Bio-medical flow sensor

A bio-medical flow sensor including a packageable unit of a bottle, tubing and hypodermic needle which can be pre-sterilized and is disposable. The tubing has spaced apart tubular metal segments. The temperature of the metal segments and fluid flow therein is sensed by thermistors and at a downstream location heat is input by a resistor to the metal segment by a control electronics. The fluids flow and the electrical power required for the resisto to maintain a constant temperature differential between the tubular metal segments is a measurable function of fluid flow through the tubing. The differential temperature measurement is made in a control electronics and also can be used to control a flow control valve or pump on the tubing to maintain a constant flow in the tubing and to shut off the tubing when air is present in the tubing

Electrophotolysis oxidation system for measurement of organic concentration in water

Methods and apparatus for determining organic carbon in aqueous solution are described. The method comprises subjecting the aqueous solution to electrolysis, for generating oxygen from water, and simultaneously to ultraviolet radiation, for oxidation of substantially all organic carbon to carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is measured and the value is related to the concentration of organic carbon in the aqueous solution

Building financial institutions in developing countries

Financial development and financial institution building are important prerequisites for economic growth. However, both the potential and the problems of institution building are still vastly underestimated by those who design and fund institution building projects. The paper first underlines the importance of financial development for economic growth, then describes the main elements of “serious” institution building: the lending technology, the methodological approaches, and the question of internal structure and corporate governance. Finally, it discusses three problems which institution building efforts have to cope with: inappropriate expectations on the part of donor and partner institutions regarding the problems and effects of institution building efforts, the lack of awareness of the importance of governance and ownership issues, and financial regulation that is too restrictive for microfinance operations. All three problems together explain why there are so few successful micro and small business institutions operating worldwide

National policies and the CDM: Avoiding perverse incentives

The CDM is a project-based mechanism to promote flexibility in mitigation climate change, by promoting investment in mitigation projects in developing countries. There has been concern about potential perverse incentives for developing countries like South Africa not to adopt progressive national policies, fearing that CDM projects implementing such policy would no longer be additional. The CDM rules on additionality require that emissions are reduced ‘below those that would have occurred in the absence of the registered CDM project activity’. The paper shows that recent decisions by the CDM Executive Board make it clear that such perverse incentives will not be created. The paper suggests concrete interpretations of this guidance for two possible project types. Projects implementing national policies that promote zero- or low-carbon emission technologies (e.g. South Africa’s renewable energy target) can still go through the CDM process. Where there are local regulations, as for landfill gas, projects would not be ruled out entirely, but would receive credit for the difference between actual methane capture and that needed to meet local safety, health and environmental standards. The author concludes that projects implementing progressive energy policies are still eligible for CDM investment

An Administrative Perspective of the Job Training Partnership Act in Selected Counties in Tennessee

The problem of this study was to determine if, in selected counties in Tennessee, differences in the noncompletion rate, the positive termination rate, and the job retention rate existed in categories of participants in the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). This study followed the ex-post-facto design. A personal data form was developed for the purpose of gathering data relative to the personal characteristics of participants enrolled in the JTPA on-the-job training program between July 1, 1984 and June 30, 1985. The findings reflect data gathered on all 1,005 participants in the program. The chi-square test was applied to all 27 of the hypotheses. The statistical analysis was intended to determine significant differences in the participants categorized by sex, age, education, public assistance, unemployment compensation, hours trained, and type of training, in Service Delivery Area 2 in Tennessee. The differences showing significance in the study warranted the following conclusions: (1) The age of the participants significantly affected the positive termination rate of participants in selected age categories, and it was determined that the 18-21 age category had more positive termination participants than expected. (2) A comparison of the positive termination rate and the job retention rate by age indicated a difference existed in that there were significantly more job retention rate participants than positive termination rate participants in all four age categories. (3) A significant difference was found in the job retention rate of participants enrolled in the JTPA on-the-job training program. There were significantly more job retention participants who received unemployment compensation than expected and significantly fewer participants who did not receive unemployment compensation than expected. (4) The type of training received does significantly affect the positive termination rate of participants in selected training categories. The manufacturing/factory assembly line category had significantly fewer participants than were expected. However, the sales/service category had significantly more participants observed than were expected