“The grass is greener on the other side”:The relationship between the Brexit referendum results and spatial inequalities at the local level

Despite seven decades of development of the European Union project, on 23 June 2016, the United Kingdom, Europe and the rest of the world were surprised when the Leave campaign won the Brexit referendum, offering an extraordinary case study for researchers. We spatially disaggregate the vote share data, which allows us to explore where anti-European sentiment took root in the UK and why. In this paper, a spatial dependence model is applied to clarify and quantify the relevance of the different dimensions - demographic, cultural/educational and economic - that play a role in explaining the rise of support for the Leave campaign. The analysis is conducted at the local level, using local authorities (LAs) as the spatial unit of analysis due to the combination of official datasets with newly generated data in the context of an EU H2020 project. A new indicator capturing the affluence of each local area relative to its close neighbours is proposed and included in the model. In general, we observe that most of the main conclusions obtained by large regions or at the national level also hold at the local scale. However, it is particularly interesting that inequalities by LAs are clearly significant, indicating a marked influence on voters' decisions that have thus far been unaccounted for. This result provides further support for the existence of, to use Andrés Rodriguez-Pose's terminology, an even more intense "revenge of the places that do not matter" at the local scale.A pesar de siete décadas de desarrollo del proyecto de la Unión Europea, el 23 de junio de 2016, el Reino Unido, Europa y el resto del mundo se vieron sorprendidos cuando la campaña Leave ganó el referéndum de Brexit, lo que ofreció un estudio de caso extraordinario para la investigación. En este artículo se desagregaron espacialmente los datos de distribución del voto, lo que permitió examinar en dónde arraigó el sentimiento antieuropeo en el Reino Unido y por qué. Se aplicó un modelo de dependencia espacial para aclarar y cuantificar la relevancia de las diferentes dimensiones (demográfica, cultural/educativa y económica) que intervienen en la explicación del aumento del apoyo a la campaña Leave. El análisis se realizó a nivel local, utilizando las autoridades locales (AL) como unidad espacial de análisis debido a la combinación de conjuntos de datos oficiales con datos recién generados en el contexto de un proyecto Horizonte 2020 de la UE. Se propone un nuevo indicador que capta la prosperidad de cada área local en relación con sus vecinas cercanas, que se incluyó en el modelo. En general, se observó que la mayoría de las conclusiones principales obtenidas por las grandes regiones o a nivel nacional aplican también a escala local. Sin embargo, es especialmente interesante que las desigualdades a nivel de AL son claramente significativas, lo que indica una marcada influencia en las decisiones de los votantes que hasta ahora no se han tenido en cuenta. Este resultado proporciona apoyo adicional a la existencia de, según la terminología de Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, una "venganza de los sitios que no importan" aún más intensa a escala local

Methanol Synthesis Over PdIn, In2O3, and CuZn From First-Principles Microkinetics: Similarities and Differences

Methanol synthesis via catalytic CO2 hydrogenation is an important reaction where a valuable fuel and chemical is produced from a greenhouse gas. In2O3- and Pd-promoted In2O3 have experimentally shown promising activity and selectivity, although the nature of the active sites remains under debate. In this study, the kinetic behavior of potential active sites in Pd-promoted In2O3 toward methanol synthesis and the competing reverse water-gas shift reaction is assessed by exploring pristine In2O3 and a PdIn intermetallic phase by using first-principles mean-field microkinetics. The PdIn intermetallic phase is modeled with PdIn(310) and In2O3 with In2O3(110). The results are compared to Zn-decorated Cu(211), representing the commercial Cu/ZnO-based catalyst. PdIn shows better performance than both the unpromoted In2O3 and Zn-decorated Cu at conditions relevant to the industrial process. For all three systems we find that stabilization of adsorbed hydrogen enhances activity toward methanol, which provides insights for further catalyst development

Libertad vs límites en la creación de una obra musical

Several aspects doesn't have been studied in understanding the phenomenon of creation of musical works, with respect to experience by composers, such as experience of freedom, and experience of limits or determinism, during the creative process. In this article these two human phenomena (freedom and determinism) in 3 compousers of Colombian caribbean were researched through the phenomenological method, which seeks to understand realities whose nature and structure depend on the people who live and experience, and which are decisive for the understanding of life are analyzed psychic each person (Martinez, 2009), finding that although the composer needs to confront a series of determinisms which start from the same limitations of musical language, which in its structure have their own rules, the composer can still experiencing a significant degree of freedom, reflected it in how they relate to those limits, and the ability to know that are they also determined, concluding that creativity arises in them from the tension between spontaneity itself and limitations. Varios han sido los aspectos no tenidos en cuenta en la comprensión del fenómeno de creación de obras musicales, en lo que respecta a experiencias vividas por los compositores tales como la experiencia de libertad y la vivencia de límites o determinismos durante el proceso creativo. En el presente artículo se analizan éstos dos fenómenos humanos (libertad y determinismos) en 3 compositores del Caribe Colombiano a través del método fenomenológico, el cual busca comprender realidades cuya naturaleza y estructura dependen de las personas que la viven y experimentan, y que son determinantes para la comprensión de la vida psíquica de cada persona (Martínez, 2009), encontrándose que a pesar que el compositor necesita confrontar toda una serie de determinismos los cuales inician desde las mismas limitaciones del lenguaje musical, que en su estructura maneja unas reglas propias, el compositor puede sin embargo vivenciar un importante grado de libertad, reflejándose éste en la manera cómo ellos se relacionan con dichos límites, y en la capacidad que tienen de saber que son también ellos los determinados, concluyéndose que la creatividad surge en ellos a partir de esa tensión entre la propia espontaneidad y las limitaciones

Intelligent copolymers based on poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) PNIPAm with potential use in biomedical applications. Part i: PNIPAm functionalization with 3-butenoic acid and piperazine

The synthesis and characterization of the thermosensitive copolymers based on Poly (N-Isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) and 3-butenoic acid and functionalized with piperazine was carried out. The free radical polymerization of the PNIPA copolymer with 3-butenoic acid was performed under microwave radiation. After obtaining this copolymer, the carboxyl groups present in the copolymer chain were activated with 1-ethyl- (3-3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide in the presence of N-hydroxysuccinimide, improving its reactivity to incorporate the piperazine through its amino group. The characterization consisted: differential scanning calorimetric and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry to determine the LCST phase transition temperature, ranging from (30-35)°C. Structurally it was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. A morphological analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy, after simulating an injectable process, with the objective to observe internally the porosity and interconnectivity. The biocompatibility was evaluated through hemocompatibility tests and it was observed that the copolymers obtained were not cytotoxic. In base of the results, the chemical structure of these new copolymers confers a functionality that allows them to serve as nuclei to graft other molecules, such as polysaccharides. Then, the results obtained on the LCST temperature, porosity, interconnected pore network morphology, the ability to be injectable and the biocompatible nature of these copolymers are indicative that these new synthetic biomaterials have the potential to be used in biomedical, pharmacological and for tissue engineering. Also, once their biocompatibility was demonstrate, they may serve to generate interesting compounds having chemical anchor points for the possible addition of polysaccharides using insertion reactions, thereby generating graft copolymers with potential use in biomedical applications

Development of IoT applications in civil engineering classrooms using mobile devices

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [Chacón R, Posada H, Toledo Á, Gouveia M. Development of IoT applications in civil engineering classrooms using mobile devices. Comput Appl Eng Educ. 2018;26:1769–1781. https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.21985], which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.21985. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-ArchivingThis paper presents academic efforts aimed at integrating methodologies associated with the use of mobile devices, the potential of the Internet of Things (IoT), and the role of experimental education in civil engineering. This integration is developed by encompassing the use of sensors, microcontrollers, civil engineering problems, app development, and fabrication. The proposal provides an explorative way of approaching the numerous possibilities that arise in civil engineering when it comes to IoT, automation, monitoring, and control of civil engineering processes. The used tools represent accessible and affordable ways for application in classrooms and in educational laboratories for beginners. The initial explorative approach implies the fusion of three realms: (i) the phenomenology and mathematics of varied civil engineering problems; (ii) the systematic use of digital fabrication technologies and electronic prototyping platforms; and (iii) the creative and visual way of developing codes provided by block-based development platforms. This integration of perspectives is an attempt of approaching civil engineering mathematics to technology and arts with a rigorous scientific approach. A set of different examples is presented with the corresponding findings in educational terms. These examples are developed in a constructive, scaffolding-based way and may contribute as a potential alternative in the development of open-source teaching labs in civil engineering schools.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Importance of PEPT1 in the Absorption, Tissue Distribution and Disposition of Cefadroxil.

Although PEPT1 is the most important pathway in the absorption of di- and tri-peptides in the small intestine, its in vivo relevance in the absorption, tissue distribution, and disposition of pharmacologically active compounds is still not well understood. Hence, we decided to study the role of PEPT1 in the following: 1) the intestinal permeability of cefadroxil, 2) the in vivo pharmacokinetics of cefadroxil, and finally 3) the in silico absorption and pharmacokinetics of cefadroxil using the advanced compartmental absorption and transit (ACAT) model built into Gastroplus®. Cefadroxil was chosen as a model drug to study PEPT1 because of its good metabolic stability and commercial availability as a radiolabeled compound. The findings show that PEPT1 was responsible for 90% of the effective permeability (Peff) of cefadroxil. PEPT1 transport of cefadroxil in the jejunum of wild-type mice had a Km of 3.8 mM and a Vmax of 4.75 nmol/cm2/s. Also, the Peff in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were significantly higher in wild-type than in PEPT1 knockout mice, but not in colon where the Peff was very low in both genotypes. After oral administration, the Cmax and AUC0-120 across all doses were lower in knockout mice than in wild-type animals. There was also an “apparent” linearity in the Cmax and AUC0-120 for both genotypes. However, the analysis of the intravenous data showed no difference in disposition between genotypes. The third specific aim was an effort to integrate the experimental results and to retrospectively model the absorption and pharmacokinetics of cefadroxil using an ACAT model. In the knockout mice, a good prediction of plasma concentration-time profiles was obtained for all doses studied. In the wild-type mice, the plasma concentration-time profiles for the lower doses were reproduced. The model predicts saturation of the intestinal PEPT1 at higher concentrations in wild-type mice that was not seen experimentally, probably due to a simultaneous saturation of the active tubular secretion and reabsorption, resulting in an apparent linearity of the plasma concentration-time profiles as a function of dose. A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model will need to be developed to take into account the saturation in cefadroxil renal clearance.PHDPharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/96139/1/mmposada_1.pd

La radicalización de la derecha contemporánea en Brasil e Italia : el caso del Partido Social Liberal y el partido Lega Nord

Este articulo examina el éxito de los partidos políticos de derecha radical en países europeos y latinoamericanos, abordando una serie de preguntas relacionadas con las explicaciones detrás de la popularidad del Partido Social Liberal (PSL) en Brasil y la Lega Nord (LN) en Italia. Se realizó un análisis comparativo, enfocándose en la relación entre las posiciones discursivas asumidas por los partidos y sus líderes. Los hallazgos sugirieron que los partidos PSL y LN comparten características ideológicas similares. Si bien, estos partidos se desvinculan de nociones tradicionales asociadas al extremismo como el fascismo y el antisemitismo, como partidos políticos contemporáneos, parecen reemplazar estos elementos con otras ideas extremas. De acuerdo con estos resultados, se argumenta que PSL y LN se basan en la mayor vulnerabilidad de las personas al señalar la 'amenaza del Otro', teniendo como enfoque ciertos desafíos sociales, políticos y económicos (por ejemplo, migración, seguridad, desigualdad social, etc.), los cuales determinaron su éxito electoral en las últimas elecciones nacionales. This article examines the success of far-right political parties in European and Latin American countries, addressing a series of questions related to the explanations behind the popularity of the Social Liberal Party (SLP) in Brazil and the Northern League (NL) in Italy. A comparative analysis was carried out, focusing on the relationship between the discursive positions assumed by the parties and their leaders. The findings suggested that the SLP and LN parties share similar ideological characteristics. Although these parties detach themselves from traditional notions associated with extremism such as fascism and anti-Semitism, like contemporary political parties, they seem to replace these elements with other radical ideas. Based on these results, it is argued that PSL and LN are based on the greater vulnerability of people by pointing to the ‘threat of the Other’, focusing on certain social, political, and economic challenges (for example, migration, security, social inequality, etc.), which determined their electoral success in the last national elections

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La inconstitucionalidad de la detención preventiva en las estaciones de policía

Considering the deprivation of liberty in penitentiaries and prisons as an unconstitutionalstate of affairs, as stated multiples times by the Constitutional Court, permanentdeprivation of liberty in police stations and URI’s presumes an aggravated infringementto the essential guaranties of persons deprived of their liberty. Therefore, the followingarticle’s objective is not solely the realization of a constitutional control of the presentsituation in the aforementioned places, but also to present some alternatives thatshould be developed in order to rise above the current crisis brought on by an expansivecriminal law policy.Siendo la privación de la libertad en los centros penitenciarios y carcelarios un Estadode Cosas Inconstitucional, tal como lo ha calificado en varias ocasiones la CorteConstitucional, la privación permanente de la libertad en las estaciones de policía yUnidades de Reacción Inmediata supone una vulneración agravada de las garantíasesenciales de las personas privadas de la libertad. Es por ello que el presente artículotiene como objeto no solo la realización de un control de constitucionalidad de lasituación que se presenta hoy en día en dichos lugares, sino que además se exponenalgunas alternativas que se considera deben ser desarrolladas con el fin de superar lacrisis a la que nos ha llevado una política criminal de maximización del derecho pena

Constructing Collective Identities within European and Latin American Integration Frameworks

This paper seeks to highlight the importance of creating a collective identity and strengthen the relationship between regional alliances and the civil society to achieve, not only economic, but political goals, concerning the implementation of effective national and international policies, and the influence of political leaders’ positions on the resolution of contemporary crisis. Radical political discourses have gained strength through some of the most important social challenges nowadays such as pandemic, migration, armed conflicts and social inequality, among others. This has resulted in a global phenomenon of fragmentation and decline of regional powers. In a contrasting process, different nations have joint forces to prevent a social, economic and political collapse, and, in this framework, regional integration becomes a fundamental strategy to build international cooperation and stability