Form Of Consolidation Research Articles

다문화 교육과정에 관한 대학생 인식

The purpose of this study was to investigate the understanding of a multicultural education curriculum(educational goals, contents, methodology, subjects, problems, and revitalization) by college students and its process, to provide base materials to be used in revitalizing an efficient multicultural education. The subjects were 750 college students located in Jeonbuk province. In this statistical analysis, SPSS 12.0 program was used to conduct frequency analysis, credibility analysis, <TEX>$X^2$</TEX> test, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Duncan' multiple comparison. For the educational goals of multicultural education, most people responded it was "to positively experience cultural diversity and commonality." As for methodology, the paper found that there were two elements, namely, consolidation form and specific form; there were no differences between responses given by different genders, but differences were observed among different grade levels and majors. Looking at the content of multicultural education, emphasis was given to the equality of different cultures. Multicultural education was taught most frequently in Home Economics Education. In conclusion, by focusing on university students, the paper looked at the awareness of multicultural the necessity of multicultural education, and the awareness of the multicultural education process. Above all, in terms of home economics education, there must be more systematic studies on school field education and related educational programs in order to revitalize multicultural education.

The role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia remains a challenging disease in adults. With modern multi-drug induction chemotherapy regimens, complete remission can be achieved in most patients. However, without additional therapy at the time of the first remission, most patients will eventually relapse. Regardless of the treatment option chosen at the time of relapse, outcomes after relapse are poor, with only around 10% of all patients surviving after relapse. Thus, decision-making at the time of achieving the first complete remission is critical. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is highly effective at preventing relapse, but with significant treatment related toxicity. Ongoing chemotherapy in the form of consolidation and maintenance may be less effective at preventing relapse, but with lower toxicities. Thus, the superiority of allogeneic stem cell transplantation must be balanced against the lower toxicity of consolidation chemotherapy. This decision is further complicated by rapid changes in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, such as the use of reduced intensity conditioning regimens and alternative stem cell sources such as cord blood transplants. The available evidence suggests that allogeneic transplantation is a viable treatment option for patients in first complete remission, with overall survival superior to traditional consolidation and maintenance chemotherapy. However, whether transplantation based post-remission therapy is superior to modern, pediatric-based non-transplant chemotherapy regimens remains unclear.

Improving the properties of cryomilled light alloys Using Spark plasma Sintering and hot isostatic pressing

Ultrafine grained materials consolidated using spark plasma sintering and hot isostatic pressing show great potential for applications in aerospace, energy, and a vast range of other industries. The Hall-Petch relationship cites the strengthening of materials by reducing the average crystallite (grain) size. A study is proposed to investigate the increase in mechanical properties provided by fine-grained, near-nano- and nano-crystalline powders produced from cryomilling and consolidation using spark plasma sintering (SPS) and hot isostatic pressing (HIPing). Initial testing indicates an increase in hardness and shear in commercially pure aluminum by 2–3 times from use of fine-grained, near-nano-, nano-crystalline materials. Cryomilled powders and consolidated forms of these powders will be examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy. Macrohardness, microhardness, tensile testing and shear testing will be performed to examine the mechanical properties.

Congenital cutis laxa with rectal and uterovaginal prolapse

A two-month-old female infant born of a consanguineous marriage, presented with loose, wrinkled and inelastic skin over the neck, axillae, trunk, inguinal region and thighs with slow elastic recoil. Patient also had systemic manifestations in the form of bilateral apical lobe consolidation of lung, bilateral inguinal hernia, rectal and uterovaginal prolapse. Histopathological examination of skin biopsy with special stain for elastic tissue revealed absence of dermal elastic tissue. Genital abnormalities in patients with congenital cutis laxa have been reported rarely. But rectal and uterovaginal prolapse have not been reported at an early age of two months. In the absence of mutational screening, with history and clinical findings our case is likely to be Type I autosomal recessive form of congenital cutis laxa.

Interferon Maintenance Prolongs Remission Duration After Rituximab-Containing Induction In First-Line Advanced Stage Follicular Lymphoma Patients – a Retrospective Analysis of the German Low-Grade Lymphoma Study Group (GLSG)

AbstractAbstract 2864 Background:Rituximab (R) maintenance in first remission of follicular lymphoma (FL) has recently been shown to improve remission duration as compared to observation only (Salles et al., ASCO 2010). During the nineties of the last century, maintenance using interferon alpha (IFN) had been shown to be effective in indolent lymphoma (Solal-Celigny et al., NEJM 1993, Hagenbeek et al., JCO 1998). Therefore IFN-maintenance became a standard in GLSG trials after 1995. However, data on the impact of IFN after R-containing chemotherapy are rare. We performed a retrospective analysis of GLSG trials in which we compared the outcome of patients who received IFN-maintenance and patients who did not start any form of consolidation or maintenance therapy after achieving a partial or complete remission. We adjusted the analysis for potential confounders that might have influenced the decision not to start IFN-maintenance. Methods:In the GLSG first-line trials “CHOP vs. MCP” and “CHOP vs. R-CHOP” patients younger than 60 years had been randomized between consolidating high-dose radiochemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and IFN-maintenance. For all responding patients older than 60 years, IFN-maintenance was intended. All patients with FL achieving a partial or complete remission after MCP, CHOP, or R-CHOP who did not start ASCT were included in the current analysis. Patients intended for IFN who did not start IFN-maintenance were compared to patients who started IFN-maintenance. We compared patient and treatment characteristics between these groups in order to detect possible reasons why IFN-maintenance was not started. Remission duration (RD) was calculated from the end of induction to relapse or death. RD was censored at the latest follow-up date in patients without event, but also when a new antilymphoma therapy was initiated without any sign of progression. No censoring was done for any form of dose reduction or stopping of IFN, which was recommended in the trials if inacceptable side effects were observed. We compared RD with IFN-maintenance to observation only by Kaplan-Meier-curves and log rank test and we adjusted for the potential confounders FLIPI, performance status, R-containing induction and remission status in multiple Cox-Regression. In order to assess the impact of IFN-maintenance after R-containing induction, we performed a subgroup analysis of R-CHOP treated patients. Results:Of 1306 FL patients with clinical remission, ASCT was started in 306 patients and documentation concerning postremission therapy was missing in 21 patients. In 719 (73%) of the remaining 979 patients IFN-maintenance was started, whereas 260 patients did not receive IFN-maintenance. Patients in which IFN-maintenance was started were not more frequently younger than 60 years (59% vs. 55%, p=0.24), and not more frequently in a better performance status (ECOG 0–1: 93% vs. 91%, p=0.33). There was only a trend to better FLIPI (LR/IR/HR 13%/41%/46% vs. 15%/34%/52%, p=0.10) as compared to patients with observation only. Patients with IFN-maintenance had not more frequently achieved a CR (19% vs. 21%, p=0.65), but more patients had been treated without Rituximab during induction (57% vs. 37%, p<0.0001). According to our analysis patients with IFN-maintenance had a significantly prolonged RD (hazard ratio 0.73, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.91, p=0.0045) which was even more pronounced after adjustment for FLIPI factors, performance status, Rituximab containing induction, and remission status (adjusted hazard ratio 0.59, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.74, p<0.0001). In 309 (65%) of 473 patients treated with R-CHOP IFN-maintenance was started. RD after 3 years was 78% vs. 64% (p=0.0007) and the adjusted hazard ratio for IFN-maintenance was 0.57 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.84 p=0.0042). Conclusions:Although this is not a randomized comparison, our analysis shows that the impact of IFN, which was observed before using R-containing therapy may still be valid in the era of immunochemotherapy. Since R-maintenance seems more effective and has less side effects, IFN-maintenance will no longer be the first choice for maintenance therapy in FL. However, it seems relevant to keep in mind that IFN is still an active substance in lymphoma therapy and may be a therapeutic option when rituximab maintenance is not possible. It may also be relevant for future investigations in lymphoma therapy. Disclosures:Dreyling:Johnson & Johnson:.Hiddemann:Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Hippocampal memory consolidation during sleep: a comparison of mammals and birds

The transition from wakefulness to sleep is marked by pronounced changes in brain activity. The brain rhythms that characterize the two main types of mammalian sleep, slow-wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, are thought to be involved in the functions of sleep. In particular, recent theories suggest that the synchronous slow-oscillation of neocortical neuronal membrane potentials, the defining feature of SWS, is involved in processing information acquired during wakefulness. According to the Standard Model of memory consolidation, during wakefulness the hippocampus receives input from neocortical regions involved in the initial encoding of an experience and binds this information into a coherent memory trace that is then transferred to the neocortex during SWS where it is stored and integrated within preexisting memory traces. Evidence suggests that this process selectively involves direct connections from the hippocampus to the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a multimodal, high-order association region implicated in coordinating the storage and recall of remote memories in the neocortex. The slow-oscillation is thought to orchestrate the transfer of information from the hippocampus by temporally coupling hippocampal sharp-wave/ripples (SWRs) and thalamocortical spindles. SWRs are synchronous bursts of hippocampal activity, during which waking neuronal firing patterns are reactivated in the hippocampus and neocortex in a coordinated manner. Thalamocortical spindles are brief 7-14 Hz oscillations that may facilitate the encoding of information reactivated during SWRs. By temporally coupling the readout of information from the hippocampus with conditions conducive to encoding in the neocortex, the slow-oscillation is thought to mediate the transfer of information from the hippocampus to the neocortex. Although several lines of evidence are consistent with this function for mammalian SWS, it is unclear whether SWS serves a similar function in birds, the only taxonomic group other than mammals to exhibit SWS and REM sleep. Based on our review of research on avian sleep, neuroanatomy, and memory, although involved in some forms of memory consolidation, avian sleep does not appear to be involved in transferring hippocampal memories to other brain regions. Despite exhibiting the slow-oscillation, SWRs and spindles have not been found in birds. Moreover, although birds independently evolved a brain region--the caudolateral nidopallium (NCL)--involved in performing high-order cognitive functions similar to those performed by the PFC, direct connections between the NCL and hippocampus have not been found in birds, and evidence for the transfer of information from the hippocampus to the NCL or other extra-hippocampal regions is lacking. Although based on the absence of evidence for various traits, collectively, these findings suggest that unlike mammalian SWS, avian SWS may not be involved in transferring memories from the hippocampus. Furthermore, it suggests that the slow-oscillation, the defining feature of mammalian and avian SWS, may serve a more general function independent of that related to coordinating the transfer of information from the hippocampus to the PFC in mammals. Given that SWS is homeostatically regulated (a process intimately related to the slow-oscillation) in mammals and birds, functional hypotheses linked to this process may apply to both taxonomic groups.

Analyses of development models of land consolidation in Kosovo and its perspectives

This paper presents the regulatory role of lands in the Republic of Kosovo, through various forms of land consolidation. Land consolidation is a technical-agrarian process and it is a very good combination of legal works, geodetic and agrarian fields. With this system of regulation for land administration and management, property and other natural resources, provided under the approved policies for land management, were directly or indirectly related to land consolidation properties. It is clear that in Western European countries, land management and administration systems have a high level, whereas in the countries of Central and Southeast Europe, these processes are in the trend of development. Land consolidation forms of lands in Kosovo, as seen in the paper, are special opportunities for their administration and management. An important factor in this technical agrarian process was the active participation of owners in the area that land consolidation introduced the implementation of the project. Land consolidation is a comprehensive regulatory process to land, because it starts with the smallest unit and aims to continue within the database, cadastre and management system up to land policies. To achieve the objectives in this area is slow as a result of high costs, meanwhile, it is a long-term project based on the policies of land development. The paper presents also, the results of the unfinished land consolidation during 1983/1989 simultaneously with the results from voluntary land consolidation form, as a new form of land consolidation in Kosovo.

Measurement of ceramic powders using instrumented indentation and correlation with their dynamic response

This article discusses an experimental approach for measuring the properties of individual powder particles sized between 25 μm and 100 μm of four common very hard ceramic materials: tungsten carbide, alumina, boron carbide, and silicon carbide. Fused silica is also investigated as the reference material. Experiments on the individual powder particles were performed to a depth of 100 nm and critically compared against consolidated compacts of the same materials. To draw a correlation between the instrumented indentation measurement and their dynamic properties, this investigation exploits the low modulus to hardness ratio of these materials, whether tested as powder or in consolidated form. The indentation experiments, as they were performed in this study, lie within a regime that allows the use of the expanding cavity model to provide a more rigorous mechanical analysis to the results. Through the use of the expanding cavity model framework, this article concludes by discussing the plausibility of a relationship between the hardness of the individual powder particles, static and dynamic strength, and the high rate deformation behavior of compacts fabricated from these hard ceramic powders.

Utility of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in diagnosis of various lung conditions: Our experience at rural medical college

Aim:To evaluate the utility of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in order to find out the etiology in various lung conditions.Materials and Methods:Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed in 120 adult patients who had persistent opacities on chest radiography in the form of collapse, consolidation, hilar mass and cavity with proper antibiotic course of 1 to 3 months. Bronchoscopic aspirates, brushing and biopsy (as and when required) were taken. Patient with known lung cancer, sputum positive pulmonary TB, recent myocardial infarction, allergic diseases and blood dyscrasias were excluded.Results:Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was diagnostic in 90 (75%) patients. Bacterial pneumonias were found in 32 (26.66%), malignancy in 28(23.33%), pulmonary TB in 20 (16.66%), fungal pneumonia in 6(5%) and foreign bodies in 4(3.33%) patients. In 30(25%) patients no specific diagnosis was made.Conclusion:We conclude that fiberoptic bronchoscopy was found to be extremely useful in finding specific etiology of various lung diseases.

Parenchymal and pleural abnormalities in children with and without pulmonary embolism at MDCT pulmonary angiography

Prior studies in adults suggest that a wedge-shaped peripheral consolidation may be predictive of pulmonary embolism (PE). In contrast, a previous study in children provided no evidence of an association between this finding and PE, but it was limited by a small sample size and was not specifically designed to answer this question. To compare the frequencies of parenchymal and pleural abnormalities in children with and without PE at multidetector computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA). The study population included 22 consecutive pediatric patients (11 males, 11 females; mean age 13.2 +/- 5.8 years; range 4 months to 18 years) with PE diagnosed by CTPA from July 2004 to January 2009 and identified using our hospital database. The comparison group included 22 randomly selected pediatric patients (10 males, 12 females; mean age 15.2 +/- 3.3 years; range 5.6 to 18 years) who underwent CTPA studies without evidence of PE during the same study period. All CTPA studies were reviewed by consensus by two pediatric radiologists for the presence of parenchymal and pleural abnormalities including: wedge-shaped peripheral consolidation, other forms of consolidation, atelectasis, linear opacity, ground-glass opacity, mosaic attenuation pattern, nodule, mass, focal patchy increased attenuation, and pleural effusion. Differences in frequencies of parenchymal and pleural abnormalities between the two groups were analyzed by logistic regression to determine odds ratios for association with PE. The two groups were also compared with respect to risk factors for PE. Wedge-shaped peripheral consolidation was seen in eight children (36%) with PE and in two children (9%) without PE [odds ratio = 5.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2 to 30, p = 0.03]. There were no significant differences in the frequency of other findings between the groups (all p-values > 0.10). Prior history of neoplasm was the only independent risk factor significantly associated with the presence of PE (p = 0.006). Wedge-shaped peripheral consolidation is significantly associated with PE on CTPA studies of children. The identification of a wedge-shaped peripheral consolidation in children should alert radiologists to carefully evaluate for concurrent PE.

Learning and Memory: While You Rest, Your Brain Keeps Working

A recent study shows that brain activity recorded while the human subject is at 'rest' is significantly affected by a prior learning episode. These results suggest that understanding resting brain activity may be critical to understanding how humans learn from experience.

Gel Casting of 316L Stainless Steel Powder Through Mold DIS Process

This paper presents the gel casting of metal powder by agar gelation through mold decomposed injection sculpture (DIS) process: verifying the feasibility and improving the processing parameters to prepare stable metal slurry and strong green body. The optimal processing parameters were achieved after investigating the effects of these parameters such as temperature, agar content, dispersant concentration, and solid volume loading. The rheological behavior of metal slurry and the character of formed green body were also investigated. The mixture and dispersion mechanism of metal slurry as well as the consolidation forming and sintering technology of green body were studied based on analysis of experimental results. The results show that the optimal pH range is 8.5–9.5 with the grain size distribution of 2–30 μm and 55% solid suspension, which can be prepared by adding proper dispersant (Polyvinyl Alcohol). The agar and dispersant content has great effect on the properties of slurry. When 1.0 wt.% dispersant and 0.7 wt.% agar content (referred to dry solid) are adopted, stable metal slurry with viscosity less than 1 Pa · s and green body with bending strength of 2.7 MPa are obtained. The sintered bodies with uniform structure, relative density of 90%, and yield strength of 150 MPa are prepared at 1300°C/30min in vacuum. This process can be applied in rapid prototyping of complex shape metal products such as rotor blades.

Optimal size of the financial services industry in Taiwan: a new DEA-option-based merger simulation approach

In Taiwan the optimal number of financial holding companies (FHCs) has become an economic as well as political concern since 2002. This paper is different from most early papers by focusing solely on the measure of the change in synergies around the mergers of financial services companies, by using the data envelopment analysis and financial option models to simulate pro forma mergers in banking industry and to forecast the optimal number of FHCs in Taiwan. This paper extends the prior researches on optimal number of firms by simultaneously incorporating the concepts of operational efficiency and financial risks into the simulation framework, and using advanced econometric/financial methods to measure them. Results suggest a great potential for restructuring of the financial services industry in Taiwan, where the optimal number of FHCs is most likely to be eight, and 100% of corporate control is recommended as the most efficient form of corporate consolidation given the current states of the financial services industry in Taiwan.

Bank consolidation: significance, valuation and consequences

The growth of efficiency and profitability are basic goals of every bank management. The prevailed opinion is that these aims can be realised through the growth in scale and scope of their business operations. This growth can be internal – by increasing the scope and the number of own activities, or external – by taking over or acquiring business activities of other companies. The latter form of growth, consolidation or conglomeration, is becoming more and more important. The purpose of this paper is to point to the main causes, motives and characteristics of banking conglomeration, a phenomenon that has prevailed in developed financial systems and has growing importance in transition and other less-developed countries.

Protein kinase A inhibits a consolidated form of memory in Drosophila

Increasing activity of the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway has often been proposed as an approach to improve memory in various organisms. However, here we demonstrate that single-point mutations, which decrease PKA activity, dramatically improve aversive olfactory memory in Drosophila. These mutations do not affect formation of early memory phases or of protein synthesis-dependent long-term memory but do cause a significant increase in a specific consolidated form of memory, anesthesia-resistant memory. Significantly, heterozygotes of null mutations in PKA are sufficient to cause this memory increase. Expressing a PKA transgene in the mushroom bodies, brain structures critical for memory formation in Drosophila, reduces memory back to wild-type levels. These results indicate that although PKA is critical for formation of several memory phases, it also functions to inhibit at least one memory phase.

Double Dissociation of PKC and AC Manipulations on Operant and Classical Learning in Drosophila

Learning about relationships between stimuli (i.e., classical conditioning [1]) and learning about consequences of one's own behavior (i.e., operant conditioning [2]) constitute the major part of our predictive understanding of the world. Since these forms of learning were recognized as two separate types 80 years ago [3], a recurrent concern has been the issue of whether one biological process can account for both of them [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. Today, we know the anatomical structures required for successful learning in several different paradigms, e.g., operant and classical processes can be localized to different brain regions in rodents [9] and an identified neuron in Aplysia shows opposite biophysical changes after operant and classical training, respectively [5]. We also know to some detail the molecular mechanisms underlying some forms of learning and memory consolidation. However, it is not known whether operant and classical learning can be distinguished at the molecular level. Therefore, we investigated whether genetic manipulations could differentiate between operant and classical learning in Drosophila. We found a double dissociation of protein kinase C and adenylyl cyclase on operant and classical learning. Moreover, the two learning systems interacted hierarchically such that classical predictors were learned preferentially over operant predictors.

Trade unions and worker movements in the North American communications industries

This paper reports on a project that examines trends in North American labour movements, and specifically in the workforce, in the converging communications, culture, and information technology sectors. Drawing on documentary evidence and interviews, the paper concentrates on two important developments: efforts to unify workers across the knowledge and communication industries, and the rise of worker movements that operate in conjunction with, but outside, the formal trade union structure. The paper begins by situating these developments within debates about labour in a ‘post-industrial’, ‘information’, or ‘network’ society. It describes the challenges facing workers in the knowledge sector, especially rapid technological change, massive corporate consolidation, the rise of the neo-liberal state and divisions between cultural and technical workers in the knowledge sector. The paper proceeds to describe how North American workers are responding within the traditional trade union system, primarily through forms of consolidation or trade union convergence (such as the Communication Workers of America), and also through worker movements operating outside the traditional trade union system in the information technology and cultural sectors (for example WashTech and the National Writers Union). The paper concludes by addressing the significance of these developments. Do they portend a rebirth of North American labour activism or do they represent its last gasps?

Systemic inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibits fear memory reconsolidation

BackgroundEstablished traumatic memories have a selective vulnerability to pharmacologic interventions following their reactivation that can decrease subsequent memory recall. This vulnerable period following memory reactivation is termed reconsolidation. The pharmacology of traumatic memory reconsolidation has not been fully characterized despite its potential as a therapeutic target for established, acquired anxiety disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase is a critical regulator of mRNA translation and is known to be involved in various forms of synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation. We have examined the role of mTOR in traumatic memory reconsolidation. MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were injected systemically with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (1–40mg/kg), at various time points relative to contextual fear conditioning training or fear memory retrieval, and compared to vehicle or anisomycin-treated groups (N=10–12 in each group). ResultsInhibition of mTOR via systemic administration of rapamycin blocks reconsolidation of an established fear memory in a lasting manner. This effect is specific to reconsolidation as a series of additional experiments make an effect on memory extinction unlikely. ConclusionsSystemic rapamycin, in conjunction with therapeutic traumatic memory reactivation, can decrease the emotional strength of an established traumatic memory. This finding not only establishes mTOR regulation of protein translation in the reconsolidation phase of traumatic memory, but also implicates a novel, FDA-approved drug treatment for patients suffering from acquired anxiety disorders such as PTSD and specific phobia.

TWO-DIMENSIONAL CONSOLIDATION ANALYSIS OF PARTIALLY SATURATED EARTH EMBANKMENT UNDER ITS SELF WEIGHT BY USING THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

This paper studies the two-dimensional analysis of the consolidation process for partially saturated soils applied to an earth embankment mainly from the theoretical point of view. The method of finite elements is used to find a numerical solution to describe the behavior of soils during consolidation. Moreover, this study was carried for both, isothermal and non-isothermal cases.The case of two–dimensional, plane strain consolidation is considered, as it is widely needed in the studies of soil mechanics. The parameters studied are displacement in the y–direction, pore water pressure, pore air pressure, and temperature. The embankment was constructed in Basrah - Iraq, where the temperature is usually high at most days of the year. It is believed that it is more realistic to model the embankment as a partially saturated soil rather than a fully saturated soil as was done before. The study reveals that: –- The consolidation process is affected by the degree of saturation. As the paths in the soil that are used by the pore–water and/or the pore–air may transfer from one state (open path) to another state (closed path) and vice versa. - The pore–water and the pore–air pressures are affected by temperature. The pressure increases when the temperature increases (for a constant volume). This is usually the case inside the partially saturated soil. Temperature can affect indirectly the soil skeleton as a result of the change in pore–air and pore–water pressures.- The vertical displacement for partially saturated soil consolidation under self weight loading is noticed to have almost regular settlement. Then, there is an accelerated settlement due to the dissipation of the air and water pressures. After a while (after excess pressures dissipation), there will be a classical consolidation form.

Controlling Porosity and Pore Size Distribution of Alumina Ceramics in Consolidation Forming Process Using Modified Starches

Porous ceramic materials usually require an optimal porosity and pore-size distribution to maximize the yield of the required function. In the starch consolidation forming for porous ceramic materials, the porosity and pore size distribution are corresponding closely to the particle size and swelling property of starch. In order to control the porosity and pore size distribution of the porous alumina ceramics, different modified starches with different amounts were added to the alumina slurry with a 58 vol% alumina solid volume loading. The effects of different modified starches and their content on the rheological behavior of the alumina slurry and the porosity, pore size distribution, compressive strength and microstructure of the sintered body were investigated. The results indicated that alumina/starch composite slurry still maintain stable and plastic in suitable condition of slurry preparation. After drying and sintering, materials with ultimate porosities between 22.7 and 68.7% were obtained. The pore of the resulting materials distributed uniformly and the average size was varied from 10 to 40μm. It concluded that the average size was controlled by the modified starch type, amount and the degree of modification. When the amount of the modified starches was reached to 60 vol% the porosities of the sintered samples were varied from 63.5 to 68.7% with different modified starch type and their bending strength varied within the range of 24-32 MPa.