Small Bits Research Articles

Evaluating integrated social care by utilizing regional resources in Japan

Background: The Japanese government has recently promoted a communitybased integrated care system, and the new reform of the system implemented in 2012 will reinforce this integration of care. In Japan, social security expenditures are increasing along with the increasing elderly population ratio; therefore, it is important to promote the utilization of existing regional resources to reduce longterm care provision costs. In each regional community, a variety of organizations and groups provide a range of functions in the lives of local residents, from providing small bits of information such as health promotion to great undertakings such as the reconstruction of the local community. Regional centers and the local social welfare councils are representative organizations that offer seamless support services in cities, towns, and villages throughout the country in the country as representative organizations by integrating regional resource information into these support services. Regional resources are not necessarily limited to information concerning social care activities for the elderly, and this means care is provided in the broadest sense. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of the actual conditions and the intensity of integration between regional centers and regional resources for nationwide social care provision. Methods: A selfcompleted survey was administered at 4,557 Community-based integrated Centres [CBICs] regional centers and 1,741 social welfare councils [SWCs] in Japan. The purpose of this survey was to gain an understanding of the actual conditions of these centers and how they collect, manage, and use their regional resources for the benefit of all. We used 5 degrees of the “functional clinical integration scale” developed by Ahgren (2005) to evaluate integration intensity. Results: 1. The recovery rates for the CBICs and SWCs were 31.5% (1,437/4,557) and 43.4% (808/1,741), respectively. 2. Regarding the intensity of integration, the top three regional resources of the CBICs were Case worker/children’s social workers’ council, 3.41; Communal organizations, 2.41; and Fundamental organizations for regional welfare promotion, 2.38. Those of the SWCs were Case worker/children’s social workers’ council, 3.92; Volunteer group, 3.32; and Communal organizations, 2.95. 3. The scores for the different categories of regional resources used by the CBICs in providing social care were: Watching over, 3.03; Salon and intercommunication, 2.71; and Fitness, 2.54. Those of the resources used by the SWCs and the regional resources were Urban renovation, 4.38; Salon and intercommunication4.21; and Watching over, 3.65. Conclusions and Discussion: This study is the first to reveal on a national scale the main uses of regional resources for social care provision at two types of regional centers in Japan. In order to structure the CommunityBased Integrated Care System and improve the quality of seamless care in the communities, it is critical to strategically use the regional resources existing in each local community to provide social care for the people who need it. Therefore, it is necessary to continually update information concerning regional resources and build a system to effectively use this information. This research is supported by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), # 15dk0107014h0002.

Environmental Factors Affecting Subjective Well-Being

All of us are aware about the problems faced by the elderly in our society; simultaneously if we look around we can clearly see that not many of us are doing something about it. With fast rising population and the low rates of mortality levels, it is very essential that we become sensitive about this grave issue and give the desired needed attention to this particular class of population, we should focus on their issues, by applying any means through which we can be of use to them, even if those efforts include; just a small bit of quality time for them; listening to them; helping them in their little chores and lastly to be a little human and realize that even they have mental health issues and which needs to be treated and handled with love and care. After looking at the vast researches on the various factors we can clearly understand the role played by the social support received by these individuals, their own perception regarding their health and their actual physical health and lastly the strong role played by the stressors cannot be ignored, and combined all these three factors have a very tough impact on their subjective well being.

Plasma actuators for active flow control based on a glow discharge

In this work a glow discharge based active flow control for high flow velocities and low Reynolds numbers is presented. Unlike common plasma actuators such as dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) or spark jets, this actuator uses small impulse bits at frequencies. The actuator is optimized for frequencies up to 40 kHz to counter Tollmien Schlichting wave effects and so reduce overall air foil drag. Several measurements to prove the non-eroding effect of the actuator and the electrical properties were performed. It was found that the actuator is capable of operating at high frequencies without measurable erosion.

Libby: the long legacy of a public health disaster

Libby: the long legacy of a public health disaster

Impact of pumpset supply scheme on Tribal farmers

Tribal population in India is generally designated as Adivasi/Advibasis, implying original inhabitants. The ancient and medieval source of information including the Vedic and Epic literature mentions various tribes namely the Bharat, the Bhills, the Kholas, the Nisadas and the Banars prior to introduction of the caste system during Brahmanic age, people were divided into various tribes was a homogenous and self-contained unit without only hierarchical discrimination. Tribes are also identified as 'indigenous people' Dhebar Commission in an attempt to define the word tribe ultimately said that information labour organization has called such people indigenous. The tribal constitute a small bit an important element in India`s population. The tribal situation in India present varied and complex picture. Most of these constitute separate socio-culture group having distinct customs, traditions, marriage system. The needs of the tribal people are very few and limited. The majority of the tribal population is engaged in agriculture. In order to bring about a change in the prevalent conditions of tribals, the State and Central Government has implemented the various agricultural development schemes. The schemes in operation at Akola district under MADA pocket/Block, since the year of inception and has benefited a large number of tribal from the area. The present study Impact of pumpset supply scheme on tribal farmers has been undertaken in order to determine the effect of pumpset supply schemes ( i.e. Electric motor and Oil engines). As a result of actual utilization of pumpset supply scheme the changes regarding production, productivity, annual income and cropping intensity were studied by the present investigation. Majority (58.33 %) of per cent change in production, about 53.79 per cent increase in per cent change in productivity while 52.35 per cent increase in per cent change in annual income as well as only 18.63 per cent mean per cent change in cropping intensity changes.

Development of a Waste Plastic Shredding Machine

Plastic is one of the most common used materials in the world today, but, they cause serious environmental pollution and exhaustion of landfill space. The recycling of waste plastic recovers the material, which can be used to make new plastic products such as containers, plastic lumbers and particle boards. For this to happen, the waste plastic will first be shred into small bits making it ready for transportation and further processing. This necessitated the development of a plastic shredder to recycle the waste plastic found in Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, Nigeria environments. The shredder has the feeding unit, the shredding unit, power transmission unit and the machine frame. The performance of the machine was evaluated and test results showed that there was a correlation between the machine speed with a regression < 1 and there was a linear relationship with all variable parameters (The Shredding time (T), the Specific Mechanical Energy (SME), Throughput (TP) and Recovery Efficiency (RE)) and the variable operation speeds (1806.7 rpm, 1290.5 rpm and 1003.7 rpm). The throughput of the machine is 27.3 kg/hr and the efficiency is 53% for all type of plastic and 95% for Polyvinylchloride type of plastic. The machine is user friendly and the cost of producing one unit of the machine as at the time of fabrication was estimated to be One Hundred and Forty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Naira (N 140, 750:00k) only making it affordable to acquire for small and medium scale entrepreneurs in waste plastic recycling business

Kill All Happies by Rachel Cohn

Reviewed by: Kill All Happies by Rachel Cohn Deborah Stevenson Cohn, Rachel Kill All Happies. Hyperion, 2017 [288p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-4231-5722-9 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-4847-1953-4 $10.99 Reviewed from galleys Ad Gr. 9-12 Senior year is ending, and Vic (short for Victoria) Navarro is celebrating by running the most epic senior year party ever. Bev Happie, soon to be the former owner of the now-closed Happies restaurant and theme park that drew aficionados (also known as "Happies") from across the country for decades, gives Vic permission to use the restaurant and grounds for a legendary sendoff of the beloved venue as well as Vic's class. What was supposed to be a modest rave with a beer-vending van (the Chug Bug) and an opportunity for Vic to finally consummate the deed with her long-term crush turns into wide-scale chaos when a literal busload of Happies (as well as a motorcycle-riding branch of the fandom) crash Vic's do and bust it wide open. This is essentially a party movie on the page, from the snapshot takes on the scheming and drunken teen characters to the adult buzzkill antagonist (Miss Ann Thrope, a former Miss Happie and current high school teacher). As such, there's definitely raucous appeal in the blowout, the destruction, and the illicit nocturnal adventure in an abandoned amusement park. However, the small bits of plot—drama with Vic's friends, questions as to what Vic's doing after graduation—are largely clumsily tacked on, and there's little to vary the pace of or give narrative arc to the nonstop revelry. Still, it's a bawdy and colorful outing that may draw fans of Bridesmaids and Broad City. Copyright © 2017 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

U.K. aims to reduce microplastics in oceans

The U.K. is developing policies to stop microplastics from ending up in oceans and seas. U.K. Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom earlier this month announced plans to ban the manufacture and sale of minute plastic beads used in some cosmetics and personal care products. Leadsom points out that 25 U.K. companies that make cosmetics and toiletries are voluntarily phasing out microbeads from their products. After banning tiny plastic spheres in these items, she says, the U.K. government will gather data on the extent of environmental harm from microbeads used in household and industrial cleaning products. In the future, the U.K. will study how to prevent small fragments of plastic, such as microfibers from synthetic fabrics, from entering the marine environment. Wastewater treatment plants don’t remove small bits of plastic, which are resistant to biodegradation, so they end up in the world’s oceans and lakes. Toxic substances can adsorb onto these particles,

When are Stereotypes about Black Candidates Applied? An Experimental Test

AbstractPast research shows that candidates' racial identities influence the assumptions that voters draw about how they will behave in office. In a national survey experiment examining televised candidate advertisements, we find evidence that stereotypes differ both in their potency and how vulnerable they are to disconfirmation. Consistent with previous work, black candidates are broadly assumed to be more liberal than white candidates, although the effect is notably small in magnitude. Yet when it comes to more specific stereotypes—how black candidates will behave on individual issues—effects are not only much larger, but also more contingent on what information is available. We find that by providing a small bit of ideological information, black candidates can overcome the assumption that they will enact liberal policies as concerns taxation and non-racialized aspects of social welfare policy. But it is much more difficult for them to overturn the assumption that they will prioritize aid to minorities while in office.

Determination of the Anisotropic Elastic Properties of Rocksalt Ge2Sb2Te5 by XRD, Residual Stress, and DFT

The chalcogenide material Ge2Sb2Te5 is the prototype phase-change material, with widespread applications for optical media and random access memory. However, the full set of its independent elastic properties has not yet been published. In this study, we determine the elastic constants of the rocksalt Ge2Sb2Te5, experimentally by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and residual stress and computationally by density functional theory (DFT). The stiffnesses (XRD-stress/DFT) in GPa are C11 = 41/58, C12 = 7/8, and C44 = 8/12, and the Zener ratio is 0.46/0.48. These values are important to understand the effect of elastic distortions and nonmelting processes on the performances of increasingly small phase change data bits.

Genetic Diversity Cucumber Using Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR)

Cucumber is an important vegetable crop grown worldwide. Genetic diversity and similarity among 11 cucumber genotypes viz. PCUCP-2, PCUCP-3, Nun-3139, Nun-3121, Nun-3141, Infinity, Isatis and Kian and PCUC-8, PCUC- 15 and PCUC-28 were grown under greenhouse conditions in G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. Fresh and young leaves were collected from each genotype. The leaves were cut into small bits and ground to powder using liquid nitrogen. Genomic DNA was then isolated using modified CTAB method. The genetic diversity and similarity was estimated by using 8 ISSR markers. The 6 ISSR primers generated a total of 49 polymorphic alleles. On the basis of ISSR data, dendrogram clustered the genotypes into two major clusters and five sub-clusters. Among all the genotypes a total of 40-100% polymorphism was observed. The number of alleles produced by different primers ranged from 5 to 14 with an average of 9.5 alleles per primer and the level of polymorphism was observed 88.88%. The similarity value ranged from 35% to 96%. Three monocious genotypes viz. PCUC-8, PCUC-15 and PCUC-28 (Pant Khira-1) were grouped in one cluster with 96% similarity, whereas parthenocarpic genotypes in another cluster. Therefore it is concluded that characterization and determination of diversity among parthenocarpic and monocious cucumber is done, this information can be utilized for formulation of efficient breeding programme of cucumber.

Structural Size Effect with Altered Temperature on MgO-based Magnetic Tunnel Junction Device During Current Flow

Recently, the increase in high areal density of hard disk drive with the small bit cells affects the structural variation in the magnetic recording head. Therefore, the structural size effect on the altered temperature in the tunneling magetoresistance (TMR) head with the MgO-based magnetic tunnel junction structure was investigated. Results indicate that the temperature increment in the MgO layer and the antiferromagetic layer decreases significantly with decreasing the thickness of the MgO barrier. This is because the generated heat during the current flow is proportional to the TMR resistance which can be estimated by the resistance of the MgO barrier layer. The efficiency of the write/read process with the thermal effect in the magnetic recording head is the important parameter realized for development of the storage technology.

The functional role of all postsynaptic potentials examined from a first-person frame of reference.

When assigning a central role to the neuronal firing, a large number of incoming postsynaptic potentials not utilized during both supra- and subthreshold neuronal activations are not given any functional significance. Local synaptic potentials at the apical dendrites get attenuated as they arrive at the soma to nearly a twentieth of what a synapse proximal to the soma produces. Conservation of these functions necessitates searching for their functional roles. Potentials induced at the postsynapses of neurons of all the neuronal orders activated by sensory inputs carry small bits of sensory information. The activation of these postsynapses by any means other than the activation from their corresponding presynaptic terminals, that also contribute to oscillating potentials, induce the semblance of the arrival of activity from their presynaptic terminals. This is a candidate mechanism for inducing the first-person internal sensory elements of various higher brain functions as a systems property. They also contribute to the firing of subthreshold-activated neurons, including motor neurons. Operational mechanism of inter-postsynaptic functional LINKs can provide necessary structural requirements for these functions. The functional independence of the distal dendritic compartment and recent evidence for in vivo dendritic spikes indicate their independent role in the formation of internal sensory elements. In these contexts, a neuronal soma is flanked by a large number of quasi-functional internal sensory processing units operated using very little energy, even when a neuron is not firing. A large number of possible combinations of internal sensory units explains the corresponding number of specific memory retrievals by the system in response to various cue stimuli.

Off Course? A Career in Archaeology Outside of the Academy

Off Course? A Career in Archaeology Outside of the Academy

Increase the Lifetime of Wireless Sensor Network using Clustering and Compression

Sensor Network (WSN) consists of small, light weighted, low cost sensor nodes to monitor the presence of environmental and physical phenomena like wind speed, temperature etc. The nodes in the WSN have limited battery- power. Improving the lifetime is one objective of any wireless sensor network. There are different solutions to fulfill this objective. Clustering approach is one solution clustering algorithm is used to create the cluster of the nodes and select the cluster head to perform the data collection and transmission operation. LEACH (Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) are examples of clustering algorithms. A sensor node requires more energy for transmission rather than sensing and processing the information. Hence, data compression is another solution used to transfer lesser bits to final location. In this paper, we proposed a model where we use both clustering algorithm and compression algorithm to increase the Life of Wireless Sensor Network. To form a cluster we use a PSO clustering algorithm and to compress the data into smaller bits we use a Huffman compression algorithm.

Performance model for space-based laser debris sweepers

This paper outlines the capabilities of a space-based laser for active debris removal in the range of 1cm to 10cm. As for respective ground based solutions, the space based laser ablates small bits of mass from the targeted debris objects. When directed properly, the resulting propulsive effect will lower the targets׳ perigees and facilitate an expeditious burnup in the Earth׳s atmosphere.For this particular type of space mission, a mission-specific performance model has been developed. It does not only deliver the removal performance (e.g. the number of objects removed) of a given mission scenario. It also provides insight into the relevant mechanisms that are driving the performance. The user can tell why a particular scenario is strong or weak, and iteratively tune the mission and the system parameters of the orbital debris sweeper. This parametric model allows case studies, parameter studies and optimizations of mission scenarios.As an illustration of the application of this model, a baseline mission scenario for a debris sweeper mission is being presented. Three system driver quantities for the overall mission concept are highlighted, and a reasonable parameter range for each of them is presented. Finally, it is shown how a single laser could already reduce the debris density in low Earth orbit (LEO) by more than 20% in 10 years.

Trauma Rules 2 Incorporating Military Trauma Rules

This short, but important, text provides a succinct and systematic approach to management of the seriously injured patient. It takes a novel approach, as stated in the first edition published in 1997. In the preface, the editors write: ‘Learning should be fun, and this book is designed to be fun to read’. The editors have most certainly succeeded in this ambition. The text is unusual in layout and style. The editors and authors make use of short and imperative sentences, perhaps exposing the military background of the principal authors! The editors and authors are highly experienced and are accepted experts in their field. This gives the work an authoritative edge. The 70 rules are presented in an engaging and easily readable style. An evidence base is presented for each rule, where such evidence exists. The new edition includes rules for managing military trauma - so appropriate in the current world climate. For example, rules 2 and 3 describe the unique pathophysiology and austerity associated with military injury and will better inform civilian colleagues managing terrorist injury at home or when they deploy with humanitarian aid agencies to conflict environments. The work is divided into sections laid out chronologically, covering the period before patient arrival, the general approach to the trauma patient, initial assessment and resuscitation, and concluding with rules covering investigation and definitive care. A common approach for each rule is used and each rule is numbered. The reason for the rule is succinctly described; there follows a list of exceptions, if any exist. Diagrams, tables and clinical photographs are used to reinforce rules where appropriate. The work is short and easy to read. The entire work could be read in full at one sitting but can be delved into piecemeal on a case-bycase basis. A very small bit of nitpicking: rule 54 states ‘a tension pneumothorax cannot be diagnosed on a chest X-ray’. Perhaps that should read ‘a tension pneumothorax should not be diagnosed on a chest X-ray – the diagnosis is clinical’. This book succeeds in its stated aims. It provides a useful book for the pocket of those working in emergency rooms or in the field setting of a war or natural disaster.

Rapid Laboratory Evaluation of Fungicides against Phytophthora infestans Causing Late Blight of Potato

Aim: To develop method for rapid and simple laboratory evaluation of fungicides against Phytophthora infestans, the causal pathogen of late blight of potato. Study Design: Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. Each treatment was replicated thrice. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Plant Protection, Palli-Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, India in February, 2014. Methodology: Small portion of potato leaf tissue from advancing margin of late bight lesion is placed on water since Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary grow well in water producing hypha and sporangium. Using this property, performance of fungicides on mycelial growth and sporangia production/formation was assayed by placing a small bit of infected leaf tissue in different Short Research Article Mondal et al.; JSRR, 4(2): 168-173, 2015; Article no. JSRR.2015.019 169 concentration of fungicides. Results: Among the seventeen fungicides tested, chlorothalonil, fenamidone + mancozeb and tricyclazole inhibited mycelial growth and sporangia production but dimethomorph, tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin inhibited sporangia production only. Metalaxyl + mancozeb totally inhibited mycelial growth at higher concentration. Conclusion: This method can be useful for evaluating and comparing performance of different fungicides and even same formulations of a fungicide, produced by different companies within a very short time period. The experimental work can be completed within 48 –72h if late blight infected leaves are available.

Daily Collector Systems and the Financing of Small Scale Rural Agribusiness in Delta State, Nigeria

The effectiveness of indigenous daily collector system in terms of security and growth of savings of smallholder agribusiness entrepreneurs has attracted the brilliant minds of Economists. This study investigates the effectiveness of Indigenous Daily Deposit collector system in savings security and mobilization, Structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from 76 randomly selected respondents (agribusiness entrepreneurs). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. The result shows that one daily collector could service a mean of 25 daily depositors. Daily depositor could save a mean of ₦9, 100 – ₦13,000 a month. Indigenous daily deposits system encourages capital accumulation in small bits but continously. Daily depositors expressed preference and confidence in the indigenous daily deposit system principally due to elimination of distance factor and stringent protocols involved in conventional banking. Traditional daily deposit collector system was rated effective (57.7%) in terms of security of savings, mobilization of savings and access to deposits. The main constraints are low disposable income and irregular deposits. It was concluded that indigenous daily deposit collector system is an effective complement of conventional banking system. It was recommended that indigenous daily deposit collector system should be encouraged to complement conventional banking system in financing agribusinesses in Nigeria.

An ITI-Mitigating 5/6 Modulation Code for Bit-Patterned Media Recording

In bit-patterned media recording (BPMR), the readback signal is severely corrupted by the inter-symbol interference (ISI) and inter-track interference (ITI), especially at high recording densities, due to small bit and track pitches. One way to alleviate the ITI effect is to encode an input data sequence before recording, so as to avoid some data patterns that easily cause an error at the data detection process. This paper proposes an ITI-mitigating 5/6 modulation code for a multi-track multi-head BPMR system to eliminate the data patterns that lead to severe ITI. Specifically, each of the 5 user bits is converted into a 6-bit codeword in the form of a 3-by-2 data array, based on a look-up table. Experimental results indicate that the system with the proposed coding scheme outperforms that without coding, especially when an areal density is high and/or the position jitter is large.