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Slavery and development in nineteenth century Brazil
No full textThis article brings new evidence on the legacy of slavery in nineteenth-century Brazil to bear on the history of economic development. Its conclusions contribute to the debate raised by the new history of capitalism about the critical role played by slavery in the industrialization of the United States. We argue that the new history of capitalism lacks a comparative perspective. Brazil imported more slaves than any other country in the world and slavery lasted longer and was more widespread there than in the United States South. Rather than promoting economic growth and development, the evidence shows that slavery held back industrialization in Brazil. We also discuss the role of slavery in agricultural productivity and show that, as in the United States, the use of violence does not explain increases in the productivity of cotton plantations
“A veto for the government”:The Money Message as a foil to new legislation
No full textVeto players hold the capacity to decline a choice being made, making them powerful actors within legislative systems. During 2016-2020, Ireland was governed by a minority government, reliant on confidence and supply votes from other parliamentarians, thus it did not hold a veto during parliamentary votes. However, if the independent Bills Office deemed a ‘Money Message’ would be necessary for a Private Members’ Bill (PMB), even if it had achieved majority support in the Dáil, then the government could refuse to grant one, returning veto status to the minority government. To date, research has not provided a comprehensive overview of the PMBs blocked, nor examined in detail the cases that were high-profile. Via a nested analysis, we code 79 PMBs, and complement our analysis through interviews with parliamentarians whose bills were blocked. We identify eleven policy themes in the PMBs that were blocked, demonstrating that vetoing via the Money Message was a widespread phenomenon. Next, we conduct a small-n analysis of the application of Money Messages across a variety of bills. Our analysis provides the first comprehensive examination of a procedure that holds lasting implications for the legislative process, perceptions of democracy, and executive dominance over minor parties in Ireland
Catalytic combustion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) over structured Co3O4 nano-flowers on silicalite-1/SiC foam catalysts
No full textThis work presents a simple method for the preparation of structured Co3O4 supported on silicalite-1/SiC foam catalyst (i.e., Co@S1/SiC), and its application to catalytic combustion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs, isopropanol as the model compound). The growth mechanism of Co3O4 on silicalite-1/SiC catalysts were systematically studied as a function of synthesis time based on comprehensive characterization using N2 adsorption-desorption analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), H2 temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). It was found that Co2SiO4 nano-sheets were formed within/on silicalite-1 coating at the initial stage of synthesis, which was further transformed into flower-like Co3O4 nano crystals on the surface of silicalite-1/SiC. The developed structured catalyst, especially the one prepared by the 40 h synthesis, i.e., Co@S1/SiC-40h, combined high oxygen mobility, Co3+/Co2+ redox couple and improved adsorbed oxygen species, and exhibited excellent performance in complete thermocatalytic combustion of isopropanol
Evolving Pattern Of Fetal Movements Throughout A Healthy Pregnancy
No full textA 31 year old woman with a history of previous stillbirth due to placental abruption at 29 weeks’ gestation and one first trimester miscarriage documented a continuous record of her perceived fetal movements from 28-38 weeks’ gestation. Repeated ultrasound examinations confirmed a viable pregnancy, with normal growth, liquor volume and Doppler profile. She delivered a healthy male infant at 38 weeks and 3 days’ gestation. The data collected give a detailed record of fetal activity in a healthy pregnancy. Perceived fetal activity increased as pregnancy progressed and was greatest in the evenings. We also found that clusters of movements, which have previously been reported as protective against stillbirth, were feltearlier on in pregnancy
Surveillance recommendations for DICER1 pathogenic variant carriers:A report from the SIOPE Host Genome Working Group and CanGene-CanVar Clinical Guideline Working Group
No full textDICER1 syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that predisposes to a wide spectrum of tumors. Developing surveillance protocols for this syndrome is challenging because uncertainty exists about the clinical efficacy of surveillance, and appraisal of potential benefits and harms vary. In addition, there is increasing evidence that germline DICER1 pathogenic variants are associated with lower penetrance for cancer than previously assumed. To address these issues and to harmonize DICER1 syndrome surveillance programs within Europe, the Host Genome Working Group of the European branch of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOPE HGWG) and Clinical Guideline Working Group of the CanGene-CanVar project in the United Kingdom reviewed current surveillance strategies and evaluated additional relevant literature. Consensus was achieved for a new surveillance protocol and information leaflet that informs patients about potential symptoms of DICER1-associated tumors. The surveillance protocol comprises a minimum program and an extended version for consideration. The key recommendations of the minimum program are: annual clinical examination from birth to age 20 years, six-monthly chest X-ray and renal ultrasound from birth to age 6 years, and thyroid ultrasound every 3 years from age 8 to age 40 years. The surveillance program for consideration comprises additional surveillance procedures, and recommendations for DICER1 pathogenic variant carriers outside the ages of the surveillance interval. Patients have to be supported in choosing the surveillance program that best meets their needs. Prospective evaluation of the efficacy and patient perspectives of proposed surveillance recommendations is required to expand the evidence base for DICER1 surveillance protocols
Experiences of barriers to self-monitoring and medication-management among Indian patients with type 2 diabetes, their primary family-members and physicians
No full textObjectives: This study explored the subjective accounts of the main barriers to self-monitoring of blood-glucose (SMBG) and medication-management among Indian patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), their primary family-members (PFMs) and physicians. Methods: Using convenience sampling, patients with T2DM, their PFMs, and physicians, residing in a South Indian capital city, were recruited for semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Fifty patients (female=14; mean age=42.5 years) and their PFMs (female=38; mean age=39 years), and 25 physicians (female=4; mean age=49.8 years) were recruited. Three superordinate themes were identified: (i) complex medication-regimen: confusion, forgetting and reduced motivation, (ii) family recommendations of alternative therapies due to the social pressures of avoiding stigma, intrusiveness and being misrepresented for injecting insulin, and (iii) an expensive illness: choosing to spend money on only medication. Discussion: Implications of the findings highlight the need to (i) train physicians in communication and empathy skills, (ii) empower patients to communicate their barriers to physicians through triadic communication models and question-prompt lists, (iii) educate communities on the benefits of insulin for managing T2DM to reduce stigma, and (iv) equip communities with information about health insurance to address the financial toll of T2DM management
Self-harm in children 12 years and younger: characteristics and outcomes based on the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England
No full textBackground: Very little is known about self-harm in children. We describe the characteristics and outcomes of children under 13 years who presented following self-harm to five hospitals in England.Methods: We included children under 13 years who presented after self-harm to hospitals in the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England. Information on patients’ characteristics and method of self-harm was available through monitoring of self-harm in the hospitals. Area-level of socioeconomic deprivation was based on the English Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).Results: 387 children aged 5-12 years presented to the study hospitals in 2000-2016, 39% of whom were 5-11 years. Boys outnumbered girls 2:1 at 5-10 years. The numbers of boys and girls were similar at age 11, while at 12 years there were 3.8 girls to every boy. The proportion of study children living in neighbourhoods ranked most deprived (43.4%) was twice the national average. 61.5% of children self-poisoned, 50.6% of them by ingesting analgesics. Of children who self-injured, 45.0% self-cut/stabbed, while 28.9% used hanging/asphyxiation. 32% of the children had a repeat hospital presentation for self-harm, 13.5% re-presented within a year. Conclusions: Gender patterns of self-harm until age 11 years are different to those of adolescents, with a male preponderance, especially in 5-10 years, and hanging/suffocation being more common. The frequent use of self-poisoning in this age group highlights the need for public health messages to encourage safer household storage of medicines. Self-harm in children is strongly associated with socioeconomic deprivation; understanding the mechanisms involved could be important in effective prevention
Predicting the Bending Rigidity and Shearing Stiffness of Fabric: Based on Three-dimensional Drape Model
No full textIn this paper, the problem of inferring fabric mechanical properties based on three-dimensional(3D) fabric drape model and fabric weight was studied. Firstly, the three-dimensional point cloud of draped fabric was scanned via a self-built three-dimensional scanning device followed with triangulation. Then the local linear embedding (LLE) algorithm was used to resample the three-dimensional draped models (triangular meshes). Besides, all meshes resampled with the same uniform discrete points have the same triangular topology (vertex number and triangle index). Thirdly, the distribution function of curvature(DFC) of resampled 3D mesh was extracted. At last, four neural networks with the combination of fabric weight and DFC as input were constructed to predict the bending rigidity and shearing stiffness separately.The result shows that the correlation coefficient between true warp bending rigidity and predicted result could reach 0.925. The correlation coefficient between true warp shearing stiffness and the predicted result is 0.7953. The correlation coefficient between true weft bending rigidity and the predicted result is 0.857. The correlation coefficient between true weft shearing stiffness and the predicted result is 0.605.<br/
Arc Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Photoelectrochemistry of Copper(I) Tungstate
No full textA little-studied p-type ternary oxide semiconductor, copper(I) tungstate (Cu2WO4), was assessed by a combined theoretical/experimental approach. A detailed computational study was performed to solve the long-standing debate on the space group of Cu2WO4, which was determined to be triclinic P1. Cu2WO4 was synthesized by a time-efficient, arc-melting method and the crystalline reddish particulate product showed broad-band absorption in the UV-visible spectral region, thermal stability up to ~260 oC,and cathodic photoelectrochemical activity. Controlled thermal oxidation of copper from the Cu(I) to Cu(II) oxidation state showed that the crystal lattice could accomodate Cu2+ cations up to ~260°C, beyond which the compound was converted to CuO and CuWO4. This process was monitored by powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electronic band structure of Cu2WO4 was contrasted with that of the Cu(II) counterpart, CuWO4 using spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT). Finally, the compound Cu2WO4 was determined to have a high-lying negative potential) conduction band edge underlining its promise for driving energetic photoredox reactions