Income Inequality and Health: A Multi-Country Analysis

This paper investigates the effect of income inequality on health status. A model of health status was specified in which the main variables were income level, income inequality, the level of savings and the level of education. The model was estimated using a panel data set for 44 countries covering six time periods. The results indicate that income inequality (measured by the Gini coefficient) has a significant effect on health status when we control for the levels of income, savings and education. The relationship is consistent regardless of the specification of health status and income. Thus, the study results provide some empirical support for the income inequality hypothesis

The effect of foreign direct investment on Indonesian economic growth, 1970-1996

This paper estimates the effects of foreign investment on Indonesia's economic growth for the period 1970 to 1996. Economic growth is measured by growth in gross domestic product (GDP) and gross domestic income (GNI), Two types of foreign investment are considered: foreign direct investment (FDI) and net private capital flows. Other determinants of economic growth included in the analysis are human capital and gross domestic savings. The results suggest that foreign direct investment, net private capital, human capital and gross domestic savings jointly influence economic growth. Foreign direct investment has a significant positive effect on economic growth, while net private capital has no significant effect. Human capital, proxied by the proportion of the population in the labour force and secondary school enrolments, and gross domestic savings, also exert a positive influence on economic growth. On the basis of the analysis, it is suggested that, to enhance the role of FDI in Indonesia's economic growth, the government should encourage the participation of foreign-owned enterprises (FOEs) in export-oriented industries and encourage the use of domestic inputs. There is also the need to enhance the quality of human capital through improved education and improved skills training

Private Returns on Education in Ghana: Estimating the Effects of Education on Employability in Ghana

The relevance of education for both individual and social development in Ghana and in many developing societies is generally acknowledged. Human capital theorists identify positive effects of education on labour market outcomes of individuals. It has been argued that educationenhances the skills and knowledge of individuals for better employment, higher productivity and improved wages. This paper draws on the latest and most comprehensive survey data in Ghana, the fifth round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS 5), to assess the effects of education on employability in Ghana. This paper argues that education has a positive effect on employability in Ghana. Analysis of the GLSS 5 data shows that in the Ghanaian labour market, individuals who have attained basic, secondary and tertiary education have higher probabilities of being employed than those with no education, ceteris paribus. However, thehighest private returns on education, in terms of employability is tertiary education. Hence optimal post primary education investment in Ghana is one with a high possibility for tertiary education

Diagnostic Potential of Imaging Modalities in the Assessment of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunctions

Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) is common in both men and women, and the incidence and prevalence increases as people age. Commonly observed symptoms of LUTD include nocturia, urgency, urinary incontinence and frequency of voiding. Recognizing the key role accurate monitoring and evaluation of LUTD play in the day-to-day assessment of the condition, this chapter will explore the diagnostic capabilities of imaging modalities including MRI, ultrasound and fluoroscopy in assessing bladder wall thickness (BWT), detrusor wall thickness (DWT) and estimation of bladder weight both in real-time and static positions, and finally analyze their suitability as surrogates for bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) or detrusor overactivity (DO)

Blood Ethoprop Retention and Interaction

0-ethyl-S, S-dipropyl phosphorodithioate, technically known as Ethoprop, is a newly introduced insecticide-nematicide manufactured by Mobil Corporation. It is applied directly to the soil where it is believed to exercise a broad spectrum, non-fumigant effect. It has good soil movement and residual properties, and has been used to control rootworms, cutworms, ·nematodes, wireworms, flea beetles and symphylans in corn, tobacco, potatoes, peanuts, bananas, and other crops. The uses of ethoprop are primarily agricultural, thus most of the work done on it to elucidate its properties has been in that area. The little research that has been performed on the biological properties was mainly to determine the probable products of metabolism in plants and animals. Though ethoprop, like other soil insecticides, is applied to the soil in which it exercises its effect, it is not uncommon for animals and other living organisms for whom the insecticide is not intended, to come in contact with it accidentally. The consequences of such contact may be harmful or even fatal to the victims themselves, or indirectly, to other living organisms. It is therefore very necessary to study the biological properties of the insecticide and its unintended effects on zoological species. Menzer et at, and Iqbal et al identified some of the products of ethoprop metabolism in plants and animals respectively, and suggested pathways leading to such products. Subsequently it was thought to be of interest to study the retention and interaction of ethoprop in blood with cholinesterases since most organophosphorus insecticides are known to be cholineesterase inhibitors. The study was also considered important since ethoprop is different from most insecticides in its class which generally must be oxidized to phosphates to gain significant biological activity. Ethoprop is expected to behave differently

Productivity improvements at small manufacturing company’s shop-floor

An effort to increase and improve the productivity has been started by the case company at which this thesis was conducted. Various productivity measures and improvements are being currently being studied to achieve a leaner production and easy material flow. In productivity improvements the ultimate goal is to seek out new production manufacturing processes that can increase the company’s overall efficiency in order to stay competitive in the market. This could be accomplished by the reduction or total elimination of losses that occur mechanically or through a bad operational process. The aim of this thesis is to develop a simple productivity measuring of the manufacturing machine and also to make a bidding calculator or sales tool to be used to speed the rate at which they set bids. By using literature from previous studies, unstructured interviews of managers, supervisors and employees the tasks to be performed were set. A recording sheet was created to record the rate at which the machines at the shop-floor were being utilized and this study we named as machine hour study. This study is to help us to understand the current state of utilization so as to figure out measures to increase the productivity. The second task was to modify the bidding calculator or sales tool to be more user-friendly. Lastly, the author was to recommend other projects that could help in the improvement of productivity at the shop-floor. The significant result is the fact that the machines being used in manufacturing were being underutilized which was agreed by the supervising managers at the shop-floor. Some of the reasons pertaining to this result are too much setup in a working day, long searchers for tools, not enough work, etc.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format

What do different generations of Ghanaians make of Jerry Rawlings’ legacy?

Military leader-turned-democrat Jerry Rawlings dominated political life in Ghana throughout the 1980s and 90s, staging two successful coup d’états and winning two democratic elections. His death in November 2020 leaves a chequered legacy more divisive than ever. Different generations hold widely opposing views in both Ghana itself and across the diaspora

Factors affecting the adoption of soil conservation measures: A case study of Fijian cane farmers

This study explores the extent to which various factors affect Fijian cane farmers' adoption of soil conservation measures. The significant factors affecting perception of the soil erosion problem include age, education, ethnicity, and extension services. On the other hand, the significant factors affecting soil conservation effort include perception of the erosion problem, net farm income, farm size, land type, and extension services. In general, personal characteristics appear to affect perceptions of soil erosion while the extent of conservation effort is affected by economic and physical factors. The resulting implications for soil conservation policy are discussed

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How Useful Is The Genuine Savings Rate As A Macroeconomic Sustainability Indicator For Countries And Regions? Australia And Queensland Compared

This paper demonstrates how macroeconomic indicators of sustainable development can be applied to the Queensland economy. We derive a Genuine Savings Rate (GSR) for Queensland for the period 1989 to 1999, which is then compared with the World Bank estimate of Australia's GSR for the same period. Specifically, we examine how well a single "headline" indicator based on the World Bank's GSR performs as a measure of overall sustainability. In doing so, we review criticisms of the GSR and compare its potential policy directives with those emerging from the use of net state savings and then the GSR as part of a suite of indicators.