The impact of infrastructure provisioning on inequality: Evidence from India

India witnessed high levels of growth in the last decade but national levels of poverty and inequality remain high. Infrastructure provision is seen as a particularly important instrument for helping in regional development where government can play a significant role due to the public goods nature of infrastructure facilities. Literature confirms the positive association between infrastructure and growth. However, it is not necessary that economic growth attributable to infrastructure development will consequently lead to a reduction in inequality. This paper analyses the links between physical infrastructure and inequality and determines the nature of this relation and focuses on 17 major Indian states. Gini coefficient (for rural and urban sectors combined) was used as the dependent variable and it was computed data on Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE), which was estimated from Unit level records of the periodical Household Consumer Expenditure surveys of National Sample Survey Organisation for the years 1983, 1987-88, 1993-94, 2004-05, and 2009-10 (Rounds 38th, 43rd, 50th, 61st and 66th round respectively). By evaluating Indian states with different levels of development (measured in terms of per capita net state domestic product (NSDP)) the paper shows that the impact of infrastructure on consumption inequality across states differs not just for the type of infrastructure under consideration but also for the income category the state belongs to. The results have shown that some components of infrastructure, mainly power and roads, tend to increase interpersonal inequality at the regional level and the paper provides some explanations for this result. The initially rich states were also the ones with a better endowment for infrastructure facilities and these states continued to remain in the rich income category with an average PCNSDP much above India's, and they managed to grow in terms of their infrastructure endowments. They, however, also showed higher levels of inequality. The results of this study do not prescribe abandoning transportation projects or infrastructure development but instead recommend that the government should emphasize also on investments in complementary policies. Infrastructure can help open up opportunities but it should not be that these benefits are reaped by those who are in a position to be able to take advantage of these

Mean Shift on CUDA

Import 29/09/2010Mean Shift je flexibilní segmentační algoritmus, pomocí kterého lze například z obrázku určit jednotlivé části, které patří k sobě. Člověk je schopen tyto části v obrázku rozpoznat sám od sebe, zatímco počítači musíme metodu pro jejich rozpoznání nejprve implementovat, například právě použitím tohoto algoritmu. Časová náročnost výpočtu tohoto algoritmu je ovšem pro nás vysoká díky jeho složitosti, což se negativně promítá do výkonu a tím pádem také do jeho použitelnosti. Tato bakalářská práce si klade za cíl analyzovat stávající algoritmus pro procesor, navrhnout řešení využívající paralelního zpracování pomocí technologie CUDA, implementovat jej a porovnat dosažené výsledky. Práce obsahuje návrh a analýzu takového algoritmu společně s rozborem jeho výsledků.Mean Shift is a flexible segmentation algorithm, by which we can for example determine individual parts of a picture that belong together. Man is able to recognize these by himself, while for a computer we must first implement this recognition method, for example by using this algorithm. The time demands for computation of this algorithm are however very big because of its complexity, which negatively affects performance and thus its usefulness. This bachelor work aims to analyze the existing algorithm for processor, suggest a solution using parallel processing by CUDA, implement it and evaluate the accomplished goals. This work consists of design and analysis of such algorithm together with evaluation of its results.Prezenční456 - Katedra informatikyvýborn

Violencias e infancias: el abuso sexual infantil hoy

La violencia contra los niños/as y adolescentes se incrementa día tras día. Es una realidad silenciada e invisibilizada. Esta situación interpela nuestra práctica profesional como así también el desempeño de las instituciones que abordan y deben dar respuestas a tales problemáticas. El Abuso Sexual Infantil (ASI) es una de las formas de violencia más grave que afecta e impacta en la subjetividad y en la construcción psíquica de nuestros niños y niñas. Es una de las formas de abuso de poder y dominio sobre la niñez más dolorosa. A nivel mundial, el Fondo de las Naciones Unidas para la Infancia (UNICEF) estima que una de cada diez niñas han sido víctimas de violencia sexual. De acuerdo a la información que maneja la Fundación para el Estudio e Investigación de la Mujer (FEIM), en Argentina no existen datos oficiales a nivel nacional, pero se estima que uno/a de cada cinco niños/as son abusados por un familiar directo antes de los dieciocho años. La edad media de inicio del abuso es de ocho años.Violence against children and adolescents is increasing day by day. It is a reality silenced and invisible. This situation challenges our professional practice as well as the performance of the institutions that address and should give answers to such problems. Child Sexual Abuse is one of the most serious forms of violence that affects and impacts on the subjectivity and psychic construction of our children. It is one of the forms of abuse of power and mastery over the most painful childhood. Worldwide, UNICEF estimates that one in ten girls have been victims of sexual violence. According to information provided by the Foundation for the Study and Research of Women (FEIM), in Argentina there are no official data at the national level, but it is estimated that one in five children are abused by a direct relative before the eighteen years. The average age of onset of abuse is eight years.Mesa de trabajos libres: Psicología Juridico-ForenseFacultad de Psicologí

Violencias e infancias: el abuso sexual infantil hoy

La violencia contra los niños/as y adolescentes se incrementa día tras día. Es una realidad silenciada e invisibilizada. Esta situación interpela nuestra práctica profesional como así también el desempeño de las instituciones que abordan y deben dar respuestas a tales problemáticas. El Abuso Sexual Infantil (ASI) es una de las formas de violencia más grave que afecta e impacta en la subjetividad y en la construcción psíquica de nuestros niños y niñas. Es una de las formas de abuso de poder y dominio sobre la niñez más dolorosa. A nivel mundial, el Fondo de las Naciones Unidas para la Infancia (UNICEF) estima que una de cada diez niñas han sido víctimas de violencia sexual. De acuerdo a la información que maneja la Fundación para el Estudio e Investigación de la Mujer (FEIM), en Argentina no existen datos oficiales a nivel nacional, pero se estima que uno/a de cada cinco niños/as son abusados por un familiar directo antes de los dieciocho años. La edad media de inicio del abuso es de ocho años.Violence against children and adolescents is increasing day by day. It is a reality silenced and invisible. This situation challenges our professional practice as well as the performance of the institutions that address and should give answers to such problems. Child Sexual Abuse is one of the most serious forms of violence that affects and impacts on the subjectivity and psychic construction of our children. It is one of the forms of abuse of power and mastery over the most painful childhood. Worldwide, UNICEF estimates that one in ten girls have been victims of sexual violence. According to information provided by the Foundation for the Study and Research of Women (FEIM), in Argentina there are no official data at the national level, but it is estimated that one in five children are abused by a direct relative before the eighteen years. The average age of onset of abuse is eight years.Mesa de trabajos libres: Psicología Juridico-ForenseFacultad de Psicologí

Violencias e infancias: el abuso sexual infantil hoy

La violencia contra los niños/as y adolescentes se incrementa día tras día. Es una realidad silenciada e invisibilizada. Esta situación interpela nuestra práctica profesional como así también el desempeño de las instituciones que abordan y deben dar respuestas a tales problemáticas. El Abuso Sexual Infantil (ASI) es una de las formas de violencia más grave que afecta e impacta en la subjetividad y en la construcción psíquica de nuestros niños y niñas. Es una de las formas de abuso de poder y dominio sobre la niñez más dolorosa. A nivel mundial, el Fondo de las Naciones Unidas para la Infancia (UNICEF) estima que una de cada diez niñas han sido víctimas de violencia sexual. De acuerdo a la información que maneja la Fundación para el Estudio e Investigación de la Mujer (FEIM), en Argentina no existen datos oficiales a nivel nacional, pero se estima que uno/a de cada cinco niños/as son abusados por un familiar directo antes de los dieciocho años. La edad media de inicio del abuso es de ocho años.Violence against children and adolescents is increasing day by day. It is a reality silenced and invisible. This situation challenges our professional practice as well as the performance of the institutions that address and should give answers to such problems. Child Sexual Abuse is one of the most serious forms of violence that affects and impacts on the subjectivity and psychic construction of our children. It is one of the forms of abuse of power and mastery over the most painful childhood. Worldwide, UNICEF estimates that one in ten girls have been victims of sexual violence. According to information provided by the Foundation for the Study and Research of Women (FEIM), in Argentina there are no official data at the national level, but it is estimated that one in five children are abused by a direct relative before the eighteen years. The average age of onset of abuse is eight years.Mesa de trabajos libres: Psicología Juridico-ForenseFacultad de Psicologí

Lillian Ducey

“The skeptical may not believe it… Hundreds of directors may scoff—But—There is one director who is efficient—and without the aid of puttees. Introducing Lillian Ducey, directing Youth Triumphant for the newly formed Fisher Productions. Efficiency plus is said to be Miss Ducey’s middle name,” heralded the Los Angeles Times in reference to Ducey’s first job as a motion picture director in 1923 (III34). With silent star Anna Q. Nilsson in the lead role, Youth Triumphant, alternately titled Enemies of Children, was a melodrama about “a street waif of questionable parentage [who] is taken into a wealthy home,” according to Variety’s summary (26). Distributed by Mammoth Pictures and released on December 13, 1923, the black-and-white six-reeler was based on the 1921 novel by George Gibbs. The film was expected to be the first of many, and as the Los Angeles Times announced a few months later: “Mrs. Ducey’s next production will be an original story of her own … .” (II10). Yet despite these announcements of her directorial debut and the possibility of other films, Lillian Ducey’s only association with directing is a single feature. In this, she can be compared to other writers like Frances Marion and Eugenie Magnus Ingleton who had one opportunity to direct. However, unlike Marion and Ingleton, Ducey’s credit has not been verified. In the American Film Institute Catalog, Ducey is not even credited as the sole author of Youth Triumphant; John M. Voshell receives equal billing for both direction and adaptation

SCHOOL LEARNING ACTION CELL AS A REMEDY TO OUT-OF-FIELD TEACHING: A CASE IN ONE RURAL SCHOOL IN SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES

out-of-field teaching continues to be a persisting problem in the Philippine educational system similarly evident in the rural school where this study was conducted. As an intervention, the researchers organized a professional learning community in the form of a school learning action cell (SLAC) to provide assistance to the teachers. They were then interviewed to determine the perceived effects of the intervention. Results of the study revealed that SLAC sessions contribute to the general well-being of the teachers in their view of the profession as it reduced their tasks and promoted workplace collaboration. On the other hand, it also impacted their pedagogy, which was found to have contributed to their instructional mastery and teacher efficacy. The researchers, however, caution that, though the intervention was found to be successful, it should be taken in its suggestive nature when out-of-field teaching is unavoidable. When feasible, the idyllic educational landscape should assign teachers according to their respective specialized fields

Sada Cowan

“He told me I’d better make my living with my brains [rather] than any beauty I thought I had,” writes Sada Louise Cowan in 1932, remembering her first interview with Cecil B. DeMille. An established playwright, Cowan had little experience with motion picture work. So when DeMille gave Cowan a studio pass, she started to visit the set regularly. “I made myself a complete nuisance,” she says, recalling that she learned about angles by standing behind the cameraman and asking the cutter millions of questions. It was Ruby Miller, supervisor of the “girls who copied scripts,” who helped her by showing her the best continuities, until one day on the set DeMille barked, “Tell that girl with the Japanese name to come over here.” He gave her a chance to work on the continuity of Why Change Your Wife? (1920) on which she is credited with the more experienced Olga Printzlau and William deMille. She began at twenty-five dollars a week, and director DeMille demolished her work, berating her as a failed writer whom he didn’t expect to succeed. Then, she goes on, one night after he had been so hard on her that she was left “limp and exhausted,” he apologized by raising her salary to sixty dollars a week. Cowan never thought of herself as part of the Famous Players-Lasky scenario department that included top writers Jeanie Macpherson, Clara Beranger, and Beulah Marie Dix. She explains in 1932 that even if she had a twenty-one week contract there, she still worked freelance (8). In Hollywood, however, it was well known that Cowan eventually became one of the highest paid writers for Cecil B. DeMille, as the Los Angeles Times reported in 1939 (A11)

Maibelle Heikes Justice

“Mr. Osbourn took me to the deathhouse at the New York State penitentiary in order that I might secure better local color for my film drama, Who Shall Take My Life?” writer Maibelle Heikes is quoted in the Atlanta Constitution, explaining her research process for the 1917 film. She entered Sing Sing prison with an order from the New York Supreme Court of New York (D4). Written by Justice and directed by Colin Campbell, Who Shall Take My Life? (1917) tells the story of Big Bill O’Shaughnessy, a man convicted and executed for the murder of a woman who, after his execution, is discovered to be still alive. Although at times described as anti-capital punishment propaganda, the film was also appreciated in the press for its high level of realism and notably sparked intense discussion because of its strong moral and political stance. The Moving Picture World review mentions a screening for members of the Chicago branch of the Anti-Capital Punishment Society of America attended by prominent politician and citizen supporters (1800). Maibelle Heikes Justice was no stranger to the thorny political and emotional questions raised by the US legal system. The Moving Picture World review explained that she was the daughter of prominent Indiana jurist James Monroe Justice and speculated that quite possibly the screenwriter was familiar with many cases of “miscarried” justice, which produced the suffering of the innocent for crimes they never committed. “Miss Heikes Justice,” the writer asserts, is “an ardent opponent of capital punishment” who produces in her photoplay a “most convincing argument in favor of her belief” (1800)

Optimization of cellulolytic enzyme production by thermophilic fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus using response surface methodology

In the present study, thermophilic fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus, a local isolate, was used for production of cellulolytic enzymes using rice straw (RS) as substrate under submerged fermentation using Box-Behnken Design (BBD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Themophilic fungus T. aurantiacus grew very well at 50-55°C temperature. BBD was used to study the influence of process parameters, pH (4-6), temperature (40-60°C) and substrate concentration (2-8 g/L) and their interactive effect on cellulase enzyme production. The R2 value 0.94 for Filter paper activity and 0.95 for carboxymethyl cellulase activity indicate that the model is appropriate and replicated to predict the effect of pH, temperature and substrate concentration on both enzyme activities. Under optimized conditions, 6.1 (U/gds) FPase activity and 28.2 (U/gds) CMCase activity was observed