Shape and Mechanical Behavior of Geotextile Tubes

Nowadays, geotextile tubes hydraulically filled with dredged materials have been used in the application of cofferdam, sea reclamation and deepwater channel regulation in China. The shape and mechanical behaviors during the process of filling, consolidation and stacked are one of the main problems concemed by designers and researchers.This paper uses the method of elliptic integrals to study the behaviors of filling and deduces the regressive formulas of shape features and circumferential tension. The results show that the proposal regressive formulas are only the function of pressure at bottom; they are very convenient and suitable for the filling design. When the filling materials are sandy, the shape and mechanical behaviors nearly remain during the process of consolidation. The behaviors of stacked geotextile tubes are very complex, because they are involved in the properties of the filling material, geotextile and foundation.Using the commercial finite element analysis program ABAQUS, this paper establishes the entire 2- D finite element load model to investigate, which include the part of filling material, geotextile and foundation. The numerical results suggest that the maximun circumferential tension varies with the properties of filling materials and foundations, whereas the largest tensile force occurs during the filling process.

A Survey on Pneumatic Muscle Actuators Modeling

The aim of this article is to provide a survey on the most popular modeling approaches for PMAs （pneumatic muscle actuators）. PMAs are highly non-linear pneumatic actuators where their elongation is proportional to the interval pressure. During the last decade, there has been an increase in the industrial and scientific utilization of PMAs, due to their advantages such as high strength and small weight, while various types of PMAs with different technical characteristics have appeared in the literature. This article will： （a） analyse the PMA＇s operation from a mathematical modeling perspective; （b） present their merits and drawbacks of the most common PMAs; and （c） establish the fundamental basis for developing industrial applications and conducting research in this field.

Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of pilomyxoid astrocytoma: a report of six cases

Objective： The aim of this study was to study the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of pilo- myxoid astrocytoma （PMA）. Methods： The clinical and pathologic features in six cases of PMA were analyzed. Immunohisto- chemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP）, synaptophysin （Syn）, Chromogranin A （CgA）, cytokeratin （AEI/AE3）, epithelial membrane antigen （EMA） and Ki67 was performed on paraffin-embedded sections. Results： Among the six cases, five occurred in female patients, one was male, the age at diagnosis ranged from 2 to 15 years. Four cases were located in the hypothalamic area and optic pathway, one case in the third ventricle, and one case in left parietal lobe. On imaging, PMAs often appears as well-circumscribed mass. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of monomorphous bipolar （piloid） cells setting in a prominent myxoid background with an angiocentric radiating growth pattern in some areas. PMA lacked biphasic pattern, Rosenthal fibers and eosinophilic granular bodies which were usually typical in a classic pilocytic astrocytoma （PA）. Immunohistochemcal study showed that the tumor cells were diffusely positive for GFAP. Syn positive staining was observed in one case. The Ki67 labeling index measured less than 5%. Conclusion： PMA is a distinct aggressive variant of pilocytic astrocytoma with special histological and immunohistochemical features. It is typically a rare tumor of early childhood. Im- munohistochemical staining for GFAP and Syn is helpful in differential diagnosis.

Repair of bile duct defect with degradable stent and autologous tissue in a porcine model

AIM： To introduce and evaluate a new method to re- pair bile duct defect with a degradable stent and au- tologous tissues. METHODS： Eight Ba-Ma mini-pigs were used in this study, Experimental models with common bile duct （CBD） defect （0,5-1,0 cm segment of CBD resected） were established and then CBD was reconstructed by duct to duct anastomosis with a novel degradable stent made of poly [sebacic acid-co-（1,3-propanediol）-co- （1,2-propanediol）]. In addition, a vascularized greater omentum was placed around the stent and both ends of CBD. Cholangiography via gall bladder was per- formed for each pig at postoperative months 1 and 3 to rule out stent translocation and bile duct stricture. Complete blood count was examined pre- and post- operatively to estimate the inflammatory reaction. Liver enzymes and serum bilirubin were examined pre- and post-operatively to evaluate the liver function. Five pigs were sacrificed at month 3 to evaluate the healing of anastomosis. The other three pigs were raised for one year for long-term observation. RESULTS： All the animals underwent surgery success- fully. There was no intraoperative mortality and no bile leakage during the observation period, The white blood cell counts were only slightly increased on day 14 and month 3 postoperatively compared with that before operation, the difference was not statistically significant （P = 0.652）. The plasma level of alanine aminotrans- ferase on day 14 and month 3 postoperatively was also not significantly elevated compared with that before operation （P = 0.810）. Nevertheless, the plasma level of y-glutamyl transferase was increased after opera- tion in both groups （P = 0.004）, especially 2 wk after operation. The level of serum total bilirubin after opera- tion was not significantly elevated compared with that before operation （P = 0.227）, so did the serum direct bilirubin （P = 0.759）. By cholangiography yia gall blad- der, we found that the stent maintained its integrity of shape and was stillin situ at month 1, and it disap- peared completely at month 3. No severe CBD dilation and stricture were observed at both months 1 and 3. No pig died during the 3-too postoperative observation period. No sign of necrosis, bile duct stricture, bile leak- age or abdominal abscess was found at reoperation at month 3 postoperatively. Pigs had neither fragments of stent nor stones formed in the CBD. Collagen deposit was observed in the anastomosis by hematoxylin and eosin （HE） and Masson＇s trichrome stains. No severe cholestasis was observed in liver parenchyma by HE staining. Intestinal obstruction was found in a pig 4 mo after operation, and no bile leakage, bile duct stricture or biliary obstruction were observed in laparotomy. No sign of bile duct stricture or bile leakage was observed in the other two pigs. CONCLUSION： The novel method for repairing bile duct defect yielded a good short-term effect without postoperative bile duct stricture. However, the long- term effect should be further studied.

Acacia mearnsii management in a South African National Parks：SWOT analysis using hot topics in biological invasion as a guide

The assessment of the policy framework governing Invasive Alien Species(IAS) control is of critical importance in conservation. The undertaking of a SWOT analysis of such a framework is necessary because it enhances the efficacy of IAS control. The aim of this study is to carry out a SWOT analysis of the policy framework guiding the control of the spreading of Acacia mearnsii and other IAS in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in South Africa,as well as the implementation of restorative measures in the park and adjacent communities in line with the recommendations of the Convention on Biodiversity. A comparative analysis of this framework and the hierarchical framework that was developed during the European Union Conference on Freshwater Invasives- Networking for Strategy in 2013 is undertaken. The results indicate the need to strengthen parkcommunity relations,upgrade existing legislation,and boost the technical capacity of South African national parks to identify,detect,monitor and predict IAS invasions,both within the parks and their surroundings. This knowledge is important for developing future policies on IAS control in South Africa.

Poorly expandable common bile duct with stones on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography

AIM： To describe characteristics of a poorly expandable （PE） common bile duct （CBD） with stones on en- doscopic retrograde cholangiography.METHODS： APE bile duct was characterized by a rigid and relatively narrowed distal CBD with retro- grade dilatation of the non-PE segment. Between 2003 and 2006, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography （ERC） images and chart reviews of 1213 patients with newly diagnosed CBD stones were obtained from the computer database of Therapeutic Endoscopic Centerin Chang Gung Memoria acteristic PE bile duct on Hospital. Patients with char ERC were identified from the database. Data of the patients as well as the safety and technical success of therapeutic ERC were collected and analyzed retrospectively.RESULTS： A total of 30 patients with CBD stones and characteristic PE segments were enrolled in this study. The median patient age was 45 years （range, 20 to 92 years）; 66.7% of the patients were men. The di ameters of the widest non-PE CBD segment, the PE segment, and the largest stone were 14.3 ± 4.9 mm, 5.8±1.6 mm, and 11.2±4.7 mm, respectively. The length of the PE segment was 39.7±15.4 mm （range, 12.3 mm to 70.9 mm）. To remove the CBD stone（s） completely, mechanical lithotripsy was required in 25 （83.3%） patients even though the stone size was not as large as were the difficult stones that have been described in the literature. The stone size and stone/ PE segment diameter ratio were associated with the need for lithotripsy. Post-ERC complications occurred in 4 cases： pancreatitis in 1, cholangitis in 2, and an im- pacted Dormia basket with cholangitis in 1. Two （6.7%） of the 28 patients developed recurrent CBD stones at follow-up （50±14 mo） and were successfully managed with therapeutic ERC.CONCLUSION： Patients with a PE duct frequently require mechanical lithotripsy for stones extraction, To retrieve stones successfully and avoid complications, these patients should be identified during ERC,

The Potential Impacts of National, Regional and International Policies and Legislation on the Sustainable Forest Management for NTFPs： A Swaziland Case Study

The objective of this study entails the review and assessment of the relevance of existing and draft policies and legislation that affects the Non-timber Forest Products （NTFP） sector in Swaziland. A hierarchical method of policy and legislation review and analysis was devised for this study. Findings indicated that most national policies and legislation are outdated and old-fashioned, with gaps and overlaps, and there is lack of collaboration between institutions implementing these. The present national forest policy does not adequately guide the development of NTFPs. As a consequence, whilst international policies and legislation capture an excellent spectrum of elements and issues on NTFPs they still remain difficult to implement. However, national level criteria and indicators have issues and elements that are relevant to the sustainable use of NTFPs. It was recommended that national strategies, action plans, policies and legislation be reviewed and updated. The study shows that there are no existing institutional networks or formal collaboration between the institutions involved in the implementation of local, national, regional, and international policies and legislation that affect NTFPs. Government, private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations （NGO＇s）, communities, individuals, and all concerned agencies should jointly develop and implement policies and legislation to provide secure access and benefits to people whose livelihood depends on/is supplemented by NTFPs and further foster networking and collaboration. The immediate adoption and implementation of the 11 policy recommendations on the sustainable management of Non-timber Forest Resources compiled by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biodiversity （CBD） from the Convention on Biological Diversity is highly recommended. It is worthwhile to note that while some of the 11 recommendations were directly inherited from certain articles of the CBD some are general recommendations.

Model of Pollution Management Control in Badung River： Enhancing Role of Traditional Law on Common Resource

Badung River in the Denpasar city of Bali Province, Indonesia, faces many challenging issues recently. As a common pool resource, the river has been under pressure from many activities including household activities which dump household wastes, and pollution externalities arising from dyeing and screen-printing of fabric industries. Conventional approach to control the pollution might not be effective since it will end up in zero sum game. This paper attempts to explore the role of traditional institituion in managing common pool resource such as controlling river pollution. This research is aimed to know the effectiveness of traditional law on managing pollution of printing and dyeing industries on this big river. Survey method was used for collecting primary data and then the data was analyzed by ordinal regression to determine the effect of internal and external factors which influence the intensity of pollution. The result indicates that even though traditional might help to influence household and industry＇s decision making, it might not sufficient enough to reduce the pollution of the river. Other factors are influencing the waste management, such as level of waste management knowledge of the entrepreneur, the attitude of the entrepreneur toward public program especially on waste and pollution management, the financial support, and the education level of government supervision. Furthermore, Government of Denpasar City need to arrange policy that giving incentive to businessman who handling waste properly and also giving reward to traditional organization who implementing local wisdom and norm to control river pollution strictly.

Experience of Complex Application of BW Convention （2004） by the Example of the Port Novorossiysk

The pioneer technical policy carried out by Federal State Institution ＂Novorossiysk Maritime Port Administration＂ in mutual cooperation with the Southern Scientific Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences on control and management of ballast waters and ecosystem monitoring of marine environment in areas of ballast water discharge provides the task of complex approach for minimization of risk of introduction of biologically negative invaders by marine transport and preservation of biodiversity of the Black Sea.

Analysis of Participatory Approach Applied in Creating a New Protected Area Anjozorobe Angavo

The political will in compliance with the Convention on Biological Diversity brings to the establishment of MSPA （Madagascar system of protected areas）. The aim is to conserve biodiversity, alleviate poverty and develop the country. Participation and involvement of local population in natural resources management, consultation with all sectors and responsibilization of regional and local authorities in protected areas management are all the basic principles of MSPA. The paper brought focus in the understanding of this participation of local actors （populations, local authorities） and in their interests to participate in the protected area management in Anjozorobe Angavo. The research has been conducted by doing investigations and meetings with local actors. A typology of participations had been done. It has been indeed noticed that the understanding was differentiated then motivations to participate were not always the environmental one. The populations＇ participation could be either by convenience, or for personal interest, or imposed participation, or conscious participation. But in order to reach the purpose of the protected areas sustainable management, the operator should admit that the participation in protected areas management is imposed naturally and should consider those differences in visions; at last, the approach should motivate local populations to participate consciously.

阳光花园:让曲靖的生活充满阳光

在曲靖,阳光花园的出现,让曲靖房地产界刮目相看。在曲靖,它是“百姓最喜爱楼盘”;在省内,它得到了“州市建设杰出贡献奖”的肯定;在中国,它成为了“2005年全国绿色社区创建活动先进社区”。曲靖阳光花园的出现并非在刺激曲靖地产,而是给曲靖地产以更多启示,在某种层面上,它翻开了曲靖地产新的一页。云电阳光的首要任务不是“满足需求”,而是“创造市场”。作为企业的战略性拓展,这一理念正在曲靖阳光花园这个项目中兑现着、实施着、扩展着。随着曲靖阳光花园在曲靖市成功落地,云电阳光的品牌文化也随之在曲靖实现“软着陆”。而更重要的是,曲靖地产因为曲靖阳光花园而悄然改变着。