Price bargaining and quantity bonus in developing economies

Consider a seller and a buyer bargaining over the price of an agricultural product in a developing economy. Think of the following common bargaining deal: the seller tries to persuade the buyer to accept a higher price and, in return, give the buyer a deal (i.e., extra units of the product for free). Why doesnÕt the seller just give the buyer a lower price instead of the deal? This paper provides an answer to this question. Although price can apparently replicate the use of quantity bonus (i.e., the free extra units), we argue that price bargaining per se limits the extent to which price can be used. Such bargaining deals are used because the seller can post them but cannot post prices. We explain why these sellers can post quantity bonuses. We give a condition under which the quantity bonus can replicate the equilibrium that would have obtained if the seller could directly post the price. We offer here a theory of bargaining deals.price bargaining, non-price competition, posted prices, quantity bonus

Assessment of Levels of Occupational Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields in a Data Centre in Greater Accra Region - Ghana.

The Electric and Magnetic fields for workers in a data centre in the Greater Accra Region was assessed. The fundamental objective was to determine the levels of the electric and magnetic fields and to assess the extent of exposure of workers in the data centre to these fields. The results for the electric field intensities in the data centre ranged from 6.03E-03 ± 7.54E-04 kVm-1 to 2.33E-04 ± 8.82E-05 kVm-1. The results obtained for the magnetic flux density ranged from 3.9E-07 ± 8.77E-03 μT to 7.27E-08 ± 7.31E-03 μT. The results obtained for the induced current density ranged from 2.37E-06 ± 1.50E-02 mA/m2 to 2.46E-07 ± 9.99E-03 mA/m2. Data obtained were below the basic restrictions for induced current density and reference levels for electric field and magnetic flux density set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection

Assessment of Levels of Occupational Exposure to UV-A and UV-C Radiation among Shielded Metal Arc Welders in Accra, Ghana

This study attempted to quantify the irradiance levels of ultraviolet A (UV-A) and ultraviolet C (UV-C) from the shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process to welders in Accra, Ghana. Exposures were assessed via measurements, observations, and interviews. The assessments were done based on safe exposure levels prescribed by recognized international organizations such as the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Results from the measured UV-C irradiance levels EUV-C ranged between 0.16 ± 0.08 W/m2 and 10.46 ± 1.96 W/m2 with its corresponding permissible exposure duration tmax‑UV‑C per day ranging from 5.74 s to 367.35 s. The measured UV-A irradiance levels EUV‑A ranged from 0.88 ± 0.03 W/m2 to 23.72 ± 6.66 W/m2 with its corresponding permissible exposure duration tmax‑UV‑A per day ranging from 421.59 s to     11,363.64 s. The obtained effective irradiance Eeff has a range of 2.08 W/m2 to 28.79 W/m2 with the range of permissible exposure duration tmax per day of 1.04 s to 14.40 s. It was found that the total exposure time of the welders exceeded the permissible exposure durations and that the safety practices among the welders were unsatisfactory

Radiation dose assessment for occupationally exposed workers in Malawi

Background The objective of this study was to assess individual doses received by radiographers, and the scattered radiation dose rate reaching the control panel in X-ray departments of three hospitals in Malawi, in-order to compare them against the internationally recommended limits.Methods Themoluminescent Dosimeters were issued to fifteen (15) radiographers to record their dose for a month. Dose rate measurements were recorded using survey meters.Results Average monthly dose for workers was 0.247mSv. Average ambient dose rate values were 0.39μSv/hr for Mtengo wa Nthenga Hospital, 5.03μSv/hr for Bwaila Hospital and 4μSv/hr for Kamuzu Central Hospital.Conclusions Dose levels are below the limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)

Nitrogen Fixation and Yield Potential of Some Early-Maturing Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata (L) Walp) Lines

Field experiment was conducted at Mampong Campus of the University of Education to determine the yield and nitrogen fixation potential of some cowpea lines. Nine lines plus Asontem variety were studied in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. The results showed that all the lines nodulated freely with the natural rhizobia in the soil. There was significant differences (P<0.05) in the nodulation abilities of the lines. Number of nodules negatively correlated with nodule dry weight (r= -0.38) whiles the amount of nitrogen fixed positively correlated with total seed yield (r= 0.94). Line IT97K-506-1 produced the highest number of nodules per plant but did not fix the highest amount of nitrogen. Lines IT97K-566-18 and IT97K-570-18 which contained the highest amount of nitrogen (4.43 and 4.70kgN/ha) respectively in their residue also produced the highest seed yield (3.58 and 3.61t/ha) respectively. The results showed that lines IT97K-570-18 and IT97K-566-18 have high yielding potentials and N-fixing abilities and should be tested on farmers’ fields. Key words: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp), Nitrogen Fixition, Anova, Soil Fertility.

Examining intersectoral integration for malaria control programmes in an urban and a rural district in Ghana: a multinomial multilevel analysis

Background: Intersectoral integration is acknowledged to be essential for improving provision of health care and outcomes, yet it remains one of the main primary health care strategic challenges. Although this is well articulated in the literature, the factors that explain differentials in levels of intersectoral integration have not been systematically studied, particularly in low and middle-income countries. In this study, we examine the levels and determinants of intersectoral integration amongst institutions engaged in malaria control programmes in an urban (Kumasi Metropolitan) district and a rural (Ahafo Ano South) district in Ghana. Methods: Interviews were conducted with representatives of 32 institutions engaged in promoting malaria prevention and control. The averaging technique proposed by Brown et al. and a two-level multinomial multilevel ordinal logistic regression were used to examine the levels of integration and the factors that explain the differentials. Results: The results show high disparity in levels of integration amongst institutions in the two districts. Integration was higher in the rural district compared to the urban district. The multivariate analysis revealed that the district effect explained 25% of the variations in integration. The type of institution, level of focus on malaria and source of funding are important predictors of intersectoral integration. Conclusion: Although not causal, integrated malaria control programmes could be important for improving malaria-related health outcomes in less developed regions as evident from the rapid decline in malaria fatality rates observed in the Ahafo Ano South district. Harmonisation of programmes should be encouraged amongst institutions and the public and private sectors should be motivated to work in partnership

Yam Tuber Dormancy and Sprouting: The Role of Concentration Dynamics of Endogenous Gibberellic Acid

The role of endogenous gibberellic acid (GA ) in the regulation of yam (Dioscorea spp.) tuber 3 dormancy was investigated by determining the changes in the endogenous GA levels during 3 natural dormancy progression. Two Dioscorea rotundata cultivars ('Pona' and 'Labreko') and one Dioscorea alata cultivar ('CRI-Ahoɔdenfoɔ') used in these studies have varying dormancy duration. Endogenous GA levels determined for the yam tubers ranged from 1.53 – 3.05 mg/g dw 3 and 1.23 – 1.58 mg/g dw for 'Pona'; 1.53 – 3.40 mg/g dw and 1.25–1.57 mg/g dw for 'Labreko'; 1.48 – 3.62 mg/g dw and 1.28 – 1.60 mg/g dw for 'CRI-Ahoɔdenfoɔ', respectively, for the outer and inner portions. 'Pona' and 'Labreko' had dormancy break at 60 days after harvest (DAH), but at 90 DAH for 'CRI-Ahoɔdenfoɔ'. Generally, GA levels increased from harvest to the maximum 3 at 30 DAH, then declined to the minimum at 60 DAH before finally increasing again at 90 DAH for the outer portions of the yam tuber. For the inner portions of the tuber, GA levels rather 3 declined significantly to the minimum at 30 DAH, increased at 60 DAH and then decreased again at 90 DAH. GA levels in the outer portions of the tubers increased by 84-122%, 65-77% and 61- 3 65%, respectively, in 'CRI-Ahoɔdenfoɔ', 'Labreko' and 'Pona', but decreased in the inner portions by 19-23%, 24-26% and 26-28%. Essentially, higher amounts of endogenous gibberellins in yam tubers induced longer dormancy duration whereas lower amounts were indicative of dormancy termination and subsequent initiation of sprouting.&nbsp

Energy performance analysis and assessment of retrofit renewable energy technology for a university building

The climate change phenomenon is an ever-growing emergency driven by the emission of harmful anthropogenic gases from fossil fuel consumption. Its potential consequences, such as extreme weather and irreversible environmental impacts, have made it a focal point for political acts, targets, and regulations on a national and global scale. The operation of commercial buildings, in addition to the generation of the energy to which they consume, are identified as some of the highest contributing areas to these emissions. For university buildings, it is imperative that energy consumption is understood and addressed in order to protect the environment, reduce operational costs, meet government grant allocations, and continue to offer educational services to their students. This paper conducts an energy performance analysis of the Henry Cotton Building, part of the Liverpool John Moores University. The current energy consumption data is investigated using the techniques of energy benchmarking, Cumulative Sum of Differences and fabric assessment. The results indicated that both electricity and gas consumption sit within average recommended levels for similar buildings and could both be improved towards ‘good’ industry practice. Predicted consumptions were found to be similar to actual, highlighting no significant performance issues but highlighing no improvement. The fabric conditions were found to deviate significantly from modern industry standards. The study concludes with a review of potential renewable energy technology alternatives, to improve energy sustainability in the building by generation substitution. The analytic hierarchy process was utilised to compare the various solutions against each other and multiple criteria that impact successful implementation. The results identified solar as the most viable (score 78.5), followed by wind (score 66), geothermal (score 60) and biomass (score 50.5)

Analysis of Hydrogen Production Methods Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process

The ever-growing evidence of climate emergency continues to drive the need for innovative solutions to reduce the release of anthropogenic harmful gases. Continuing to heavily rely on energy originating from fossil fuels remains non-sustainable owing to their limited, exhausting supplies, dependence on politically insecure sources and adverse environmental impacts. These considerations, coupled with the current desperate need for energy security, have driven research towards finding cleaner alternatives. Hydrogen has the potential to reduce 5Gt of CO2 emissions annually, create 30 million new jobs and power over 400 million cars by 2050. However, for hydrogen to be justified and to be successful in feeding the world's appetite for energy, its full life cycle, including its production methods, is required to be safe, efficient, affordable and environmentally benign. This paper aims to review the status of the potential hydrogen production methods that have strong eligibility within the UK and facilitate the much-required wider discussion around hydrogen by employing a multi-disciplinary approach. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) has been employed to allow for pairwise comparisons of decision criteria and ranks decision alternatives using expert knowledge. Six hydrogen production methods (Green Electrolysis, SMR, ATR, POX, Anaerobic Digestion and Gasification) were chosen for review against nine parameters to determine which hydrogen production method(s) present most viable for the UK to aid in decarbonising the energy system. Collating performance scores against relevant parameters from industry experts allowed for a non-bias, holistic view of the production methods. Green electrolysis was found to be the better method (score 131) when assessed against all but one parameter, resulting in the method being considered the most viable option for the UK, however, considerations are to be made for electrolyser longevity and cost. SMR scored second most viable option (score 125), however, despite presenting as an effective production method for the UK based on the performance scores, this does not reflect the current deployment or construction rate of SMR with CCS projects in the UK. ATR (score 114) and POX (score 116) carry similar characteristics and subsequently scored similarly in performance scores. Anaerobic digestion (score 104) and gasification (score 101) scored amongst the lowest as their challenge is to scale in order to reach government goals as set out in the Government Hydrogen Strategy