634 research outputs found
Why does the Engel method work? Food demand, economies of size and household survey methods
Estimates of household size economies are needed for the analysis of poverty and inequality. This paper shows that Engel estimates of size economies are large when household expenditures are obtained by respondent recall but small when expenditures are obtained by daily recording in diaries. Expenditure estimates from recall surveys appear to have measurement errors correlated with household size. As well as demonstrating the fragility of Engel estimates of size economies, these results help resolve a puzzle raised by Deaton and Paxson (1998) about differences between rich and poor countries in the effect of household size on food demand
The use of photogrammetry in the conservation of painted outdoor sculpture:Adressing Jean Dubutffetâs <i>Jardin d'Email</i>
This research evaluates the use of innovative imaging technolo- gies to aid the conservation of large-scale contemporary painted outdoor sculpture. It explores photogrammetry and image- based 3D modelling as tools during the conservation of Jardin dâĂ©mail (1974) by Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985), owned by the Kröller-MĂŒller Museum.In partnership with the 4D Research Lab at the University of Amsterdam, 3D digital models of the sculpture and two scale-models were created.This research assesses the effectiveness of using 3D digital models to inform the repainting of the sculptureâs black lines on white background as part of the treatment process. The use of photogrammetry to document the patterns and forms of the sculpture and scale-models is also evaluated. The creation of 3D digital models from the photogrammetric data allows for devi- ation analysis to be carried out, highlighting where areas of the scale-model and sculpture deviate significantly. The 3D models were uploaded on an app for use on tablets to enable responsive access during treatment. This research showed that photogram- metry is not only useful for large scale sculpture documentation, but can also aid the treatment of outdoor sculpture by producing geometrically accurate representations of the scale-model to be used as a reference during repainting
The use of photogrammetry in the conservation of painted outdoor sculpture:Adressing Jean Dubutffetâs <i>Jardin d'Email</i>
This research evaluates the use of innovative imaging technolo- gies to aid the conservation of large-scale contemporary painted outdoor sculpture. It explores photogrammetry and image- based 3D modelling as tools during the conservation of Jardin dâĂ©mail (1974) by Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985), owned by the Kröller-MĂŒller Museum.In partnership with the 4D Research Lab at the University of Amsterdam, 3D digital models of the sculpture and two scale-models were created.This research assesses the effectiveness of using 3D digital models to inform the repainting of the sculptureâs black lines on white background as part of the treatment process. The use of photogrammetry to document the patterns and forms of the sculpture and scale-models is also evaluated. The creation of 3D digital models from the photogrammetric data allows for devi- ation analysis to be carried out, highlighting where areas of the scale-model and sculpture deviate significantly. The 3D models were uploaded on an app for use on tablets to enable responsive access during treatment. This research showed that photogram- metry is not only useful for large scale sculpture documentation, but can also aid the treatment of outdoor sculpture by producing geometrically accurate representations of the scale-model to be used as a reference during repainting
A Comprehensive Framework for Human Resources for Health System Development in Fragile and Post-Conflict States
Noriko Fujita and colleagues offer a comprehensive framework for human resource system development, based upon experiences in three fragile and post-conflict health systems: Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Cambodia
Bundling of Services and Household Welfare in Developing Countries Using Panel Data: The Case of Peru
Business development in renewable energy
This paper discusses how to foster development of renewable energy business. Factors that impede or enhance renewable energy in the EU 27 member states in the period 1998â2008 are analyzed. Nine factors are considered: population density, production output and energy sector output to indicate market conditions, public total expenditures, subsidies and environmental protection expenditures to indicate institutional conditions, R&D, share of students in population and venture capital to indicate firmâs resources. Scarce space for business development and vested energy interests are the main impediments. R&D and venture capital are main drivers. The US and EU support for R&D and venture capital in renewable energy are compared. The US support is larger and mainly based on R&D grants. It has generated large, innovative enterprises. The EU support is mainly based on price guarantees for renewable energy delivery to grid. It has generated many enterprises. Building capabilities through stakeholdersâ networks in early phase of business development and clusters in the later phase is recommended
Health and economic impact of HIV/AIDS on South African households: a cohort study
BACKGROUND: South African households are severely affected by human immunodeficiency virus / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) but health and economic impacts have not been quantified in controlled cohort studies. METHODS: We compared households with an HIV-infected member, and unaffected neighbouring households, in one rural and one urban area in Free State province, South Africa. Interviews were conducted with one key informant in each household, at baseline and six months later. We studied 1913 members of 404 households, with 94% and 96% follow up, respectively. Household and individual level analyses were done. RESULTS: Members of affected households, compared to members of unaffected households, were independently more likely to be continuously ill (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.1, 95% CI 1.3â3.4 at follow up), and to die (adjusted OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.0â11), mainly due to infectious diseases. Government clinics and hospitals were the main sources of health care. Affected households were poorer than unaffected households at baseline (relative income per person 0.61, 95% CI 0.49â0.76). Over six months expenditure and income decreased more rapidly in affected than in unaffected households (baseline-adjusted relative expenditure 0.86, 95% CI 0.75â0.99 and income 0.89, 95% CI 0.75â1.05). Baseline morbidity was independently associated with lower income and expenditure at baseline but not with changes over six months. CONCLUSIONS: HIV/AIDS affects the health and wealth of households as well as infected individuals, aggravating pre-existing poverty
Climate change mitigation with technology spillovers
We explore the implications of an increase in clean technology spillovers between developed and developing countries. We build a game of abatements in which players are linked with technology spillovers determined by an initial choice of absorptive capacities by developing countries. We show that, within a non-cooperative framework, the response of clean technology investments in developed countries to an increase in cross-country technology spillovers is ambiguous. If the marginal benefits of these additional abatements are not sufficiently high, developed countries have a strategic incentive to decrease investments. Such a strategic response jeopardizes the initial effects of an increase in technology spillovers on climate change mitigation and decreases the incentives for developing countries to enhance their absorptive capacities
Prediction of Emerging Technologies Based on Analysis of the U.S. Patent Citation Network
The network of patents connected by citations is an evolving graph, which
provides a representation of the innovation process. A patent citing another
implies that the cited patent reflects a piece of previously existing knowledge
that the citing patent builds upon. A methodology presented here (i) identifies
actual clusters of patents: i.e. technological branches, and (ii) gives
predictions about the temporal changes of the structure of the clusters. A
predictor, called the {citation vector}, is defined for characterizing
technological development to show how a patent cited by other patents belongs
to various industrial fields. The clustering technique adopted is able to
detect the new emerging recombinations, and predicts emerging new technology
clusters. The predictive ability of our new method is illustrated on the
example of USPTO subcategory 11, Agriculture, Food, Textiles. A cluster of
patents is determined based on citation data up to 1991, which shows
significant overlap of the class 442 formed at the beginning of 1997. These new
tools of predictive analytics could support policy decision making processes in
science and technology, and help formulate recommendations for action
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