The Analysis of ‘Leading Sectors’: A Long term view of 18 Latin American economies

In the 1950s and 60s, in Latin America structuralism was considered as the preeminent form of analysis of economic development and growth. Nowadays, in contrast, as a mode of analysis structuralism is distinctly unfashionable, and has been superceded by newer endogenous growth theories, which build on earlier neoclassical contributions. Beyond broad endorsements of enhancing human capital, promoting infrastructure provision and the importance of sustaining investment levels, it is arguable whether endogenous growth theories been able to shed much light on the dynamics of growth. This paper revindicates the utility of structuralist analysis in the analysis of Latin American growth patterns. Through some simple empirical tests, it explores the relationship between economic growth and structural performance. Using as high a level of disaggregation as the data allows, we use dynamic panel data analysis together with a steady state model to calculate the elasticities of sectoral growth to overall output. The implications for resource allocation and policies to promote particular sectors are discussed.Growth, Structural Change, Latin America, Kaldor Growth Laws, Economic Development

Small volume drug release testing using ultrasonic agitation: development, characterization, and applications

The first standardized methods for in vitro drug release testing of solid dosage forms were first introduced in the 1960s. Drug release testing has since become an important analytical measure along all stages of the drug development process. Despite the expanded role of dissolution testing and innovations in the types of dosage forms reaching the market, the fundamental methods and approaches to dissolution testing have not changed from their original introduction. This lack of innovation and one-size-fits-all approach to drug release testing has led to inefficiencies in testing and limited the scope of applications where this type of information could have an impact. In order to meet this need, we have designed, characterized, and implemented a small volume drug release test using ultrasonic agitation to screen for differences in dosage form composition. Our approach aims to supplement official methods for use during multiple stages of the drug development process. The hydro-acoustic environment in the system was characterized as a function of input power and position of the acoustic source. Drug release behavior from tablets was also studied over these system parameters, and a preliminary mechanistic explanation is made linking the two. The interplay between fragmentation and diffusion on solid dissolution processes was then explored through a deterministic partial differential equation model. This model provides the first instance of time-evolving particle size distributions in a dissolution model. In the final sections of this dissertation, uses of the ultrasonic agitation mediated drug screening method are demonstrated at two different parts of the drug development process – during early formulation development for the study of composite microparticle matrix structure on drug release behavior and post market surveillance for the screening of substandard tablets.2020-02-28T00:00:00

Wolves contribute to disease control in a multi-host system

We combine model results with field data for a system of wolves (Canis lupus) that prey on wild boar (Sus scrofa), a wildlife reservoir of tuberculosis, to examine how predation may contribute to disease control in multi-host systems. Results show that predation can lead to a marked reduction in the prevalence of infection without leading to a reduction in host population density since mortality due to predation can be compensated by a reduction in disease induced mortality. A key finding therefore is that a population that harbours a virulent infection can be regulated at a similar density by disease at high prevalence or by predation at low prevalence. Predators may therefore provide a key ecosystem service which should be recognised when considering human-carnivore conflicts and the conservation and re-establishment of carnivore populations

High-performance optical fiber humidity sensor based on lossy mode resonance using a nanostructured polyethylenimine and graphene oxide coating

In this study, a rapid optical fiber sensor for humidity with high sensitivity and wide detection range has been constructed, based on lossy mode resonance (LMR). A thin film made of alternating polyethylenimine (PEI) and graphene oxide (GO) layers was selected as sensitive coating. It was deposited on a SnO2-sputtered fiber core in a dip-assisted layer-by-layer assembly. The structure and surface chemistry of the raw materials were investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Key properties such as sensitivity, linearity, hysteresis, stability and response and recovery times were characterized. The sensor exhibited excellent sensitivity, especially at high relative humidity (RH) levels, and short reaction and retrieval periods. This research provides a viable and practical way to fabricate high performance humidity optical fiber sensors with GO-based nanostructured coatings

Primary Corrosion Processes for Polymer-Embedded Free-Standing or Substrate-Supported Silicon Microwire Arrays in Aqueous Alkaline Electrolytes

Solar fuel devices have shown promise as a sustainable source of chemical fuels. However, long-term stability of light absorbing materials remains a substantial barrier to practical devices. Herein, multiple corrosion pathways in 1 M KOH(aq) have been defined for TiO₂-protected Si microwire arrays in a polymer membrane either attached to a substrate or free-standing. Top-down corrosion was observed in both morphologies through defects in the TiO₂ coating. For the substrate-based samples, bottom-up corrosion was observed through the substrate and up the adjacent wires. In the free-standing samples, uniform bottom-up corrosion was observed through the membrane with all wire material corroded within 10 days of immersion in the dark in 1 M KOH(aq)

The Analysis of ‘Leading Sectors’: A Long term view of 18 Latin American economies

In the 1950s and 60s, in Latin America structuralism was considered as the preeminent form of analysis of economic development and growth. Nowadays, in contrast, as a mode of analysis structuralism is distinctly unfashionable, and has been superceded by newer endogenous growth theories, which build on earlier neoclassical contributions. Beyond broad endorsements of enhancing human capital, promoting infrastructure provision and the importance of sustaining investment levels, it is arguable whether endogenous growth theories been able to shed much light on the dynamics of growth. This paper revindicates the utility of structuralist analysis in the analysis of Latin American growth patterns. Through some simple empirical tests, it explores the relationship between economic growth and structural performance. Using as high a level of disaggregation as the data allows, we use dynamic panel data analysis together with a steady state model to calculate the elasticities of sectoral growth to overall output. The implications for resource allocation and policies to promote particular sectors are discussed