FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN SIERRA LEONE: THE ROLE OF INSTITUTIONS QUALITY

In this research, the impact of institutional quality is the main area of attention as it examines the relationship between FDI and economic growth in Sierra Leone. With an ARDL technique, we analyze how institutional quality influences FDI's effect on economic growth using time-series data from 1990 to 2020. The results highlight how crucial institutional quality is to FDI's ability to boost economic growth. Prosperity-promoting elements both domestically and internationally are crucial, as evidenced by the positive effects of foreign direct investment (FDI), institutional quality, trade openness, and human capital development. A stronger institutional framework is crucial for optimizing the benefits of foreign direct investment (FDI); however, the report also recognizes obstacles including inflation. To support sustainable economic growth in Sierra Leone, advisors advise policymakers to implement changes to governance, encourage trade openness, rein in inflation, and invest in the development of human capital. Through the implementation of these tactics, inclusive development and the nation's economic potential can be enhanced.INVESTISSEMENT DIRECT ÉTRANGER ET CROISSANCE ÉCONOMIQUE EN SIERRA LEONE : LE RÔLE DE LA QUALITÉ DES INSTITUTIONSDans cette recherche, l'impact de la qualité institutionnelle est la principale zone d'attention car elle examine la relation entre l'IDE et la croissance économique en Sierra Leone. Avec une technique ARDL, nous analysons comment la qualité institutionnelle influence l'effet de l'IDE sur la croissance économique en utilisant des données de séries chronologiques de 1990 à 2020. Les résultats mettent en évidence l'importance cruciale de la qualité institutionnelle pour la capacité de l'IDE à stimuler la croissance économique. Les éléments favorisant la prospérité tant au niveau national qu'international sont cruciaux, comme le montrent les effets positifs de l'investissement direct étranger (IDE), de la qualité institutionnelle, de l'ouverture commerciale et du développement du capital humain. Un cadre institutionnel plus solide est crucial pour optimiser les avantages de l'investissement direct étranger (IDE) ; cependant, le rapport reconnaît également des obstacles, notamment l'inflation. Pour soutenir une croissance économique durable en Sierra Leone, les conseillers recommandent aux décideurs de mettre en œuvre des changements en matière de gouvernance, d'encourager l'ouverture commerciale, de maîtriser l'inflation et d'investir dans le développement du capital humain. Grâce à la mise en œuvre de ces tactiques, le développement inclusif et le potentiel économique du pays peuvent être améliorés.INVESTIMENTI DIRETTI ESTERI E CRESCITA ECONOMICA IN SIERRA LEONE: IL RUOLO DELLA QUALITÀ DELLE ISTITUZIONIIn questa ricerca, l'impatto della qualità istituzionale è l'area principale di attenzione poiché esamina la relazione tra FDI e crescita economica in Sierra Leone. Con una tecnica ARDL, analizziamo come la qualità istituzionale influenzi l'effetto degli FDI sulla crescita economica utilizzando dati di serie storiche dal 1990 al 2020. I risultati evidenziano quanto sia cruciale la qualità istituzionale per la capacità degli FDI di stimolare la crescita economica. Gli elementi che favoriscono la prosperità sia a livello nazionale che internazionale sono cruciali, come dimostrano gli effetti positivi degli investimenti diretti esteri (FDI), della qualità istituzionale, dell'apertura commerciale e dello sviluppo del capitale umano. Un quadro istituzionale più forte è cruciale per ottimizzare i benefici degli investimenti diretti esteri (FDI); tuttavia, il rapporto riconosce anche ostacoli, tra cui l'inflazione. Per sostenere una crescita economica sostenibile in Sierra Leone, gli advisor consigliano ai policy maker di attuare cambiamenti nella governance, promuovere l'apertura commerciale, contenere l'inflazione e investire nello sviluppo del capitale umano. Attraverso l'attuazione di queste tattiche, lo sviluppo inclusivo e il potenziale economico della nazione possono essere migliorati.INVERSIÓN EXTRANJERA DIRECTA Y CRECIMIENTO ECONÓMICO EN SIERRA LEONA: EL PAPEL DE LA CALIDAD INSTITUCIONALEn esta investigación, el impacto de la calidad institucional es el principal área de atención ya que examina la relación entre la IED y el crecimiento económico en Sierra Leona. Con una técnica ARDL, analizamos cómo la calidad institucional influye en el efecto de la IED sobre el crecimiento económico utilizando datos de series temporales de 1990 a 2020. Los resultados resaltan la importancia crucial de la calidad institucional para la capacidad de la IED de impulsar el crecimiento económico. Los elementos que promueven la prosperidad tanto a nivel nacional como internacional son cruciales, como lo demuestran los efectos positivos de la inversión extranjera directa (IED), la calidad institucional, la apertura comercial y el desarrollo del capital humano. Un marco institucional más sólido es crucial para optimizar los beneficios de la inversión extranjera directa (IED); sin embargo, el informe también reconoce obstáculos, incluida la inflación. Para apoyar un crecimiento económico sostenible en Sierra Leona, los asesores recomiendan a los responsables políticos implementar cambios en la gobernanza, fomentar la apertura comercial, contener la inflación e invertir en el desarrollo del capital humano. A través de la implementación de estas tácticas, se puede mejorar el desarrollo inclusivo y el potencial económico de la nación.INVESTIMENTO DIRETO ESTRANGEIRO E CRESCIMENTO ECONÔMICO EM SERRA LEOA: O PAPEL DA QUALIDADE DAS INSTITUIÇÕESNesta pesquisa, o impacto da qualidade institucional é a principal área de atenção, pois examina a relação entre IDE e crescimento econômico em Serra Leoa. Com uma técnica ARDL, analisamos como a qualidade institucional influencia o efeito do IDE sobre o crescimento econômico usando dados de séries temporais de 1990 a 2020. Os resultados destacam o quão crucial é a qualidade institucional para a capacidade do IDE de impulsionar o crescimento econômico. Elementos que promovem a prosperidade tanto nacional quanto internacional são cruciais, conforme evidenciado pelos efeitos positivos do investimento direto estrangeiro (IDE), qualidade institucional, abertura comercial e desenvolvimento de capital humano. Um quadro institucional mais forte é crucial para otimizar os benefícios do investimento direto estrangeiro (IDE); no entanto, o relatório também reconhece obstáculos, incluindo a inflação. Para apoiar um crescimento econômico sustentável em Serra Leoa, os consultores recomendam que os formuladores de políticas implementem mudanças na governança, incentivem a abertura comercial, controlem a inflação e invistam no desenvolvimento do capital humano. Através da implementação dessas táticas, o desenvolvimento inclusivo e o potencial econômico da nação podem ser aprimorados.ΞΕΝΕΣ ΑΠΕΥΘΕΙΑΣ ΕΠΕΝΔΥΣΕΙΣ ΚΑΙ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΚΗ ΑΝΑΠΤΥΞΗ ΣΤΗ ΣΙΕΡΑ ΛΕΟΝΕ: Ο ΡΟΛΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΠΟΙΟΤΗΤΑΣ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΣΕΩΝΣε αυτήν την έρευνα, ο ρόλος της ποιότητας των θεσμών είναι η κύρια περιοχή προσοχής καθώς εξετάζει τη σχέση μεταξύ των ΑΕΕ και της οικονομικής ανάπτυξης στη Σιέρα Λεόνε. Με μια τεχνική ARDL, αναλύουμε πώς η ποιότητα των θεσμών επηρεάζει το αποτέλεσμα των ΑΕΕ στην οικονομική ανάπτυξη χρησιμοποιώντας δεδομένα χρονοσειρών από το 1990 έως το 2020. Τα αποτελέσματα υπογραμμίζουν πόσο κρίσιμη είναι η ποιότητα των θεσμών για την ικανότητα των ΑΕΕ να ενισχύσουν την οικονομική ανάπτυξη. Στοιχεία που προωθούν την ευημερία τόσο στο εσωτερικό όσο και στο διεθνές επίπεδο είναι κρίσιμα, όπως αποδεικνύουν οι θετικές επιδράσεις των ξένων άμεσων επενδύσεων (ΑΕΕ), της ποιότητας των θεσμών, της ανοιχτότητας στο εμπόριο και της ανάπτυξης του ανθρώπινου κεφαλαίου. Ένα πιο ισχυρό θεσμικό πλαίσιο είναι κρίσιμο για τη βελτιστοποίηση των οφελών των ξένων άμεσων επενδύσεων (ΑΕΕ)· ωστόσο, οι αναφερόμενες επίσης εμπόδια περιλαμβάνουν την πληθωρογένεση. Για να υποστηρίξουν μια βιώσιμη οικονομική ανάπτυξη στη Σιέρα Λεόνε, οι σύμβουλοι συνιστούν στους πολιτικούς να εφαρμόσουν αλλαγές στη διακυβέρνηση, να προωθήσουν την ανοιχτότητα στο εμπόριο, να περιορίσουν την πληθωρογένεση και να επενδύσουν στην ανάπτυξη του ανθρώπινου κεφαλαίου. Μέσω της εφαρμογής αυτών των τακτικών, μπορεί να βελτιωθεί η συμπερίληψη στην ανάπτυξη και το οικονομικό δυναμικό του έθνους. JEL: F21, F43, O43, O47, O55  Article visualizations

Intracellular-Localization and Processing of Pp60v-Src Proteins Expressed by 2 Distinct Temperature-Sensitive Mutants of Rous-Sarcoma Virus

The transforming protein of Rous sarcoma virus, pp60v-src, is known to be a tyrosine protein kinase, but the mechanism of cell transformation remains unclear. In further investigating pp60v-src structure and function, we have analyzed two temperature-sensitive (ts) Rous sarcoma virus src gene mutants, tsLA29 and tsLA32. The mutations in tsLA29 and tsLA32 map in the carboxy-terminal region and the amino-terminal half of pp60v-src, respectively, and encode mutant proteins with either temperature-labile (tsLA29) or -stable (tsLA32) kinase activities. Here we examined the intracellular processing and localization of these pp60v-src mutants and extended our characterization of transformation parameters expressed by cells infected by the Rous sarcoma virus variants. No obvious defects in functional integrity of the tsLA32 pp60v-src could yet be demonstrated, whereas the tsLA29 pp60v-src was perturbed not only in kinase activity, but also in aspects of protein processing and localization. Analysis of transformation parameters expressed by infected cells demonstrated the complete temperature lability of both mutants

Technical Report 4: European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) (Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm): Socio-Economic Impacts Monitoring Study. Final Report

Executive Summary. Aims: This study is one element of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) Environmental Research and Monitoring Programme supported by Vattenfall. The focus of this element of the whole programme is on the socio-economic impacts of Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) projects on the human environment. The EOWDC study provides the most detailed element of the socio-economics impacts research programme. Through detailed monitoring of the EOWDC over its lifecycle to date, the research seeks to provide a more robust evidence base of actual socio-economic impacts - particularly at the local and regional level - and so help to reduce uncertainties in future assessment/practices. The research compares these, as far as is possible, with the predicted impacts in the Environmental Statement (ES) for the project. The EOWDC is a relatively small OWF with 11 turbines/c 93.2MW, and with total expenditure (Totex) of about £280m. It is located 2.4km offshore. It is also an innovative project in terms of technology. It has offshore and onshore elements; the latter includes a sub-station at Blackdog, and a 7.5 km cable connection to SSE’s Dyce sub-station. Construction was completed in the Summer of 2018, and the first power flowed into the grid in September of that year. Approach: the research approach included regular meetings/telecoms with Vattenfall project staff; workshops with representatives of local authorities/agencies and with the local Belhelvie Community Council to explore evolving project impacts and responses; and various surveys through the lifecycle of the project to identify actual socio-economic impacts. The ES (DTZ, 2011) uses Inner (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire), Wider (Scotland), and UK study areas. The focus here is on the Inner and Wider spatial areas. There was good data for the research from Vattenfall contracts spending; onshore tier 1 contractor contracts data, and sub-station workforce survey; community responses to proposed Community Benefits Fund; various community surveys; and press coverage of the project over its lifecycle. However, data was much thinner for the offshore construction stage activities of the two main tier 1 contractors. Structure of the Report: the report has five parts. Part A provides an Introduction and Overview of the study. Part B analyses the findings gained on the actual economic impacts over the lifecycle to date of the EOWDC. It also seeks to compare the actual impacts with those forecast in the ES. The approach is largely quantitative, focusing on employment and wider economic effects. Part C concentrates on the social impacts, including analyses of various perception studies undertaken by the project and by Vattenfall (re Community Benefits Fund). The data on the social impacts is generally more qualitative in nature. A further section, Part D, very briefly reviews socio-economic impacts on the two floating OWF developments off the Aberdeenshire coast -- Hywind and Kincardine. A final section, Part E , draws out some conclusions on the actual socio-economic impacts and compares these, as far as is possible, with the predicted impacts in the ES for the project. It also summarises cumulative effects of the EOWDC with the adjacent floating OWF projects. Summary of Economic Impacts Findings: the EOWDC project performed well against economic impact predictions for the onshore construction and for the early O&M stages of the project life cycle -- stages that tend to be underplayed in EIAs and in the ES documentation, but which are especially important for local economic benefits. The O&M stage is particularly significant in terms of the high local percentage of the total economic impacts, over a 20-25 year life. In contrast, for this project, the local and Scotland wide economic benefits from offshore construction appear to be very limited, and much less than predicted. There are some caveats, relating to the relatively small size of the EOWDC project, and data gaps from two key tier 1 contractors, but even so, the actual impacts are estimated as being low and well below those predicted in the original ES documents. The nearby Hywind floating wind farm project appears to have even larger construction stage leakages, and indeed, there may be even less local economic benefit from the O&M stage than anticipated in the low impact scenario for that project. This leakage of the offshore construction stage benefits is a major concern to local, regional and national authorities, as noted by the Scottish Energy Minister at an offshore wind summit in Edinburgh in early 2020 – ‘Scotland is the ideal location for offshore wind, but recent projects have not delivered the significant economic opportunities we want to see for Scottish businesses’. Summary of Social Impacts Findings: there was very little coverage of social impacts in the ES documentation, and there was no evidence of any significant actual impacts on social infrastructure, such as housing and local services. However, from the various surveys, there were some community concerns, although these lessened over the life cycle. Community views of the project during the consenting and pre-construction stage comprised elements of ‘resistance’ due to uncertainty over the number, size and location of the turbines. Parts of the community felt ‘blighted’ due to decades of historic legacy of unwanted development and made vocal objection to the development. Yet others expressed that they did not mind the proposed development and sought to ‘get on board’ with the project. These differing views (possibly somewhat exaggerated by the media) did result in some loss of social cohesion within the communities during the pre-construction and construction stage, but this was less of an issue into the early O&M stage. Concerning visual impacts during construction of the onshore and offshore elements, most respondents (over 50% in each case) felt that the impacts were as expected. These dropped slightly in a later survey of community views during the O&M stage, when ‘as experienced’ or ‘not experienced’ was the dominant response. Many responses used the word ‘surprise’ in relation to the wind turbines – how big they are and how close to the shore. The biggest ‘feeling’ in relation to the windfarm was that it was ‘good to see clean energy being generated’ (80%). However, a number of qualitative comments indicate some conflicted viewpoints e.g. ‘not great for the seascape but the renewable energy is necessary’. Of importance for management of both social and economic impacts is the engagement strategy of the developer.There is evidence of much good practice in the Vattenfall approach, well managed by the project’s Local Community Liaison Officer, throughout the life cycle from pre-construction through to early O&M. The introduction of the EOWDC Community Benefits Fund (CBF), known as the Unlock our Future Fund, is another very important feature of long-term community engagement

A Post-Accident Analysis of Civil Remotely-Piloted Aircraft System Accidents and Incidents

A sample of 152 accidents and incidents involving Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, more commonly referred to as drones , have been analysed. The data was collected from a 10-year period, 2006 to 2015, conveniently sourced from a limited population owing to the scarcity of reports. Results indicate that safety occurrences involving Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) have a significantly different distribution of contributing factors when sorted into distinct categories. This provides a thorough and up-to-date characterization of the safety deficiencies specific to RPAS. In turn, this contributes to the development of adequate safety management systems applicable to the RPAS sector. The majority of RPAS occurrences involved system component failures which were the result of equipment problems. Therefore, airworthiness instead of pilot licensing needs to be considered first when regulating the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System industry. Human factors and loss of control in-flight were found to be the second most common contributing factor and occurrence category , respectively; Remotely Piloted Aircraft pilot licensing will help reduce the probability of these secondary occurrences. The most significant conclusion is that reporting systems must be implemented to address RPAS accidents and incidents specifically, such that more useful data is available, and further analysis is possible facilitating an improved understanding and greater awareness

Determinants of Feedlot Cattle Death Loss Rates

Death loss in feedlot cattle can have significant impacts on feedlot profitability. Not only does death loss result in foregone revenue, but the operation still incurs the costs to date associated with those animals. This study uses pen-level feedlot data from a private feed-lot in the Southern Great Plains. Both company- owned and customer retained ownership cattle are included in the data set. A Tobit model is used to analyze pen characteristics’ influence on death loss in feedlot cattle, including cattle characteristics, source characteristics, management characteristics, and treatment incidence. Results imply that several pen characteristics impact death loss and that cattle source, in terms of both cattle source geographic location and market source type, has a significant influence on death loss rate

Free to help? An experiment on free will belief and altruism

How does belief in free will affect altruistic behavior? In an online experiment we undermine subjects' belief in free will through a priming task. Subjects subsequently conduct a series of binary dictator games in which they can distribute money between themselves and a charity that supports low-income people in developing countries. In each decision task, subjects choose between two different distributions, one of which is more generous towards the charity. In contrast to previous experiments that report a negative effect of undermining free will on honest behavior and self-reported willingness to help, we find an insignificant average treatment effect. However, we do find that our treatment reduces charitable giving among non-religious subjects, but not among religious subjects. This could be explained by our finding that religious subjects associate more strongly with social norms that prescribe helping the poor, and might therefore be less sensitive to the effect of reduced belief in free will. Taken together, these findings indicate that the effects of free will belief on prosocial behavior are more nuanced than previously suggested

Occupancy and abundance of a West African mangabey species (\u3ci\u3eCercocebus atys\u3c/i\u3e Audebert, 1797) in forest patch habitat

Sooty mangabeys are Old World primates from the Upper Guinea Rainforests of West Africa. They suffer from habitat degradation due to deforestation and hunting for the bush-meat trade. Tiwai Island and adjacent small islands are a small protected area surrounded by the Moa River that is known for its high diversity of primate species. We evaluated the occupancy and abundance of sooty mangabeys on Tiwai Island and the surrounding islands using camera traps during 2008–2011. Over two seasons, we obtained a naïve occupancy rate of 0.77 for Tiwai Island but only 0.19 for surrounding smaller islands. We used Abundance-Induced Heterogeneity Model and Royle Repeated Count Model to estimate the abundance of 326 ± 92 (SE) and 530 ± 102 (SE) individuals of sooty mangabeys respectively. Based on these occurrences, sooty mangabeys usually appeared in riparian, mature and young secondary forests. Activity patterns of sooty mangabeys based on circadian patterns of detections confirmed that they were diurnal with several activity peaks during the daylight hours. The results of this study suggest that a viable population of sooty mangabeys still inhabits Tiwai Island and its vicinity, but that their core population is primarily limited to the Tiwai Island reserve. Thus, there is a need to protect the island and its adjacent habitats to ensure the conservation of sooty mangabeys in particular and other primate species in general