Reconstruction Program Research Articles

Соціально-економічні процеси в Івано-Франківській області Україн ської РСР в радянській історіографії

The purpose of the research is to analyze the scientific works of Soviet economists, state officials, and historians and formulate relevant recommendations for the post-war reconstruction of the economy and infrastructure of independent Ukraine. The research methodology is based on the principles of scientificity, objectivity, and historicism. Problem-chronological, exploratory, and analytical methods have been employed, along with the generalization and systematization of materials. The scientific novelty lies in the awareness of both negative and positive trends in the socio-economic life of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, as a component of the western region of Ukraine and the republic. This allows for the development of a program for economic reconstruction and some theoretical and practical guidelines. The main focus should be on the legal framework and provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine. Successful reconstruction of the country is possible with the involvement of qualified specialists and managers, as well as a modern educational-information network. An important component of the state's social policy is the management of labor resources and the implementation of an active employment policy. Addressing fundamental household issues will have a positive impact on the reconstruction and development of the economy. Conclusions. There are all reasons to agree with Soviet scholars that the development of the economy and household infrastructure of the region was closely linked to the improvement of the educational and cultural level of the local population. Factors influencing the improvement of well-being and life expectancy included the level of medical services, social guarantees, pension provision, and receiving payments and benefits from the state budget. These generalizations apply to all works and publications. In the early 1970s, an economic concept was being implemented in practice – as the state's economy strengthens, the well-being of the people grows. Its essence lay in the idea that the state should allocate appropriate funds to meet the social needs of people: education, medicine, culture, and improvement. The Ukrainian people, in difficult conditions of totalitarianism, managed to preserve its language, culture, and timeless spiritual values thanks to the active efforts of the intelligentsia.

Evaluating factors that affect full- and half-sibling inferences via genetic pedigree reconstruction without parental genotypes

Close-kin mark-recapture (CKMR) is a challenging but exciting new approach to study dispersal because sampled and genotyped individuals can be used to “tag” full- and half-sibling family members without using parental genotypes via sibship reconstruction. CKMR increases sampling efficiency and, as a result, has enabled abundance estimation of migratory species and improved understanding of dispersal for species that are difficult to sample using traditional methods. Accordingly, there is interest in using CKMR to study dispersal ecology for the invasive sea lamprey in the Great Lakes, yet much is unknown about this new approach. We investigated the performance of a Rapture panel for sea lamprey reconstruction pedigrees without parental genotypes using two programs, Colony and Sequoia. Initially, datasets were created in the simulation module of Colony, where the number of parents (250, 500, 1000), number of offspring (250 or 500), and the number of loci (400, 600, 800) varied totaling 50 datasets for each of the 18 parameter combinations. Colony and Sequoia were then used to reconstruct the pedigrees without parental genotypes. Performance metrics were compared across parameter space and between sibship reconstruction programs. Colony and Sequoia inferred full-sibling and unrelated individuals with low assignment error. Sequoia was much faster at reconstructing pedigrees (<5 min compared to ∼ 1 week); however, the program nearly always (>0.99) misassigned known half-siblings as unrelated, which is an issue because sea lamprey likely produce many half-siblings. Accordingly, Colony should be used to reconstruct sea lamprey pedigrees when only offspring genotypes are provided.

Znaczenie wyroku Naczelnego Sądu Administracyjnego z dnia 4 listopada 2021 r. w sprawie o sygn. III FSK 3626/21 jako orzeczenia krajowego sądu, sędziów europejskich dla statusu asesorów i sędziów sądów pierwszej instancji oraz dla tzw. mechanizmu warunkowości

The commentary essentially endorses the considerations of the Polish Supreme Administrative Court judgment of 4 November 2021 in case no. III FSK 3626/21. The author indicated a possible way of resolving the dispute over the National Council of the Judiciary (NCJ) and the composition of the Supreme Court without destructive, automatic undermining of the status of judges selected in the procedure with the newly appointed NCJ. The standard defined by the Supreme Administrative Court applies to all assessors and all judges of first instance. Ignoring by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Advance Pharma Sp. z o.o. v. Poland, the judgment of the Supreme Administrative Court of 4 November 2021 does not alter the rules of the test from the case of Guðmundur Andri Ástráðsson v. Iceland. The Supreme Administrative Court’s ruling binds both the European tribunals and is necessary for the correct determination of the status of both first-instance judges and assessors. Moreover, in relation to the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 16 February 2022 in case C-157/21 Poland should be paid funds from the National Reconstruction Program, because the dispute over the rule of law concerns courts other than administrative, and in relation to these courts the issue of the rule of law is resolved by the judgment of the Supreme Administrative Court of 4 November 2021.

IMPROVING THE QUANTIFICATION ACCURACY OF Tc-99m MIBI DUAL-PHASE PARATHYROID SPECT/CT: A MONTE CARLO SIMULATION STUDY

Objective: Quantitative parathyroid SPECT imaging is a technique used to assess Primary hyperparathyroidism that may have potential in the identification and differentiation of parathyroid lesions as well as the estimation of disease severity. Studying the effect of data acquisition parameters on the quantification error is important for maximizing the accuracy of this diagnostic technique. In this study we examine the effects of different data acquisition parameters, namely the type of collimator, scatter correction status and reconstruction iteration number on the quantification accuracy using computer simulation. Methods: The SIMIND Monte Carlo Simulation and CASToR iterative reconstruction program was used to simulate a commercially available SPECT camera (Siemens Symbia Intevo Gamma Camera) with a crystal size of 29.55cm and 128x128 matrix size. A digital cylindrical phantom filled with water was constructed. A 0.36 cm radius spherical adenoma filled with a uniform 1MBq radioactivity is placed within the phantom. Low-Energy High Resolution (LEHR) and Low Energy Ultra High Resolution (LEUHR) collimator models are tested. Along with the presence of Scatter correction and differing iteration numbers (x16, x32). An image FOV based calibration method was used to gather quantitative information and checked against the input radioactivity. Results: The presence of scatter correction caused a 15-20% relative improvement in quantification accuracy. The optimal number of iterations produced a 10% relative improvement. Overall, accuracies as good as 7% in estimated activity concentration could be observed. Conclusion: The optimization of parameters can provide a significant improvement in quantification accuracy.

Modeling of human placental capillaries by using a unique 3d reconstruction program

Purpose: Visualization of the three-dimensional structures is performed by examining two-dimensional sections in histology. It is not always possible to comprehend structure-function integrity. Therefore, it was planned to obtain three-dimensional (3D) models of the capillaries in the placenta terminal villus by using the program developed in the Başkent University’s laboratory and used in studies in different disciplines. The program’s suitability for histology studies will also be assessed.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: A term placenta tissue sample was obtained from a 33-year-old healthy woman. Following the plastic embedding procedure, semi-thin serial sections were taken from these blocks. The sections were stained using toluidine blue and examined and photographed by using a light microscope. The 3D modeling procedure was conducted on the light micrographs of serial sections in order to reconstruct villous capillaries. &#x0D; Results: 3D images were obtained from two-dimensional light micrographs by using the same program. It was determined that the vessels running parallel to each other branched harmoniously, forming a capillary network in the terminal villus. Additionally, challenges encountered during the utilization of this program in histological studies are also presented in this study. &#x0D; Conclusion: Fetal blood reaches every part of the terminal villus through the branching capillary network. This feature would increase the surface area of vasculo-syncytial membrane and facilitate feto-maternal exchange. This can be clearly visualized by using 3D models. Three-dimensional modeling helps to understand the structure of all organs and tissues. Given that the current program is freely accessible, it will not incur additional costs for researchers and is open to further improvement by the programmer (erhankiziltan@gmail.com).

In search of strategies for rural revitalization in China: Puhan’s approach to sustainable community development

Abstract Despite the central government’s rural reconstruction programme targeting rural villages, rural communities in contemporary China continue to face massive social, economic, and environmental challenges. This paper reports on a case study of a farmers’ cooperative in Puhan. Continual rural decline, alongside national economic reform and rural community development, provide the context for the case study. Well known to rural community development scholars in China, the Puhan cooperative represents an island of rural revitalization in a sea of rural decline. The paper begins with a discussion of the background to the study, the research design and objectives, and participatory observation method employed. Thereafter, it discusses sustainable community development and provides an analysis of the way in which the community development approach facilitates the attainment of sustainable development goals generally and in Puhan in particular. Focusing on the broader context of rural development in the context of national top-down policy-driven change, it examines the Puhan cooperative’s contribution to rural revitalization and the strengths and challenges encountered, given its adoption of bottom-up, grassroots community development. By outlining the lessons learnt from this case study research, the paper aims to enrich knowledge on the community development approach, sustainable community development, and rural revitalization in contemporary China.

The Relative Importance of Factors That Applicants Weigh When Ranking Adult Reconstruction Fellowships as Well as Their Perspectives on Robotic-Assisted Arthroplasty

BackgroundOrthopedic Surgery Fellowship programs offer highly specialized training that varies based on the training environment and surgical experience. Additionally, for Adult Reconstruction programs, robotic-assisted surgery exposure has been a widely discussed topic. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative value of various factors to Adult Hip and Knee Fellowship applicants, and their perceptions of robotic-assisted arthroplasty. MethodsWe surveyed 780 applicants who applied to our fellowship to matriculate in 2020 to 2024. We received 158 responses (20.3% response rate). We assessed factors concerning people and perceptions, logistics, salary and benefits, program reputation and curriculum, and surgical experience. Additionally, we surveyed fellows’ attitudes toward using robotic surgery and its impact on patient outcomes. ResultsThe highest-rated factors were Level of Hands-On Operative Experience (4.83), Revision Hip Volume (4.72), Revision Knee Volume (4.71), Multiple Surgical Exposures to the Hip (4.59), and Clinical Case Variety (4.59). Respondents who were postfellowship matriculation placed significantly more value on Exposure to Multiple Attendings with Surgical Diversity (P = .01), and Anterior Hip Volume (P = .04), and less value on Geographic Location (P = .04) and Patient-Specific Instrumentation (P = .02) than prematriculates. Overall, 65% of applicants plan to or currently use robotics, 7.6% do not, and 27.2% said “Maybe”. Those who plan to or currently use robotics most cited procedure fidelity, patient-preference, and marketability as reasons to use robotics. ConclusionsHands-on surgical experience and revision volume were the most important factors for fellowship applicants. Applicants placed lower importance on robotics exposure and their perspectives on robotics in their future practice were highly variable. Our results will inform fellowship programs and future applicants what previous applicants have valued in their training to help guide fellowship program structure, resource management, as well as recruitment.

Vulnerable Community in Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction Process in Sindhupalchok

Reconstruction and resilience programs led by the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) have not specifically addressed the Dalit community’s issues of vulnerability and cultural heterogeneity. The NRA formed and implemented different policies and guidelines for all victims irrespective of their caste/ethnic, cultural, economic, and political status. Monolithic reconstruction and resilience policy failed to address the vulnerability and socio-cultural resilience of the Dalits. The state social engineering failed because the socio-cultural and political vulnerability of the Dalits was ignored both in policy and practice. The policy and practice of earthquake reconstruction replicated the traditional slogan of Nepali: ‘We all are Nepali and all Nepali are equal’. Moreover, it established a rule of thumb to address other disaster victims equally. What are Dalits’ knowledge and experiences of disaster reconstruction? What are the constraints and opportunities for the resilience of the Dalits? What are the resilience practices of the Dalits? Based on the field-based study, interviews, and observations, the paper explored the exclusion of Dalits participation both in policy formulation and implementation. The detailed fieldwork in 2018 explored the technological domination of the government and non-government agencies while implementing the resilience of Dalit community. The Dalits were at the bottom of the socio-cultural hierarchy, including power, prestige, and property. The major flaw of the reconstruction and resilience was ignorance of the diversity of victims and ignorance of people’s knowledge of cultural resilience. The policies did not support their marginality and vulnerability.

Evaluation of earthquake-related damages on masonry structures due to the 6 February 2023 Kahramanmaraş-Türkiye earthquakes: A case study for Hatay Governorship Building

The present study contributes to enriching the sparse literature on the seismic analysis of historical masonry buildings through field observations and advanced computational tools. To do this, the findings from field observations in the area affected by the February 6th, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquakes (Mw = 7.7 and Mw = 7.6) are evaluated to point out the possible reasons for damages occurred in masonry buildings. Further, numerical simulations of a historical building in Hatay which has a significant amount of historical masonry building stock in the region. Comparisons of the results obtained from non-linear finite element analyses and field observations are made to explain the crack patterns occurred and damage mechanisms. Nonlinear finite element analyses confirmed that the considered structure did not collapse despite being seriously damaged in the first two earthquakes (Mw = 7.7 and Mw = 7.6), but a part of it completely collapsed because of the third earthquake (Mw = 6.4) on February 20th, 2023, in Defne district. The damage patterns observed in the field are also obtained exactly by the numerical simulations. Some retrofitting proposals are given to assist the authorities in charge of the reconstruction and rehabilitation programs to account for a better interpretation and understanding of the seismic performance of masonry buildings.

Measurement of multidimensional reconstruction fund planning on the effectiveness of urban post-disaster recovery and reconstruction using indirect economic impact

An increasing number of record-breaking extreme precipitation events worldwide has had an incalculable socioeconomic impact, challenging the ability of cities to recover and reconstruct after disasters. The key to the effectiveness of post-disaster recovery and reconstruction lies in the rational investment and allocation of reconstruction funds. However, few studies have examined the effectiveness of reconstruction fund planning in improving urban recovery and reconstruction from a post-disaster indirect economic loss assessment perspective. This study uses an improved input-output model to evaluate the degree of change in indirect economic losses under multidimensional reconstruction fund planning (funds' amount, the time efficiency of investment, and funds allocation) to measure the effectiveness. We exemplify this through a case study: a record-breaking extreme urban flood and its reconstruction planning occurred in Henan Province, China, in July 2021. The results indicate that (1) under the premise of ensuring sufficient financial input, improving the input time efficiency is a decision with a higher benefit-cost ratio, which can improve the effectiveness by 140%. (2) If funds are guaranteed, improving time efficiency is better than adding extra funds, and when both reach 80%, additional funds may not further improve the effectiveness. (3) The funds need to meet at least the recovery production needs (about 45% of direct economic losses); otherwise, the funds cannot be used to improve fortifications. The study results will provide theoretical and practical support for urban decision-makers to develop efficient and rational recovery and reconstruction programs.

РАЗРАБОТКА ПРОГРАММНЫХ СРЕДСТВ МАТЕМАТИЧЕСКОГО ИМИТАЦИОННОГО МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЯ НА ОСНОВЕ КЛИНИЧЕСКИХ ДАННЫХ И ФАНТОМНЫХ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ ДЛЯ ОЦЕНКИ ПЕРФУЗИИ ГОЛОВНОГО МОЗГА И ПОВЫШЕНИЯ КАЧЕСТВА ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЙ ПРИ ОФЭКТ/КТ С 99MTC-ГМПАО

Purpose: To develop a software package Virtual examination of brain perfusion by the method of SPECT/CT with 99mTc-HMPAO (Teoxime) and its practical application to study the conditions for achieving the best image quality in clinical studies of patients. Material and methods: The studies were performed using clinical data and the method of computer simulation. Clinical data of single-photon emission computed tomography combined with X-ray computed tomography (SPECT/CT) with 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99mTc-Teoxime, produced by DIAMED LLC) of a patient with an ischemic stroke of the right frontal cortex were obtained on a two-detector gamma-camera NM/CT 670 DR GE Discovery (USA) using high-resolution low-energy collimators (LEHR). The measured data were processed using specialized software Q.Brain and Q.Volumetrix MI on a Xeleris 4.0 DR workstation from GE Healthcare (USA) to obtain reconstructed axial tomographic slices. To carry out simulation computer simulation of the procedure of examination of perfusion of GM by the method of SPECT/CT has developed a software package that includes a mathematical Hoffman phantom with the ability to simulate clinical cases of hypoperfusion of different localization and size (Virtual Patient), modeling the collection of “raw” projection data and an image reconstruction program based on the OSEM algorithm (Ordered Subset Expectation Maximization). An important advantage of the mathematical modeling method is the ability to assess the quality of the reconstructed image by calculating the root-mean-square error when compared with a given phantom. In numerical experiments, the dependence of the reconstruction error on the parameters of the OSEM algorithm (on the number of subgroups – subsets, and on the number of iterations) was investigated in order to determine the conditions for achieving the best image quality. A statistical stop criterion was developed and tested. Results: For the first time, a software package was developed and tested that allows us to investigate errors in the reconstruction algorithm, which is a great difficulty when using clinical research methods. A criterion for stopping iterations is proposed when using the OSEM reconstruction algorithm – minimizing the functional deviation of the chi-square function from the target value, while the detector pixels with non-zero values are combined into blocks according to the 2×2 scheme. There is a reliable good correlation between the proposed stop criterion and the minimum of the root-mean-square error of image reconstruction. This makes it possible to introduce this criterion into the clinical practice of using computational tools for reconstructing sections of the SPECT to obtain the best image. The simulation results demonstrated the possibility of reducing the time of data recording, during which the patient must remain motionless, at least twice. Conclusion: The method of computer simulation developed in this work is a practically useful technology that helps optimize the use of SPECT to achieve the best possible results of brain imaging in patients.

ФОРМУВАННЯ ІНСТИТУЦІЙНОЇ ПІДТРИМКИ РОЗВИТКУ ЦИРКУЛЯРНОЇ ЕКОНОМІКИ ТА ЇЇ СТАЛОГО ФІНАНСУВАННЯ В ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКОМУ СОЮЗІ

Досліджено інституційні й фінансові інструменти регулювання розвитку циркулярної економіки в ЄС. Цілі сталого розвитку визначено як основу Нового європейського консенсусу з розвитку. Спираючись на ґрунтовний аналіз нормативно-регуляторної бази ЄС, встановлено відсутність уніфікованого підходу до інтерпретації циркулярної економіки та її характерних ознак, а також принципів циркулярності економічної діяльності. Охарактеризовано потенціал циркулярної економіки в набутті країнами – членами ЄС ознак конкурентоспроможності.Запропоновано визначення циркулярного переходу як динамічного процесу втілення сукупності намірів із зміни сутності й форм здійснення бізнес-моделей з метою коригування якісних і кількісних характеристик моделей зростання й розвитку, що супроводжується становленням альтернативних механізмів реалізації економічних відносин на принципах циркулярності. Виявлено, що розвитку циркулярної економіки сприяє активне використання інструменту державно-приватного партнерства і зелених закупівель, що передбачає впровадження вимог до екологічних характеристик товарів, робіт і послуг, а також нових методів оцінки вартості їх життєвого циклу. Проаналізовано роль циркулярної економіки в цілепокладанні Європейського зеленого курсу та ідентифіковано інвестиційні інструменти розбудови кліматично нейтральної економіки в ЄС. Виокремлено трансформаційну роль переходів у політиці ЄС, які передбачають адаптивне управління змінами при стратегуванні соціально-економічного розвитку.Оцінено внесок Таксономії ЄС для сталої діяльності в акумулювання фінансових ресурсів, які направляються на підтримку розвитку циркулярної економіки. Встановлено, що Політику згуртованості ЄС можна використовувати для управління циркулярним переходом у разі, якщо її реалізація забезпечуватиметься завчасним упровадженням інституційних, законодавчих і політичних правил і процедур, які уможливлюватимуть фінансування перехідних процесів у ЄС. Відсутність програм фінансування циркулярного переходу в Україні має бути врахована при розробці програм повоєнної відбудови України, що відбуватиметься на засадах сталого розвитку.

АРХІТЕКТУРНІ ОСОБЛИВОСТІ МАЛОПОВЕРХОВОЇ ТИПОВОЇ ЖИТЛОВОЇ ЗАБУДОВИ 1939-1955-Х РОКІВ

Architectural features of typical low-rise residential buildings in the period 1939-1955 in ukraine are considered. It was noted that it was at this time that the mass construction of housing for the population in Ukraine was actively developing during industrialization, consolidation of villages (creation of «agricultural towns») and post-war reconstruction. Such typical housing was characteristic of many cities and towns during these years and reflected the spirit and needs of the time. After the war, the main emphasis was placed on the restoration of damaged buildings and on the construction of temporary wooden housing facilities for industrial workers. However, already in the mid-1950s, the construction of low-rise residential complexes developed, which was financed by industrial enterprises and other organizations. A study of archival materials on this topic was conducted, the architectural style, materials, constructions of buildings of that period were considered. Examples of existing residential buildings of the 1940s to the 1950s in Lviv and the Lviv region are presented. The planning of typical housing after the Second World War in Ukraine was based on several general principles aimed at restoring the housing stock, providing comfortable conditions for residents and rational use of available resources. The importance of modernizing such buildings in order to improve their functionality and energy efficiency was noted. Useful in this matter is the use of foreign practice, where extensive experience in the reconstruction of existing buildings built according to standard projects has been accumulated. Especially important for Ukraine are the methods and principles of renewal of urban residential buildings, which were developed in the countries of Eastern Europe, there are state reconstruction programs that provide for the allocation of state subsidies and special credit terms for their implementation.

Establishment and Feasibility of an Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction Program in a Community Health System.

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) remains a significant post-surgical complication of breast cancer treatment. Immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) at the time of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) has shown promise in preventing BCRL. While the primary literature supporting ILR comes from academic institutions, the majority of breast cancer care in the USA occurs in the community setting. This study evaluated a preventative lymphedema program performing ILR at a community health system. A prospective database including all patients who underwent ALND with concurrently attempted ILR from 2019 to 2021 was retrospectively reviewed. The historical benchmark lymphedema rate was calculated through retrospective review of electronic medical records for all patients who underwent ALND without ILR from 2011 to 2021. Ninety patients underwent ALND with ILR, of which ILR was successful in 69 (76.7%). ILR was more likely to be aborted in smokers (p < 0.05) and those with fewer lymphatic channels (p < 0.05) or a higher body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.08). Patients with successful versus aborted ILR had lower lymphedema rates (10.9% versus 66.7%, p < 0.01) and improved Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores (8.7 versus 19.8, p = 0.25), and lower lymphedema rates than the historical benchmark (10.9% versus 50.2%, p < 0.01). Among patients with successful ILR, older patients were more likely to develop lymphedema (p < 0.05). Successful ILR after ALND significantly reduced the lymphedema rate when compared with patients with aborted ILR and our institution's historical benchmark. Our experience supports the efficacy of ILR and highlights the feasibility of ILR within a community health system.

Building Complex Autologous Breast Reconstruction Program: A Preliminary Experience

Autologous breast reconstruction is an increasingly popular method of reconstruction for breast cancer survivors. While deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps are the gold standard, not all patients are ideal candidates for DIEP flaps due to low BMI, body habitus, or previous abdominal surgery. In these patients, complex autologous breast reconstruction can be performed, but there is a limited number of programs around the world due to high technical demand. Given the increased demand and need for complex autologous flaps, it is critical to build programs to increase patient access and teach future microsurgeons. In this paper, we discuss the steps, pearls, and preliminary experience of building a complex autologous breast reconstruction program in a tertiary academic center. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent starting the year prior to the creation of our program. Since the start of our program, a total of 74 breast mounds have been reconstructed in 46 patients using 87 flaps. Over 23 months, there was a decrease in median surgical time for bilateral reconstruction by 124 min (p = 0.03), an increase in the number of co-surgeon cases by 66% (p &lt; 0.01), and an increase in the number of complex autologous breast reconstruction by 42% (p &lt; 0.01). Our study shows that a complex autologous breast reconstruction program can be successfully established using a multi-phase approach, including the development of a robust co-surgeon model. In addition, we found that a dedicated program leads to increased patient access, decreased operative time, and enhancement of trainee education.

A Critical Analysis of the Neoliberal State-Building in Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Gap Between Aims and Achievements

Despite the long years of political, economic, and military presence of the international community with its remarkable amount of aid, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) still suffers from political instabilities, lack of economic growth, and high rates of unemployment. The Dayton Peace Accords (DPA), which were signed in 1995 to end the violent war turning out ethnic cleansing and caused unforgettable humanitarian and economic loss, built a highly decentralized state with a divided society. Its vision was based on the neoliberal agenda that puts a strong emphasis on the belief that ethnic harmony and sustainable peace would be achieved only through a reconstruction program of neoliberal policies. Against the backdrop of this vision, the absence of intergroup cohesion among distinct ethnic collective identities remains still as a puzzle of the neoliberal state-building agenda of the international community. By highlighting the limitation of state-building in its implementation in BiH, this research aims to give a plausible answer to the puzzle regarding the root causes of why state-building initiatives remain ill-equipped in achieving the formation of the upper level of shared collective identity in BiH. To this end, it will critically discuss the effectiveness –or ineffectiveness– of the Dayton recipe for BiH to build a functional and sovereign state along with an upper level of shared collective identity.

Posterior Sagittal Approach Provides Optimal Exposure for Urethral Reconstruction in Children With a History of Anorectal Malformations

ObjectiveTo present a unique series of children with previously repaired anorectal malformations (ARM) with subsequent urethral pathology repaired via a posterior sagittal exposure and highlight the associated technical advantages. MethodsUsing a retrospective review of all procedures performed in our pediatric colorectal and pelvic reconstruction program from January 2020 through December 2022, we compiled a case series of patients with a history of ARM and prior PSARP who had urethral pathology and concurrent indication for redo-PSARP. Clinical features, operative details, and postoperative outcomes were collected. ResultsSix male patients presented at a median age of 4.3 years, all born with an ARM of recto-urinary fistula type, of which three were recto-prostatic, one recto-bladder-neck, and two unknown type. In addition to redo-PSARP, two underwent ROOF excision and four had urethral stricture repair. One required post-operative Heineke-Mikulicz anoplasty. Patients underwent cystoscopy 4-6 weeks post-reconstruction, and none showed urethral stricture requiring treatment. Post-procedurally, five patients were able to void urethrally and one required additional bladder augmentation / Mitrofanoff. ConclusionRedo-PSARP completely mobilizes the rectum, thereby providing excellent exposure to the posterior urethra for repair. This approach also allows the option of a rectal flap for augmented urethroplasty as well as harvest of an ischiorectal fat pad for interposition.

Thermal performance of cavities in 3DPC building façades

In the quest for sufficient and comfortable housing in South Africa, attention to building orientation and thermal transmittance principles has significantly improved thermal performance in local houses. Thermal simulation and monitoring of houses in the Joe Slovo Phase Three development in Cape Town confirms improved performance by solar radiation blockage and shading. This paper simulates the thermal performance of a housing unit in this development. The house was instrumented with thermocouples, and monitored from March to December 2013 by Sustainable Energy Africa in collaboration with the National Department of Human Settlements. Sustainable Energy Africa reported significant improvement when compared to a nearby traditional Reconstruction and Development Programme house that had been monitored during the same period. With the benefit of the monitored thermal data, complete drawings, and specification details of the Joe Slovo Phase Three unit, the current research modelled and calibrated a simulation model in DesignBuilder. DesignBuilder was selected given its accreditation status for Green Star Rating of buildings in South Africa. An additional motivation for investigating this unit was the availability of recorded weather data from the nearby Cape Town International Airport, captured in the DesignBuilder climate data base for 2013, which was assumed relevant in lieu of complete weather station data measured at the location of the housing unit. The study aimed to simulate the monitored temperatures in the house with acceptable agreement, and to investigate further potential improvement in occupant thermal comfort by alternative 3D-printed concrete walling developed by the authors. Systematic finite element analysis (FEA) iteratively solved cavity radiation and convection in wall cavities to calibrate thermal transmittance parameters for DesignBuilder. The FEA results acceptably simulated temperatures monitored in this physical wall experiment. The calibrated DesignBuilder model simulated the indoor temperatures of the monitored house with acceptable agreement, and predicted significant improvement in occupant thermal comfort if the walls were 3D-printed with a particular cross-sectional design.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM FOR POST-EARTHQUAKE COMMUNITY HOUSES IN NORTH LOMBOK REGENCY IN 2018

Data published by the Government of Nusa Tenggara Barat Province in 2021, the progress of earthquake-resistant house construction in Lombok Utara Regency until July 9th, 2022, has completed 41,750 heavily damaged houses, 1,029 moderately damaged houses and 298 lightly damaged. From the data, there are still 9,040 houses whose physical progress is still in the implementation stage. This research aims to determine the effectiveness of rehabilitating and reconstructing the community houses post-Lombok Earthquake in 2018. The research method used in this research is a descriptive quantitative method with a purposive sampling technique. The research variables were taken from Perka BNPB No. 11 Tahun 2008 and adjusted with existing research objectives. The variables were Program Readiness, Program Planning, Program Implementation, and Program Monitoring and Evaluation. The sample in this research was 100 respondents from the earthquake-affected Lombok 2018 community who received earthquake-resistant house assistance and facilitators who assisted in the housing construction. Data collection in this research was conducted in Lombok Utara Regency through questionnaires, observations, and interviews. The data analysis used in this research was using the Likert scale. The research results show that the Post Disaster Community House Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program in Lombok Utara Regency 2018 has run quite effectively. The average analysis of effectiveness using the Likert scale yields 66.83% for program readiness, 71.60% for program planning, 71.4% for program implementation, and 69.53% for program monitoring and evaluation. The average effectiveness rate produced in this research was 69.84%.

A multiscale elastoplastic tensive behavior of quasi-continuous network structured (Ti3AlC2-Al3Ti)/2024Al composite

A multiscale elastoplastic damage model to predict mechanical response and fracture behavior of quasi-continuous network structured (Ti3AlC2-Al3Ti)/2024Al composites under uniaxial tension, along with the flexible program for structure reconstruction is proposed. Microscale constituents consist of dispersed in-situ Al3Ti and matrix, while the mesoscale constituents include Ti3AlC2, the matrix, and the interface. The brittle damage model is employed to degrade the stiffness of Ti3AlC2, and a modified Johnson-Cook model is applied to the matrix to accommodate the effect of grain size on the yield strength of the material. The period boundary condition is adopted to the bilinear constitutive relation in microscale analysis, and the output is calculated and transferred to mesoscale as the interface property of Ti3AlC2 and matrix. The numerical simulation results agree well with that of the corresponding quasi-static tension experiment and the deformation response of quasi-continuous network structured (Ti3AlC2-Al3Ti)/2024Al composites is discussed.