Income ineqaulity from 1960-2012: a brief time-series history of capital and labour

This commentary examines two principal forms of inequality and their evolution since the 1960s: the division of national income between capital and labour, and the share of total income held by the top 1 per cent of earners. Trends are linked to current discussions of inequality drivers such as financialisation, and a brief time-series analysis of the effects of trade and financial sector growth on top incomes is presented.

An Enchanted Tool? Humanitarian Assistance and the ILC Draft Articles on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters

Despite previous attempts at codification of international law regarding international responses to natural and human-made disasters, there is currently no binding international legal framework to regulate the provision of humanitarian assistance outside armed conflicts. Nevertheless, since the International Law Commission (ILC) included the protection of persons in the event of disasters on its programme of work in 2006, it has provisionally adopted eleven draft articles that have the potential to create binding obligations on states and humanitarian actors in disaster settings. Draft articles adopted include the definition of ‘a disaster’, the relationship of the draft articles to the international humanitarian law of armed conflict, recognition of the inherent dignity of the human person, and the duty of international cooperation. However, the final form of the draft articles has not been agreed. The Codification Division of the UN Office of Legal Affairs has proposed a framework convention format, which has seen support in the ILC and the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee. The overall aim of this article is to provide an analysis of the potential forms of international regulation open to the ILC and states in the context of humanitarian responses to disasters. However to avoid enchanting the ILC draft articles with unwarranted power, any examination of form requires an understanding of the substantive subject matter of the planned international regulation. The article therefore provides an overview of the international legal regulation of humanitarian assistance following natural and human-made disasters, and the ILC’s work to date on the topic. It then examines two key issues that remain to be addressed by the ILC and representatives of states in the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee. Drawing on the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, the development and implications of binding and non-binding international texts are examined, followed by an analysis of the suggested framework convention approach identified by the Special Rapporteur as a potential outcome of the ILC work.

Rapid and efficient production of L-lactate from xylose using electrodialysis culture-associated product separation

L-Lactate was produced from xylose using electrodialysis culture (ED-C)-associated product separation. In a medium containing 50 g xylose/l, the ED-C was completed in only 32 h (i.e. less than half the time taken by the control culture, without electrodialysis). At 80 g xylose/l, the control culture was unable to consume more than 50 g xylose/1, whereas the ED-C showed increased xylose consumption and was completed by 45 h. The maximum rate of lactate production in the ED-C was higher than that in the control culture. ED-C was also carried out (at 80 g initial xylose/ l) with a supply of fresh xylose-free medium. This ED-C was completed within 30 h, which represents a reduction in fermentation time of 15 h when compared to ED-C without addition of xylose-free medium. Thus, rapid production of L-lactate was achieved by using ED-C which supplied fresh xylose-free medium.

Prognostic Impact of Monocyte Count at Presentation in Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Increased number of circulating monocytes at presentation has been recently associated with shorter survival in Hodgkin lymphoma, follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B cell lymphoma. This study aimed to assess the prognostic impact of the absolute monocyte count (AMC) at diagnosis in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). From the series of MCL cases recorded on the databases of the Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland in Bellinzona (Switzerland) and the Division of Haematology of the Amedeo Avogadro University of Eastern Piedmont in Novara (Italy), the AMC at diagnosis was available in 97 cases. Cox regression was used for both univariate and multivariate analysis. With a median follow up of 7 years, the 5-year overall survival (OS) was 29% for patients with AMC >500/ul and 62% for patients with AMC

Intracellular survival of Burkholderia cepacia complex in phagocytic cells

Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) species are a group of Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens that infect the airways of cystic fibrosis patients, and occasionally they infect other immunocompromised patients. Bcc bacteria display high-level multidrug resistance, and chronically persist in the infected host while eliciting robust inflammatory responses. Studies using macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells, combined with advances to genetically manipulate these bacteria have increased our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of virulence in these pathogens and the molecular details of cell-host responses triggering inflammation. This article discusses our current view of the intracellular survival of B. cenocepacia within macrophages.

The design and psychometric assessment of a TPB-based questionnaire suitable for use with primary school children

Despite the popularity of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) a lack of research assessing the efficacy of the model in understanding the health behaviour of children exists, with those studies that have been conducted reporting problems with questionnaire formulation and low to moderate internal consistencies for TPB constructs. The aim of this study was to develop and test a TPB-based measure suitable for use with primary school children aged 9 to 10 years. A mixed method sequential design was employed. In Stage 1, 7 semi-structured focus group discussions (N=56) were conducted to elicit the underlying beliefs specific to tooth brushing. Using content thematic analysis the beliefs were identified and a TPB measure was developed. A repeated measures design was employed in Stage 2 using test re-test reliability analysis in order to assess its psychometric properties. In all, 184 children completed the questionnaire. Test-retest reliabilities support the validity and reliability of the TPB measure for assessing the tooth brushing beliefs of children. Pearson’s product moment correlations were calculated for all of the TPB beliefs, achieving substantial to almost perfect agreement levels. Specifically, a significant relationship between all 10 of the direct and indirect TPB constructs at the 0.01 level was achieved. This paper will discuss the design and development of the measure so could serve as a guide to fellow researchers and health psychologists interested in using theoretical models to investigate the health and well-being of children.

An investigation into the factors influencing tooth brushing behaviour amongst school children living in Northern Ireland: An application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour.

Background: Northern Ireland has the worst oral health in the UK and its children have among the highest levels of tooth decay in Europe (DHSSPS, 2007).
Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the factors influencing tooth brushing behaviour among Year 6 primary schoolchildren using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB).
Method: Seven semi-structured focus groups involving 56 children were conducted during which children were asked questions about the factors that influence whether or not they brush their teeth. Thematic analysis was used with the purpose of eliciting the belief-based measures for all the TPB constructs.
Results: The findings suggest that children are knowledgeable about their teeth and are aware of the importance of maintaining good oral health; although a number of barriers to consistent tooth brushing exist.
Discussion: The findings will be used to inform stage 2 of the research project; questionnaire development to identify the factors influencing young people’s motivations to improve their tooth brushing behaviour and to assess their relative importance.

Sediment dynamics and tidal inlet relocation in mixed-energy settings: the case of Ancão inlet (Algarve - Portugal)

Tese de dout., Ciências do Mar, Faculdade de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente, Univ. do Algarve, 2003

The Gendered Effects of Marriage on Health in Japan: Structure, Role Expectations, and Outcomes

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2013

Tsunami Hazard Assessment of the Strait of Juan de Fuca

This study presents and discusses the tsunami hazard posed by an updated CSZ earthquake scenerio to the coastal communities of Port Angeles and Port Townsend, based on the results of a high resolution GeoClaw simulation with 2/3 arc second resolution (about 20.56 meters) surrounding these towns. In addition, we will also present the results of a coarse regional simulation of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This coarse study encompasses 28 regions that span the Strait’s coast, including the communities of Anacortes, Bellingham, Friday Harbor, and Victoria, BC in addition to extended areas around Port Angeles and Port Townsend. The finest grid for these 28 regions where we collected results had 2 arc sec resolution (around 62 meters). Finally, we will discuss some inherent uncertainties in the specification of the earthquake scenario, the limitations of the GeoClaw model, and the associated uncertainites in the results.

Theorising and analysing digital labour: from global value chains to modes of production

This paper considers the following question—where do computers, laptops and mobile phones come from and who produced them? Specific cases of digital labour are examined—the extraction of minerals in African mines under slave-like conditions; ICT manufacturing and assemblage in China (Foxconn); software engineering in India; call centre service work; software engineering at Google within Silicon Valley; and the digital labour of internet prosumers/users. Empirical data and empirical studies concerning these cases are systematically analysed and theoretically interpreted. The theoretical interpretations are grounded in Marxist political economy. The term ‘global value chain’ is criticised in favour of a complex and multidimensional understanding of Marx’s ‘mode of production’ for the purposes of conceptualizing digital labour. This kind of labour is transnational and involves various modes of production, relations of production and organisational forms (in the context of the productive forces). There is a complex global division of digital labour that connects and articulates various forms of productive forces, exploitation, modes of production, and variations within the dominant capitalist mode of production.

An assessment of manager/subordinate perceptions of performance appraisal effectiveness

This study postulates that performance appraisal will be effective to the extent that managers and subordinates have a shared perception of its purpose and function and the degree to which it meets the needs of both groups. A two part research project was conducted to: 1) identify manager/subordinate perceptions of the purposes served by the formal performance appraisal process; 2) determine the extent to which these purposes are being satisfied in organizational practice; and 3) assess if managers and subordinates have a shared perception of the effectiveness of the appraisal process. The sample for the study included 36 managers and 143 subordinates from a division of a large Midwest service organization. The results were mixed with regard to the appraisal system effectively accomplishing its diverse goals. However, in general, there was support for the notion that both managers and subordinates find the appraisal process to be a worthwhile organizational practice. Approximately 70% of the respondents indicated that they would participate in the appraisal program whether they were required to do so or not.

In vitro transference and molecular characterization of bla TEM genes in bacteria isolated from Portuguese ready-to-eat foods

The principal aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of transference to Escherichia coli of β-lactam resistance genes found in bacteria isolated from ready-to-eat (RTE) Portuguese traditional food. From previous screenings, 128 β-lactam resistant isolates (from different types of cheese and of delicatessen meats), largely from the Enterobacteriaceae family were selected and 31.3% of them proved to transfer resistance determinants in transconjugation assays. Multiplex PCR in donor and transconjugant isolates did not detect bla CTX, bla SHV and bla OXY, but bla TEM was present in 85% of them, while two new TEMs (TEM-179 and TEM-180) were identified in two isolates. The sequencing of these amplicons showed identity between donor and transconjugant genes indicating in vitro plasmid DNA transfer. These results suggest that if there is an exchange of genes in natural conditions, the consumption of RTE foods, particularly with high levels of Enterobacteriaceae, can contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance.

How to improve supply chain performance of a specialized retailer: Managing landed costs of Zippy’s global supply chain

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics