Contemporary Forms of Slavery in Brazil

This document is part of a digital collection provided by the Martin P. Catherwood Library, ILR School, Cornell University, pertaining to the effects of globalization on the workplace worldwide. Special emphasis is placed on labor rights, working conditions, labor market changes, and union organizing.ASI_2006_OSR_Brazil_Contemporary_forms.pdf: 266 downloads, before Oct. 1, 2020

Contemporary Forms of Slavery in Bolivia

This document is part of a digital collection provided by the Martin P. Catherwood Library, ILR School, Cornell University, pertaining to the effects of globalization on the workplace worldwide. Special emphasis is placed on labor rights, working conditions, labor market changes, and union organizing.ASI_2006_OSR_Bolivia_Contemporary_forms.pdf: 171 downloads, before Oct. 1, 2020

Syntheses, Characterization and Reactions of Early Transition Metal Guanidinate and Imide Compounds

Early transition metal compounds and their reactions have been widely used in catalysis and preparation of advanced materials such as metal oxides in microelectronic devices. Studies of the compounds and their reactions provide a fundamental understanding of chemistry of the compounds and are critical to their applications. This dissertation focuses on the following areas: (a) Reactions of Group 4 amide guanidinates with dioxygen or water; (b) Formation of a tantalum imide complex through an unusual α [alpha]-SiMe3 [trimethylsilyl] abstraction. Reactions of the amide guanidinates with either dioxygen or water yield products that are identified to be dimers and polymers of guanidinate oxo complexes based on NMR, IR and MS characterization. Reaction of (Me2N)2Zr[iPrNC(NMe2)NiPr]2 [diamidozirconium diguanidinate] with 1.0 atm dioxygen at 80-105 oC [degree Celsius] follows pseudo first-order kinetics: ΔH≠ [activation enthalpy] = 8.7(1.1) kcal/mol; ΔS≠ [activation entropy] = -54(3) eu; ΔG≠ 358K [activation free energy] = 28(2) kcal/mol. Addition of a radical initiator, 2,2’-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile), increases the reaction rate by almost six times. Zr(NMe2)2[iPrNC(NMe2)NiPr]2 and carbon tetrachloride undergo an amidechloride exchange, giving Zr(Cl)(NMe2)[iPrNC(NMe2)NiPr]2 [amidochlorozirconium diguanidinate] and ZrCl2[iPrNC(NMe2)NiPr]2 [dichlorozirconium diguanidinate]. Zr(Cl)(NMe2)[iPrNC(NMe2)NiPr]2 has also been prepared from the reaction of ZrCl(NMe2)3 [zirconium chloro triamide] with 2 equiv of diisopropyl carbodiimide. Ta(NMe2)4[N(SiMe3)2] [tantalum amide] has been found to undergo unusual elimination of Me3Si-NMe2 [(trimethylsilyl)dimethylamine], converting the N(SiMe3)2 [bis(trimethylsilyl)amido] ligand to the =NSiMe3 [trimethylsilylimido] ligand in [Ta(NMe2)3(=NSiMe3)]2 [hexakis(dimethylamido)bis(µ-trimethylsilylimido)]ditantalum]. The α-SiMe3 abstraction at 70–110 oC to give the imide follows first–order kinetics giving the activation parameters: ΔH≠ = 21.3(1.0) kcal/mol; ΔS≠ = -17(2) eu; ΔG≠ 343K = 27(2) kcal/mol. Crystal structure of the imide dimer is discussed

Seismic Performance of Bamboo Structures

This dissertation describes a wide-ranging research program aimed at identifying a methodthrough which vernacular bamboo construction methods may be formalized into a performancebased design framework. This requires an understanding of both material and structural behavior and an appreciation of the social and engineering context in which the structure is built. A relatively brief background and literature review addressing a number of topics relevant to the research methodology adopted in the present work including: sustainability, bamboo availability, properties and construction techniques, the hazard environment considered in this study and approaches to hazard mitigation and performance based design are presented.The prototype structure that is the focus of the dissertation is investigated in an experimental study to determine the prototype frame behavior. The behavior forms the basis for the analytical model developed in work. In the course of the research program it was determined that certain mechanical properties of bamboo are not well established and, furthermore, that thereis no standard method for comparing these critical properties. The work, therefore, reports on an experimental program aimed at filling these gaps in available knowledge and data. Initially afracture mechanics approach to quantifying bamboo behavior was attempted in an effort to normalize for the significant variation expected in a natural material. While this method was successful, it was not felt to be practical for application outside a well-equipped laboratoryenvironment. Thus a simpler, mechanics-based, materials test was pursued and an attempt tocorrelate results from this with the more reliable fracture mechanics approach was made. Afinite element model (FEM) of the prototype structure was developed. Static pushover andnonlinear dynamic analyses were conducted on several models of the prototype structure. Inaddition to the seismic model, the effect of the variability of bamboo material propertiesidentified in a statistical analysis of data collected by the Group for Non-Conventional Materials (GNOCMAT) at PUC-Rio and the author's group at the University of Pittsburgh was explored

A Case Report of Toxicity to an Opioid Analgesic

Opioid synthetic pain killers act centrally and are commonly used for management of high grade pain. Although it is a standard drug being prescribed all over the world, its accidental or intentional overdose is more common in adolescent and adult males. We report the case of a 7-year-old boy who was brought to our clinic in an unconscious state following opioid intoxication. He was managed with conservative approach and made a significant improvement before discharge

Postcolonial Indian Feminism: A Study of Sensible Sensuality: A Collection of Essays on Sexuality, Femininity and Literature

Present paper attempts to study the key features of postcolonial Indian Feminism as represented by Sarojini Sahoo a feminist of international fame in her monumental work Sesnsible Sensuality: A Collection of Essays on Sexuality, Femininity and Literature. Linked with sexual politics of women, this work covers various issues pertaining to women like motherhood, marital practices, socialization of gender, beauty myth, feminine identity and female sexuality. Drawing upon theories of Chandra Talpade Mohanty critiquing monolithic concept of universal womanhood, this research paper underlines the Indian version of feminism as depicted in the text to be studied. The selected work is grounded in Indian socio-cultural context. Sahoo demands equal status for women in every sphere of life. Her bold and candid expression for sexual liberty for women makes her stand apart from the conventional women thinkers and writers. She redefines feminism with Indian perspective dealing with sensitive issues like rape, menopause, abortion, lesibianism from a female perspective

Forearm bone mineral density in postmenopausal Indian women: correlation with calcium nutrition

Background: Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass with micro architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to enhanced bone fragility, thus increasing the susceptibility to fracture. This study was conducted with the objective of measuring forearm bone mineral density in postmenopausal Indian women and to establish a correlation with indices of calcium nutrition i.e. dietary calcium intake, calcium supplements, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, serum alkaline phosphatase and serum intact parathyroid hormone.Methods: Fifty healthy, ambulatory postmenopausal women were selected and a prospective observational study was conducted to correlate the BMD with indices of calcium nutrition. Patient’s laboratory investigations (serum calcium, serum phosphorous, serum alkaline phosphatase and serum intact parathyroid hormone were done and BMD was assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at non-dominant forearm; T-scores and Z-score were derived. Correlation analysis was done to investigate the relationship between indices of calcium nutrition and BMD.Results: The proportion of osteoporosis in forearm was 22%in the deficient group, 60% in the insufficient group and 18% in the sufficient group. Among the study group 15 subjects were osteoporotic by T score mid forearm where as 7 were osteoporotic with T score ultra distal forearm and 11 subjects had osteoporosis with T score total forearm.Conclusions: Out of all the indices of calcium nutrition, the correlation between the serum alkaline phosphatase and T score forearm was statistically significant

Scenario Optimization Approach for Designing Biomass Supply Chain

Commercialization of biofuel industry is highly dependent on development of efficient biomass supply chain system. The effect of uncertain parameters on biomass supply chain needs to be investigated for realistic and robust economic assessment of the system. The present study focuses on the development of scenario optimization model for maximizing profit of biomass supply to biorefinery under weather uncertainty. The model determines material flow, number of harvest units, in-field transportation units, transportation units, storage method, and allocation of units to sites. The applicability of proposed model is demonstrated by developing a case study for Abengoa ethanol biorefinery at Hugoton, Kansas.The scenario optimization model developed in the present study has the ability to determine material flows along with the number of harvesting units, in-field transportation units, and transportation units required by the biorefinery while considering the weather uncertainty. The optimization model takes into consideration the purchasing and deployment of assets, with a highly seasonal production of biomass. The case study for Abengoa Biorefinery at Hugoton, Kansas presents the practical application of the model. It was concluded that harvest work hours influence the major cost related decisions in biomass supply chain. The results also indicate that yield of biomass is a crucial factor in determining the profit of biomass supply to the biorefinery. The modeling approach can be also extended to large-scale application. The direction for future research should be to consider different types of biomass feedstocks and conversion processes into the model.Department of Agricultural Economic

Headache in Pregnancy: A Nuisance or a New Sense?

Headache is a very commonly encountered symptom in pregnancy and is usually due to primary headache disorders which are benign in nature. It can however be quite debilitating for some women who may need therapeutic treatment of which there are several options safe to use in pregnancy. It is equally important though to recognise that headache may be a sign of serious underlying pathology. This paper aims to provide a clinically useful guidance for differentiation between primary and secondary headaches in pregnancy. The primary headache disorders and their management in pregnancy are explored in depth with brief overviews of the causes for secondary headaches and their further investigation and management

Parasite helminthes, class cestode, diagnosed by hooklets on FNAC

Parasitic infestation is a common cause of morbidity in several parts of the world. Helminthes constitute a significant number of parasitic diseases, out of which large number of cases are due to cestodes. Cestodes can affect various organs, including skin, subcutaneous tissue, liver, brain, spinal cord, orbit, muscle, gastrointestinal tract and heart. Parasites are routinely diagnosed by histopathology, serology, radiology and stool examination however FNAC can also serve as low cost out-patient procedure for diagnosis of certain parasites especially in cases of sub cutaneous nodules. Subcutaneous nodule is a relatively uncommon presentation and is often misdiagnosed clinically. This study includes case series of five cases of subcutaneous parasitic infestation by cestodes that were diagnosed by FNAC