The Relationship Between Cadwaladerite Al(OH)2Cl∙4H2O and Lesukite Al2(OH)5Cl∙2H2O as Investigated by SEM, PXRD, FTIR and Raman Spectroscopy

Cadwaladerite (Al(OH)2Cl∙4H2O) collected from Cerro Pintados, Chile described by Gordon in 1941 is designated as “doubtful” by the IMA. Material collected from the same locality in 2015 resembling the description of cadwaladerite gave a powder XRD pattern similar to lesukite (Al2(OH)5Cl∙2H2O). However, Gordon provided no X-ray data for his material from Cerro Pintados. In order to determine whether cadwaladerite and lesukite are the same mineral species, measurements were made on a suite of samples from various localities. A portion of the material collected by Gordon in 1941 was also obtained from the Mineralogical Museum of Harvard University. Type material of lesukite from a fumarolic environment at the Tolbachik Fissure in Kamchatka, Russia was obtained as well as lesukite from the Maria Mine, Chile (Arica Province) and a previously undescribed locality for lesukite (Barranaca del Sulfato, Mejillones Peninsula, Antofagasta Province). All samples are yellow to yellow-orange in colour and all exhibit small cubic crystals (up to 50µm), even Gordon’s cadwaladerite which was thought to be amorphous. The Chilean samples are all associated with halite and sometimes with anhydrite. These five samples were studied by SEM, FTIR, powder XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. A ratio of Al:Cl less than or equal to 1.3:1 was observed for all the samples, including measurements made on lesukite from the Russian locality Vergasova et al. studied in 1997, and determined to have a 2:1 ratio. SEM-EDS analyses also show all samples to have minor iron substitution, as well as copper substitution in two samples. FTIR spectra are very similar for all samples. Raman spectroscopy done on both samples collected in Cerro Pintados and the Russian lesukite gave similar spectra. Powder XRD analyses on all samples showed spectra identified to be lesukite, including Gordon’s cadwaladerite. Crystal cell parameters calculated from powder XRD ranged from 19.778Å to 19.878Å. Results using modern instrumental techniques confirm Gordon’s cadwaladerite, collected in 1939 and described in 1941, and lesukite are the same mineral species.

International Capital Flows and Monetary Policy Spillovers

This dissertation examines the drivers and implications of international capital flows. The overarching motivation is the observation that countries not at the centre of global financial markets are subject to considerable spillovers from centre countries, notably from their monetary policy. I present new empirical evidence on the determinants of the observed patterns of international capital flows and monetary policy spillovers, and study their effect on both financial markets and the real economy. In Chapter 2 I provide evidence on the determinants of a puzzling negative correlation observed between productivity growth and net capital inflows to developing and emerging market economies (EMEs) since 1980. By disaggregating net capital inflows into their gross components, I show that this negative correlation is explained by capital outflows related to purchases of very liquid assets from the fastest growing countries. My results suggest a desire for international portfolio diversification in liquid assets by fast growing countries is driving much of the original puzzle. In the reminder of my dissertation I pivot to study the foreign characteristics that drive international capital flows and monetary policy spillovers, with a particular focus on the role of unconventional monetary policy in the United States (U.S.). In Chapter 3 I show that a significant portion of the heterogeneity in EMEs' asset price adjustment following the quantitative easing operations by the Federal Reserve (the Fed) during 2008-2014 can be explained by the degree of bilateral capital market frictions between these countries and the U.S. This is true even after accounting for capital controls, exchange rate regimes, and domestic monetary policies. Chapter 4, co-authored with Michal Ksawery Popiel, studies unconventional monetary policy in a small open economy, looking specifically at the case of Canada since the global financial crisis. We quantify the effect Canadian unconventional monetary policy shocks had on the real economy, while carefully controlling for and quantifying spillovers from U.S. unconventional monetary policy. Our results indicate that the Bank of Canada's unconventional monetary policy increased Canadian output significantly from 2009-2010, but that spillovers from the Fed's policy were even more important for increasing Canadian output after 2008.

Influence of chylomicron remnants on human monocyte activation in vitro

Background and aims Atherosclerosis is known to be an inflammatory disease and there is increasing evidence that chylomicron remnants (CMR), the lipoproteins which carry dietary fats in the blood, cause macrophage foam cell formation and inflammation. In early atherosclerosis the frequency of activated monocytes in the peripheral circulation is increased, and clearance of CMR from blood may be delayed, however, whether CMR contribute directly to monocyte activation and subsequent egress into the arterial wall has not been established. Here, the contribution of CMR to activation of monocyte pro-inflammatory pathways was assessed using an in vitro model. Methods and results Primary human monocytes and CMR-like particles (CRLP) were used to measure several endpoints of monocyte activation. Treatment with CRLP caused rapid and prolonged generation of reactive oxygen species by monocytes. The pro-inflammatory chemokines MCP-1 and IL-8 were secreted in nanogram quantities by the cells in the absence of CRLP. IL-8 secretion was transiently increased after CRLP treatment, and CRLP maintained secretion in the presence of pharmacological inhibitors of IL-8 production. In contrast, exposure to CRLP significantly reduced MCP-1 secretion. Chemotaxis towards MCP-1 was increased in monocytes pre-exposed to CRLP and was reversed by addition of exogenous MCP-1. Conclusion Our findings indicate that CRLP activate human monocytes and augment their migration in vitro by reducing cellular MCP-1 expression. Our data support the current hypothesis that CMR contribute to the inflammatory milieu of the arterial wall in early atherosclerosis, and suggest that this may reflect direct interaction with circulating blood monocytes.

A view, different proposals: Concept of gender and public policy

This article analyzes the meaning of “gender” as a category of analysis in public policy. The concept has been transferred from the feminist theories and this has meant that the United Nations and European Union have incorporated the inequality as a structural inequality and an issue justice. So, the feminist demands enter the political agenda as an integral project which is characterized by the adoption of the gender perspective and its application from a transversal methodology (“gender mainstreaming”). In this sense, the "gender ideology" is a new paradigm against the “patriarchal ideology”. Now, political actions should be articulated in a double movement of correction and promotion to achieve real equality in societies more democratic and ultimately more just.

La estructuración del espacio urbano y productivo de Gadir durante la fase urbana clásica: Cambios y perduraciones

La reafirmación del modelo político-administrativo ciudadano tras la fase arcaica colonial abre una nueva etapa de prosperidad en la antigua fundación tiria. El esplendor de Gadir en el s. V a.C. se refleja en los textos clásicos y en los hallazgos arqueológicos y, sin embargo, nuestros conocimientos sobre el desarrollo histórico de la ciudad de época púnica son muy limitados. El horizonte arcaico comienza a esclarecerse tras los hallazgos del Teatro Cómico que han sacado a la luz los restos de la fundación tiria y, sin embargo, la ciudad posterior continúa siendo una gran incógnita. ¿A qué lugar se traslada la población una vez que se abandona el asentamiento primitivo? ¿Quiénes son los individuos enterrados en los excepcionales sarcófagos antropoides? ¿Qué relación jerárquica existe entre el asentamiento insular y los situados en tierra firme? ¿Qué papel jugó la industria y comercialización de las salazones? Los interrogantes planteados son múltiples y no hacen más que evidenciar la incapacidad del paradigma tradicional para explicar el desarrollo histórico de la Gadir postcolonial y la necesidad de buscar nuevos modelos interpretativos.

Poor communication skills means high risk for aviation safety

Este artigo analisa diferentes tipos de comunicação no ambiente de negócios da aviação civil. Para tanto, utilizou-se uma abordagem qualitativa, delineada por análise documental dos relatórios das agencias governamentais. A comunicação é um sistema complexo que consiste em comunicação verbal, não verbal, escrita, falada e eletrônica. Na aviação, ela é um fator crucial ao enfrentamento de situações de alto risco. Os resultados obtidos indicam que lacunas de comunicação entre os indivíduos que atuam nas operações aeronáuticas e aeroviárias contribuem para a maior parte dos acidentes e incidentes ocorridos. As conclusões pontuam que as habilidades de comunicação são tão importantes quanto às habilidades técnicas e enfatizam a emergência do treinamento em habilidades de comunicação aos profissionais da aviação, possibilitando-os detectar ameaças e comunicar claramente a necessidade de apoio para o enfrentamento de riscos. É imperativo adotar as ações requeridas pela filosofia do Sistema de Gestão de Segurança, visando gerar comportamento seguro.

The Construction of Professional Identity

[Excerpt] The classification of ‘professions’ has been a debated topic (Abbott, 1988; Friedson 2001), with several researchers putting forth varying criteria which distinguish a profession from other occupations. Previously, an individual would be considered a professional only once they had completed and attained all of the training, certifications and credentials of a professional occupation and, of course, internalized this profession’s values and norms (Wilensky, 1964). Recently, researchers have begun to relax the criteria for classifying professional occupations, insisting only that the occupation be skill- or education-based (Benveniste, 1987; Ibarra, 1999). Furthermore, in today’s workplace, which is burgeoning with independent knowledge workers, the term ‘profession’ is often used as an adjective rather than a noun, describing how individuals carry out their work with knowledge and skill rather than the specific kind of work they do (see Chapter 9 in this book).

Effects of the frequency and satisfaction with leisure profile ondementia caregivers distress

El modelo PEAR (“Actividades Agradables Restricción Conductual”) ha sido propuesto como una manera de entender los efectos del ocio sobre el malestar de cuidadores de personas con demencia. En base al modelo PEAR y al de estrés y afrontamiento, el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar de forma conjunta el papel de la frecuencia y la satisfacción con la activación conductual en la explicación del malestar del cuidador (depresión, ansiedad, salud percibida), el riesgo de institucionalización de la persona cuidada, los estresores y recursos del cuidador (rumiación y reevaluación cognitiva) en una muestra de 275 cuidadores. Se dividió a la muestra en cuatro grupos en función de sus niveles en la frecuencia y la satisfacción con la activación conductual: BFBS = Baja frecuencia + baja satisfacción; BFAS = Baja frecuencia + alta satisfacción; AFBS = Alta frecuencia + baja satisfacción; y AFAS = Alta frecuencia + alta satisfacción. Mientras que los cuidadores del grupo AFAS mostraron un perfil más positivo en variables relacionadas con los recursos y de salud, y menores puntuaciones en riesgo de institucionalización en comparación con el resto de los grupos, los cuidadores del grupo BFBS utilizaron en mayor medida estrategias de regulación emocional desadaptativas y mostraron peores consecuencias sobre variables de resultado de salud. Los resultados sugieren la importancia de considerar el perfil de frecuencia y satisfacción con el ocio a la hora de entender el malestar del cuidador.

Construcción de un Índice Básico de Competitividad para el Oriente Antioqueño 2015

El presente trabajo realiza una medición básica de los niveles de competitividad del Oriente antioqueño, relacionados con los pilares de tamaño de los mercados, sofisticación y diversificación, e innovación y dinámica empresarial, enmarcados en el Índice Departamental de Competitividad generado y publicado por el Consejo Privado de Competitividad y la metodología del Índice Global de Competitividad del Foro Económico Mundial -- El impacto que tienen el crecimiento empresarial y el desarrollo del comercio exterior durante los últimos años en la estructura económica de esta subregión de Antioquia, generan una gran necesidad de monitorear el comportamiento de variables e indicadores que permitan identificar las tendencias y niveles de evolución competitiva del territorio, estas mediciones soportan el desarrollo del esquema metodológico aplicado en los pilares seleccionados, los cuales involucran variables como el PIB, exportaciones, tasas de natalidad empresarial, densidad empresarial, entre otros -- Para su desarrollo se consultan fuentes de información pública como el DANE, PROCOLOMBIA, Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, Alcaldías Municipales del Oriente antioqueño y Gobernación de Antioquia, las cuales se complementan con la información del Sistema de Información Integrado de Confecámaras, del cual se puede extraer la información relacionada con la actividad empresarial de la subregión del Oriente antioqueño -- Los resultados muestran una subregión con una gran dinámica exportadora, pero concentrada solo en 10 municipios de los 23 que la componen, con un índice de diversificación por mercados, destinos de exportaciones de 2.878 y un índice de diversificación de la canasta exportadora de 1.147; este desarrollo de la actividad exportadora se soporta en un crecimiento de su tejido empresarial, el cual muestra una tasa de natalidad de empresas de 49,96 nuevas empresas por cada 10.000 habitantes, una densidad empresarial de 22 empresas por cada 1.000 habitantes y una participación de las medianas y grandes empresas del 1,42% sobre el total del tejido empresarial -- Todas estas cifras pueden ser orientadas a la estructuración de políticas públicas y estrategias privadas que lleven al mejoramiento de los indicadores -- Así mismo, se busca que la información sea fuente de consulta para los empresarios e inversionistas que ven esta subregión como destino de inversión y asentamiento de sus empresas

Classification and clinical behavior of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms according to their maturation-associated immunophenotypic profile

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare subtype of leukemia/lymphoma, whose diagnosis can be difficult to achieve due to its clinical and biological heterogeneity, as well as its overlapping features with other hematologic malignancies. In this study we investigated whether the association between the maturational stage of tumor cells and the clinico-biological and prognostic features of the disease, based on the analysis of 46 BPDCN cases classified into three maturation-associated subgroups on immunophenotypic grounds. Our results show that blasts from cases with an immature plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) phenotype exhibit an uncommon CD56- phenotype, coexisting with CD34+ non-pDC tumor cells, typically in the absence of extramedullary (e.g. skin) disease at presentation. Conversely, patients with a more mature blast cell phenotype more frequently displayed skin/extramedullary involvement and spread into secondary lymphoid tissues. Despite the dismal outcome, acute lymphoblastic leukemia-type therapy (with central nervous system prophylaxis) and/or allogeneic stem cell transplantation appeared to be the only effective therapies. Overall, our findings indicate that the maturational profile of pDC blasts in BPDCN is highly heterogeneous and translates into a wide clinical spectrum -from acute leukemia to mature lymphoma-like behavior-, which may also lead to variable diagnosis and treatment.

Miscellanea RPEiS 2, 1922, z. 4

Digitalizacja i deponowanie archiwalnych zeszytów RPEiS sfinansowane przez MNiSW w ramach realizacji umowy nr 541/P-DUN/2016