Whose poverty really matters when deciding aid volumes?

This study assesses the relevance of poverty in the determination of aid volumes. In particular, it investigates whether donors' decisions about aid volumes are more reactive to changes in domestic poverty than to those in the poverty of prospective aid recipients. This is particularly relevant at times of economic crisis, which may seriously affect the proportion of donors' budgets that is devoted to foreign assistance. The present study is based on the experience of a sample of members of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECDDAC). It finds that faster and greater changes in the volume of foreign aid occurred in response to changes in poverty in the donor countries rather than in potential recipient countries. Furthermore, donors' attitude towards poverty in low-income countries differs from the one towards poverty in middle-income countries

Relevance of poverty and governance for aid allocation

The argument that aid can bolster growth and poverty reduction only in a conducive policy environment has generated attention on some conditions of the economic, political and institutional context in the recipient country which can allow aid to contribute to pro-poor growth. This has clear implications in terms of aid allocation. This paper tries to contribute to such discussion by proposing a combined framework to address the aid-growth-poverty-governance nexus. Results show that aid is more effective - both for poverty reduction and for growth - when its allocation is inspired by a poverty-focused perspective and, to a certain extent, by a conducive environment in the recipient country. A review of aid allocation over the past thirty years supports the criticism that this does not seem to be inspired by poverty-reducing aims, but it reveals as well how this has remarkably changed. It is highlighted how both donors' poverty-focused aid allocation and recipients' proper aid utilization are necessary to improve aid effectiveness. At the same time it is considered how the ongoing changes of the poverty landscape will require some changes of the aid architecture

Spacecraft dynamics under the action of Y-dot magnetic control law

The paper investigates the dynamic behavior of a spacecraft when a single magnetic torque-rod is used for achieving a pure spin condition by means of the so-called Y-dot control law. Global asymptotic convergence to a pure spin condition is proven on analytical grounds when the dipole moment is proportional to the rate of variation of the component of the magnetic field along the desired spin axis. Convergence of the spin axis towards the orbit normal is then explained by estimating the average magnetic control torque over one orbit. The validity of the analytical results, based on some simplifying assumptions and approximations, is finally investigated by means of numerical simulation for a fully non-linear attitude dynamic model, featuring a tilted dipole model for Earth׳s magnetic field. The analysis aims to support, in the framework of a sound mathematical basis, the development of effective control laws in realistic mission scenarios. Results are presented and discussed for relevant test cases

Leadership in aid selectivity

Purpose The purpose of this study is to shed light on donors’ decision process in their choice of aid recipients, which is still only partly understood. In particular, it is still unclear whether any imitative behaviour within donors’ decision process actually affects the degree of selectivity in their choice of recipients. This study contributes to fill such a gap by assessing whether the selectivity of donors’ aid allocation reflects an imitative behaviour and, if so, who leads the game and how the game has changed over time. Design/methodology/approach Donors’ selectivity is estimated using the Suits index for the analysis of aid allocations. The evolution of the Suits index is analysed in an autoregressive manner to test whether donors’ selectivity reflects an imitative behaviour. Findings This study documents a general increase in aid selectivity with regards to poverty, while selectivity according to governance reveals only limited change. The analysis shows how a redistributive process of donor leadership and influential power over aid allocation has been in place over three decades between 1980 and 2010, with the 1990s signing the main phase of transition. Originality/value This study contributes to shed light on donor coordination through the identification of leaders and followers among donors in terms of aid selectivity

Titanium dioxide in chromogenic devices: Synthesis, toxicological issues, and fabrication methods

none3noThe use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) within two specific classes of devices, namely electrochromic and photoelectrochromic, is described hereafter, with respect to its inherent properties and chromogenic features within architectures that have appeared so far, in this field. The new research trends, involving the applications of TiO2 in chromogenic materials are reported, with particular attention paid to the techniques used for film deposition as well as the synthesis of nanoparticles. Furthermore, the main studies concerning its chemical-physical properties and approaches to its chemical syntheses and fabrication are reviewed, with special regard to “green” routes. In addition, the main aspects relating to toxicological profiles are exposed, with reference to nanoparticles and thin films.openDe Matteis V.; Cannavale A.; Ayr U.De Matteis, V.; Cannavale, A.; Ayr, U

Steel based retrofitting interventions for existing masonry walls: a comparative numerical investigation

Masonry buildings constitute a significant portion of the architectural heritage all over the world, also in regions affected by a high seismic hazard. Since this constructional material is characterized by lack of tensile strength, as well as small deformation capacity, masonry structures could result hugely damaged if shaken by seismic forces. In order to avoid collapses and reduce structural damage, innovative retrofitting interventions are necessary to improve the seismic behavior of masonry structures. In this context, steel-based techniques could be considered among the most suitable solutions. In fact, by using such a high-performant material, additional strength and ductility may be conferred to existing masonry structures. Based on these premises, the present paper focuses on a numerical investigation of two different retrofitting techniques: the CAM© system and the application of steel grids on both faces of a masonry wall. In particular, on the base of an experimental test carried out within the research project In.CAM.M.I.N.O. on an unreinforced masonry wall tested in condition of constant vertical force and horizontal loads, a reference FE Model has been calibrated in Abaqus by using a macro-modelling approach with a damage-plasticity material model for the masonry. Then, based on the reference model, the efficiency of the two systems has been investigated and compared by means of numerical analyses, in order to evaluate the strength and ductility increases obtainable by the application of the two retrofitting techniques

Magnetic properties of a nanocrystalline material for current derivative sensors of magnets protection systems

Nanocrystalline materials are becoming ever more broadly used in transformer-based transducers due to their low losses, high relative permeability and high saturation flux density. In this paper, the magnetic characterization of one of these materials is presented by highlighting its influence on the performance of a current derivative sensor. This sensor was recently prototyped at CERN in the framework of the consolidation activity on the quench protection of superconducting magnets for the high-luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider. The performance is analyzed in terms of linearity and dynamic response

Histopathological aspects of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: Analysis of 20 years experience

Background: In this study we used histopathological examinations performed over a 20-year period to describe the characteristics of newly diagnosed transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder in relation to patient age, and to verify changes in the TCC over different periods of observation or in relation to patient age. Methods: We reviewed all histopathological examinations performed from January 1979 to December 1998 in patients undergoing surgery who were newly diagnosed with TCC of the bladder. All examinations were performed by the same pathologist and reviewed by two pathologists. In each case analyzed, we evaluated T classification of the tumor, histological grade, size, localization, growth type, multiplicity and carcinoma in situ (CIS). Results: The study population included 3113 men and 620 women. The mean patient age was 66.31 +/- 10.84 years. A high percentage of Ta (52.2%) and T1 (27.7%) tumors were found. The number of cases observed and, in particular, the percentage of Ta tumors increased significantly and progressively from the first (1979-1983 = 376 cases; Ta = 37.8%) to the last (1994-1998 = 1732 cases; Ta = 56.3%) period of observation (P < 0.001). A significant difference in the distribution of histological grade and T classification in the different age decades was apparent (P < 0.001); in particular, for G1 and Ta tumors there was a trend to decrease, whereas for G3, T1 and T2 tumors there was a tendency to increase with age decades. Conclusion: In our analysis, age of patient and the period of examination significantly influenced different pathological characteristics of newly diagnosed TCC of the bladder

Market resilience in the times of crisis: The case of Darfur

This article focuses on market behavior during crises. It provides an analysis of market functioning in North Darfur, Sudan, over a decade when both natural and manmade disasters were experienced. Results obtained using two rigorous methodological approaches highlight how markets not only remained functional during crises, but even operated more efficiently after a shock than in normal conditions. While our analysis focuses on specific events, we argue that our findings have general validity and application