12,126 research outputs found
Paying a Visit: The Dalai Lama Effect on International Trade
No full textThe Chinese government frequently threatens that meetings between its trading partners’ officials and the Dalai Lama will be met with animosity and ultimately harm trade ties with China. We run a gravity model of exports to China from 159 partner countries between 1991
and 2008 to test to which extent bilateral tensions affect trade with autocratic China. In order to account for the potential endogeneity of meetings with the Dalai Lama, the number of Tibet Support Groups and the travel pattern of the Tibetan leader are used as instruments.
Our empirical results support the idea that countries officially receiving the Dalai Lama at the highest political level are punished through a reduction of their exports to China. However, this ‘Dalai Lama Effect’ is only observed for the Hu Jintao era and not for earlier periods.
Furthermore, we find that this effect is mainly driven by reduced exports of machinery and transport equipment and that it disappears two years after a meeting took place
Lexicon ecclesiasticum latino-hispanicum ex Sacris bibliis conciliis, pontificum decretis, ac theologorum placitis divorum vitis variis dictionariis aliisque probatissimis scriptoribus concinnatum servata ubique vera etymologiae, ortographiae et accentus ratione
No full textSign.: []\p4\s, A-Z\p4\s, 2A-2Z\p4\s, 3A-3K\p4\sAntepTexto a dos colPort. con grab. xilContiene: Arte del computo / nuevamente compuesta por ... Geronymo de Valencia. Adiciones al Vocabulario eclesiastico segun la mente del ... padre Salas ... / por don Juan de Lama Cubero ..
Avaliação da lama vermelha como material pozolânico em substituição ao cimento para produção de argamassas
No full textDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Civil, Florianópolis, 2009.A propriedade pozolânica da lama vermelha, bem como a sua avaliação ambiental, quanto aos metais lixiviados e solubilizados são analisados nesta pesquisa. A lama vermelha é um resíduo proveniente do refino da bauxita durante o processo Bayer para a produção da alumina e posterior produção do alumínio. A primeira etapa do trabalho compreendeu em caracterizar a lama vermelha através dos ensaios de fluorescência de raios-X (EDX), difração de raios-x (DRX), análise térmica diferencial (ATD), granulometria à laser e massa específica. Posteriormente, para avaliação ambiental da lama vermelha efetuou-se o ensaio de lixiviação e solubilização, conforme NBR 10005 e NBR 100006 (2004), respectivamente. Ensaios de avaliação de atividade pozolânica através do consumo de hidróxido de cálcio, utilizando-se análise térmica diferencial foram executados em amostras de lama vermelha seca e calcinada nas temperaturas de 600, 700, 800 e 900ºC durante um período de 1 hora. Também, para efeitos comparativos, executou-se o ensaio de avaliação da atividade pozolânica de acordo com a NBR 5752 (1992). Para avaliação dos compostos hidratados em pastas produzidas com 5,10 e 15% de lama vermelha em substituição ao cimento realizou-se o ensaio de difração de raios-X e análise térmica diferencial. A influência da lama vermelha sobre a cinética de hidratação das pastas foi verificada utilizando o ensaio de calorimetria semi-adiabática. Os resultados dos extratos lixiviados da lama vermelha demonstraram que os metais pesados arsênio, cádmio, cromo e selênio apresentam valores superiores aos estipulados pela NBR 10005 (2004). Também, as concentrações dos metais cobre, arsênio, cádmio e cromo solubilizados foram superiores ao estabelecido pela NBR 10006 (2004). Os resultados da avaliação da atividade pozolânica, formação de compostos hidratados e calor de hidratação em pastas mostraram que a lama vermelha em estudo apresenta certa atividade pozolânica e poderá substituir parcialmente o cimento para produção de argamassas.The pozzolanic properties of the red mud, as well as, its environmental assessment, regarding the leached and solubilized metals, are analyzed in this research. Red mud is a waste from the bauxite processing via the Bayer process for the production of alumina and later production of aluminium. The first part of the research focused on characterizing the red mud through energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), x-ray diffraction (XDR), differential thermal analysis (DTA), particle size distribution by laser, specific gravity. Subsequently, for the red mud environmental assessment, leaching and solubilization tests were carried out, according to NBR 10005 and NBR 100006 (2004), respectively. Pozzolanic activity determination through calcium hydroxide consumption, using differential thermal analysis, was carried out in dried red mud samples; they were calcined at the temperatures of 600, 700, 800 and 900ºC for one hour. For means of comparison, the pozzolanic activity determination according to NBR 5752 (1992) was also performed. For the assessment of the hydrated compounds in pastes produced with 5,10 and 15% of red mud in substitution of cement, the x-ray diffraction and the differential thermal analysis were performed. The influence of red mud on cement pastes hydration kinetics was assessed using semi-adiabatic calorimetry. The results of the leached extracts from red mud showed values of the heavy metals arsenic, cadmium and selenium above the standards of NBR 10005 (2004). Moreover, the concentrations of copper, arsenic, cadmium and chromium solubilized were above the standards of NBR 10006 (2004). The results of the pozzolanic activity determination, hydrated compounds formation and the hydration heat in pastes showed that the red mud under study shows some pozzolanic activity and will be able to partially replace cement for the production of mortars
Comparative efficacy of inhaled medications (ICS/LABA, LAMA, LAMA/LABA and SAMA) for COPD: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
No full textMohamed Ismail Abdul Aziz,1,* Ling Eng Tan,1,* David Bin-Chia Wu,1 Fiona Pearce,1 Gerald Seng Wee Chua,2 Liang Lin,1 Ping-Tee Tan,1 Kwong Ng1 1Agency for Care Effectiveness, Ministry of Health, Singapore; 2Division of Medicine, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore *These authors contributed equally to this work Purpose: To assess the comparative efficacy of short-acting muscarinic antagonists (SAMAs), long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs), LAMA in combination with long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs; LAMA/LABAs) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in combination with LABA (ICS/LABAs) for the maintenance treatment of COPD.Materials and methods: We systematically reviewed 74 randomized controlled trials (74,832 participants) published up to 15 November 2017, which compared any of the interventions (SAMA [ipratropium], LAMA [aclidinium, glycopyrronium, tiotropium, umeclidinium], LAMA/LABA [aclidinium/formoterol, indacaterol/glycopyrronium, tiotropium/olodaterol, umeclidinium/vilanterol] and ICS/LABA [fluticasone/vilanterol, budesonide/formoterol, salmeterol/fluticasone]) with each other or with placebo. A random-effects network meta-analysis combining direct and indirect evidence was conducted to examine the change from baseline in trough FEV1, transition dyspnea index, St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire and frequency of adverse events at weeks 12 and 24.Results: Inconsistency models were not statistically significant for all outcomes. LAMAs, LAMA/LABAs and ICS/LABAs led to a significantly greater improvement in trough FEV1 compared with placebo and SAMA monotherapy at weeks 12 and 24. All LAMA/LABAs, except aclidinium/formoterol, were statistically significantly better than LAMA monotherapy and ICS/LABAs in improving trough FEV1. Among the LAMAs, umeclidinium showed statistically significant improvement in trough FEV1 at week 12 compared to tiotropium and glycopyrronium, but the results were not clinically significant. LAMA/LABAs had the highest probabilities of being ranked the best agents in FEV1 improvement. Similar trends were observed for the transition dyspnea index and St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire outcomes. There were no significant differences in the incidences of adverse events among all treatment options.Conclusion: LAMA/LABA showed the greatest improvement in trough FEV1 at weeks 12 and 24 compared with the other inhaled drug classes, while SAMA showed the least improvement. There were no significant differences among the LAMAs and LAMA/LABAs within their respective classes. Keywords: anticholinergics, muscarinic antagonists, frequentist meta-analysis, mixed treatment comparison, indirect treatment comparison, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseas
LABA/LAMA combinations versus LAMA monotherapy or LABA/ICS in COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textGustavo J Rodrigo,1 David Price,2,3 Antonio Anzueto,4,5 Dave Singh,6 Pablo Altman,7 Giovanni Bader,8 Francesco Patalano,8 Robert Fogel,7 Konstantinos Kostikas8 1Departamento de Emergencia, Hospital Central de las Fuerzas Armadas, Montevideo, Uruguay; 2Academic Primary Care, Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK; 3Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute, Singapore; 4University of Texas Health Science Center, 5South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA; 6Medicines Evaluation Unit, National Institute for Health Research Respiratory and Allergy Clinical Research Facility, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, Manchester, England, UK; 7Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, USA; 8Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland Background: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) indicate that long-acting bronchodilator combinations, such as β2-agonist (LABA)/muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), have favorable efficacy compared with commonly used COPD treatments. The objective of this analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of LABA/LAMA with LAMA or LABA/inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in adults with stable moderate-to-very-severe COPD. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis (PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and clinical trial/manufacturer databases) included RCTs comparing ≥12 weeks’ LABA/LAMA treatment with LAMA and/or LABA/ICS (approved doses only). Eligible studies were independently selected by two authors using predefined data fields; the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. Results: Eighteen studies (23 trials) were eligible (N=20,185). LABA/LAMA significantly improved trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) from baseline to week 12 versus both LAMA and LABA/ICS (0.07 L and 0.08 L, P<0.0001), with patients more likely to achieve clinically important improvements in FEV1 of >100 mL (risk ratio [RR]: 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.20, 1.46] and RR: 1.44, 95% CI: [1.33, 1.56], respectively, the number needed to treat being eight and six, respectively). LABA/LAMA improved transitional dyspnea index and St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire scores at week 12 versus LAMA (both P<0.0001), but not versus LABA/ICS, and reduced rescue medication use versus both (P<0.0001 and P=0.001, respectively). LABA/LAMA significantly reduced moderate/severe exacerbation rate compared with LABA/ICS (RR 0.82, 95% CI: [0.75, 0.91]). Adverse event (AE) incidence was no different for LABA/LAMA versus LAMA treatment, but it was lower versus LABA/ICS (RR 0.94, 95% CI: [0.89, 0.99]), including a lower pneumonia risk (RR 0.59, 95% CI: [0.43, 0.81]). LABA/LAMA presented a lower risk for withdrawals due to lack of efficacy versus LAMA (RR: 0.66, 95% CI: [0.51, 0.87]) and due to AEs versus LABA/ICS (RR: 0.83, 95% CI: [0.69, 0.99]). Conclusion: The greater efficacy and comparable safety profiles observed with LABA/LAMA combinations versus LAMA or LABA/ICS support their potential role as first-line treatment options in COPD. These findings are of direct relevance to clinical practice because we included all currently available LABA/LAMAs and comparators, only at doses approved for clinical use. Keywords: LABA/LAMA combinations, COPD, LAMA, LABA/ICS, meta-analysi
DE LA LAMA Y BASURTO, S. A.
No full textJosé G. de la Lama y Basurto, Presidente de De la Lama y Basurto, S. A., pide audiencia al Gral. PEC para tratarle el asunto de su proyecto de construcción del Centro de Turismo en Polanco y solicita su apoyo moral para el mismo
Invertebrate diversity and the ecological role of decomposer assemblages in natural and plantation forests in Southern Benin
No full textThe aim of this thesis was to investigate the diversity of invertebrates in natural semi-deciduous forest and plantation forests of the Lama forest reserve in Benin. Litter decomposi-tion, being a key ecosystem process, was studied, and the importance of decomposer assem-blages was investigated. An inventory of termite assemblages in semi-deciduous forest and teak plantations was conducted, and the effects of different forest types and seasons on the activity of termites and soil- and litter-dwelling invertebrates investigated. Furthermore, a new diplopod species, Stemmiulus lama n. sp. (Diplopoda: Stemmiulidae), the first record of Stemmiulidae for Benin, was described. Finally the diversity of true bugs (Heteroptera) in different habitats of the Lama forest was investigated.
Leaf litter decomposition is influenced by litter quality, climatic factors and soil biota. In Chapter 2 (“Leaf litter breakdown in natural and plantation forests of the Lama forest reserve in Benin”), we used the litterbag technique to examine the breakdown of leaf litter from two indigenous (Afzelia africana and Ceiba pentandra) and two exotic tree species (Tectona grandis and Senna siamea), and investigated the relationship between litter breakdown and relative abundance of litter-dwelling invertebrates. The study focused on semi-deciduous for-est, teak plantations and firewood plantations. We showed that litter species and forest type had significant effects on litter breakdown. We found that decay rates were highest for Afzelia africana in natural forest (k = 4.7) and lowest for Tectona grandis in firewood plantations (k = 1.3). We also found a significant litter × forest interaction, indicating dissimilar changes in litter breakdown across forest types. We observed higher frequencies of occurrence of in-vertebrates in indigenous than in exotic litter, and litter bags in natural forest attracted more invertebrates than those in plantations.
Our results indicate that litter breakdown is strongly influenced by litter type, forest type and the activity of litter-dwelling invertebrates. Therefore, management practices should aim to enhance biological activity of decomposer communities to avoid soil degradation and main-tain productivity.
Conversion of natural semi-deciduous forest to teak plantations may influence termite species richness and composition. In Chapter 3 (“Termite assemblages in a West-African semi-deciduous forest and teak plantations”), we used a modified standardised transect method to establish the first termite inventory in the Lama forest reserve. Overall termite diversity turned out to be surprisingly low (19 species), irrespective of forest type. This was due to the soil conditions which were unfavourable for soil feeders, the most species-rich termite group in African forests. Nevertheless, termite species richness was significantly higher in natural forest than in teak plantations. Termite assemblages were characterised by Kalotermitidae in natural forest, whereas fungus-growers (Macrotermitinae) dominated in teak plantations. Termite relative abundance (= encounter density) was higher in teak plantations than in natu-ral forest. The difference in termite assemblages was due to differences in two environmental variables, litter biomass and soil water content.
Forest type and season can influence the activity of termites and soil invertebrates. In Chap-ter 4 (“Activity of termites and other epigeal and hypogeal invertebrates in natural semi-deciduous forest and plantation forests in Benin”), we used a cardboard baiting method to monitor the activity of termites and soil and litter-dwelling invertebrates in semi-deciduous and plantation forest. The overall frequency of occurrence of invertebrates was highest in semi-deciduous forest, followed by firewood plantations, young teak and old teak plantations. Collembola, Isopoda, Isoptera, Diplopoda, Araneae and Hymenoptera (ants) were the most common soil invertebrates. We found that the activity of the most abundant taxa varied among forest types (except for Diplopoda and Araneae), with a higher activity in natural for-est. We observed a significant effect of season on the frequency of occurrence of soil- and litter-dwelling invertebrates, the lowest value being recorded during the long dry season. The frequency of occurrence of termites was higher in old teak plantations than in the other for-ests, but only one species, Microtermes? pusillus?, showed a significant difference.
Many invertebrate species occurring in tropical ecosystems are unknown to science. In Chap-ter 5 (“Stemmiulus (Diopsiulus) lama n. sp., a new millipede from Benin (Myriapoda, Diplo-poda, Stemmiulidae)”), we describe a new species, Stemmiulus lama n. sp., from the Lama forest. This species is the first record of a stemmiulid millipede in Benin.
Forest use may influence the diversity and community structure of true bugs (Heteroptera).
In Chapter 6 (“Diversity of true bugs (Heteroptera) in various habitats of the Lama forest reserve in southern Benin”), we compare Heteroptera assemblages in relation to forest use in different habitats, including natural forests, degraded forest, plantations and isolated forest fragments. We sampled 893 Heteroptera over a 12-month period, representing 104 species in 16 families. We found no significant effect of habitat type on species richness and evenness. However significant differences in abundance, Shannon-Wiener diversity and Berger-Parker dominance were found. In isolated forest fragments, Shannon-Wiener diversity was signifi-cantly higher than in lowland forest, and the abundance of Heteroptera was higher in lowland forest than in young teak plantations. We also found that the Berger-Parker dominance index was lower in isolated forest fragments than in lowland forest. Species richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity were significantly higher, and Berger-Parker dominance lower in disturbed than in undisturbed forest patches within the Noyau central, a now fully protected part of the reserve. We identified two indicator species for two forest types, one for lowland forest (Stenocoris southwoodi Ahmad) and one for dry forest (Lygaeidae sp.11). We found that Het-eroptera community diversity was mainly a function of habitat age, while other habitat char-acteristics had no influence on the diversity of true bugs.
To sum up, the present thesis provides baseline data on the diversity of invertebrates in the Lama forest reserve in Benin and gives ample evidence of the ecological significance of de-composer assemblages in natural as well as plantation forests. It shows that management prac-tices should aim to enhance decomposer communities in order to safeguard the productivity and sustainable use of the Lama forest reserve
Waste as a cultural heritage. A strategic approach to promote post-use materials as cultural assets
No full textA theology of international relations : a Buddhist approach to religion and politics in an interdependent world
No full textFor many decades, Buddhism in the West has been conceived as an ‘other-worldly’
religion with very little or –at least—limited authority in the public arena. This partial
view of the Buddhist path overlooks the potential of Buddhism to interpret reality and
help establish new causes and conditions to improve it. This thesis is rooted in
Buddhism and seeks to develop a Buddhist theology in order to understand how
international relations, as part of the contingent reality, are subject to change. Thus there
is the possibility of reconstructing reality through the sum of individual will expressed
in social groups, institutions and states.
This Theology of International Relations follows a methodology of causality
rooted in the dependent origination found in Buddhist theology. Thus, relative reality is
conceived as the result of the interaction of different causes and conditions; individuals,
through their thoughts and actions, provide new conditions which will be crystallized in
particular social arrangements through an inter-subjective consensus. This arrangement
is highly influenced by the individual’s allegiance with the sacred, however this is
conceived, and thus establishes an ethical guideline in the individual’s relationship with
other sentient beings and the ultimate level of existence.
This dependent construction of reality goes from the individual level of analysis
to the social, state, interstate and global levels in a chain of contingent reality. Therefore
I suggest that states, institutions and society are the reflection of shared ideas, beliefs,
goals and perceptions of reality between individuals. The human capacity to shape
reality is rooted in the premise that they face a relative reality, one that is contingent on
several causes and conditions. In Buddhism, all sentient beings play a key role in
shaping reality but human beings play a unique role because they can overcome
suffering when they recognize the interdependent relation of causes and conditions in a
relative reality. If this is achieved, then absolute reality can be experienced, wherein the
individual goes beyond all conceptions and senses in a state of emptiness of the self.
These core ideas of a contingent reality, its construction through an inter-subjective
consensus and the need to experience an absolute reality are premises which Buddhist
theology developed and which this thesis explores.
In chapter one this thesis considers the basis of Buddhist theology and how it
explains the experience of the sacred, the role of religion and the potential for the
construction of a relative reality. This thesis argues that religion is at the core of human
existence as a vessel of faith which follows a particular theological path toward a
communion with the divine. The Buddhist path, aware of the interaction of different
levels of reality—relative and absolute—also conceives inner development and social
change as key elements of an interdependent transformation. The idea of ‘world peace
through inner peace’ is one advocated by ‘engaged Buddhists’ and found in the ethical
code of Buddha’s message.
Chapter two examines how international relations became the arena where
individuals, institutions and states converge and reflect the basic premises of their
world-views, whether rooted in anger, hatred and ignorance of the interdependent nature
of all phenomena, or based in compassion and awareness of a shared common good. In
addition, it addresses the issue of the resurgence of religion in international relations and
how it is present or absent from political science theories and policy making. Through
this analysis, several established elements such as the concept of the state, secularism
and religion as a source of war, are challenged in a new era of multi-agency and mutual
influence through religious ideas, groups and communities.
Following this inter-subjective construction of the world, the thesis presents two
case studies which argue that religious leaders exercise political influence through their
actions, ideas and beliefs. The first is the life and works of Tenzin Gyatso, the
Fourteenth Dalai Lama in chapter three and the second is the life of Archbishop
Desmond Tutu in chapter four. The former having suffered the violent occupation of
Tibet and the continuous attacks on Tibetan culture that led him into exile, and the latter
having faced the policies of hatred under apartheid, the Dalai Lama and Tutu managed
to suggest a world where forgiveness is rooted in compassion and were human beings
share the responsibility of creating a compassionate reality.
The final chapter develops a new approach to the study of religion and politics
providing new variables of study and new categories to understand how international
relations are influenced by religious ideas and movements. This thesis argues that there
is a need to study and understand this interdependent relation between religious and
secular actors through theoretical approaches in international relations and opens the
discipline to new paradigms such as the Buddhist theological approach. The outcome of
this partnership depends on the individual’s decision to engage, whether in negative
causation that leads to violence, fear, terror and the perpetuation of suffering or in a
positive one which opens the possibility of peace and liberation from suffering through
compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation, recognizing our common humanity and
shared universal responsibility
KONSENTRASI S. CEREV1CEAE DAN LAMA FERMENTASI TERHADAP KADAR ETANOL LIMB AH JERAMI
No full textSalah satu sumber energi alternatifuntuk
mengatasi kekurangan bahan bakar sumber energi
adalah memanfaatkan energi berbahan bakuyang
berbasis nabati yaitu jerami, yang dimanfaatkan
sebagai bahan baku pembuatan bioetanol.
Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahuiKonsetrasi S.
cereviceae dan Lama Fermentasi Terhadap Kadar
EtanolLimbah Jerami. Sampel jerami padi dengan
perlakuan lama fermentasi selama 3, 5 dan 7 hari,
dan konsentrasi S. cereviceae 10%, 20%, dan 30%.
Pengujian menunjukkan bahwa hasil fermentasi
jerami dengan perlakuan konsentrasi S. cereviceae
dan lama waktu fermentasi, diperoleh kadar
etanoltertinggi pada perlakuan T3K2 (lama
fermentasi 7 hari dengan konsetrasi ragi 20%)
dengan kadar etanol adalah 43.524%. Kadar etanol
terendah diperoleh pada perlakaan T^ (lama
fermentasi 3 hari dengan konsentrasi S. cereviceae
207c) dengan kadaretanol adalah 25.192%. Hasil
perhitungan ANAVApada taraf signifikansi 5%
diperoleh Thllung < F!abd (0,387< 3, 48), tidak ada
pengaruh yang nyata konsetrasi S. cereviceae dan
juga lama fermentasi terhadap produksietanol
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