmation from their bosses for taking days off.

- CNA/jc


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Orchard Rd shopping mall steps up measures to tackle rat problems

Orchard Rd shopping mall steps up measures to tackle rat problems
By Lim Wee Leng | Posted: 19 November 2012 2037 hrs
     
SINGAPORE: The management of 313 Somerset Shopping Mall said it has taken more measures to tackle the problem of rodents.

It said more mouse traps have been set up in the shopping mall since the National Environment Agency found signs of rat activity in its premises.

Lend Lease Retail, the mall's management, said it has been sealing up all potential access points to prevent the rodents from getting into the building.

It is also working with tenants on how to manage their waste properly and improve their housekeeping skills.

Ms Amy Lim, General Manager of Lend Lease Retail, said: "We have sent them a circular and in that circular, we have advised them on how they should keep their food when they leave the premises, how they should dispose their waste regularly, and how they should tie up any loose food that's visible. And also remove any food stains that would encourage any rats, any rodents to come."

It has also asked retailers to submit weekly pest control reports.

"On NEA's recommendations after the inspections, we've written to the retailers to seek their cooperation to submit weekly pest control reports to us. That's submitted by the pest control contractors. A copy of it is given to us, so that it helps us to monitor and ensure compliance by the retailers. They would usually report on what's been trapped in the premises," she said.

- CNA/de


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Malaysians among the world’s top workaholics, says survey

Tuesday November 20, 2012
Malaysians among the world’s top workaholics, says survey
By P. ARUNA
aruna@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are proving to be among the world's biggest workaholics, with almost 90% of the workforce working even when they are on holiday.

According to Expedia's 2012 Vacation Deprivation Survey, Malaysia has the world's fourth most dedicated workforce, after India, Brazil and Italy, with employees who can't seem to “let go” of their work during vacations.

Conducted based on 8,000 employed adults from 22 countries throughout the globe, the survey also revealed that Malaysians spent about 40 hours a week at work but received only an average of 14 days of annual leave, among the lowest in the world.

The survey, by the online travel website, also found that despite the limited number of days, Malaysians, on average, did not use about 7% of their leave.

The main reasons cited by respondents for not using up their leave include the option of carrying-forward their leave to the next calendar year, and being unable to coordinate travel dates with their travel partners.

A shocking 40% of the respondents said they were reluctant to go on vacation because they feared their bosses would not be happy about it.

About 15% were worried that going on holiday would reflect negatively on their careers.

“It is worrying that so many Malaysians feel guilty about going on holiday.

“Studies have shown that employees who take regular breaks to revitalise their minds and bodies are often more productive and effective in the workplace,” said AirAsia Expedia CEO Dan Lynn in a statement yesterday.

The survey found that respondents in most developed nations had cited financial constraints as the main reason for not going on vacation.

Among Malaysians, however, only 9% of the respondents said they would sacrifice a holiday due to limited funds.

Asia proved to be the world's most “vacation-deprived” region, with Asians taking the lowest number of holidays and clocking-in the most number of hours each week.

Europeans, on the other hand, have between 25 and 30 days of leave each year, without taking into account state and religious holidays.

British, Norwegian and Swedish workers said they utilised all 25 days given to them.

The Dutch, on the other hand, work only 35 hours a week, the lowest among the 22 countries surveyed.



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Argo Trailer (2012)




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Almost half of Singaporeans need to plan for sex

Almost half of Singaporeans need to plan for sex

Monday, Nov 19, 2012
YourHealth, AsiaOne

SINGAPORE - A recent survey has found that while more than half of Singaporeans never know when they will have sex, almost half need to plan for moments of intimacy.

The survey, conducted in Singapore and Malaysia by global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, found that 49 per cent of Singaporeans feel they need to plan for sex in advance.

Out of their past four sexual encounters, 59 per cent said they had planned for half or more of their sexual encounters, with more men planning for sex in advance as compared to women.

Out of the 77 per cent who planned at least one of their past four sexual encounters, 33 per cent of respondents said they typically plan less than 30 minutes in advance.

However, they did so at the expense of the fun and spontaneity that comes with unplanned sex.

More than 60 per cent of respondents agreed that sex was about spontaneity, which contributes to the romance in the relationship, and that planned sex takes away the fun.

In spite of this, 41 per cent of Singaporean respondents would rather sacrifice on the romance and fun by planning in order to improve their experience and avoid personal dissatisfaction or disappointing their partners.

With regards to satisfaction, men and women in Singapore differ in their opinions.

While 32 per cent of Singaporean men expressed being extremely satisfied with their own erections, only 12 per cent of women are extremely satisfied with their partners' erections.

The level of satisfaction is more balanced amongst Malaysian respondents, with 25 per cent of men being extremely satisfied with their erections, and 20 per cent of women feeling the same about their partners' erections.

About 72 per cent of Singaporean men said they are acceptable to treatment for erectile dysfunction. Three in four men said they are comfortable with letting their partners know that they are taking a pill before sex.

However, slightly less than half of the women surveyed were comfortable knowing that their partners take a pill before sexual intercourse.

yamadak@sph.com.sg




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Son Of Sardaar



Son of Sardaar



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