The Positive Border Effect of EU Integration

Distance related variables typically vary in a cross-section dimension but less so in a time dimension across cities, regions, or countries. The enlargement of the EU or the introduction of the euro, however, can be looked upon as integration shocks that are informative of the consequences of changes in distance over time. Border cities or regions are thought to be more affected by these shocks than more central locations because of the larger impact of changes in the transaction costs that go along with EU integration along the border. Both at the urban and regional level, we find a beneficial influence of the EU integration process as measured by the growth in population share along the integration borders, leading to an extra growth rate of about 0.15 percentage points per annum. The positive integration holds on both sides of the integration border, is active for a limited distance (up to 70km) and time period (up to 30 years), and is particularly important for large cities and regions. Despite the positive EU integration effect, being located along a border remains a burden in view of the (larger) negative general border effect. We do not find similar positive border-integration effects as a result of the introduction of the euro.

Eating behaviours and food cravings; influence of age, sex, BMI and FTO genotype

Previous studies indicate that eating behaviours and food cravings are associated with increased BMI and obesity. However, the interaction between these behaviours and other variables such as age, sex, BMI and genetics is complex. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between eating behaviours and food cravings, and to examine the influence of age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) genotype on these relationships. A total of 475 participants (252 female, 223 male, BMI: 25.82 ± 6.14 kg/m², age: 30.65 ± 14.20 years) completed the revised 18-question version of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R18) to assess cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating, and the Food Cravings Inventory (FCI) to assess cravings for fatty food, sweet food, carbohydrates and fast food. DNA samples were genotyped for the rs9939609 polymorphism in the obesity-linked gene FTO. Questionnaire data was analysed for associations between the TFEQ-R18 and FCI subscales for the whole study group, and the group divided by sex, genotype and age (≤25 years versus >25 years). Finally, mediation analysis was used to explore the relationships between BMI, cognitive restraint and food cravings. FTO AA + AT genotype was associated with increased BMI, but not with differences in eating behavior scores or food craving scores; age was associated with increased BMI and decreases in food craving scores in which this effect was stronger in women compared to men. Increased cognitive restraint was associated with decreased food craving scores in the ≤25 years group. Mediation analysis demonstrated that in this group the association between BMI and reduced food cravings was mediated by cognitive restraint indicating that in this age group individuals use cognitive restraint to control their food cravings. The positive correlation between age and BMI confirms previous results but the findings of this study show that age, sex, FTO genotype and BMI have an influence on the relationships between eating behaviours and food cravings and that these variables interact

The positive border effect of EU integration

Distance related variables typically vary in a cross-section dimension but less so in a time dimension across cities, regions, or countries. The enlargement of the EU or the introduction of the euro, however, can be looked upon as integration shocks that are informative of the consequences of changes in distance over time. Border cities or regions are thought to be more affected by these shocks than more central locations because of the larger impact of changes in the transaction costs that go along with EU integration along the border. Both at the urban and regional level, we find a beneficial influence of the EU integration process as measured by the growth in population share along the integration borders, leading to an extra growth rate of about 0.15 percentage points per annum. The positive integration holds on both sides of the integration border, is active for a limited distance (up to 70km) and time period (up to 30 years), and is particularly important for large cities and regions. Despite the positive EU integration effect, being located along a border remains a burden in view of the (larger) negative general border effect. We do not find similar positive border-integration effects as a result of the introduction of the euro

Disaster management in industrial areas: perspectives, challenges and future research

Purpose: In most countries, development, growth, and sustenance of industrial facilities are given utmost importance due to the influence in the socio-economic development of the country. Therefore, special economic zones, or industrial areas or industrial cities are developed in order to provide the required services for the sustained operation of such facilities. Such facilities not only provide a prolonged economic support to the country but it also helps in the societal aspects as well by providing livelihood to thousands of people. Therefore, any disaster in any of the facilities in the industrial area will have a significant impact on the population, facilities, the economy, and threatens the sustainability of the operations. This paper provides review of such literature that focus on theory and practice of disaster management in industrial cities. Design/methodology/approach: In the paper, content analysis method is used in order to elicit the insights of the literature available. The methodology uses search methods, literature segregation and developing the current knowledge on different phases of industrial disaster management. Findings: It is found that the research is done in all phases of disaster management, namely, preventive phase, reactive phase and corrective phase. The research in each of these areas are focused on four main aspects, which are facilities, resources, support systems and modeling. Nevertheless, the research in the industrial cities is insignificant. Moreover, the modeling part does not explicitly consider the nature of industrial cities, where many of the chemical and chemical processing can be highly flammable thus creating a very large disaster impact. Some research is focused at an individual plant and scaled up to the industrial cities. The modeling part is weak in terms of comprehensively analyzing and assisting disaster management in the industrial cities. Originality/value: The comprehensive review using content analysis on disaster management is presented here. The review helps the researchers to understand the gap in the literature in order to extend further research for disaster management in large scale industrial cities.Peer Reviewe

Heterologous expression and functional characterization of a GH10 endoxylanase from \u3ci\u3eAspergillus fumigatus\u3c/i\u3e var. \u3ci\u3eniveus\u3c/i\u3e with potential biotechnological application

Xylanases decrease the xylan content in pretreated biomass releasing it from hemicellulose, thus improving the accessibility of cellulose for cellulases. In this work, an endo-β-1,4-xylanase from Aspergillus fumigatus var. niveus (AFUMN-GH10) was successfully expressed. The structural analysis and biochemical characterization showed this AFUMN-GH10 does not contain a carbohydrate-binding module. The enzyme retained its activity in a pH range from 4.5 to 7.0, with an optimal temperature at 60°C. AFUMN-GH10 showed the highest activity in beechwood xylan. The mode of action of AFUMNGH10 was investigated by hydrolysis of APTS-labeled xylohexaose, which resulted in xylotriose and xylobiose as the main products. AFUMN-GH10 released 27% of residual xylan from hydrothermally-pretreated corn stover and 14% of residual xylan from hydrothermally-pretreated sugarcane bagasse. The results showed that environmentally friendly pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis with AFUMN-GH10 in low concentration is a suitable method to remove part of residual and recalcitrant hemicellulose from biomass

Assessment of Wild Edible Plant Species in East Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Wild edible plant species are very important to improve food security and diversify household income sources. However, its identification and document of wild edible plant species limited. The study was conducted in four districts of East Hararghe Zone, to assess, identify and document of wild edible plant species in the study area. Wild edible plant species surveys, and data such as wilderness, edibility or parts used, growth form, threatening factors, conservation measures assessed at the field. People perceptions were captured from a total of 170 informants using an informal interview, focus group discussions, and questionnaires and observation in the field. Most species taxonomically known and for those unknown, were collected and identified with elder peoples. Descriptive methods of data analysis were employed to analyze data on wild edible plant species. The result showed that a total of 26 wild edible plant species were recorded in the study area. Four life forms: 65% species were found growing as trees, 15% as shrubs, 8% as herbs, and 8% as climbers. Parts of wild edible plant species used were fruits 83%, bark 5%, seed 4%, leaf 4%, stem 2.94 and   root 2% were recorded. Most of wild edible plant species were consumed as raw fruit 80% and the majority consume wild edible plant species as supplementary food supply. Women and children are responsible in wild edible plants collection. Potential of existed wild edible plants in the study area were low and the current abundance of wild edible plant species was decreasing. The most threatening factors to hinder the development of wild edible plant species were agricultural expansion and deforestation. These findings confirm the assumption that wild edible plant species are important for the generation of household income. This study identified the most importance of wild edible plant species to local communities, particularly in the selected districts. Wild edible plant play an important role in rural livelihoods by ensuring food, medicine, and sustained income.Therefore, there is an urgent need for research on the more domestication of wild edible plants in home gardens, mixing with domesticated crop plants in the study area to enhancing the wild edible plan species production for food security and dietary diversity in East Hararghe Zone. Further research also need to collect and conserve, propagation and management activities of the wild edible plants species identified in the study area. Further study also carried out on nutritional contents of the wild edible plants species. Finally, further study must be on strengthening botanical information, germplasm collection and genetic improvement, increasing the supply of high-quality planting materials, and promoting on-farm cultivation in the form of agroforestry systems to recognize the identifying and selecting preferred species. Keywords: Identification, wild edible plants, domestication, food supply, traditional knowledge DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/13-2-02 Publication date: January 31st 202

Determinants of Tax Evasion in South Omo Zone Revenue and Custom Authority

Tax evasion is a major obstacle that highly affects tax revenue which the government consumes to support its activities. It hinders socio economic and political aspects of every country whether it is developing or developed nation. With this background problem that this study focused on assessing the factors affecting tax payers to evade government revenue in south Omo Zone. To achieve the objectives, explanatory type of research was used because the intension of the study was to investigate the cause and effect relationships between variables. In addition; both primary and secondary data was collected from tax payers, officials, and written materials using questionnaires, interview, and reviewing were used. The participants for the study were selected through purposive and stratified sampling techniques. Finally, the collected data were edited, coded, and analyzed using statistical software. Accordingly, the result of the study revealed that that high tax rate, unfair tax system, ineffective tax audit, low accountability and transparency of public institution and low level of taxpayers’ awareness are the main factors increasing tax evasion in south Omo. The researchers through their assessment find out that there is high amount of evasion exist in south Omo zone revenue and custom authority. Finally researchers recommended that, to lower tax evasion rate the tax authority should develop a fair taxing system. Tax system should be easy & easily understandable for the public. Tax revenue authority should have to be accountable and responsible in the use of funds and give appropriate service to the public in return for their payment to discourage evasion of taxpayers. Keywords: tax evasion; taxpayers’ awareness; tax rate; tax system; tax audit DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/12-5-03 Publication date:March 31st 202

A guide for teacher sensitivity of the homeless preschooler

This paper is intended to exhibit the effects of homelessness on preschool children and to provide anecdotes for the child’s social emotional growth and well-being. This paper provides a statistical analysis of the steady growth of homelessness among preschool children and families residing in New York City, lists some of the causes of homelessness, and identifies barriers that homeless children and their families must face daily, affecting their education and stability. Additionally, it is hoped that this paper will allow the reader to comprehend their ability to utilize their empathic reasoning skills and impartial reasoning in their association with homeless children and families, and homelessness in general, from this point forward

A study of migrant domestic workers in New York city and their fight for equality

This thesis takes an in-depth look into the racialization and gendering of the job of migrant domestic labor. It explores the migrant domestic women and the organizations that represent their movement to obtain equal civil and labor rights. The thesis argues that domestic labor is a gendered occupation and is used as a tool to create and maintain hierarchies of social class, based on gender and race. The thesis investigates the cases and examples of migrant domestic labor in the United States to explore the social dynamics that take place within the new environment as well as the evolution that takes place in terms of identity as they live and work in the US as migrant domestic workers. The thesis presents evidence of a systematic racializa-tion and gendering of transnational domestic labor market and argues that it is state-sponsored and sanctioned/legitimized by international human and labor rights and immigration regulations; as well as supported/sustained by societies’ gender norms and boundaries. This thesis presents the case that this is not merely a consequence of social norms, laxity in legislation and economic opportunities, but rather en-forcement of systematic national policies addressing this field on the social, economic and nationalistic levels. This systematic effort is legitimatized by the half-hearted efforts of international non-governmental organizations as well as national and international immigration and labor policies. The thesis will look at these contriving efforts of national rhetoric, international policies and social regulations and norms to reveal the existing patterns and struc-tures that keep this gendered and racialized role intact. This thesis explores the issues that migrant domestic workers con-front and how these translate to their civil and labor rights, and their identity with their origin nation and the US. The thesis investigates this subject through the case of migrant domestic laborer and their representative orga-nizations operating in New York City, USA. The research focuses on women from the Caribbean region, Philippines, and Nepali-speaking women working with organizations that aim to eliminate civil and labor inequalities in the US