Multilingual Education Programs Regulation was adopted and the implementation of bilingual educational reform started in Georgia in 2010. The paper presents research results on readiness of non-Georgian schools to imp...Multilingual Education Programs Regulation was adopted and the implementation of bilingual educational reform started in Georgia in 2010. The paper presents research results on readiness of non-Georgian schools to implement multilingual educational programs effectively. The research studied the important factors influencing the effectiveness of bilingual educational programs, specifically （1） type of program, （2） human resources of schools and teachers professional development, （3） bilingual education as shared vision for all school stakeholders, and （4） community and parental involvement in designing and implementation of bilingual educational programs. The following research methods were used during the research： （1） quantitative and qualitative content analysis of bilingual educational programs of 26 non-Georgian schools of Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti regions of Georgia, （2） quantitative survey of non-Georgian school principals through questionnaires, and （3） quantitative survey of non-Georgian schools＇ teachers of different subjective groups through questionnaire. The study revealed that schools are implementing mostly ＂weak＂ bilingual educational programs. The schools implementing bilingual educational programs do not have sufficient human resources, bilingual education is not a shared vision for all school stakeholders and parents and community are not actively involved in designing and implementation of the programs.展开更多
This study compared HPV testing and liquid-based cytology （LCT） as performance indicators for cervical cancer screening in a hospital-based study. A total of 61,193 outpatients were screened initially by LCT. Sample...This study compared HPV testing and liquid-based cytology （LCT） as performance indicators for cervical cancer screening in a hospital-based study. A total of 61,193 outpatients were screened initially by LCT. Samples with screening results showing atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance （ASC-US） or worse were referred for colposcopy, and some samples were tested for high-risk HPV types with the Hybrid Capture II system （HC II）. Data on LCT （n=61,193） and HC II （n=1056） results were analysed. Overall test positivity for LCT was 2.53% using an ASC-US threshold, 3.11% using a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion （LSIL） threshold, and 0.67% using a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion （HSIL） threshold. A total of 1839 women （84% of the 3893 patients with abnormal cytology） underwent colposcopy-directed biopsy. HPV was positive in 80.3% of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 （CIN1）, 88.3% of those with CIN2, 79.2% of women with CIN3 and 50% （2 of 4） of women with invasive cancer. There was a significant increase in the detection of CIN2 or worse with adjunct HPV testing of women with ASC-US and LSIL However, there were detection of CIN2＋ cases no differences in the with adjunct HPV testing of women with HSlI.. The results indicate that HPV testing for HSlL triage should not be recommended in cervical cancer screening.展开更多
Background: There are many programs which focus on late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD), and it is considered that further evidence needs to be generated regarding the effectiveness of the programs used before rena...Background: There are many programs which focus on late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD), and it is considered that further evidence needs to be generated regarding the effectiveness of the programs used before renal replacement therapy. Study Design: A cohort study. Settings & Participants: Patients over 15 years of age who had been diagnosed with CKD according to the KDOQI (Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative) guidelines and who had undergone conventional treatment (CT) or a renal protection program (RPP). These were patients of two Colombian health insurance companies. Predictors: Age, sex, marital status, comorbidities, CKD stage, and clinical indicators. Outcomes: First CKD progression, and need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Measures: Clinical marker. Results: The RPP is structurally and functionally different from the CT. It offers the interdisciplinary management of patients, a greater number of medical appointments, and patients start to receive treatment at younger ages and at earlier stages of their condition. The clinical markers of the patients following the RPP are within adequate ranges, and their renal function is less impaired, despite the differences in basal conditions. Upon finishing the study, we found that patients who received CT had a higher risk of receiving nephrotoxic drugs and not receiving nephroprotective drugs. The explanatory variables for the first progression were age, stage, history of dyslipidemia, and hemoglobin, potassium, and albumin levels. These variables, together with glycemia levels were also valid for RRT, except for history of dyslipidemia, as it was not significant. Upon adjusting for the explanatory variables, it was found that belonging to the RPP and attending more appointments had a protective effect in the process of controlling renal damage. Limitations: A possible selection bias. Conclusions: Belonging to a structured renal protection program is an effective way to keeping the clinical markers associated with renal impairment within normal ranges.展开更多
Motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs are designed to identify high-emitting vehicles and mitigate their impacts on air quality and climate. I/M programs have been traditionally ranked superior among...Motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs are designed to identify high-emitting vehicles and mitigate their impacts on air quality and climate. I/M programs have been traditionally ranked superior among various vehicle emission control measures by the results of cost-benefit analysis, based on the assumption that these programs will achieve the targeted emission reduction outcomes. However, the actual effects of I/M programs may be greatly uncertain and when this uncertainty is taken into account, these programs may become suboptimal. This study develops a new a cost-benefit analysis framework that links various program design consideration, such as program participation rate, identification rate and effective repair rate, to the public health benefits as well as costs of the programs. This framework helps decision makers to investigate minimum implementation requirements that at least ensure the benefits are greater than the costs of implementing the programs in order to improve the overall effectiveness of the I/M programs. To illustrate the applications of the framework, it was applied to a particulate matter oriented I/M program targeting all diesel-fueled vehicles in the city of Bangkok, Thailand, a large metropolitan area that has been suffering from severe ambient PM pollution mainly attributable to its wide use of diesel-fueled vehicles and motorcycles. It was found that the health benefits achieved from the program are sensitive to several key program design elements, including participation rate and problem vehicle identification rate, fraction of effective repairs and illegal operation rate. Other variables, such as the testing cut-points and vehicle population growth rate, only have modest effects on the overall emission reduction and consequent health benefits. Overall, the performance of multiple variables associated with I/M program design needs to be improved simultaneous in order to achieve the targeted benefits of the program.展开更多
IntroductionCurrently, there are at least 850,000 people living with human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in China. Among them 16-29 years old account for about 65%. A... IntroductionCurrently, there are at least 850,000 people living with human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in China. Among them 16-29 years old account for about 65%. According to the Chinese health authorities, if the preventive measures are not effective, the figure could reach as many as 10 million by the year 2010[1]. Since there are currently no cure or vaccines for HIV/AIDS, changing people's high-risk behaviors is the main approach that is taken to slow down the epidemic. This can be done through effective HIV/AIDS education, especially for young people. In 1997, a 4-year adolescent HIV/AIDS peer education program was introduced to in Beijing and Shanghai, which was based on a successful Australian model developed by Professor Roger Short, in which senior medical students were trained and used as peer educators to teach their junior peers about HIV/AIDS[2].……展开更多
Future aerospace vehicles （ASV） are designed to fly in both inner and extra atmospheric fields, which requires autonomous adaptability to the uncertainties emanated from abrupt faults and continuously time-varying e...Future aerospace vehicles （ASV） are designed to fly in both inner and extra atmospheric fields, which requires autonomous adaptability to the uncertainties emanated from abrupt faults and continuously time-varying environments. An autonomous control reconfiguration scheme is presented for ASV to deal with the uncertainties on the base of control effectiveness estimation. The on-line estimation methods for the time-varying control effectiveness of linear control system are investigated. Some sufficient conditions for the estimable system are given for different cases. There are proposed corresponding on-line estimation algorithms which are proved to be convergent and robust to noise using the least-square-based methods. On the ground of fuzzy logic and linear programming, the control allocation algorithms, which are able to implement the autonomous control reconfiguration through the redundant actuators, are put forward. Finally, an integrated system is developed to verify the scheme and algorithms by way of numerical simulation and analysis.展开更多
Objective: To investigate the model, quality as well as effect of teaching-in-English in five-year clinical medicine program of Hainan Medical University.Methods: The questionnaire was carried out among clinical medic...Objective: To investigate the model, quality as well as effect of teaching-in-English in five-year clinical medicine program of Hainan Medical University.Methods: The questionnaire was carried out among clinical medicine undergraduates of2012–2015 grades in Hainan Medical University, to investigate studying time, studying habits and the impact of teaching in English. Additionally results of CET-4, CET-6 and overseas internship from undergraduates of 2012–2015 grade, as well as the result of phased medical licensing examination and post-graduate entrance examination from undergraduates of 2012 were accordingly collected from the Teaching Management Department.Results: For the Chinese students in international classes, the average time of self-study was 161.49 min, 58.3% had preview before classes, and 90.7% had habit of review after classes. Thus the first time pass rate, total pass rate, first time excellent rate and total excellent rate of CET-4 and CET-6 of international classes were significantly higher than those of regular classes. The result of post-graduate entrance examination in 2016 showed that the score, pass rate and acceptance rate of international classes of 2012 grade were significantly higher those of regular classes(P < 0.01).Conclusions: Teaching-in-English reform in Hainan Medical University has achieved initial success. Chinese students from international classes are superior to those from regular classes in many aspects. However, there are still many problems, and effective measures should be implemented to promote teaching quality continuously.展开更多
Topography can have signifi cant eff ects on seismic ground response during an earthquake because topographic irregularities cause considerable diff erences between the seismic waves emitted by the source and the wave...Topography can have signifi cant eff ects on seismic ground response during an earthquake because topographic irregularities cause considerable diff erences between the seismic waves emitted by the source and the waves reaching the ground surface. When a seismic motion happens in a topographically irregular area, seismic waves are trapped and refl ected between the topographic features. Therefore, the interaction between topographies can amplify seismic ground response. In order to reveal how interaction between topographies infl uences seismic response, several numerical fi nite element studies have been performed by using the ABAQUS program. The results show that topographic features a greater distance between the seismic source and the site would cause greater seismic motion amplifi cation and is perceptible for the hills far away from the source and the ridges. Also, site acceleration response is impacted by surrounding topography further than site velocity and displacement response.展开更多
文摘Multilingual Education Programs Regulation was adopted and the implementation of bilingual educational reform started in Georgia in 2010. The paper presents research results on readiness of non-Georgian schools to implement multilingual educational programs effectively. The research studied the important factors influencing the effectiveness of bilingual educational programs, specifically （1） type of program, （2） human resources of schools and teachers professional development, （3） bilingual education as shared vision for all school stakeholders, and （4） community and parental involvement in designing and implementation of bilingual educational programs. The following research methods were used during the research： （1） quantitative and qualitative content analysis of bilingual educational programs of 26 non-Georgian schools of Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti regions of Georgia, （2） quantitative survey of non-Georgian school principals through questionnaires, and （3） quantitative survey of non-Georgian schools＇ teachers of different subjective groups through questionnaire. The study revealed that schools are implementing mostly ＂weak＂ bilingual educational programs. The schools implementing bilingual educational programs do not have sufficient human resources, bilingual education is not a shared vision for all school stakeholders and parents and community are not actively involved in designing and implementation of the programs.
基金funded by Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission(No.Y0905001000091)
文摘This study compared HPV testing and liquid-based cytology （LCT） as performance indicators for cervical cancer screening in a hospital-based study. A total of 61,193 outpatients were screened initially by LCT. Samples with screening results showing atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance （ASC-US） or worse were referred for colposcopy, and some samples were tested for high-risk HPV types with the Hybrid Capture II system （HC II）. Data on LCT （n=61,193） and HC II （n=1056） results were analysed. Overall test positivity for LCT was 2.53% using an ASC-US threshold, 3.11% using a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion （LSIL） threshold, and 0.67% using a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion （HSIL） threshold. A total of 1839 women （84% of the 3893 patients with abnormal cytology） underwent colposcopy-directed biopsy. HPV was positive in 80.3% of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 （CIN1）, 88.3% of those with CIN2, 79.2% of women with CIN3 and 50% （2 of 4） of women with invasive cancer. There was a significant increase in the detection of CIN2 or worse with adjunct HPV testing of women with ASC-US and LSIL However, there were detection of CIN2＋ cases no differences in the with adjunct HPV testing of women with HSlI.. The results indicate that HPV testing for HSlL triage should not be recommended in cervical cancer screening.
文摘Background: There are many programs which focus on late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD), and it is considered that further evidence needs to be generated regarding the effectiveness of the programs used before renal replacement therapy. Study Design: A cohort study. Settings & Participants: Patients over 15 years of age who had been diagnosed with CKD according to the KDOQI (Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative) guidelines and who had undergone conventional treatment (CT) or a renal protection program (RPP). These were patients of two Colombian health insurance companies. Predictors: Age, sex, marital status, comorbidities, CKD stage, and clinical indicators. Outcomes: First CKD progression, and need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Measures: Clinical marker. Results: The RPP is structurally and functionally different from the CT. It offers the interdisciplinary management of patients, a greater number of medical appointments, and patients start to receive treatment at younger ages and at earlier stages of their condition. The clinical markers of the patients following the RPP are within adequate ranges, and their renal function is less impaired, despite the differences in basal conditions. Upon finishing the study, we found that patients who received CT had a higher risk of receiving nephrotoxic drugs and not receiving nephroprotective drugs. The explanatory variables for the first progression were age, stage, history of dyslipidemia, and hemoglobin, potassium, and albumin levels. These variables, together with glycemia levels were also valid for RRT, except for history of dyslipidemia, as it was not significant. Upon adjusting for the explanatory variables, it was found that belonging to the RPP and attending more appointments had a protective effect in the process of controlling renal damage. Limitations: A possible selection bias. Conclusions: Belonging to a structured renal protection program is an effective way to keeping the clinical markers associated with renal impairment within normal ranges.
文摘Motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs are designed to identify high-emitting vehicles and mitigate their impacts on air quality and climate. I/M programs have been traditionally ranked superior among various vehicle emission control measures by the results of cost-benefit analysis, based on the assumption that these programs will achieve the targeted emission reduction outcomes. However, the actual effects of I/M programs may be greatly uncertain and when this uncertainty is taken into account, these programs may become suboptimal. This study develops a new a cost-benefit analysis framework that links various program design consideration, such as program participation rate, identification rate and effective repair rate, to the public health benefits as well as costs of the programs. This framework helps decision makers to investigate minimum implementation requirements that at least ensure the benefits are greater than the costs of implementing the programs in order to improve the overall effectiveness of the I/M programs. To illustrate the applications of the framework, it was applied to a particulate matter oriented I/M program targeting all diesel-fueled vehicles in the city of Bangkok, Thailand, a large metropolitan area that has been suffering from severe ambient PM pollution mainly attributable to its wide use of diesel-fueled vehicles and motorcycles. It was found that the health benefits achieved from the program are sensitive to several key program design elements, including participation rate and problem vehicle identification rate, fraction of effective repairs and illegal operation rate. Other variables, such as the testing cut-points and vehicle population growth rate, only have modest effects on the overall emission reduction and consequent health benefits. Overall, the performance of multiple variables associated with I/M program design needs to be improved simultaneous in order to achieve the targeted benefits of the program.
基金the Ford Foundation for their financial support to the program
文摘 IntroductionCurrently, there are at least 850,000 people living with human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in China. Among them 16-29 years old account for about 65%. According to the Chinese health authorities, if the preventive measures are not effective, the figure could reach as many as 10 million by the year 2010[1]. Since there are currently no cure or vaccines for HIV/AIDS, changing people's high-risk behaviors is the main approach that is taken to slow down the epidemic. This can be done through effective HIV/AIDS education, especially for young people. In 1997, a 4-year adolescent HIV/AIDS peer education program was introduced to in Beijing and Shanghai, which was based on a successful Australian model developed by Professor Roger Short, in which senior medical students were trained and used as peer educators to teach their junior peers about HIV/AIDS[2].……
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China (90205011, 60674103)
文摘Future aerospace vehicles （ASV） are designed to fly in both inner and extra atmospheric fields, which requires autonomous adaptability to the uncertainties emanated from abrupt faults and continuously time-varying environments. An autonomous control reconfiguration scheme is presented for ASV to deal with the uncertainties on the base of control effectiveness estimation. The on-line estimation methods for the time-varying control effectiveness of linear control system are investigated. Some sufficient conditions for the estimable system are given for different cases. There are proposed corresponding on-line estimation algorithms which are proved to be convergent and robust to noise using the least-square-based methods. On the ground of fuzzy logic and linear programming, the control allocation algorithms, which are able to implement the autonomous control reconfiguration through the redundant actuators, are put forward. Finally, an integrated system is developed to verify the scheme and algorithms by way of numerical simulation and analysis.
基金supported by Key Research and Development Project of Hainan Province(Grant No ZDXM2017123)
文摘Objective: To investigate the model, quality as well as effect of teaching-in-English in five-year clinical medicine program of Hainan Medical University.Methods: The questionnaire was carried out among clinical medicine undergraduates of2012–2015 grades in Hainan Medical University, to investigate studying time, studying habits and the impact of teaching in English. Additionally results of CET-4, CET-6 and overseas internship from undergraduates of 2012–2015 grade, as well as the result of phased medical licensing examination and post-graduate entrance examination from undergraduates of 2012 were accordingly collected from the Teaching Management Department.Results: For the Chinese students in international classes, the average time of self-study was 161.49 min, 58.3% had preview before classes, and 90.7% had habit of review after classes. Thus the first time pass rate, total pass rate, first time excellent rate and total excellent rate of CET-4 and CET-6 of international classes were significantly higher than those of regular classes. The result of post-graduate entrance examination in 2016 showed that the score, pass rate and acceptance rate of international classes of 2012 grade were significantly higher those of regular classes(P < 0.01).Conclusions: Teaching-in-English reform in Hainan Medical University has achieved initial success. Chinese students from international classes are superior to those from regular classes in many aspects. However, there are still many problems, and effective measures should be implemented to promote teaching quality continuously.
文摘Topography can have signifi cant eff ects on seismic ground response during an earthquake because topographic irregularities cause considerable diff erences between the seismic waves emitted by the source and the waves reaching the ground surface. When a seismic motion happens in a topographically irregular area, seismic waves are trapped and refl ected between the topographic features. Therefore, the interaction between topographies can amplify seismic ground response. In order to reveal how interaction between topographies infl uences seismic response, several numerical fi nite element studies have been performed by using the ABAQUS program. The results show that topographic features a greater distance between the seismic source and the site would cause greater seismic motion amplifi cation and is perceptible for the hills far away from the source and the ridges. Also, site acceleration response is impacted by surrounding topography further than site velocity and displacement response.
