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2. Estimating Individual Split Ratios from Aggregate Split Ratios Using Lagrangian Optimization
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The Geopolitical Infusion Effect on Productivity
Get PDFapplication/pdfIDP000981_001This paper investigates how geopolitical relations with the United States (U.S.)—the central power in the post–World War II international order—affect the total factor productivity (TFP) of other economies. Using a fixed-effects econometric framework covering 107 countries over the period 1954–2019, we identify a robust and systematic link between geopolitical proximity to the U.S. and higher national TFP levels. We term this relationship the “Geopolitical Infusion Effect.” Our empirical results show three main findings. First, closer geopolitical alignment with the U.S. is associated with higher TFP, reflecting the diffusion of political trust and economic integration benefits. Second, this effect is particularly pronounced in low-income economies, countries with strict capital controls, and several regions in Europe and Africa; it reached its peak during the era of “hyper-globalization” (the post–Cold War period through 2008). Third, mechanism analysis indicates that positive political relations primarily enhance TFP through three channels: (i) expansion of bilateral trade, especially exports to the U.S.; (ii) attraction of foreign direct investment inflows; and (iii) accelerated knowledge and technology diffusion. By integrating geopolitics into the analytical framework of productivity, this study demonstrates how the structure of international political power shapes long-run growth capacity via the infusion-type mechanisms of resource allocation efficiency and technological absorption capability.technical repor
Chapter 3: Global Electric Vehicle Value Chains: Paradigm Shifts and New Opportunities for Developing Economies
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Exploring the role of Spirituality in enhancing Brain Health among People Living with Epilepsy: A case study of Accra, Ghana.
No full textThis doctoral project investigated integrating spiritual care with clinical practices in Accra, Ghana, to improve epilepsy care and promote brain health (1), encompassing neurological and mental health aspects. Brain health service users, particularly those with epilepsy, often seek assistance from traditional or faith-based centers before turning to allopathic treatment. The research question guiding this project was: "What are the barriers and opportunities for fostering collaboration between spiritual leaders and clinicians to enhance epilepsy care and promote better brain health in Ghana?" Given the cultural significance of spirituality in Ghana, understanding the potential role of spiritual leaders in epilepsy care is crucial. Through qualitative interviews and surveys conducted with both spiritual leaders and clinicians in Accra, the project examined their perspectives on collaboration to identify key challenges and opportunities. The findings revealed that spiritual leaders were generally receptive to collaboration and express a willingness to undergo training on epilepsy first aid. Additionally, they advocated for the establishment of designated spaces, like chaplaincy services, within government hospitals. However, clinicians exhibited hesitancy towards collaboration and expressed concerns about patient referrals to spiritual leaders. Despite this, both groups recognized the potential benefits of collaboration in enhancing epilepsy care and promoting better brain health.
The doctoral project emphasized the critical necessity of advancing research to develop and perfect strategies for including spirituality within epilepsy care frameworks. It introduced the concept of the 360-degree referral pathway for holistic brain health as a model emphasizing feasibility, sustainability, and replicability. This innovative approach advocates for a seamless integration of spiritual and medical care, offering a comprehensive solution that meets the broad spectrum of needs for individuals with epilepsy in Ghana and beyond.Public Healt
Dynamics Between Residential Composting and Rodent Sightings in Boston
No full textCommensal Rattus species rank among the most widespread urban pests thriving on human-generated resources and posing significant challenges to public health and infrastructure (Lee et al., 2021). Despite their prevalence, there remains a gap in understanding their urban ecology and effective prevention strategies (Lee et al., 2021; Lee et al., 2022a; Lee et al., 2022b). City officials have increasingly turned to composting initiatives as rodent management tools, recognizing the relationship between poorly managed food waste as an attractant for high rodent activity (Lee et al., 2022a; Sánchez et al., 2021; Tamayo-Uria et al., 2014). However, it remains unclear how effectively residential composting contributes to rodent control, particularly across different urban environments and socioeconomic contexts (Lee et al., 2021; Lee et al., 2022a). The “War on Rats” is complex, and assessing the effectiveness of food waste control strategies requires a nuanced understanding of rodent and human behavior (Lee et al., 2022b).
The main objective of my thesis was to investigate the impact of food waste control strategies on rodent complaint levels in Boston from 2022-2024. I focused on how Boston’s voluntary residential composting program and community compost bins impacted 311 rodent sightings reported across neighborhoods. I hypothesized that increased residential composting would decrease rodent sightings, with varying effects across different urban densities. I evaluated these relationships using time series analysis, spatial clustering, buffer analysis, and lagged correlation. Results showed that despite composting participation increasing by 54% (from 17,134 to 26,426 households) and food waste diversion rising by 228% (510.44 to 1,675.13 tons), rodent sightings rose by 0.4% (5,944 to 5,965). Additional analysis of 14 Project Oscar community compost bins revealed rodent activity increases of 180% in Allston and 29% in South End.
K-means clustering revealed four distinct neighborhood patterns based on composting participation and 311 service requests about rodents: low-activity areas with minimal engagement in composting and rodent sightings, moderate zones with balanced participation in both variables, high-rodent sightings (150-350 sightings) with moderate composting adoption, and high-composting neighborhoods (300-900 sign-ups) with few rodent sightings (50-150 sightings).
Additionally, I investigated how composting participation varied across neighborhood characteristics. I hypothesized higher human density areas would show weaker reductions in rodent activity. The data partially confirmed this, with lower-density areas achieving higher composting participation and demonstrating slightly stronger negative correlation coefficients (reaching approximately -.6 by week 20) between household composting and rodent sightings compared to higher-density areas (-.5), consistent across multiple density metrics.
This research establishes a framework for evaluating urban waste management strategies while acknowledging the limitations of using 311 requests as proxies for rodent activity. These preliminary findings can guide municipalities toward improved collection methods and more targeted approaches for measuring integrated pest management effectiveness across diverse urban neighborhoods. The identified patterns suggest that policy makers should implement neighborhood-specific waste management strategies rather than one-size-fits-all approaches across varied urban environments.Extension Studie