The handshake : why do governments and firms sign private sector participation deals ? Evidence from the water and sanitation sector in developing countries

This paper uses a new dataset,"WATSAN,"of private sector participation(PSP) projects for water and sanitation in developing countries to examine the determinants of the number of projects signed for each country between 1990 and 2004. The new dataset improves on existing sources, in particular in its coverage of projects with local investors, and provides adequate data for cross-country regression analysis. The authors use a negative binomial regression model to investigate the factors influencing the number of PSP projects in a sample of 60 developing countries with 460 PSP projects. The regression results provide support for the hypotheses that PSP is greater in larger markets where the ability to pay is higher and where governments are fiscally constrained. The authors test several indicators of institutional quality and find that these are generally significant in determining the number of projects signed for each country. Measures of the protection of property rights and the quality of the bureaucracy emerge as the most important institutions that encourage PSP. Rule of law and the control of corruption are significant, albeit at a lower level, while the quality of contract law and political stability are not robustly significant.Private Participation in Infrastructure,Town Water Supply and Sanitation,Investment and Investment Climate,Infrastructure Regulation,Water Supply and Sanitation Governance and Institutions

A COMPARISON OF THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION DRAFT COMBINE 2001 TO 2018

The current study investigated whether athlete performances in the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Draft Combine are changing over time. The current study was conducted with data from the 2001 (n = 78) and 2018 NBA Draft Combine (n = 69) for ten combine assessments (data from NBA.com). Results indicated that athletes from 2018 exhibited better performance in lane agility time (p \u3c 0.05), maximum vertical jump (p \u3c 0.05), and three-quarter court sprint (p \u3c 0.001), but decreased performance in 185 lb. bench press (p \u3c 0.05), and a reduction in weight (p \u3c 0.05) and body fat percentage (p \u3c 0.001). No significant differences were found between years for height, standing reach, wingspan, and standing vertical jump. The current study illustrates the importance of understanding how combine results may be more or less indicative of NBA success for different years

Analysis of Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titers in the Feline Population of Winona County

Canine rabies vaccination, vital for both animal and human health, is well studied and understood. In contrast, our understanding of feline rabies vaccinations, particularly with those that have a compromised immune status, is much less comprehensive. The purpose of this project is to enhance our current knowledge of feline vaccination states through a surveillance study on the feline rabies antibody titer in Winona County\u27s cat population. Specifically, we seek to explore the relationship between an individual feline\u27s immune status and their active anti-rabies antibody titer. To achieve this, we conducted a bicinchoninic acid (BCA) protein assay to determine the total protein composition in each sample. Afterwards, an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was performed to assess rabies antibody titer levels in each sample. In this presentation, we share our findings and will show how this data correlates with the feline\u27s immune status

Investigating rare genetic variants of unknown significance in LDHA

The exponential expansion and advancement of genetic sequencing has revealed the molecular basis of many genetic diseases. However, many genetic mutations are still classified as variants of unknown significance (VUS). Our lab focused on eleven missense variants in Lactate Dehydrogenase A (LDHA), an enzyme vital in anaerobic respiration. The intent with our research is to produce data on the kinetic functionality of wild type LDHA and compare this to its mutants of unknown significance. This data, supplemented with the structural information of the mutants can help reduce the ambiguity in the diagnosis of genetic disorders involving the LDHA enzyme. Currently, we have recorded the baseline kinetic function of the wild type LDHA based on its ability to convert the coenzyme NADH to NAD+. While we have a general understanding of the kinetic function of our mutant variants, A320T, T309P, L190F, E55K, D46V, P139L, G282R, K119R, T95M, G103E, and I94F, further tests need to be conducted to reduce variability

Cooperation and opportunism under long-term public-private contracts: Evidence from water concessions in Asia.

This thesis addresses the implementation of long-term public-private contracts for utility services. Long-term contracts are inevitably incomplete and need to be adjusted over time to take account of new information or changes in the operating environment. Institutional environments, especially in developing countries, are also very likely to be incomplete. The existing literature has tended to focus on one of these two types of incompleteness; this thesis takes the analysis a step further by integrating the two into a single approach. Many contracts contain provisions for periodic adjustments to their terms, 'contractually mandated renegotiations.' Other adjustments will be necessary to rebalance a contract after a major shock, 'shock-induced renegotiations.' This research looks at both these types of adjustment in incomplete institutional environments and considers the behaviour of government and firm actors. The analysis proceeds in three steps. First, regression analysis of an original database of PSP projects, 'WATSUP', is used to test the relationship between institutions the number of PSP projects in each country. This confirms the significance of institutions. Second, a framework for the analysis of government and firm behaviour is developed which takes into account the two types of incompleteness, time inconsistency, actors' time preferences and the role of multiple actors. Third, in-depth case studies of the implementation of PSP contracts for water services in Manila and Jakarta are presented, based on more than 50 personal interviews in the two locations. The findings suggest that contractual incompleteness can be better managed if: the parties agree a set of principles and procedures for contract adjustment at the outset; set out clear lines of responsibility for contract renegotiation and approval; and establish contract-specific regulatory institutions with clearly defined implementation responsibilities

Design and Application of a Gas Diffusion Electrode (GDE) Cell for Operando and In Situ Studies

Presented here is an electrochemical three-electrode Gas Diffusion Electrode (GDE) cell tailored for operandoand in situ investigations of electrocatalytic processes, with a particular focus on X-ray scattering studies. The optimized cell is engineered to accommodate the minimal sample-detector distances requisite for comprehensive X-ray total scattering investigations. An in-depth understanding of catalytic processes requires their study under ‘working’ conditions. Configured as a flow-cell, the setup therefore enables the examination of electrocatalysts under high current densities and associated gas evolution phenomena, particularly pertinent for reactions like the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Notably, its transparency simplifies cell alignment, troubleshooting, and facilitates scans through the catalyst layer, crucial for background corrections. Demonstrating its versatility, we showcase its utility through Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and X-ray Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analyses of total scattering data

THE EFFECT OF A NOVEL REHABILITATION PROGRAM ON WALKING PERFORMANCE IN PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

The current study examined the effects of the NewGait™ device on walking performance in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Eight MS patients participated in this study. Pre- and post-testing assessed kinematic gait variables (step width, length, and speed), ankle range of motion, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Participants completed an 8-week physical therapy (PT) protocol aimed to improve gait and balance, with the experimental group wearing the NewGait™ device. Repeated measures mixed ANOVA showed no main effects between the gait variables or between groups. Post-hoc paired t-tests indicated that the NewGait™ device elicited meaningful change in left and right step length and speed. The NewGait™ device may be a promising rehabilitation device to help induce positive walking performance changes in persons with MS

THE EFFECT OF A NOVEL REHABILITATION DEVICE ON MUSCLE ACTIVATION DURING GAIT IN PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

This study examined the acute effect of a novel rehabilitation device, NewGait™, on muscle activation in persons with Multiple Sclerosis. Through electromyography, muscle activation of the vastus medialis (VM), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and tibialis anterior (TA) was measured in seventeen patients (n=17). Three trials were conducted in each condition: a 10-meter control walk and 10-meter NewGait™ walk. Results showed a non-significant change in muscle activity with moderate effect sizes in the right VM (increase of 39.72% MVC, p=0.082, d=0.626) and right TA (decrease of 12.71% MVC, p=0.069, d=0.427). In general, no change in muscle activation was noted when wearing the NewGait™ device. Future research should include a larger sample size and differentiation between the stance phases to accurately measure the outcomes of the NewGait™ device on muscle activation

CHANGES IN GAIT AND COORDINATION VARIABILITY IN PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOLLOWING A REHABILITATION PROGRAM

This study investigated changes in gait and coordination variability in persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) after an 8-week rehabilitation intervention. Data for eight participants (Control: 4, Intervention: 4) were analyzed via Cortex Motion Analysis software and Visual 3D to calculate knee and ankle joint angles as well as discrete spatiotemporal parameters. The knee and ankle joint angles were further analyzed using a vector coding technique to quantify coordination between these joints and how they produce a functional gait pattern. No significant changes in gait or coordination variability were found after rehabilitation, but some meaningful changes with large and moderate effect sizes were present. This study demonstrated a comprehensive overview of the relationship between process and outcome variability in a clinical population