Impact of income and non-income shocks on child labour: Evidence from a panel survey of Tanzania

This paper investigates the impact of income and non-income shocks on child labour using a model in which the household maximizes utility from consumption as well as human capital development of the child. Two types of shocks are considered: agricultural shocks as an income shock and the death of a parent or relatives as a non-income shock. We also investigate if access to credits and household assets act as buffers against transitory shocks. Our results indicate significant effects of crop shocks on child's overall work hours and buffering effects of access to a bank account on child labour and hunger

SF-6D utility values for the better- and worse-seeing eye for health states based on the Snellen equivalent in patients with age-related macular degeneration

Objective: Economic evaluations in wet age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is hampered as often utility values for solely one eye are used, mostly the better-seeing eye (BSE). Moreover, frequently chosen methods rely on patient values and/or disease specific measures, while economic evaluations prefer generic quality of life (QoL) measures based on societal preferences. The generic QoL utility instrument EQ-5D has shown to be insensitive for differences in visual acuity. The aim of this study was therefore to provide societal utility values, using the generic SF-6D, for health states acknowledging both BSE and worse-seeing eye (WSE). Methods: SF-6D utility values of 191 ARMD patients (≤65 years) with 153 follow-up measures at 1 year were used to fill health states defined by the combination of BSE and WSE using Snellen equivalents; no visual loss (≥20/40), mild-moderate (20/200) and severe (≤20/200). Results: QoL utilities were estimated for the SF-6D, ranging from 0.740 for ARMD patients without visual loss to 0.684 for patients with a combination of mild-moderate visual loss in their BSE and severe visual loss in their WSE. Conclusion: Societal utility values are provided for ARMD patients using the generic QoL instrument SF-6D for visual acuity health states based on both BSE and WSE. The range of the values is smaller than previous elicited utilities with the disease-specific VisQoL. Besides, the utility values are placed on a more realistic position on the utility scale, and SF-6D utility values avoid the problem associated with the interpretation of disease-specific utility values

Experimental Study of the Fluid Drag on a Torus at Low Reynolds Number.

Measurements are presented for the drag on a torus moving along its axis of rotational symmetry at low Reynolds number. If D is the outside diameter of the torus, and d is the thickness in the axial direction, then the measurements cover the range s(,o) = 1 (the closed torus) to s(,o) = 135, where s(,o) (TBOND) (D/d) - 1. The effect of a coaxial cylindrical boundary (diameter H) is taken into account by an empirical correlation. The values of drag obtained by extrapolating to a fluid of infinite extent are in good agreement with the exact solution obtained by Majumdar and O\u27Neill. When (pi)d(s(,o))(\u27 1/2) \u3c\u3c H, the empirical boundary correlation is consistent with the result of Brenner for small particles. Measurements with outer boundaries of square and circular cross-section indicate that the relative effect of the two boundary shapes on the drag is the same for the torus as that found by Happel and Bart for a sphere. Empirical results are presented for the case in which the torus is strongly influenced by a coaxial cylindrical boundary. The combined inertial and boundary effect for the torus has been related to the combined inertial and boundary effect for a sphere by an empirical equation

Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration:Insights Into Treatment

This thesis describes the treatment of exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) with bevacizumab. The main object of the thesis was to evaluate the viability of less frequent bevacizumab dosage regiments. Furthermore, the reactivation interval of CNV was observed, and we delved deeper into a specific kind of CNV and its characteristics using a novel diagnostic technique. Our studies showed that treatment of exudative ARMD with bevacizumab either fixed-dose or on-demand can be extended from 4 weeks to up to 8 weeks

Bounce Forward Resilience Attributes: Information System Strengthening in Response to Crisis

Previous information system resilience studies have predominantly focused on analyzing bounce back, return to pre-shock state, resilience. This paper explores the phenomena of bounce forward information system resilience through longitudinal analysis of the COVID-19 responses in Sri Lanka and Sierra Leone. Both of these countries were able to significantly expand their information systems in terms of functionality, scale, and scope in response to the pandemic. The goal of this paper is to derive new bounce forward attributes that were present in the information system landscapes of these countries prior to the pandemic. Through the analysis of these cases against the previously identified resilience attributes found in the literature, we defined capacity for coordinated agility, configurable and extensible innovation platform infrastructure, and human resource action potential as unique information system attributes that can constitute bounce forward outcomes when systems face shocks or are under stress

A Global Challenge: Sustainability of Submicrometer PEO and PVP Fiber Production

The field of submicrometer polymeric production currently has a predominant research focus on morphology and application. In comparison, the sustainability of the manufacture of submicrometer polymeric fibers, specifically the energy efficiency, is less explored. The principles of Green Chemistry and Green Engineering outline frameworks for the manufacture of “greener” products, where the most significant principles in the two frameworks are shown to be centered on energy efficiency, material wastage, and the use of non-hazardous materials. This study examines the power consumption during the production of Polyethylene oxide (PEO) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) submicrometer fibers under magnitudes of the key forming parameters to generate fibers via pressure spinning. The energy consumption, along with the fiber diameter, and production rate during the manufacture of fibers is predominantly attributed to the characteristics of polymeric solutions utilized

Building Digital Platform Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic through South-South-North Open-Source Network

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the adoption of DHIS2 open-source systems in several countries globally for managing information and digital needs. This research uncovers the factors influencing resilience in pandemic responses facilitated by digital platforms and their ecosystems, termed digital resilience. Based on specific case studies and national implementations, the study identifies platform characteristics, agility in development, and the network of action as key determinants. Findings offer insights into maintaining robust digital platforms and avenues for future research on platform resilience

Cleaner and Sustainable Production of Core–Sheath Polymer Fibres

The amalgamation of sustainable practises throughout the fabrication process with advanced material engineering holds promise not only for eco-conscious manufacturing but also for promoting technological advancements in versatile material design and application. Moreover, technological innovation serves as a catalyst for sustainability initiatives, driving innovation and enabling the adoption of greener practises across industries. This study investigates redefining the production protocol of pressure spinning to produce core–sheath polymer fibres, deepening sustainable practises. It aims to explore innovative approaches such as modifying spinning parameters, optimising polymer solvent configurations and understanding fluid behaviour to curtail material wastage and maintain minimal energy consumption without compromising production efficiency. Utilising Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) for the core and Polyethylene oxide (PEO) for the sheath, production rates of up to 64 g/h were achieved with a fibre diameter range of 3.2 ± 1.7 µm to 4.6 ± 2.0 µm. Energy consumption per mass of fibres produced showed a decreasing trend overall with increasing applied gas pressure. These findings highlight the potential for the efficient and scalable production of core–sheath fibres with applications in various advanced materials fields

Environmental Impact of Polymer Fiber Manufacture

This review focuses on the effects on the environment due to the production of polymer-solvent solutions and the manufacture of polymeric fibers of thicknesses from a nanometer up to a millimeter using these solutions. The most common polymeric fiber manufacture methods are reviewed based on their effects on the environment, particularly from the use of hazardous materials and energy consumption. Published literature is utilized to analyze and quantify energy consumption of the manufacturing methods electrospinning, phase separation, self-assembly, template synthesis, drawing and pressurized gyration. The results show that during the manufacturing stage of the lifecycle of polymeric fibers, pressurized gyration is more environmentally efficient primarily due to its mass-producing features and fast processing of polymeric solutions into fibers, it also works best with water-based solutions. Further green alternatives are described such as the use of sustainable polymers and solvents to enhance the environmental benefit. Overall, it is shown that the most effective method of curbing the environmental impact of manufacturing polymeric fibers is the use of nontoxic, water-soluble polymers along with the evasion of toxic solvents

Assessing the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on agricultural and food systems in Badulla District, Sri Lanka

Peer reviewedPublisher PD