Dielectric determination of the glass transition temperature (T sub g)

The objective is to determine the glass transition temperature of a polymer using a dielectric dissipation technique. A peak in the dissipation factor versus temperature curve is expected near the glass transition temperature T sub g. It should be noted that the glass transition is gradual rather than abrupt, so that the glass transition temperature T sub g is not clearly identifiable. In this case, the glass transition temperature is defined to be the temperature at the intersection point of the tangent lines to the dissipation factor versus temperature curve above and below the transition region, as illustrated

Kontribusi Pembiayaan Bank Syariah untuk Sektor Pertanian di Indonesia

Based on Islamic Banking Law Article 1 paragraph 2 funding was the main activity for Islamic banking in its function as a financial intermediary and drived real sector. This study was aim to determine how much the influences of SBIS, amount of DPK, Non Performing Financing and the exchange rate of dollar against the Islamic banking financing as well as the contribution of Islamic bank financing for the agricultural sector in Indonesia by using VAR/VECM approach. VECM results indicated variables that affected agricultural financing in the short term was variable LNER and SBIS. While in the long term variable lnDPK and lnNPF statistically significant against to agricultural financing. The results of IRF showed that lnDPK, lnNPF and LNER responded positively influencing the contribution of financing on Islamic bank for the agricultural sector in Indonesia. As for The contribution of financing on Islamic bank for the agricultural sector in Indonesia, LNER gave the largest contribution to the Islamic bank financing for the agricultural sector in Indonesia, followed by the variable SBIS, lnDPK, and lnNPF. The higher value of rupiah would increase the financing by the islamic banking for Agricultural sector, as would as the lower of rate SBIS would increase the financing of islamic banking

Estimation of the lag time between detrusor pressure- and flow rate- signals

In a urodynamic measurement setup there is a considerable spatial separation between the uroflowmeter and the location where the detrusor pressure is measured. Therefore, a “time shift” (or lag time correction) has to be applied to one of these signals in order to align related samples in studies where pressure and flow rate are considered simultaneously (e.g., assessment of bladder contractility or bladder outlet resistance). Currently, a heuristic value for this time shift of 0.8 s is applied. In this article, we present a method to estimate the lag time directly from the measurements. Using this method we have found, amongst others, that the mean lag time in our clinic is 0.6 s for males, 0.4 s for females voiding in sitting position, and 1.1 s for females voiding in standing position using a special receptacle in video urodynamics. Furthermore, we found that sphincter/urethral activity during voiding (which causes a drop in flow rate and an accompanying increase in detrusor pressure) is associated (on average) with shorter lag times than straining (when a positive pressure rise accompanies an increase in flow rate). Additionally strong evidence is provided that lag time correction is not a major source of error in urodynamics

Transrectal ultrasound of the prostatic urethra related to urodynamically assessed urethral resistance. A pilot study

In this pilot study on 17 men who underwent urodynamic investigation for various dysuric complaints, real-time transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) was performed. From the images anatomical parameters were identified that correlated with obstructive urodynamic findings and urethral resistance parameters based on pressure-flow analysis. This study gives support for further clinical investigations to determine the value of TRUS for male patients with dysuric disorders. It also illustrates the anatomical basis of prostatic obstruction as quantified by objective urodynamic parameters

Ethical and legal aspects of research involving older people with cognitive impairment: A survey of dementia researchers in Australia

© 2019 Elsevier Ltd People with dementia are under-represented in clinical research, in part due to the ethical and legal complexities of involving people in studies who may lack capacity to consent. Excluding this population from research limits the evidence to inform care. The attitudes and practices of researchers are key to the inclusion of people with dementia in research, however, there are few empirical studies on researchers' perspectives in this area. A cross-sectional study involved researchers in Australia who had experience in the ethical aspects of conducting dementia-related studies with human participants (n = 70). Data were collected via an online survey from November 2017 to January 2018. Most respondents (97%) agreed with the importance of including people at all stages of dementia in research, yet around three-quarters of respondents perceived ethical and legal rules and processes as unduly restrictive or time-consuming. Researchers reported variable practices in assessing prospective participants' capacity to consent to their studies. Various tools are used for this purpose, ranging from tools designed for research (eg, MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research) to more general cognitive function screens (eg, Mini Mental State Exam). Few respondents (14%) routinely exclude people from studies who are unable to give their own consent, but instead seek permission from proxy decision-makers, such as legally appointed guardians or family carers. Respondents reported positive and negative outcomes of ethics review processes. Positive outcomes included strengthening the protections for participants with cognitive impairment while negative outcomes included delays and inconsistent decisions from different ethics committees. The findings suggest a need for improved strategies in the research context to assess and enhance the decision-making capacity of people with dementia to support appropriate opportunities for inclusion. Education for ethics committees, proxy decision-makers and other gatekeepers is also needed to reduce barriers to participation in research

The mythos of dwelling : a settlement at Kalaupapa, Molokai

Thesis (M. Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1989.Includes bibliographical references (p. 99-103).This thesis is the exploration of the physical and metaphorical potential of one of the most beautiful and poignant places in the world. It is Kalaupapa, a peninsula on the North Shore of Molokai, Hawaii, and the site of the infamous Leper colony run by Father Damien at the end of the last century. Here is explored the social issues of compassion to our fellow man and the importance of that compassion in reinforcing an emerging attitude towards life today. The issue of relevancy to this age i s further reinforced with the· analogy of people with leprosy to people with AIDS and the similar societal treatment they have each received. The physical manifestation of this social charge is a place - a settlement run by the National Park Service- where we learn about illness, about dealing with the metaphors attached to illness, about life and death. It is a place that must relate to the strength of the landscape and the technological constraints prescribed by the location. Here, the physical manifestation has the explicit charge of helping, rather than hindering, our ability to dwell. J?welling has been defined as the physical and existential participation in our life-world. We dwell by gathering a world to us, a world that reflects our underlying beliefs. These beliefs are myths and they are the basis for our lives and for the act of dwelling. I suspect that the myths of today do not allow us to fully participate in our world, but there is hope that a planetary myth is emerging that will make this participation possible. This project tries, with every ounce of strength, to help this myth emerge in the minds of the readers.by Paul R. Ries.M.Arch