On the arbitrariness and robustness of multi-dimensional poverty rankings

It is often argued that multi-dimensional measures of well-being and poverty—such as those based on the capability approach and related views—are ad hoc. Rankings based on them are not, for this reason, robust to changes in the selection of weights used. In this paper, it is argued that the extent of potential arbitrariness and the range of issues relating to robustness have been underestimated in this context. Several issues relating to both the identification of the poor and the use of dimension-specific data are distinguished. These issues are then discussed in the context of the inter-provincial ranking of poverty in South Africa in 1995-6. It turns out that this ranking is fairly robust, and that some important policy-relevant results about the distinction between ‘income’/‘expenditure’ and ‘human’ poverty for the South African context are reinforced rather than undermined by checking for robustness. In particular, while KwaZulu Natal is in the best three in terms of the standard expenditure measures for various choices of poverty line, it is third worst in terms of all the multi-dimensional rankings presented here

Experimental investigation on synthesis, characterization, stability, thermo-physical properties and rheological behavior of MWCNTs-kapok seed oil based nanofluid

Several researchers devoted their efforts for the thermal conductivity enhancement of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) based nanofluids as CNTs have excellent thermal properties. However, limited research is reported on the detailed thermo-physical properties of CNTs and oil based nanofluids. In this work, the one-step method synthesis of a new MWCNTs-Kapok seed oil based nanofluid at constant nanoparticle concentration (0.1 wt./wt.) is reported. The nanofluid is characterized by FESEM, FTIR, visual stability analysis and thermophysical properties are experimentally measured. The viscosity found in the range of (0.049–10.101¿Pa·s), the thermal conductivity of (0.165–0.207¿W/m·K) and enhancement of thermal conductivity (6.1538%) were observed. Moreover, the viscosity decreases, and thermal conductivity increases with an increase in temperature. The experimentally obtained data are found in agreement with existing models and modified correlations. The rheological behavior showed that nanofluid is non-Newtonian in nature and exhibiting shear thinning or pseudo plastic behavior.Preprin

The adaptation problem, evolution and normative economics

Amartya Sen has advanced a number of distinct arguments against utilitarianism and 'utility'-based views more generally. One of these invokes various ways in which underdogs can 'adapt' and learn to live with their situations. Sen's argument is related to Jon Elster's discussion of 'adaptive preferences' but is distinct in part because Sen cites the need for underdogs to survive. When read in combination with his discussion of Darwinism, Sen's discussion of adaptation is relevant to recent work in normative economics which is influenced by evolutionary biology. It poses a problem for Richard Layard's book on happiness, particularly its policy conclusions. It also poses a problem for Ken Binmore's account of justice because the empathetic preferences in terms of which interpersonal comparisons are made in Binmore's account are formed through social evolution

Capability, Objectivity and 'False Consciousness' : On Sen, Marx and J.S. Mill

Purpose The extent to which Amartya Sen’s capability approach is prefigured in Karl Marx’s views comes into sharper focus when one notes that Marx and Friedrich Engels explicitly argued that the transformation from capitalism to communism would involve the development of “a totality of capacities”. Sen also cites the notion of “false consciousness” in developing his view of objectivity and claims a Marxian pedigree for the notion of “objective illusion”. He suggests that public discussion can make evaluative judgements better informed and less parochial, so that they connect more closely with what people have reason to value. The author argues that this line of argument is also closely related to views John Stuart Mill advanced in his discussion of the “competent judges” and in his defence of liberty of thought and discussion. Design/methodology/approach The approach used is conceptual analysis and discussion of historical texts. Findings The chief findings are that Amartya Sen’s works on capability and objectivity have deeper affinities with some of Karl Marx’s and Friedrich Engels’ views than has been hitherto appreciated by scholars. However, some of the claims which Sen makes about objectivity and false consciousness are prefigured in the writings of J.S. Mill. Originality/value Because some of these affinities between the works of Sen, Marx and Mill have not previously been recognised, the paper’s elucidation of them is a new contribution to the literature. </jats:sec

Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) study of polymer microencapsulation processes

(English) Microencapsulation process of polymers and biopolymer is the most important technique in a polymer industry to make it unique and applicable in various fields of daily life. When it comes to the accuracy of the method only Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations or numerical solution provides the authenticity of the method. CFD analysis gives a more schematic approach instead of any other Simulation method. In this thesis detailed use of governing equations of CFD is used to predict the accuracy of the microencapsulation method. The experimentation was done in the laboratory of the department of polymers and biopolymers under the supervision of Prof Luis J. Dell Valle. By using CFD the results are more precise, clear and accurate along with the zero minimum percentage of human error. After representing a literature review for the modeling of microencapsulation process in the first chapter, the methodology about how the process began and what parameters we followed to fulfill the requirement of the project. The effect of impeller speed 5000 rpm, 7500 rpm, 1000 rpm, 12000 rpm and 15000 rpm were determined on the number density functions and particle size reduction in the microencapsulation domain. Ansys. Fluent R2 2020 was used to model the experimental data. For the purpose of modeling the particle size distribution discrete method of population balance model is used. A total of five bins were selected to perform the size distribution analyze. The reason for selecting this small diameter range is the focus and accuracy of the solver. The bins should be more than enough to cover the distribution range and small enough to save computational time. Realizable k-e, Eulerian framework and appropriate bins initial values are used to predict the multiphase behavior. Under these conditions simulation converges very well and gives good agreement with the validation and experimental data.(Català) El procés de microencapsulación de polímers i biopolímeros és la tècnica més important en la indústria dels polímers per fer-la única i aplicable en diversos camps de la vida diària. Quan es tracta de la precisió del mètode, només les simulacions de dinàmica de fluids computacionals (CFD) o la solució numèrica proporciona l'autenticitat del mètode. L'anàlisi CFD ofereix un enfocament més esquemàtic de qualsevol altre mètode de simulació. En aquesta tesi s'utilitza un ús detallat de les equacions rectores de CFD per determinar la precisió del mètode de microencapsulació. La experimentación es va realitzar en el laboratorio del departamento de polímeros y biopolímeros bajo la supervisión del Prof. Luis J. Dell Valle. Al utilitzar CFD, els resultats són més precisos, clars i exactes junts amb el percentatge mínim d'error humà de zero. Després de representar una revisió de la literatura per al modelat del procés de microencapsulació en el primer capítol, es va explicar la metodologia sobre com va començar el procés i quins paràmetres seguim per complir amb els requisits del projecte. Es va determinar l'efecte de la velocitat de l'impulsor de 5000 rpm, 7500 rpm, 1000 rpm, 12000 rpm i 15000 rpm sobre les funcions de densitat numèrica i la reducció del tamany de partícules en el domini de microencapsulació. Ansys. S'ha utilitzat Fluent R2 2020 per a modelar els dades experimentals. Per a modelar la distribució del tamany de partícules s'utilitza el mètode discret del model d'equilibri poblacional. Seleccioneu un total de cinc contenidors per realitzar l'anàlisi de distribució de mides. La razón per seleccionar aquest rang de diàmetre petit és l'enfocament i la precisió del solucionador. Els contenedors haurien de ser més que suficients per cobrir el rang de distribució i el suficientment petits com per estalviar temps de càlcul. S'utilitzen k-e realizable, marco euleria i valors inicials de bins apropiats per determinar el comportament multifàsic. En aquestes condicions, la simulació converge molt bé i concorda bé amb les dades experimentals i de validació.(Español) El proceso de microencapsulación de polímeros y biopolímeros es la técnica más importante en la industria de los polímeros para hacerla única y aplicable en diversos campos de la vida diaria. Cuando se trata de la precisión del método, sólo las simulaciones de dinámica de fluidos computacional (CFD) o la solución numérica proporcionan la autenticidad del método. El análisis CFD ofrece un enfoque más esquemático que cualquier otro método de simulación. En esta tesis se utiliza un uso detallado de las ecuaciones rectoras de CFD para predecir la precisión del método de microencapsulación. La experimentación se realizó en el laboratorio del departamento de polímeros y biopolímeros bajo la supervisión del Prof. Luis J. Dell Valle. Al utilizar CFD, los resultados son más precisos, claros y exactos junto con el porcentaje mínimo de error humano de cero. Luego de representar una revisión de la literatura para el modelado del proceso de microencapsulación en el primer capítulo, se explicó la metodología sobre cómo comenzó el proceso y qué parámetros seguimos para cumplir con los requisitos del proyecto. Se determinó el efecto de la velocidad del impulsor de 5000 rpm, 7500 rpm, 1000 rpm, 12000 rpm y 15000 rpm sobre las funciones de densidad numérica y la reducción del tamaño de partículas en el dominio de microencapsulación. Ansys. Se utilizó Fluent R2 2020 para modelar los datos experimentales. Para modelar la distribución del tamaño de partículas se utiliza el método discreto del modelo de equilibrio poblacional. Se seleccionaron un total de cinco contenedores para realizar el análisis de distribución de tamaños. La razón para seleccionar este rango de diámetro pequeño es el enfoque y la precisión del solucionador. Los contenedores deberían ser más que suficientes para cubrir el rango de distribución y lo suficientemente pequeños como para ahorrar tiempo de cálculo. Se utilizan k-e realizable, marco eulerian y valores iniciales de bins apropiados para predecir el comportamiento multifásico. En estas condiciones, la simulación converge muy bien y concuerda bien con los datos experimentales y de validación.Postprint (published version

Public-Private Partnerships and the Value of the Process: The Case of Sub-Saharan Africa

In the current age of fiscal austerity, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) continue to be a dominating force as a policy tool to help plug widening funding gaps and deliver vital infrastructure. There is much debate over PPP models; risk allocation and financing. Partnerships UK is currently revaluating its Private Financing Initiative (PFI) model, questioning whether competitive dialogue brings value to the process. France recently announced PPPs worth €60bn to come to market in the coming decade, developing economies’ appetite for PPPs is increasing. According to a World Bank study Africa in particular needs around US$16.5 billion a year, to reach the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) for improved water access in Sub-Sahara Africa. When over 300 water Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) were evaluated, contract type mattered to some degree, but not significantly. There were reportedly exceptional increases in the number of connections after the private sector was involved, but without an increase in financial investment. If financing and contract type were not a significant game changer, how else can we explain success and failures of different PPPs

Trends in utilization and off-label use of polyethylene glycol 4000 laxatives and the prevalence of constipation in children in France

Nawab Qizilbash1,2, Ignacio Mendez11OXON Epidemiology, Madrid, Spain, and London, UK; 2Department of Primary Care and Social Medicine, Imperial College, London University, UKPurpose: To determine trends in utilization and off-label use of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 in children and to determine the prevalence of constipation.Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional analyses were conducted from 1997 to 2007 in a French health care database comprising general practitioners and pediatricians. Patients prescribed PEG 4000 (Forlax&amp;reg;; Ipsen Pharma, Paris, France) were used to assess PEG 4000 use; constipation was defined by a diagnosis of constipation or use of any laxative. Analyses used linear regression models to fit trends over time.Results: The study sample consisted of a nationally representative sample of 1200 general practitioners with 1.6 million patient medical records and 100 pediatricians with 70,000 patient medical records. Data were available from 1997 to 2007 for general practitioners and from 2003 to 2007 for pediatricians and were extrapolated to the national level. Among both groups of physicians there were statistically significant increases in the number of patients prescribed 4 g. For the 10 g dose, there was a decline among pediatricians. The largest increases were in children aged 0&amp;ndash;8 years and in females. The prevalence of constipation in children aged 0&amp;ndash;18 years was 4%.Conclusion: There has been an increase in the use of PEG 4000 laxative in children, particularly in the younger ages and in females. Use of the 4 g dose has increased. There was considerable off-label use of PEG 4000 in children aged 0&amp;ndash;8 years before the introduction of the 4 g pediatric dose, which reflected clinical need.Keywords: polyethylene glycol, macrogol 4000, children, drug utilization, database, laxative, off-label use, prevalence, constipation, time trend

Thinking about Later Life: Insights from the Capability Approach

A major criticism of mainstream gerontological frameworks is the inability of such frameworks to appreciate and incorporate issues of diversity and difference in engaging with experiences of aging. Given the prevailing socially structured nature of inequalities, such differences matter greatly in shaping experiences, as well as social constructions, of aging. I argue that Amartya Sen’s capability approach (2009) potentially offers gerontological scholars a broad conceptual framework that places at its core consideration of human beings (their values) and centrality of human diversity. As well as identifying these key features of the capability approach, I discuss and demonstrate their relevance to thinking about old age and aging. I maintain that in the context of complex and emerging identities in later life that shape and are shaped by shifting people-place and people-people relationships, Sen’s capability approach offers significant possibilities for gerontological research