Incidence and impact: The regional variation of poverty effects due to fossil fuel subsidy reform

Since fossil fuel subsidy reforms can induce significant distributional shifts and price shocks, effective compensation and social protection programs are crucial. Based on the statistical simulation model by Araar and Verme (2012), this study estimates the regional variability of direct welfare effects of removing fuel subsidies in Nigeria. Uncompensated subsidy removal is estimated to increase the national poverty rate by 3–4% on average. However, uniform cash compensation that appears effective at the national average, is found to fail to mitigate price shocks in 16 of 37 states – thus putting livelihoods (and public support for reforms) at risk. States that are estimated to incur the largest welfare shocks, coincide with hotspots of civil unrest following Nigeria's 2012 subsidy reform attempt. The study illustrates how regionally disaggregated compensation can be revenue neutral, and maintain or reduce pre-reform poverty rates in all states. Overall, it highlights the importance of understanding differences in vulnerability, and designing tailored social protection schemes which ensure public support for subsidy reforms

Field-Induced Slow Magnetic Relaxation In the First Dy(III)-centered 12-Metallacrown-4 Double-Decker

The reaction of Dy(O2CMe)3•xH2O and Ga(NO3)3•xH2O led to the isolation of (nBu4N)[GaIII8DyIII(OH)4(shi)8] (1). The compound possesses a unique chemical structure enclosing the central magnetic DyIII ion between diamagnetic GaIII-based metallacrown 12-MC-4 ligands. The double-decker complex exhibits field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour with an effective energy barrier (Ueff) of 39 K (27.1 cm-1). Consistent with the observed slow relaxation of magnetization, theoretical calculations suggest a ground state mainly determined by |±11/2> in the easy axis direction

Building audiences: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts

Building Audiences examines the barriers to and the strategies for increasing audiences in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts sector. This research investigates the attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of current and potential audiences. What is in the report? The findings reveal the key barriers facing audience attendance include: uncertainty about how to behave at cultural events and fear of offending lack of awareness with audiences not actively seeking information about Indigenous arts and outdated perceptions of the sector – that it is only perceived as ‘serious or educational’. Building Audiences also considered several strategies to build audiences for Indigenous arts: providing skills development, advice and resourcing to Indigenous practitioners within the arts sector; increasing representation of Indigenous artists in the main programing of arts companies by including more Indigenous people in decision making roles; promoting relationships between Indigenous arts and non-Indigenous companies to present their work to wider audiences; introducing children and young people to Indigenous arts through schools and extracurricular activities; allowing audiences to feel comfortable engaging by creating accessible experiences; implementing long-term strategies to change negative perceptions of Indigenous arts. The project was commissioned by the Australia Council for the Arts and funding partners include Australia Council for the Arts; Faculty of Business and Law and Institute of Koorie Education, Deakin University; Melbourne Business School, The University of Melbourne

On imperfect competition and market distortions: the causes of corporate under-investment in energy and material efficiency

In practice firms are faced by a range of market frictions and barriers, which can prevent them from undertaking investments in efficiency and low-carbon technologies. Thus, even when environmental taxes are imposed, firms may be unable (or unwilling) to adjust their behaviour and technology in response to price signals. With a focus on energy and material efficiency investments, this paper systematically investigates how the theoretical assumptions of perfectly competitive and efficient markets are violated in practice, and how this results in complex and interlinked investment barriers. It classifies five categories of investment barriers: information, capacity, and financial constraints, as well as uncompetitive market structures and fiscal mismanagement; and presents evidence on each of these. It concludes by proposing a range of measures for mitigating investment barriers, and addressing their structural causes. Overall, the evidence presented in this paper aims to help increase the effectiveness of environmental taxes and regulation, by identifying market imperfections that environmental taxes alone cannot address

Effects of subgrouping in stuttering research

The most frequently utilized research design in stuttering research compares stutterers to nonstutterers, with the assumption that stutterers represent a homogeneous group. The present study examines the effects of subgrouping stuttering subjects. Sample populations were randomly selected from a pool of stuttering children, successively increasing the stringency of selection criteria for group membership. The groups were contrasted across five dependent variables. The results indicated that the performance differences between the groups increased as the selection criteria became more stringent. The findings were interpreted as supporting the need to more closely examine the individual differences of stutterers, deviating from the traditional research paradigm.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24616/1/0000026.pd

Engineering and Clinical Evaluation of the VA-PAMAID Robotic Walker

The Veterans Affairs Personal Adaptive Mobility Aid (VA-PAMAID) is a robotic walker that is designed to provide physical support and obstacle avoidance and navigational assistance to frail visually impaired individuals. The goal of this study was to develop and implement testing protocols to determine the performance and safety capabilities of the device and use the results to redesign the walker to make it more reliable and effective.Engineering tests were performed to determine factors such as stability, range, speed, and fatigue strength. Additional tests to characterize the reliability and accuracy of the sensors and avoidance/navigation algorithms were also conducted. The walker traveled 10.9 kilometers on a full charge, and was able to avoid obstacles while traveling at a speed of up to 1.2 m/s. There were no failures during static stability, climatic, or static, impact, and fatigue testing. Some problems were encountered during obstacle climbing and sensor and control testing. Several significant differences were found with respect to the detection distance of the device when varying the obstacle height, material, approach angle, and lighting source. The walker also failed to detect 40-50% of the doorways during the hallway test.Clinical trials were conducted to compare the VA-PAMAID to a low-tech mobility aid (AMD). Subjects were recruited and trained to use both devices efficiently. Each participant was then asked to traverse an obstacle course several times. The time to complete the course, number of wall and obstacle collisions, and number of reorientations were all recorded and averaged. There were no significant differences between the VA-PAMAID and the AMD with respect to collisions or reorientations. The AMD had a significantly lower completion time (p=0.017) than the VA-PAMAID on the obstacle course. The results of the engineering and clinical tests were then used in a house of quality model to determine what factors of the walker needed to be revised. Specific modifications were recommended that would make the device safer, more reliable, and more marketable. Changing the wheel size, mass, component positions, detection algorithm, and other variables would make the VA-PAMAID easier to use and more effective for elderly visually impaired individuals

Analysis of the ANSI/RESNA Wheelchair Standards: A Comparison Study of Five Different Types of Electric Powered Wheelchairs

The number of individuals using electric powered wheelchairs (EPWs) is increasing every year. Advances in technology have led to the design of EPWs that are more complex and can perform multiple functions. The ANSI/RESNA wheelchair standards consist of a battery of tests that are designed to evaluate the safety and performance of both manual and power wheelchairs. However, there is a deficit of information available to the general public on the performance of wheelchairs on these tests. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of standards testing on five different types of EPWs. The value and intentions of each section of the standard were also reviewed and suggestions were made for possible improvements. A total of fifteen EPWs (three of each type) were tested using the following sections: static stability, dynamic stability, effectiveness of brakes, energy consumption, overall dimensions, speed and acceleration, seating dimensions, static, impact, and fatigue testing, climatic testing, obstacle climbing ability, and power and control systems. Statistical analysis was performed on the relevant sections. Significant differences were found between the different types of wheelchairs with respect to static stability, dynamic stability, braking distance, theoretical range, and obstacle climbing ability. The EPWs with the highest velocity and accelerations were found to be the most dynamically unstable and have the longest braking distances. Dynamic stability and braking distance were also found to be directly related to the slope of the test surface. It is apparent from the results that EPWs can differ in both performance characteristics and safety. Evaluation of the wheelchair standards also illustrated the need to continually revise the standards to keep pace with new technology. Stability, fatigue strength, and control system testing are three of the sections that will need to be adapted to help evaluate the next generation of EPWs