Development of a Scale to Evaluate the Depressive State among Elderly Patients in General Wards

This study aims to develop a scale to evaluate depressive states among elderly patients in general wards, and verify the reliability and validity of the scale. Based on the results of interviews with nurses, we developed a draft of a scale comprised of 48 questions (NDE48). The Geriatric Depression Scale short version (GDS15), and the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were administered to 54 elderly patients. Two groups of nurses completed the NDE48 on different days. After performing an explanatory factor analysis, the NDE48 was simplified to a 16 question item scale (NDE16), comprising three factors. The correlation coefficient between GDS15 and NDE16 was 0.41 (p = 0.00191), and between SDS and NDE16 was 0.30 (p = 0.02633). Alpha coefficient of the total score of NDE16 was 0.88. For inter-rater reliability, the correlation coefficient was 0.57 (p = 0.00005). The findings suggest that the NDE16 will be highly useful when nurses evaluate depressive states among elderly inpatients.

An Innovative Approach to Predicting Scour Depth Around Foundations Under Combined Waves and Currents in Large-Scale Tests Based on Small-Scale Tests

This study presents an innovative theoretical approach to predicting the scour depth around a foundation in large-scale model tests based on small-scale model tests under combined waves and currents.In the present approach,the hydrodynamic parameters were designed based on the Froude similitude criteria.To avoid the cohesive behavior,we scaled the sediment size based on the settling velocity similarity,i.e.,the suspended load similarity.Then,a series of different scale model tests was conducted to obtain the scour depth around the pile in combined waves and currents.The fitting formula of scour depth from the small-scale model tests was used to predict the results of large-scale tests.The accuracy of the present approach was validated by comparing the prediction values with experimental data of large-scale tests.Moreover,the correctness and accuracy of the present approach for foundations with complex shapes,e.g.,the tripod foundation,was further checked.The results indicated that the fitting line from small-scale model tests slightly overestimated the experimental data of large-scale model tests,and the errors can be accepted.In general,the present approach was applied to predict the maximum or equilibrium scour depth of the large-scale model tests around single piles and tripods.

Survey of the current state of emergency care in Chennai, India

BACKGROUND：On July 21, 2009, the Medical Council of India officially recognized the specialty of emergency medicine in India. The city of Chennai with over six and a half million people is the fourth largest on the subcontinent and has already been a prominent city of interest in the specialty＇s development. However, there is no standardization of the resources found in the city＇s emergency departments. This study was to survey the equipment, training, and certification of Chennai area emergency departments and their staff. METHODS：We conducted a cross-sectional survey of emergency department staff from 38 Chennai area hospitals. The survey instrument contained 44 questions pertaining to hospital demographics, staff training and certification, and ED equipment and supplies. The items on the survey were specifically chosen to represent only the most basic and common resources necessary to practise emergency medicine. RESULTS： The survey found a majority of hospitals are privately operated but there is a wide range in terms of size and volume of patients. A minority of both doctors and nurses are certified in BLS, ACLS, PALS, and ATLS. While almost all departments surveyed had the basic code medications, a number of basic equipment items were lacking from a large percentage of the EDs surveyed. CONCLUSION：The newly established EP community in Chennai will have the responsibility to establish standards for both training and resources so that the specialty may grow and provide a higher standard of emergency care moving into the future.

INTERDECADAL SEA LEVEL VARIATION AT THE JAPANESE COAST AND LARGE SCALE CLIMATE STATE

Thirty years of monthly mean anomalies of sea level(SL) at 15 Japanese coastal stations, sea sur-face temperature (SST) and sea level pressure (SLP) in or over the northern Pacific were analyzed bycanonical correlation analysis (CCA) to study the relationship between the interdecadal SL variationand large scale climate state. Given two time-varying fields this technique identifies the pair ofspacial patterns with optimally correlated time series.The results show that there are two important air-sea interactive processes in the extratropicalPacific region for the variation of the SL at the Japanese coast on interdecadal scale. One is theocean heating or cooling of the atmosphere over the Kuroshio extension region, which results in ahuge SLP anomalous vortex with planetary spacial scale big enough to change the global climate. An-other is the large Kuroshio meander phenomenon controlled by the large-scale wind-stress curls oneyear earlier in the adjacent region of the Hawaiian Islands. The first process

Weak wide-band signal detection method based on small-scale periodic state of Duffing oscillator

The conventional Duffing oscillator weak signal detection method, which is based on a strong reference signal, has inherent deficiencies. To address these issues, the characteristics of the Duffing oscillator＇s phase trajectory in a small- scale periodic state are analyzed by introducing the theory of stopping oscillation system. Based on this approach, a novel Duffing oscillator weak wide-band signal detection method is proposed. In this novel method, the reference signal is discarded, and the to-be-detected signal is directly used as a driving force. By calculating the cosine function of a phase space angle, a single Duffing oscillator can be used for weak wide-band signal detection instead of an array of uncoupled Duffing oscillators. Simulation results indicate that, compared with the conventional Duffing oscillator detection method, this approach performs better in frequency detection intervals, and reduces the signal-to-noise ratio detection threshold, while improving the real-time performance of the system.

History and evaluation of national-scale geochemical data sets for the United States

Six national-scale,or near national-scale,geochemical data sets for soils or stream sediments exist for the United States.The earliest of these,here termed the ＇Shacklette＇ data set,was generated by a U.S. Geological Survey（USGS） project conducted from 1961 to 1975.This project used soil collected from a depth of about 20 cm as the sampling medium at 1323 sites throughout the conterminous U.S.The National Uranium Resource Evaluation Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance（NUREHSSR） Program of the U.S.Department of Energy was conducted from 1975 to 1984 and collected either stream sediments,lake sediments,or soils at more than 378,000 sites in both the conterminous U.S.and Alaska.The sampled area represented about 65%of the nation.The Natural Resources Conservation Service（NRCS）,from 1978 to 1982,collected samples from multiple soil horizons at sites within the major crop-growing regions of the conterminous U.S.This data set contains analyses of more than 3000 samples.The National Geochemical Survey,a USGS project conducted from 1997 to 2009,used a subset of the NURE-HSSR archival samples as its starting point and then collected primarily stream sediments, with occasional soils,in the parts of the U.S.not covered by the NURE-HSSR Program.This data set contains chemical analyses for more than 70,000 samples.The USGS,in collaboration with the Mexican Geological Survey and the Geological Survey of Canada,initiated soil sampling for the North American Soil Geochemical Landscapes Project in 2007.Sampling of three horizons or depths at more than 4800 sites in the U.S.was completed in 2010,and chemical analyses are currently ongoing.The NRCS initiated a project in the 1990s to analyze the various soil horizons from selected pedons throughout the U.S.This data set currently contains data from more than 1400 sites.This paper（1） discusses each data set in terms of its purpose,sample collection protocols,and analytical methods;and（2） evaluates each data set in terms of its appropriateness as a national-scale geochemical database and its usefulness for nationalscale geochemical mapping.

Development of a Scale to Evaluate Depressive States among Elderly Patients in General Wards —Verification of the Contents to Improve the Accuracy of the Scale

Purpose: This study aims to verify the validity of the contents of the Nurse Administered Depression Scale for Elderly Inpatients16 (NDE16) using the Delphi approach in order to further improve the accuracy of the NDE16, a scale for rating potential depressive states in elderly inpatients through the observations reported by nurses. Methods: Participants were nurses working in general wards for longer than 3 years and who expressed consent to the study participation. Data were collected using the Delphi method (3 times). Responses are scored from 1 to 5 (3 - 5 points as positive) using the Likert method. The standard criteria for inclusion in the further evaluation are “mean ≥ 3.0”, “standard deviation < 1.0”, “median ≥ 3.0”, and “IQR ≤ 1.0”. Items that meet all the criteria at the third survey are employed as question items in the final questionnaire. Results: The respondents were 139 females, 10 males, and 1 unknown, aged 25 to 65. The collection rates of the three surveys were 75% to 82%. Based on the results of the first survey, wordings of 9 questions were modified. Since Question 13 “Queries are not really responded to.” did not meet the criteria (IQR = 2) at the third survey, we excluded this question and named the revised scale NDE15. Discussion: The reason why Question 13 did not meet the criteria could be due to the difficulty in distinguishing “Expressing thought suppression” from the state of cognitive decline in dementia. Further studies are needed to determine cutoff points.

How far away are accurate equations of state determinations? Some issues on pressure scales and non-hydrostaticity in diamond anvil cells

The equations of state(EOSs)of materials are the cornerstone of condensed matter physics,material science,and geophysics.However,acquiring an accurate EOS in diamond anvil cell(DAC)experiments continues to prove problematic because the current lack of an accurate pressure scale with clarified sources of uncertainty makes it difficult to determine a precise pressure value at high pressure,and nonhydrostaticity affects both the volume and pressure determination.This study will discuss the advantages and drawbacks of various pressure scales,and propose an absolute pressure scale and correction methods for the effects of non-hydrostaticity.At the end of this paper,we analyze the accuracy of the determined EOS in the DAC experiments we can achieve to date.

Circular Scale of Time and Its Use in Calculating the Schrödinger Perturbation Energy of a Non-Degenerate Quantum State

The paper presents a circular scale of time—and its diagrams—which can be successfully applied in calculating the Schrödinger perturbation energy of a non-degenerate quantum state. This seems to be done in a more simple way than with the aid of any other of the perturbation approaches of a similar kind. As an example of the theory suitable to comparison is considered the Feynman diagrammatic method based on a straight-linear scale of time which represents a much more complicated formalism than the present one. All diagrams of the approach outlined in the paper can obtain as their counterparts the algebraic formulae which can be easily extended to an arbitrary Schrödinger perturbation order. The calculations and results descending from the perturbation orders N between N = 1 and N = 7 are reported in detail.

Circular Scale of Time and Energy of a Quantum State Calculated from the Schrodinger Perturbation Theory

The main facts about the scale of time considered as a plot of a sequence of events are submitted both to a review and a more detailed calculation. Classical progressive character of the time variable, present in the everyday life and in the modern science, too, is compared with a circular-like kind of advancement of time. This second kind of the time behaviour can be found suitable when a perturbation process of a quantum-mechanical system is examined. In fact the paper demonstrates that the complicated high-order Schrodinger perturbation energy of a non-degenerate quantum state becomes easy to approach of the basis of a circular scale. For example for the perturbation order N = 20 instead of 19! ≈ 1.216 × 1017 Feynman diagrams, the contribution of which should be derived and calculated, only less than 218 ≈ 2.621 × 105 terms belonging to N = 20 should be taken into account to the same purpose.

Applied the Large Scale Particle Image Velocimetry Technique for Measurement the Velocity of Gravity Currents in the Laboratory

This study includes a series of laboratory experiments for investigated the gravity current of fresh water with density ρ-?ρ, and initial speed u0 upon the free surface of an ambient liquid (salty water) with density ρ at rest in a basin. It’s have been presented to illuminate the dominant flow and transport phenomena in the presence of river, stream and wetland ecology, stream corridor restoration, in the case of accidental pollution spills. The characterized of the local kinematic field, i.e. the local velocity and vorticity fields, the measurement methods include particle image velocimetry (PIV) at the water surface using a technique similar to large scale of particle image velocimetry (LSPIV).

The Current State of China's Freshwater Resources and Related Suggestions

China has many lakes, marshlands and rivers. Due to their uneven geographical distribution and varied degrees of salinity, their exploitable freshwater resources are limited. In the wake of the highspeed growth of national economy in recent years, human infringement upon their natural settings has been increasingly intense, leading to the degeneration of China's lacustrine ecosystems and the degradation of their surrounding environments. Lakes are shrinking and becoming more saline. In arid and semi-arid inland areas, some of them have even disappeared. In addition, lake water pollution and eutrophication in densely populated areas are getting worse, resulting in serious water shortages in some places. Silt deposition in lake basins, water surface shrinkage caused by hectic and irrational reclamation for farmland, the prevalence of flooding and water-logging calamities and ecosystem depletion caused by predatory exploitation of fishery resources, all of these have become restrictive factors in regional sustainable development. The author of this article suggests measures for the protection and sustainable exploitation of limnetic settings in China.

A REVIEW OF THE CURRENT STATE AND DEVELOPMENT TREND OF GEOCRYOLOGY THROUGH THE VI ICOP

Based on the review of the papers and other related material submitted to the conference, the status quo and developmental trends of geocryology is briefly discussed.

Distribution and Current State of Rare and Endangered Tulips (Liliaceae) Arid Zones of Uzbekistan

Central Asia is considered to be the primary center of origin and diversity for the genus Tulipa L. (Liliaceae). The article considers the species of rare and endemic Tulipa L. species in the arid regions of Uzbekistan. There are nine registered species of the genus Tulipa. In the course of the study, the demographic indicators of the modern population of 39 populations were evaluated. 39 populations of the studied species were identified, most of which grow in the composition of the wormwood formations characteristic of the Turanian floristic province.

The Current State of Cenopopulation of <i>Tulipa micheliana</i>Hoog in Uzbekistan

The current state of coenotic populations of rare and endangered species of Uzbekistan-Tulipa micheliana Hoog is given. Based on the analysis of demographic indicators and a number of organisms and population signs, the state of the cenotic populations of the species was assessed, during the 2012-2018 years studied 15 cenopopulations different ecological-phytocenotic conditions in Uzbekistan.

Distribution and Current State Cenopopulations of <i>Helichrysum maracandicum</i>Popov ex Kirp. in Uzbekistan

The current state of coenotic populations of rare and endangered species of Uzbekistan Helichrysum maracandicum is given. The range of species distribution is broad. The article contains 12 cenopopulations of Helichrysum maracandicum in Uzbekistan, which have considerable healing properties. During the researches, no censorship marks were recorded in any cenopopulation. Approximately, 1, 5, 11 censorpopulations were found to be close to optimal conditions. This indicates that adequate amounts of precipitation in these areas throughout the year have a positive impact on the growth and development of the plant. Most of the cenopopulations were transmitted to younger and transient states.

Local Perception on the Exploitation, the Current State and Taboos Related to Pangolins (Pholidota, Mammalia) by the Communities Living in the Tayna Nature Reserve and Its Surroundings (RNT) North Kivu DRC

Pangolins are currently considered the most endangered mammal species due to their high rank in local and international traffic. This species is protected in DRC and worldwide, unfortunately it is threatened by numerous human actions. The objective of this study is to identify the different reasons for which these animals are exploited, to provide information to determine from the opinions of the respondents the current state of the population from 2015 to today and to identify their hunting techniques by the local populations. We carried out surveys in the households of hunters, farmers and people practicing other professions in 12 villages, located within the RNT and surroundings areas. Two interview techniques were used: the individual interview and the participatory diagnostic technique. 175 people were interviewed individually. Nearly 97% of our respondents are motivated to consume pangolin as bush meat obtaining by hunting. The main reason for eating pangolin meat is 44% preference and 33% habit. The zone does not know the foreign solicitation of the exploitation of pangolins and its derivatives. The opinions of the population regarding the current state of pangolin in the Tayna Nature Reserve indicate that from 2015 to the present day the common pangolin “Manis tricuspis” has been abundant. Hunters use different hunting techniques, dominated by pickup for the Manis tricuspis, digging burrow, fire at the entrance of the burrow for Manis gigantea and the shotgun for the Manis tetradactyla.

A Study on the Current State of the Chinese Proficiency Test(HSK)at the confucius Institute in Sofia,Bulgaria

The Chinese Proficiency Test(HSK)is a standardized test on Chinese language skills which has been widely introduced both in and outside China and has been playing an important role in the spread of Chinese learning all over the world.In 2003 Bulgaria hosted a beginner level HSK exam,which made it the first location to hold a Chinese language proficiency test on the Balkan Peninsula and ever since it has been very successful.The current paper provides a research on the current state of the Chinese Proficiency Test(HSK)аt the Confucius Institute in Sofia,Bulgaria,analyzes the factors related to the promotion of the Chinese Proficiency Test(HSK)and on this basis presents a few feasible recommendations to the benefit of the Chinese Proficiency Test(HSK).

The Brunel Mood Scale Rating in Mental Health for Physically Active and Apparently Healthy Populations

There is a positive relationship between mood states and mental health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the construct validity and internal consistency of the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) for use with different populations, which are physically active and apparently healthy. Measures were obtained from 1295 male (N = 709, 34 ± 20 years, mean ± SD) and female (N = 576, 43 ± 24 years, mean ± SD) volunteers. Factor analysis was used, verifying that six factors (components) accounted for 62.65% of the total variance of the scale. The Varimax method with Kaiser Normalization for the rotation of the factors for the main components, and it was observed that the 24 scale items loaded on six mood factors (anger, depression, tension, vigor, fatigue, and confusion). Internal consistency was good for all the factors identified. We suggest that the results provide some support for validity of the BRUMS for use with different populations, which are physically active and apparently healthy.

Filter-based iterative learning control for linear large-scale industrial processes

In the procedure of the steady-state hierarchical optimization with feedback for large-scale industrial processes, a sequence of set-point changes with different magnitudes is carried out on the optimization layer. To improve the dynamic performance of transient response driven by the set-point changes, a filter-based iterative learning control strategy is proposed. In the proposed updating law, a local-symmetric-integral operator is adopted for eliminating the measurement noise of output information,a set of desired trajectories are specified according to the set-point changes sequence, the current control input is iteratively achieved by utilizing smoothed output error to modify its control input at previous iteration, to which the amplified coefficients related to the different magnitudes of set-point changes are introduced. The convergence of the algorithm is conducted by incorporating frequency-domain technique into time-domain analysis. Numerical simulation demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed strategy,