Physical Properties of an Eco-Sustainable,Form-Stable Phase Change Material Included in Aerial-Lime-Based Mortar Intended for Different Climates

The aim of this experimental investigation was to produce a form-stable phase change material (PCM) able to reduce the need for nonrenewable energy resources required for the heating/cooling of buildings located in regions characterized by different climatic conditions. The innovative PCM must also be sustainable and must be produced according to the principles of the circular economy. To achieve such ambitious goals, a form-stable, sustainable PCM was produced through vacuum impregnation. The form-stable PCM was produced starting from a low-toxicity, low-flammability polyethylene glycol of medium molecular weight (PEG 800), which was included in porous stone granules obtained as waste products of the cutting/processing of local (Lecce) stone. The thermal properties and thermal stability of PEG 800 and of its PCM-composite were evaluated by employing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The appropriate parameters to perform the impregnation procedure were identified through rheological and calorimetric analyses. A simple leakage test was performed to assess if the PEG polymer can leak from the stone flakes. Finally, the new PCM was added as an aggregate in aerial-lime-based mortars, and the mortar’s properties were analyzed in fresh (workability) and hardened (flexural and compressive strength and thermal characteristics) states for potential applications, particularly in ancient buildings.     

Reutilisation of Water Contaminated by Mining Waste for the Encapsulation of Potentially Toxic Elements

Mining activities are essential for a population’s development; however, they also produce negative effects such as the production of waste, an impact on flora and water pollution. On the other hand, construction is one of the sectors which is most demanding of raw materials, with one of the main such materials being water. For this reason, this research evaluates the feasibility of incorporating water contaminated by mining waste into ceramic materials for bricks. In this way, the use of water is reduced and, on the other hand, the contaminating elements of the mining water are encapsulated in the ceramic matrix. To achieve this, the clay used and the contaminated water were first analysed, then different families of samples were conformed with different percentages of contaminated water. These samples were tested to determine their physical and mechanical properties. At the same time, leachate tests were carried out to determine that the ceramic material created did not cause environmental problems. The test results showed that the physical and mechanical properties of the ceramics were not influenced by the addition of contaminated water. On the other hand, the leachate tests showed that encapsulation of most of the potentially toxic elements occurred. However, the use of contaminated water as mixing water for ceramics could only be performed up to 60%, as higher percentages would leach impermissible arsenic concentrations. Accordingly, a new way of reusing water contaminated by mining activities is developed in this study, taking advantage of resources, avoiding environmental pollution and creating economic and environmentally friendly end products.     

The political economy of health system reform in Israel

On June 15, 1994, the Israeli Parliament voted to enact the National Health Insurance bill (NHI). The bill marks the end of a process that lasted for virtually as long as Israel's almost 50 year history. Israel's attempts at health reform began long before the current spate of reforms in many Western countries. Faced with many of the same problems of access, equity and cost control common to many of its counterparts, Israel initiated a reform process based on the recommendations of a prominent State Commission of Inquiry into the Israeli Health System (the Netanyahu Commission) which reported to the Government in 1990.² The Commission's proposals were based on a diagnosis indicating that the major problems of the system stem from the lack of clarity regarding the rights of citizens to health care, the lack of a clear allocation of responsibility and accountability among government, insurance or sick funds, and providers in the system, and undue centralization of system operations. This diagnosis led to three major planks for reform: (1) enactment of national health insurance legislation granting a basic package of care to each citizen and hence bringing most of the system's finance under public auspices; (2) divesting the Government from the organization, management and provision of care; hence integrating the management of preventive and psychiatric services provided by the government with the primary and other services provided by sick funds, and granting financial and operational independence to at least government hospitals; and (3) restructuring the Ministry of Health. As is often the case in public policy, more consensus surrounds the diagnosis than the solutions. As a result, nearly four years of implementation efforts have only recently resulted in a major breakthrough. In this paper we make an effort to outline the inherent weaknesses of the Israeli health care system that have led to the crisis in the mid 1980s, summarize the recommendations of the State Commission for structural change in the system, and review the politics of implementing the recommended reforms.     

与区域经济发展相适应的广东药学院办学定位

结合区域经济与行业的发展需要和学校自身的优势,按照类型层次定位、服务对象定位和特色定位等几个方面对广东药学院的办学定位进行了分析。     

试论高等职业教育与地方经济的和谐发展

通过对高等职业教育发展不和谐现状分析,提出了高等职业教育适应地方经济发展应转变传统观念,彰显高职院校办学特色;建立有效机制,科学合理设置专业;构建多元化模式,深入产学教育改革。以政策导向、专业设置、产学结合等为切入点,探讨高等教育服务地方经济和谐发展的对策。     

走有中国特色的合作经济发展之路

建立和发展有中国特色的合作经济 ,是建设有中国特色社会主义经济的题中应有之义。改革阻碍生产力发展的旧有体制 ,建立农民的合作经济组织 ,必须正确对待革命前辈们的合作制思想 ,正确对待外国经验 ,正确对待群众实践 ;同时必须遵循“解放思想、实事求是”的原则 ,坚持“三个有利于”的政治标准。通过改革创新 ,中国特色的合作经济必将在促进我国经济发展、实现我国跨世纪宏伟目标的过程中发挥更大的作用 ,为中国特色社会主义大厦增添新的辉煌     

预印本自组织同行评议的通证激励机制研究

【目的】 将通证激励机制应用于预印本自组织同行评议的框架之中,解决该同行评议模式缺乏激励机制的问题。【方法】 将“通证经济”的理念与激励机制相结合,解决预印本系统中自组织同行评议的激励问题,并通过案例分析方法,以Steemit为参考模式,研究其通证激励机制的原理与特点。【结果】 通证激励模式下的预印本系统是一种建立在区块链技术上,以学术共同体为核心的自组织内容发表系统,利用通证激励,充分调动系统的所有成员参与到论文发表的过程中。【结论】 将通证激励应用于预印本的自组织同行评议中,能够对作者和评议专家的角色行为进行正向引导和激励,从而保证预印本系统良性自运转,形成良好的学术生态。     

Maximal strength training improves walking performance in peripheral arterial disease patients

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients have reduced muscle strength and impaired walking ability. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of maximal strength training (MST) on walking economy and walking performance in PAD patients. Ten patients with mild to moderate‐severe claudication, classified as Fontaine stage II PAD and with functional limitations from intermittent claudication were recruited and went through an 8‐week control period followed by an 8‐week, three times a week, MST period. The patients performed four sets of five repetitions dynamic leg press with emphasis on maximal mobilization of force in the concentric action and with a progressive adjusted intensity corresponding to 85–90% of one repetition maximum (1 RM). After the MST period, leg press 1 RM significantly increased by 35.0±10.8 kg (31.3%). Dynamic rate of force development, measured on a force plate installed on the leg press, increased by 1424±1217 N/s (102.7%). The strength improvements led to a significant increase in walking economy of 9.7% when walking horizontally, and to a significant increase in walking performance of 13.6% measured on an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion. No changes were apparent after the control period. No changes in body mass or peak oxygen uptake were observed. MST increases strength in Fontaine stage II PAD patients and leads to improved walking economy. These results suggest that application of MST could accompany aerobic endurance training as a part of the treatment of PAD patients with mild to moderate‐severe claudication.     

医院经营管理浅谈

对现代医院的经营管理经验、营销战略、成本核算、文化建设及其实践经验进行分析,以加强医院经营管理,有效利用人力、物力和财力,降低成本、提高效益.