Capital-Skill Complimentarity: Evidence from Manufacturing Industries in Ghana

Using U.S. manufacturing data, Griliches (1969) found evidence suggesting that capital equipment was more substitutable for unskilled than skilled labor. Griliches formulated this finding as the capital-skill complementarity hypothesis. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the capital-skill complementarity framework holds for Ghana manufacturing plants in industry and aggregate level. We use an unbalanced panel of plant-level data for manufacturing firms in Ghana during the 1991 and 1997 in four industries (food-bakery, textiles-garments, wood-furniture and metal-machinery). Our findings suggest that capital-skill complimentarity holds in aggregate level and wood-furniture sector in Ghana. However, we reject the capital-skill complementarity hypothesis for food-bakery, textile-garment and metal-machinery sectors.capital-skill complementarity, elasticity of substitution, translog cost function

Capacity Region of Asynchronous Multiple Access Channels with FTN

This paper studies the capacity region of asynchronous multiple access channel (MAC) with faster-thanNyquist (FTN) signaling. We first express the capacity region in the frequency domain. Next, we calculate an achievable rate region in time domain and prove that it is identical to the capacity region calculated in the frequency domain. Our analysis confirms that asynchronous transmission and FTN bring in significant gains

BILSAT: Advancing Smallsat Capabilities

Small spacecraft technologies and capabilities are evolving to the point where the BILSAT 120kg spacecraft will this year demonstrate capabilities and performance similar to the 320kg UoSAT-12 mission launched in 1999. Over the past few years, the design of small satellites has evolved from simple curiosities to effective, high performance systems, capable of competing with much bigger and much more expensive spacecraft. Within the framework of an agreement between SSTL and TUBITAK-BILTEN (The Information Technologies and Electronics Research Institute), a non-profit government laboratory located in Ankara, Turkey, a Technology Transfer Program was started in August 2001. This program includes the design, manufacture and launch of one Enhanced SSTL microsatellite platform, one engineering model for use in Turkey and the training of engineers in all aspects of the spacecraft design. Detailed design began using the Enhanced SSTL microsatellite platform as the starting point. The end product that will be launched in the summer of 2003, is the most advanced spacecraft ever designed by SSTL, carrying two advanced payloads developed by TUBITAK-BILTEN. The spacecraft is a highly optimised satellite, with a mass of 120kg and including 14 cameras (in several imager arrangements), a 10m/s class resistojet propulsion system, VHF/UHF and S-band RF systems, tried and tested OBDH units in parallel with newly designed mass data storage and processing units, all this topped by a high performance AODCS subsystem, including two star trackers, GPS receiver (for both orbit and attitude determination), rate gyros, four momentum/reaction wheels, and what will be the first operational use of Control Momentum Gyros on a small spacecraft, to perform high agility manoeuvres. These units will be used to achieve the missions specified for this project, mainly full imaging of Turkey, stereoscopic imaging of selected targets, a Digital Elevation Map of Turkey, and communications. The present paper discusses briefly the technical characteristics of the spacecraft, but focuses on the mission aspects and how the different subsystems (namely the new subsystems and payloads) will be used to accomplish the mission. The operational modes of the spacecraft are discussed and the interaction of the AODCS subsystem with the OBDH and Imaging system is described in detail

Design, implementation and usability analysis of patient empowerment in ADLIFE project via patient reported outcome measures and shared decision making

Introduction: This paper outlines the design, implementation, and usability study results of the patient empowerment process for chronic disease management, using Patient Reported Outcome Measurements and Shared Decision-Making Processes. Background: The ADLIFE project aims to develop innovative, digital health solutions to support personalized, integrated care for patients with severe long-term conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and/or Chronic Heart Failure. Successful long-term management of patients with chronic conditions requires active patient self-management and a proactive involvement of patients in their healthcare and treatment. This calls for a patient-provider partnership within an integrated system of collaborative care, supporting self-management, shared-decision making, collection of patient reported outcome measures, education, and follow-up. Methods: ADLIFE follows an outcome-based and patient-centered approach where PROMs represent an especially valuable tool to evaluate the outcomes of the care delivered. We have selected 11 standardized PROMs for evaluating the most recent patients’ clinical context, enabling the decision-making process, and personalized care planning. The ADLIFE project implements the "SHARE approach’ for enabling shared decision-making via two digital platforms for healthcare professionals and patients. We have successfully integrated PROMs and shared decision-making processes into our digital toolbox, based on an international interoperability standard, namely HL7 FHIR. A usability study was conducted with 3 clinical sites with 20 users in total to gather feedback and to subsequently prioritize updates to the ADLIFE toolbox. Results: User satisfaction is measured in the QUIS7 questionnaire on a 9-point scale in the following aspects: overall reaction, screen, terminology and tool feedback, learning, multimedia, training material and system capabilities. With all the average scores above 6 in all categories, most respondents have a positive reaction to the ADLIFE PEP platform and find it easy to use. We have identified shortcomings and have prioritized updates to the platform before clinical pilot studies are initiated. Conclusions: Having finalized design, implementation, and pre-deployment usability studies, and updated the tool based on further feedback, our patient empowerment mechanisms enabled via PROMs and shared decision-making processes are ready to be piloted in clinal settings. Clinical studies will be conducted based at six healthcare settings across Spain, UK, Germany, Denmark, and Israel

Enabling patient adherence via personalised, just-in time adaptive interventions in ADLIFE architecture

Chronic diseases introduce challenges for the patients to continuously be involved in their care activities and manage the changing requirements of their disease. Patient empowerment activities are a critical component to assist patients in their long-term care journey. In the ADLIFE project (H2020, SC1-DTH-11-2019, 875209), an integrated care planning approach is used where patients are assigned various care plan activities by multidisciplinary care teams. To increase patients’ adherence to the care plan, a continuous behavioral monitoring architecture is developed for delivering digital personalised, just-in time adaptive interventions

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Microstructural and Electrical Properties of 0.5 mol% A1203-0.1 mol% B203 doped ZnO Ceramics

Zinc oxide exhibits n-type semiconductivity that is caused by the deviations from stoichiometry. The electrical properties of ZnO can be enhanced by doping a trivalent dopant. It is also important to understand the effect of these dopants on the microstructure of ZnO ceramics. The conventional ceramic processing techniques were used to prepare un-doped and the 0.5 moll)/ii A1203-0.1 mol% B203-doped ZnO ceramics. The samples were sintered at 1200-1400 C for 1 and 3 hours. The microstructure of the samples was investigated by using a scanning electron microscope. The hulk density of the sintered samples was calculated from their weight and dimensions. According to the XRD results, the formation of ZnA1204 phase was confirmed in the samples of 0.5 mol% A1203-0.1 mol% B203-doped ZnO whereas the only ZnO phase was observed in the un-doped ZnO samples. The electrical resistance of the samples was measured at the room temperature

The Grain Growth Kinetics of 0.5 mol% B2O3-1 mol% TiO2-doped ZnO Ceramics

The influence of the 0.5 mol% B2O3 addition on the grain growth of ZnO-1 mol% TiO2 ceramics was studied. The samples were sintered at 1100-1300 degrees C for 1, 2 and 3 hours. The bulk density of samples was calculated from their mass/volume ratio. The additions of TiO2 and B2O3 enhanced significantly the densification of ZnO. The Zn2TiO4 phase was identified by the XRD analysis in the 1 mol% TiO2 doped ZnO samples sintered at 1100 degrees C for 1 hour. Grain size measurements were carried out on the optical micrographs of polished and etched samples using the following equation; G = 1.56 L where G is the average grain size, L is the average grain boundary intercept length of a series of random lines on the micrographs. The apparent activation energy for the grain growth process of un-doped ZnO was 210 kJ/mol and this value decreased to 162 kJ/mol with the addition of 1 mol% TiO2. Furthermore, the addition of 0.5 mol% B2O3 to the 1 mol% TiO2-doped ZnO samples promoted the grain growth and the apparent activation energy decreased to 124 kJ/mol