GROWTH CONVERGENCE IN SOUTH AMERICA

This study analyzed the influence of structural change on GDP convergence in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay (ABU) in the context of a Keynesian model with balance of payments constraints. Empirical evidence suggested that income and structural convergence were associated in the post-II World War period. The differences in industrial and economic policies in ABU may have contributed to explain the intensity of the process of structural change in these countries. ABU exhibited a different ability to reshape their institutions with a view to encouraging industrial transformation. The Brazilian industrial policy seems to have been more efficient in promoting structural convergence.Institutional and Behavioral Economics,

Planarization and fabrication of bridges across deep groves or holes in silicon using a dry film photoresist followed by an etch back

A technique is presented that provides planarization after a very deep etching step in silicon. This offers the possibility for not only resist spinning and layer patterning but also for realization of bridges and cantilevers across deep grooves or holes. The technique contains a standard dry film lamination step to cover a wafer with a 38 mu m thick foil. Next the foil is etched back to the desired thickness of a few micrometres. This thin film facilitates resist spinning and high-resolution patterning. The planarization method is demonstrated by the fabrication of aluminium bridges across a deep groove in silicon

Membranes fabricated with a deep single corrugation for package stress reduction and residual stress relief

Thin square membranes including a deep circular corrugation are realized and tested for application in a strain-based pressure sensor. Package-induced stresses are reduced and relief of the residual stress is obtained, resulting in a large pressure sensitivity and a reduced temperature sensitivity. Finite element method simulations were carried out, showing that the pressure-deflection behaviour of the structure is close to that of a circular membrane with clamped edge but free radial motion

Homi Jehangir Bhabha as a Knowledge Generating System: A Longitudinal Cognition Study

Quantitative analysis of the events of synchronous references in the research papers followed throughout the publishing career of an individual scientist revealed interesting highlights on the knowledge-generating-system. In the case study of Homi Jehangir Bhabha first quinquennium and fifth quinquennium of his research career had low Self-references; third quinquennium and fourth quinquennium had moderate Self-references; whereas second quinquennium had highest Self-references. The two major clusters of Self-references occurring during the second and third quinquennium were indicators of active periods of knowledgegenerating and faster communications

Low temperature sacrificial wafer bonding for planarization after very deep etching

A new technique, at temperatures of 150°C or 450°C, that provides planarization after a very deep etching step in silicon is presented. Resist spinning and layer patterning as well as realization of bridges or cantilevers across deep holes becomes possible. The sacrificial wafer bonding technique contains a wafer bond step followed by an etch back. Results of (1) polymer bonding followed by dry etching and (2) anodic bonding combined with KOH etching are discussed. The polymer bond method was applied in a strain based membrane pressure sensor to pattern the strain gauges and to provide electrical connections across a deep corrugation in a thin silicon nitride membrane by metal bridge

Hand movement analysis of the elderly when using a remote control

The aim of the this project is to study the ability of older subjects to perform basic remote control manipulations and also to specify the minimal functional requirements to perform this activity of daily living

Lack of effect of the human GM-CSF analog E21R on the survival of primary human acute myeloid leukemia cells

The granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) analog E21R binds to the GM-CSF receptor complex with low affinity and acts as a competitive antagonist. In addition, it has been reported to be a potent direct activator of apoptosis in primary human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. We have confirmed the ability of E21R to neutralize the biologic effects of GM-CSF and investigated its activity on primary AML blasts. We find that it failed to induce cell death in blast cells from 23 separate AML cases treated in vitro at concentrations of E21R up to 30 µg/mL. Significant cell death resulted in all cases after incubation with cytosine arabinoside. The lack of effect of E21R on AML blasts was unlikely to be due to an absence of functional GM-CSF receptors because 13 cases demonstrated an increase in cell number with the addition of exogenous GM-CSF. These results do not support the use of E21R for the treatment of AML