Multifactor Productivity and its Determinants: Al Empirical Analysis for Mexican Manufacturing.

We use data from the Annual Industrial Survey for 1996-2003. First, we estimate production functions by means of growth accounting exercises and panel data econometrics for the whole sector and for 14 comprehensive groups. Various measures of Multifactor Productivity (MFP) are constructed, as we consider diverse combinations of inputs with capital, labour, electricity and transport. This allows us to compare MFP growth rates between groups. Second, we analyse econometrically some of the determinants of MFP and Labour Productivity (LP) growth. We find that, on the one hand, there is some evidence of a positive relationship between market concentration and technology adoption; on the other hand, both technology adoption and human capital seem to be promoting productivity, whilst market concentration is exerting a negative influence on it. In sum, our results suggest that, once controlling for the effect on technology adoption, more concentration (conversely, less competition) has a negative impact on productivity.Panel data, Productivity, Manufacturing, Competition

Translog Cost Functions: An Application for Mexican Manufacturing.

We use translog cost functions to estimate own-price and substitution elasticities of input demands, economies of scale and average costs in Mexican manufacturing. Data from the Mexican Annual Industrial Survey is used for 1996, 2000 and 2003. We show that a model that allows for nonhomotheticity and nonunitary elasticities of substitution is appropriate to represent the production structure. Allen-Uzawa elasticities indicate the existence of substitution possibilities amongst inputs. The demand for electricity is essentially unitary elastic. All cross-price elasticities are less than one. Both scale economies and average costs diminish as the size of activity class increases. Economies of scale increased for any level of output. The differences in average costs between small and large activity classes were reduced and some disparities prevail in a number of manufacturing groups.Simultaneous equation models, Translog cost function, Manufacturing

Unheard, theatrically speaking : does the integration of physical theatre and folk media in theatre for development enhance or inhibit communication in community interventions? A case study on Seka Theatre Troupe

Thesis (M.A.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, School of Arts (Dramatic Arts), 2012This study was undertaken in Mfuwe, the South Luangwa Game Management area in the Eastern province of Zambia, to interrogate the declining integration of folk art, traditional media and visual aesthetics in Theatre for Development (TfD). SEKA Theatre Troupe was the entity under the microscope in this ethnographic research process conducted through Theatre for Development performances. The lamentable decline in the use of the abundant traditional cultural resources in the TfD practice in Zambia has led to the flourishing of a loquacious top-down message delivery system in an era where the artistes are no longer an authoritarian all-knowledgeable spoon-feeding entity. The performance artiste must be a change agent who facilitates new thinking through the practice of an empowering living theatre as espoused by theatre performance gurus such as Peter Brook and Augusto Boal. The survival and prosperity of the Zambian cultural heritage is at stake in face of a western cultural onslaught proficiently facilitated through the multi-pronged approach of the international media. The artiste is the bastion of hope that buffers the intensity of such cultural onslaught. The robust cache of traditional intellect is being sidelined to the periphery of a people’s lives, in the traditional homelands where it is flaunted as tourist attractions instead of being a cherished and nurtured way of life. This study’s findings give pointers to solutions to heal the heartrending growing gap between the Zambian performing artistes, especially in TfD, and the vibrant local cultural forms of expression. It foregrounds how important it is to salvage the remaining precious gems of Zambian indigenous heritage for posterity as well as prosperity. All hope is not lost yet, as demonstrated by SEKA Theatre Troupe, which has daringly chosen to embark on the less popular Theatre for Development genre among Zambian Community /TfD practitioners. SEKA, through integration of popular arts and cultural practices has taken the rural voice of the common man in the wilderness of South Luangwa Game Management area and made it heard in the corridors of policy makers internationally; be it on the HIV and AIDS scourge or championing the restoration of the world’s ecosystems or even their mainstay – mitigating the wildlife and human conflict through theatre in Mfuwe

Bosonic and fermionic Weinberg-Joos (j,0)+ (0,j) states of arbitrary spins as Lorentz-tensors or tensor-spinors and second order theory

We propose a general method for the description of arbitrary single spin-j states transforming according to (j,0)+(0,j) carrier spaces of the Lorentz algebra in terms of Lorentz-tensors for bosons, and tensor-spinors for fermions, and by means of second order Lagrangians. The method allows to avoid the cumbersome matrix calculus and higher \partial^{2j} order wave equations inherent to the Weinberg-Joos approach. We start with reducible Lorentz-tensor (tensor-spinor) representation spaces hosting one sole (j,0)+(0,j) irreducible sector and design there a representation reduction algorithm based on one of the Casimir invariants of the Lorentz algebra. This algorithm allows us to separate neatly the pure spin-j sector of interest from the rest, while preserving the separate Lorentz- and Dirac indexes. However, the Lorentz invariants are momentum independent and do not provide wave equations. Genuine wave equations are obtained by conditioning the Lorentz-tensors under consideration to satisfy the Klein-Gordon equation. In so doing, one always ends up with wave equations and associated Lagrangians that are second order in the momenta. Specifically, a spin-3/2 particle transforming as (3/2,0)+ (0,3/2) is comfortably described by a second order Lagrangian in the basis of the totally antisymmetric Lorentz tensor-spinor of second rank, \Psi_[ \mu\nu]. Moreover, the particle is shown to propagate causally within an electromagnetic background. In our study of (3/2,0)+(0,3/2) as part of \Psi_[\mu\nu] we reproduce the electromagnetic multipole moments known from the Weinberg-Joos theory. We also find a Compton differential cross section that satisfies unitarity in forward direction. The suggested tensor calculus presents itself very computer friendly with respect to the symbolic software FeynCalc.Comment: LaTex 34 pages, 1 table, 8 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1312.581

Estudio geofísico de la corteza oceánica de la Cuenca Canaria (Atlántico Centro-Oriental)

The combined study of single- and multi-channel seismic reflection data allow us to understand the structure of the Canary Basin oceanic crust and their relationship with the seafloor spreading history and main tectonic features formed during Mesozoic times on the Central Atlantic. The seismic image of the oceanic crust is very variable, with an irregular to smooth basement topography. The crustal inner reflectivity is also very variable, from transparent to highly reflective, depending on the segment. Where the basement topography is irregular, the main features are strongly dipping isolated reflections from the upper-middle crust, eventually reaching the lower crust. By the contrary, in areas with smooth basement topography, reflectivity is largely extended, particularly in the lower crust. Crustal thickness can be estimated along most of the multi-channel seismic reflection profiles, being delimited by sub-horizontal reflections in the crust-mantle boundary. The crustal thickness is generally of 2.0 S TWTT, although in areas with smooth topography values between 2.5 and 3 s can be reached. The geodynamic setting where the Canary Basin formed could explain the variability of its crustal structure. The oceanic crust with irregular topography and disperse reflectivity should have been formed in a typical slow spreading ridge with an important extensional tectonic activity. By the other hand, oceanic crust with smooth topography and abundant reflectivity should have been formed in a slow spreading ridge where crust-generating processes were modified by the nearest presence of a mantle thermal anomaly

The effects of acute administration of Chinese aphrodisiacs sold in Blantyre City on sperm characteristics and fertility profile in guinea pigs

Background: Chinese aphrodisiacs have become popular remedy for sexual dysfunction and improvement of libido in men in Malawi. However, selling of these drugs seems not to be well regulated. Probably the aphrodisiacs that are currently on the market have unknown efficacy, potency and safety profiles. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of imported Chinese aphrodisiacs using guinea pigs as a model.Materials and Methods: Two types of drugs were purchased from vendors in Blantyre City. Tonic tea, which was purported to improve erectile function and libido, and sperm multiplier tablets which were claimed to increase the sperm count. The tonic tea was prepared by soaking one tea bag in 100ml boiling water. The tea was cooled and administered to eight male experimental animals in varying doses. Each animal was introduced into a separate cage with a female guinea pig. Sexual behaviour such as mounting, sniffing behind the female were observed and recorded.Each sperm multiplier tablet was dissolved in distilled water and administered to the experimental animals in the morning and evening for seven days. At the end of the treatment, the experimental and control animals were sacrificed, their semen collected and analysed sperm motility, concentration and morphology.Results: For the tonic tea, there were no statistical differences between the experimental and the control animals in terms of the number of mountings and sniffing behind the female. The sperm multiplier drug showed statistically significant differences between the experimental and the control animals in terms of the sperm motility (78.24 ± 1.35 vs. 86.54 ± 1.88, p< 0.05), and concentration (54.28 ± 1.24 vs. 67.59 ± 2.12, p<0.05).Conclusion: The tonic tea did not show any efficacy in improving erection and libido. The sperm multiplier tablets, purported to increase sperm production, significantly increased the sperm motility, sperm concentration in the treated animals

Street children’s vulnerability to HIV and sexually transmitted infections in Malawian cities

Background: Street children have largely been ignored in the fight against HIV and AIDS. While some initiatives exist, the nature of street life, probably has not allowed viable interventions to be implemented. However, this is a group of people that could qualify as a “most at risk” group. This study set out to explore street children’s vulnerability to sexual exploitation in the cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe in Malawi.ObjectiveThe objective for this study was to explore street children’s vulnerability to HIV and STIs infection.DesignThis qualitative study employed In-depth interviews with street children in the two main cities of Malawi. A total of 23 street children were interviewed.ResultsThe study strongly suggests that street children could be vulnerable to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. This is due to various factors which include low knowledge levels of STI and HIV, high risk sexual practices, lack of safer place to spend their nights for both boys and girls rendering them vulnerable to sexual abuses and the use of sex as a tool to secure protection and to be accepted especially for the newcomers on the street.ConclusionsThis study highlights street children’s vulnerability to sexual exploitation which predisposes them to risk of HIV and AIDS as well as Sexually Transmitted infections. Furthermore, the street environment offers no protection against such vulnerability. There is need to explore potential and context sensitive strategies that could be used to protect street children from sexual exploitation and HIV and AIDS infection