Ageing through Austerity: critical perspectives from Ireland

The book’s main contribution is the bringing together of varied discourses concerning the social policy impact of ageing within the context of fiscal austerity. As the editors rightly state, the economic recession has sharpened the focus of governments on the implication of demographic ageing. It is vital therefore, that the social policy implications of societal ageing are studied and understood within a wider political economy of austerity. Of course the fiscal crisis of the 1970s and the ensuing first wave of neo-liberalism in the Anglo-Saxon countries [in the 1980s] gave us a foretaste of the various ways in which the public burden thesis has been applied with great force to the older population. This recession is different, certainly in Ireland, but a combination of neo-liberal ideology and neo-classical economics is enforcing severe budgetary constraint on a range of countries (within and outside of the Eurozone) in the name of funding deficits. Policy makers appear to be disinterested in both the origins of the 2008 financial crisis and the distributional consequences of their austerity policies. In the absence of official concern social science research has a key role to play.

Strengthening of timber structures with glued-in rods

The research and development of connecting and strengthening timber structural elements with glued-inrods (GiR) has been ongoing since the 1980s. Despite many successful applications in practice, agreement regarding design criteria has not been reached. This state-of-the-art review summarises results from both research and practical applications regarding connections and reinforcement with GiR. The review considers manufacturing methods, mechanisms and parameters governing the performance and strength of GiR, theoretical approaches to estimate their load-bearing capacity and existing design recommendations.

Sharing Power: The Case for Public Consultations in Trade

Since the 1960s, public consultation has emerged as an important democratic tool, allowing governments to inform, debate, and learn from the general public. Since the 1980s, international trade agreements have wielded significant influence over domestic law making, as an ever more ‘comprehensive’ set of topics are regulated via treaty. In Canada, these two trends have yet to meet. Neither public nor Parliament is involved in trade policy making raising concerns about the democratic legitimacy of expansive trade agreements. Through the lens of the recent Canada-EU CETA, this article examines whether trade law’s consultation practices can be aligned with those of other federal government departments. We identify five key values that make consultations successful—diversity, education, commitment, accountability, and transparency—and consider the viability of their inclusion in trade consultations.

The first major step in the peace process’? Exploring the impact of the Anglo-Irish Agreement on Irish Republican thinking

This article supports interpretations of the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985 as a significant factor contributing to the development of the Northern Ireland peace process. However, it also emphasises a certain serendipity in the Agreement's effect on northern nationalist, and more specifically republican, politics in the region. In particular, it stresses that a specific interpretation of the Agreement promoted by the Social Democratic and Labour Party inspired a dialogue with republicanism, encouraging an ongoing reappraisal within the latter about the nature of Britain's role in Northern Ireland. This, the article argues, reinforced the movement towards a more political approach that republicans had begun in the 1980s, and encouraged their eventual embrace of a constitutional strategy in the 1990s. However, in advancing this argument, the article notes that such an outcome was far from the minds of the British and Irish officials who negotiated the Anglo-Irish Agreement. The Agreement was intended to marginalise rather than accommodate republicans. Despite this, it provided an inadvertent incentive to draw militant republicanism into the democratic process in Northern Ireland.

The first major step in the peace process’? Exploring the impact of the Anglo-Irish Agreement on Irish republican thinking

This article supports interpretations of the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985 as a significant factor contributing towards the development of the Northern Ireland peace process. However, it also emphasises a certain serendipity in the Agreement’s effect on northern nationalist, and more specifically republican, politics in the region. In particular, it stresses that a specific interpretation of the Agreement promoted by the SDLP inspired a dialogue with republicanism, encouraging an ongoing re-appraisal within the latter about the nature of Britain’s role in Northern Ireland. This, the article argues, reinforced the movement towards a more political approach that republicans had begun in the 1980s, and encouraged their eventual embrace of a constitutional strategy in the 1990s. However, in advancing this argument, the article notes that such an outcome was far from the minds of the British and Irish officials who negotiated the Anglo-Irish Agreement. The Agreement was intended to marginalise rather than accommodate republicans. Despite this, it provided an inadvertent incentive to draw militant republicanism into the democratic process in Northern Ireland.

Socialized credit and the working-class family economy: a comparative history of Britain and France 1900-2000

This paper provides a comparative analysis of working class consumer credit in Britain and France from the early twentieth century through to the 1980s. It indicates a number of similarities between the two nations in the earlier part of the period: in particular, in the operation of doorstep credit systems. For the British case study, we explore consumer finance offered by credit drapers (sometimes known as tallymen) whilst in France the paper explores a similar system that functioned in the coalmining communities around the city of Lens. Both methods operated on highly socialised relationships that established the trust on which credit was offered and long-term creditor/borrower relationships established. In the second part of the paper, we analyse the different trajectories taken in post-war France and Britain in this area of working class credit. In France this form of socialized credit gradually dwindled due to factors such as ‘Bancarisation’, which saw the major banks emerge as modern bureaucratized providers of credit for workers and their families. In contrast, in Britain the tallymen (and other related forms of doorstep credit providers) were offered a new lease of life in the 1960s and 1970s. This was a period during which British credit providers utilised multiple methods to evade the hire purchase controls put in place by post-war governments. Thus, whilst the British experience was one of fragmented consumer loan types (including the continuation of doorstep credit), the French experience (like elsewhere in Europe) was one of greater consolidation. The paper concludes by reflecting on the role of these developments in the creation of differential experiences of credit inclusion/exclusion in the two nations and the impact of this on financial inequality.

Twenty-two novel microsatellite loci for lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus)

Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L. 1758) are widely distributed on both sides of the North Atlantic. They are a commercially important species, but stock size estimates have declined since the mid-1980s in Canada, Norway and Iceland. Little is known about the biology of this species, in particular the breeding migrations and population structure which are fundamental for effective management. This paper describes the development and characterization of twenty-two polymorphic microsatellite loci using next generation sequencing. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 27 in two geographically distant North Atlantic populations, with observed and expected heterozygosities ranging between 0. 0625-0. 979 and 0. 0618-0. 946, respectively. These loci are an important resource that will allow assessment of the population genetic structure of this species, and contribute to its appropriate management.

Pine wilt disease: a worldwide threat to forest ecosystems

The pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the causal agent of pine wilt disease (PWD), is a serious pest and pathogen of forest tree species, in particular among the genus Pinus. It was first reported from Japan in the beginning of the XXth century, where it became the major ecological catastrophe of pine forests, with losses reaching over 2 million m3/ year in the 1980s. It has since then spread to other Asian countries such as China, Taiwan and Korea, causing serious losses and economic damage. In 1999, the PWN was first detected in the European Union (EU), in Portugal, and immmediately prompted several government (national and EU) actions to assess the extent of the nematode’s presence, and to contain B. xylophilus and its insect vector (Monochamus galloprovincialis) to an area with a 30km radius in the Setúbal Peninsula, 20 km south of Lisbon. International wood trade, with its political as well as economic ramifications, has been seriously jeopardized. The origin of the population of PWN found in Portugal remains elusive. Several hypotheses may be considered regarding pathway analysis, basically from two general origins: North America or the Far East (Japan or China). World trade of wood products such as timber, wooden crates, palettes, etc… play an important role in the potential dissemination of the pinewood nematode. In fact, human activities involving the movement of wood products may be considered the single most important factor in spreading of the PWN. Despite the dedicated and concerted actions of government agencies, this disease continues to spread. Very recently (2006), in Portugal, forestry and phytosanitary authorities (DGRF and DGPC) have announced a new strategy for the control and ultimately the erradication of the nematode, under the coordination of the national program for the control of the pinewood nematode (PROLUNP). Research regarding the bioecology of the nematode and insect as well as new detection methods, e.g., involving real-time PCR, has progressed since 1999. International agreements (GATT, WTO) and sharing of scientific information is of paramount importance to effectively control the nematode and its vector, and thus protect our forest ecosystems and forest economy.

Pine wilt disease and the pinewood nematode

Pine wilt disease (PWD) is one of the most damaging events affecting conifer forests (in particular Pinus spp.), in the Far East (Japan, China and Korea), North America (USA and Canada) and, more recently, in the European Union (Portugal). In Japan it became catastrophic, damaging native pine species (Pinus thunbergii and P. densiflora), and becoming the main forest problem, forcing some areas to be totally replaced by other tree species. The pine wilt nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, endemic, with minor damage, to North America, was introduced in Japan in the early XX century and then spread to Asia (China and Korea) in the 1980s. In 1999 it was detected for the first time in Portugal, where, due to timely detection and immediate government action, it was initially (1999-2008) contained to a small area 30 km SE of Lisbon. In 2008, the PWN spread again to central Portugal, the entire country now being classified as “affected area”. Being an A1 quarantine pest, the EU acted to avoid further PWN spreading and to eradicate it, by actions including financial support for surveyes and eradication, annual inspections and research programs. Experience from control actions in Japan included aerial spraying of insecticides to control the insect vector (the Cerambycid beetle Monochamus alternatus), injection of nematicides to the trunk of infected trees, slashing and burning of large areas out of control, beetle traps, biological control and tree breeding programs. These actions allowed some positive results, but also unsuccessful cases due to the PWN spread and virulence. Other Asian countries also followed similar strategies, but the nematode is still spreading in many regions. In Portugal, despite lower damage than Asia, PWD is still significant with high losses to the forestry industry. New ways of containing PWD include preventing movement of contaminated wood, cutting symptomatic trees and monitoring. Despite a national and EU legislative body, no successful strategy to control and eventually eradicate the nematode and the disease will prevail without sound scientific studies regarding the nematode and vector(s) bioecology and genetics, the ecology and ecophysiology of the pine tree species, P. pinaster and P. pinea , as well as the genomics and proteomics of pathogenicity (resistance/ susceptibility).

P3: uma outra concepção de escola: estudo de caso

Este trabalho de investigação pretende encontrar explicações para o insucesso das escolas de área aberta em Portugal. Mais do que contar a história das open plan schools (ou escolas P3, como ainda são conhecidas no nosso país), a pretensão foi ouvir, principalmente na primeira pessoa, as dificuldades, as “estórias” e as razões que na opinião dos professores conduziram à radical transformação do espaço físico e pedagógico originalmente proposto para estas organizações escolares. Na impossibilidade de estudar todas as “P3” construídas, optou-se metodologicamente por um estudo de caso de uma escola paradigmática em termos de “evolução” organizacional e pedagógica (em 1982, num programa de televisão, esta foi apresentada como uma escola de área aberta “modelo”). A investigação de cariz etnográfico permitiu de uma forma mais aprofundada conhecer as sucessivas transformações ocorridas. No trabalho de campo, foram realizadas entrevistas, consultados documentos diversos, captaram-se centenas de imagens e foi feita a análise de um inquérito realizado nos anos 1980 aos professores de escolas de área aberta – tipo P3. Os resultados mostram que os professores (principais actores envolvidos neste processo) não tiveram uma preparação adequada para uma pedagogia que se pretendia inovadora. Na opinião de todos os docentes entrevistados, e de acordo com a informação documental recolhida, o Ministério da Educação não deu o acompanhamento e o apoio necessário aos docentes das P3. Não sabemos se as escolas de área aberta “falharam” ou não, este estudo não demonstra isso, mas sim que as condições para que estas escolas funcionassem não existiram, tal tornou-se evidente na falta de estabilidade das equipas docentes (rotatividade), no rácio excessivo de alunos por professor, na insuficiente formação e divulgação sobre escolas P3 e até na inexistência de experiências piloto. Apesar de tudo, alguns professores consideram que as vantagens de adaptabilidade e de flexibilidade em termos de prática pedagógica, trazidas pelas escolas de área aberta, compensariam os riscos e as dificuldades que se levantaram.

Demência e intervenção familiar: visão sistémica e desenvolvimental

A prestação de cuidados familiares, centrada nos desafios colocados ao cuidador principal, particularmente no âmbito das condições demenciais, tem vindo a assumir-se desde a década de 1980 como um tema fulcral no contexto das famílias envelhecidas e da pesquisa gerontológica. Neste contexto, um leque diversificado de intervenções têm sido desenvolvidas para apoiar os cuidadores familiares de pessoas com demência. Estas intervenções têm evidenciado algumas limitações, nomeadamente: a unidade de intervenção é a pessoa com demência ou o cuidador principal, não considerando a família como unidade; a fragmentação do apoio, em que serviços sociais, de saúde, educacionais e de suporte funcionam como estruturas paralelas e independentes; e as abordagens são geralmente centradas na doença, negligenciando os recursos e competências dos participantes (fatores salutogénicos). Neste estudo procedeu-se ao desenho, implementação e avaliação de um programa integrado, para pessoas com demência e suas famílias, baseado numa abordagem colaborativa e de capacitação: proFamílias-demência. Este programa tem três componentes: (a) sessões psicoeducativas para os familiares da pessoa com demência, num formato de grupo de discussão multifamílias; (b) sessões de ocupação significativa para as pessoas com demência; e (c) serviço de referência pós-intervenção para garantir a continuidade de apoio. O proFamílias-demência envolveu cinco famílias (seis participantes). A avaliação indica que os aspetos estruturais e funcionais são adequados. Em termos de impacto a médio prazo (três meses), as famílias referem que o programa permitiu a consciencialização da importância do autocuidado, melhor gestão emocional e mais união familiar. Neste estudo também se analisou a influência da prestação de cuidados a um familiar com demência no desenvolvimento do cuidador idoso. Adotou-se a abordagem da integridade familiar (King & Wynne, 2004) como quadro conceptual e o instrumento de recolha de dados foi a entrevista semiestruturada recomendada nesta abordagem. A amostra envolve 26 cuidadores familiares idosos (mais de 64 anos) que nas suas casas cuidam de um familiar com demência. Os principais resultados sugerem que a prestação de cuidados a um familiar com demência influencia a construção da integridade familiar em termos: (a) concretização de projetos de vida; (b) frequência de contactos com a família; (c) possibilidade de reciprocidade do cuidador; e (d) resolução de conflitos familiares. No entanto, os resultados reforçam que a forma como o cuidador percebe, vivencia e interpreta a prestação de cuidados é fundamental na construção da integridade familiar. Em geral, a investigação desenvolvida nesta tese permitiu: (a) desenvolver linhas orientadoras para a implementação de programas de apoio psicoeducativo junto de pessoas com demência e suas famílias; e (b) contribuir para o desenvolvimento de modelos teóricos sobre os processos de desenvolvimento individual de cuidadores idosos. Estudos futuros envolvendo amostras mais alargadas e combinando a utilização de metodologias qualitativas e quantitativas são necessários. A avaliação dos custos e ganhos económicos decorrentes destes programas também se revela primordial.

Crafting Modern Design in Italy, from Post-War to Postmodernism

The years between 1945 and the early 1980s are the most celebrated in Italy’s design history. From the rhetoric of reconstruction to the postmodern provocations of the Memphis design collective, Italy’s architects played a vital role in shaping the country’s encounter with post-war modernity. Yet as often as this story has been told, it is incomplete. Craft was vital to the realisation of post-war Italian design, and an area of intense creativity in its own right, and yet has been marginalised and excluded in design historiography.

Stochastic ground motion simulation with geological site effects in damage asessment

Damage assessment of structures with a mechanical non linear model demands the representation of seismic action in terms of an accelerogram (dynamic analysis) or a response spectrum (pushover analysis). Stochastic ground motion simulation is largely used in regions where seismic strong-motion records are available in insufficient number. In this work we present a variation of the stochastic finite-fault method with dynamic corner frequency that includes the geological site effects. The method was implemented in a computer program named SIMULSIS that generate time series (accelerograms) and response spectra. The program was tested with the MW= 7.3 Landers earthquake (June 28, 1992) and managed to reproduce its effects. In the present work we used it to reproduce the effects of the 1980’s Azores earthquake (January 1, 1980) in several islands, with different possible local site conditions. In those places, the response spectra are presented and compared with the buildings damage observed.

Geographic variation in sardine population traits: implications for stock assessment

Tese dout., Ciências e Tecnologias das Pescas, Universidade do Algarve, 2007

Mythotextuality and the evolution of ideologies the reuse of the Epic of Gilgamesh in North American texts

When the scribes of ancient Mesopotamia rewrote the Epic of Gilgamesh over a period of over two thousand years, the modifications made reflected the social transformations occurring during the same era. The dethroning of the goddess Inanna-Ishtar and the devaluation of other female characters in the evolving Epic of Gilgamesh coincided with the declining status of women in society. Since the 1960s, translations into modern languages have been readily available. The Mesopotamian myth has been reused in a wide variety of mythic and mythological texts by Quebecois, Canadian and American authors. Our analysis of the first group of mythic texts, written in the 1960s and 1970s, shows a reversal of the tendency of the Mesopotamian texts. Written at a time when the feminist movement was transforming North American society, these retellings feature a goddess with her high status restored and her ancient attributes re-established. Another group of writers, publishing in the 1980s and 1990s, makes a radical shift away from these feminist tendencies while still basically rewriting the Epic. In this group of mythic texts, the goddess and other female characters find their roles reduced while the male gods and characters have expanded and glorified roles. The third group of texts analysed does not rewrite the Epic. The Epic is reused here intertextually to give depth to mythological works set in the twentieth century or later. The dialogue created between the contemporary text and the Epic emphasises the role that the individual has in society. A large-scale comparative mythotextual study of texts that share a common hypotext can, especially when socio-historical factors are considered, provide a window onto the relationship between text and society. A comparative study of how the Epic of Gilgamesh is rewritten and referred to intertextually through time can help us relativize the understanding of our own time and culture.