Inputs Prices Shocks and Economic Growth: Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Oil and Cotton Prices Shocks in Burkina Faso

This paper analyzes the effects of oil and cotton price shocks on Burkina Faso economic growth using a multivariate VAR model estimation. We have distinguished between the linear and nonlinear specification of oil and cotton price shocks in our study. For the nonlinear specification, we make the difference between prices increase and price decreases. We find that oil price shocks do not affect Burkina Faso’s real GDP in both linear and nonlinear specification. However, we do find that cotton price shocks in linear and nonlinear model, Granger cause real GDP and final consumption. In addition, the study has shown that both positive and negative cotton price shocks affect positively the real GDP

Cross Cultural Dimensions of Cultural Capital: A Comparison Between Greece and Turkey

In this research, cross cultural dimensions between two ancient societies, Greece and Turkey have been examined and compared. In addition, West and Anatolia were also compared based on selected cross cultural dimensions. Cross cultural dimensions were evaluated in 11 factors: Education, Political Trust, Voluntary Work, Political Participation, Life Satisfaction Component, and Trust in People, Fear of Others, Life Satisfaction, Happiness, Income and Deprivation Index. In the research, a rhetorical analysis was also performed based on interviews with selected organizations in Greece and Turkey. According to results of the research, all 11 factors of cross cultural dimension were statistically significant between two countries (p<.05). Education levels were higher in Greece. Turkish people trust more political institutions. Greek people were less volunteering for community and social services. Political participation was higher in Turkish participants. Greek participants were more satisfied with education, accommodation, health and social life. Greek participants had less trust to other people. Life satisfaction level was higher in Turkish participants. Happiness levels of Greek participants were also lower. Income levels of Greek participants were lower, where deprivation index was higher in Turkish participants

Response of beam-to-column web cleated joints for FRP pultruded members

Physical testing is used to characterize the structural properties of beam-to-column joints, comprising pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) H-shapes of depth 203 mm, connected by 128 mm-long web cleats and two M16 bolts per leg. Testing is performed on two batches of nominally identical specimens. One batch had web cleats of pultruded FRP and the other had structural steel. The structural behavior of the joints is based on their moment-rotation responses, failure modes, and serviceability vertical deflection limits. Joints with FRP cleats failed by delamination cracking at the top of the cleats, and when the cleats were of steel, the FRP failure occurred inside the column members. Neither failure mode is reported in the design manuals from pultruders. At the onset of the FRP damage, it was found that the steel joints were twice as stiff as the FRP joints. On the basis of a characteristic (damage) rotation, calculated in accordance with Eurocode 0, the serviceability deflection limits are established to be span/300 and span/650 for the joints with FRP and steel cleats, respectively. This finding suggests that appropriate deflection limits, in relation to cleated connections, should be proposed in manufactures’ design manuals and relative design standards and design codes. Failure to address the serviceability, by the engineer of record, could lead to unreliable designs

Hydrogen production from high temperature steam catalytic gasification of bio-char

Hydrogen production from the catalytic steam gasification of bio-char derived from the pyrolysis of sugar cane bagasse has been investigated in relation to gasification temperature up to 1050 °C, steam flow rate from 6 to 25 ml h−1 and type of Nickel catalyst. The catalysts used were Ni-dolomite, Ni–MgO and Ni–Al2O3, all with 10% nickel loading. The hydrogen yield in the absence of a catalyst at a gasification temperature of 950 °C was 100.97 mmol g−1 of bagasse char. However, the presence of the Ni–MgO and Ni–Al2O3 catalysts produced significantly improved hydrogen yields of 178.75 and 187.25 mmol g−1 of bagasse char respectively at 950 °C. The hydrogen yield from the char with the Ni-dolomite only showed a modest increase in hydrogen yield. The influence of gasification temperature showed that the optimum temperature to obtain the highest hydrogen yield was 950 °C. Increase in gasification temperature from 750 to 950 °C significantly increased hydrogen yield from 45.30 to 187.25 mmol g−1 of bagasse char at 950 °C, but was followed by a decrease in yield at 1050 °C. The influence of steam flow rate showed that with the increase in steam flow rate from 6 to 15 ml h−1 hydrogen yield was increased from 187.25 to 208.41 mmol g−1 of bagasse char. Further increase in steam flow rate resulted in a decrease in hydrogen yield

From Monodisciplinary via Multidisciplinary to an Interdisciplinary Approach Investigating Air-Sea Interactions – a SOLAS Initiative

Understanding the physical and biogeochemical interactions and feedbacks between the ocean and atmosphere is a vital component of environmental and Earth system research. The ability to predict and respond to future environmental change relies on a detailed understanding of these processes. The Surface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS) is an international research platform that focuses on the study of ocean-atmosphere interactions, for which Future Earth is a sponsor. SOLAS instigated a collaborative initiative process to connect efforts in the natural and social sciences related to these processes, as a contribution to the emerging Future Earth Ocean Knowledge-Action Network (Ocean KAN). This is imperative because many of the recent changes in the Earth system are anthropogenic. An understanding of adaptation and counteracting measures requires an alliance of scientists from both domains to bridge the gap between science and policy. To this end, three SOLAS research areas were targeted for a case study to determine a more effective method of interdisciplinary research: valuing carbon and the ocean’s role; air-sea interactions, policy and stewardship; and, air-sea interactions and the shipping industry

A novel index for the study of synergistic effects during the co-processing of coal and biomass

In this study, synergistic interaction between coal and biomass and its intensity were investigated systematically using a low rank coal and its blends with different biomass samples at various blending ratios. The catalytic effects of minerals originated from biomass were also studied. It was found that some of the minerals existing in the ash derived from oat straw catalysed the combustions process and contributed to synergistic interactions. However, for the coal and rice husk blends, minimal improvements were recorded even when the biomass and coal blending ratio was as high as 30 wt%. Biomass volatile also influenced the overall combustion performance of the blends and contributed to synergistic interactions between the two fuels in the blends. Based on these findings, a novel index was formulated to quantify the degree of synergistic interactions. This index was also validated using data extracted from literature and showed satisfactory correlation coefficients. It was found that at a blending ratio of 30 wt% oat straw in the blend, the degree of synergistic interaction between coal and oat straw showed an additional SF value of 0.25 with non-catalytic and catalytic synergistic effect contributing 0.16 (64%) and 0.09 (36%) respectively. This index could be used in the selection of proper biomass and proper blending ratio for co-firing at coal-fired power stations aiming at improving the combustion performance of poor quality coals via enhancing synergistic interactions during co-processing

The impact of a residential camp on grandchildren raised by grandparents: Grandparents’ perspectives

This research aimed to investigate grandparents’ perspectives on the impact of Leadership and Respite Camps, designed for children being raised by their grandparents, on their grandchildren. In-depth interviews were conducted with 34 grandparents whose grandchildren had participated in 1 of 3 camps held between September 2018 and January 2019, in Perth and the south-west of Western Australia. Findings highlighted how grandcarers’ perceived the camps created unique opportunities for grandchildren to share their experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Grandparents reported significant psychosocial benefits to their grandchild, including feeling they fitted in with their peers and were not alone in experiencing a difficult childhood and adolescence; gaining perspective on their situation and developing a new appreciation for their grandparents; being able to emotionally ‘unblock’ traumatic memories through the sharing of experiences in a safe and supportive camp environment; developing resilience, confidence and self-esteem through participation in challenging activities; and making new friendships. This research provides strong evidence that Leadership and Respite Camps designed for grandchildren being raised by their grandparents deliver significant psychosocial benefits to grandchildren, and offers a solid foundation to advocate for regular camps to address the needs of grandparent-led families