80 research outputs found
Why Are There So Few Black-Owned Firms in Africa? Preliminary Results from Enterprise Survey Data
No full textMuch of the growth in Sub-Saharan Africa in the past decade has come from extractive industries, rather than from private, entrepreneurial activity. Furthermore, non-extractive activity in the private sector is often dominated by firms owned by ethnic minorities. This paper analyzes the characteristics of the formal private sector in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular emphasis on Black African-owned (indigenous) firms. We find that indigenous firms start smaller and grow more slowly; however their rate of growth is positively influenced by whether the owner-entrepreneur has a university degree. We do not find overwhelming evidence that credit is the binding constraint but we do find that indigenous firms get less access to trade credit than firms owned by minority entrepreneurs. Finally, we discuss policy solutions that might enable a larger number of indigenous entrepreneurs to enter and survive in a vibrant, multi-ethnic private sector.Sub Saharan Africa, extractive industries, formal private sector, indigenous entrepreneurs, credit
Emissions Input Data
No full textThis directory contains emissions input fields used to drive simulations utilized in Persad, G. The Dependence of Aerosols’ Global and Local Precipitation Impacts on Emitting Region (submitted, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics) and published in Persad, G. G. & Caldeira, K. Divergent global-scale temperature effects from identical aerosols emitted in different regions. Nature Communications 9, 3289 (2018). Full details on simulation set-up may be found in Persad and Caldeira (2018) and Persad (submitted, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics)
From the Persad and Caldeira (2018) Simulation and Analysis section:
"Nine 100-year, repeating annual cycle simulations were conducted in CAM5 coupled to the mixed-layer ocean: one control simulation, and eight regionally perturbed simulations. The control simulation is a year 2000 cli- mate with non-biomass burning anthropogenic black carbon, organic carbon, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and sulfate (SO4) emissions fields set to 1850 values. In each of the eight regionally perturbed simulations, the relevant region is populated with that region’s year 2000 values, scaled at every regional grid point and time step to achieve additional total annual emissions equivalent to China’s total year 2000 values: 22.4 Tg sulfate precursor, 1.61 Tg of black carbon emissions, and 4.03 Tg of organic carbon emissions. The 1850 and 2000 baseline emissions fields on which these are based are CAM5’s standard historical emissions fields1, and the resulting emissions fields used to drive simulations are publicly accessible to allow for replication in other model suites (see Data availability). "
See Persad and Caldeira (2018) Figure 1 and Methods for region definitions.
Questions can be directed to the corresponding author at [email protected]
Emissions input fields:
Control Simulation
/Control
-Control_User_Namelist: Contains NCAR CESM user namelist specification with listing of all emissions input files for the control simulation. All input files listed are default available through NCAR CESM installations and the NCAR CESM server (https://svn-ccsm-inputdata.cgd.ucar.edu/trunk/inputdata/atm/cam/chem/trop_mozart_aero/emis/) and are not included here.
Eight Regional Perturbation Simulations
/Brazil
-Brazil_User_Namelist: Contains NCAR CESM user namelist specification with listing of all emissions input files for the regional perturbation simulation with scaled emissions located in Brazil. All referenced files not listed in this directory are default available through the NCAR CESM server (see Control Simulation above).
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/China
-China_User_Namelist: Contains NCAR CESM user namelist specification with listing of all emissions input files for the regional perturbation simulation with scaled emissions located in China. All referenced files not listed in this directory are default available through the NCAR CESM server (see Control Simulation above).
/East_Africa
-East_Africa_User_Namelist: Contains NCAR CESM user namelist specification with listing of all emissions input files for the regional perturbation simulation with scaled emissions located in East Africa. All referenced files not listed in this directory are default available through the NCAR CESM server (see Control Simulation above).
/Western_Europe
-Western_Europe_User_Namelist: Contains NCAR CESM user namelist specification with listing of all emissions input files for the regional perturbation simulation with scaled emissions located in Western Europe. All referenced files not listed in this directory are default available through the NCAR CESM server (see Control Simulation above).
/India
-India_User_Namelist: Contains NCAR CESM user namelist specification with listing of all emissions input files for the regional perturbation simulation with scaled emissions located in India. All referenced files not listed in this directory are default available through the NCAR CESM server (see Control Simulation above).
/Indonesia
-Indonesia_User_Namelist: Contains NCAR CESM user namelist specification with listing of all emissions input files for the regional perturbation simulation with scaled emissions located in Indonesia. All referenced files not listed in this directory are default available through the NCAR CESM server (see Control Simulation above).
/South_Africa
-South_Africa_User_Namelist: Contains NCAR CESM user namelist specification with listing of all emissions input files for the regional perturbation simulation with scaled emissions located in South Africa. All referenced files not listed in this directory are default available through the NCAR CESM server (see Control Simulation above).
/United_States
-United_States_User_Namelist: Contains NCAR CESM user namelist specification with listing of all emissions input files for the regional perturbation simulation with scaled emissions located in the United States. All referenced files not listed in this directory are default available through the NCAR CESM server (see Control Simulation above)
Prevalence Of Hypertension and Its Risk Factors Among Class III and Class IV Government Employees in Ahmedabad
No full textBackground: The developing country including India is experiencing epidemiological transition from communicable to Non communica- ble diseases and hypertension has emerged as a significant public health problem in both urban and rural areas. The present study was conducted to assess prevalence of Hypertension and its risk-factors in government employees of Ahmedabad city.
Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among 600 government employees of B.J. Medical College of Ahmedabad, Guja- rat. Data was collected using a pre-tested, questionnaire and Blood pressure was measured.
Results: Prevalence of hypertension was 17 % in males and 19.67% in females. Prevalence of hypertension was 53.28 % in age group of 55 years and above. 10.66 % males and 11.66 % females were found hypertensive on examination. Based on Odds Ratio, History of To- bacco consumption, family history of hypertension, low vegetables and fruits intake and higher waist circumference was associated with more risk of hypertension.
Conclusions: History of Tobacco consumption, family history of hypertension, low vegetables and fruits intake and higher waist cir- cumference increase the risk of hypertension
Socio-Demographic and Morbidity Profile of Slum Area in Ahmedabad, India
No full textBackground: In cites of India, at least one fifth people live in slums and most of the health problems as well as environmental issues are generated from these slums only. Objectives: To study the socio-demographic and environmental profiles as well as magnitude of morbidity among urban slum dwellers. Materials and Methods: The cross sectional study had been carried out between January 2000 and December 2000 on non-randomly selected 1,389 slum dwellers of Ahmedabad. Information was obtained by interviewing the head and/or other family members. General physical examinations and history of illness present in previous two weeks were recorded. Results: There were no sanitary latrines and drainage facilities at studied slum. There were 987 females per thousand males and 903 females per thousand males in under five year age group. The literacy rate was 16.8 % and 5.6% among males and females respectively. Among five years above age males, 27%, 9.7% and 7.4% had a habit of smoking, tobacco chewing and alcohol intake respectively. Among five years above age females 4.36 %, 10.9% and 0.84 % had a habit of smoking, tobacco chewing and alcohol intake respectively. Out of 233 eligible couples, 11.16% and 24.46% were adopted spacing and permanent methods for contraception respectively. 28 % males and 33.7% females were either suffering from or have a history of one or more illness within previous two weeks. The morbidity rate for both sexes was 30.88%. Anemia was found in 19% of females of age group of 15-44 years. Respiratory tract infections and diarrhoea were present in7.4% and 3.7% of studied population respectively. The incidence rates for respiratory tract infections and diarrhoea were found higher among 0-4 year age group children (15% and 10.6% respectively). Conclusions: Slum clinic or mobile clinic van should be arranged for treatment of common morbidities and health promotional activities
Tariff rates, tariff revenue, and tariff reform : some new facts
No full textThe ad valorem tariff rateson specific products and the ratio of tariff revenue to import value, the collected rate, are only tenuously related, contend the authors. Using tariff and revenue data (at the tariff code line level of detail) for three developing countries, the authors compare the statutory ad valorem tariff rates (official rates) with the ratio of tariff revenues to import values (collected rates). They document four facts: (1) the collected rate for any given item of the tariff code has almost no relationship to the official rate for that item; (2) the variation of collected rates around the official rate increases as the level of the official rate increases; (3) the collected rates increase much less, on average, than one-for-one with the official rates; and (4) above a certain level, collected rates do not increase at all despite increases in official rates. Collection rates appear to level off at roughly 50 percent. (In Kenya, collected rates are lower for high-tariff than for moderate-tariff items. Assigning lower rates for the high-tariff items would actually increase revenue on those items.) The implications of these findings are twofold for calculating general revenue. The rates are not the critical determinant of revenues. The revenue implications of large rate changes can be offset by modest changes in the system of exemptions, for example. The benefit of eliminating exemptions is primarily transparency. The costs of programs that provide import exemptions for, say, regional promotion, are often hidden in customs statistics. Secondly, if pressures that cause collected rates not to increase one-for-one with tariff rates will continue to be present in any tariff regime, then these must be factored into tariff reform design.TF054105-DONOR FUNDED OPERATION ADMINISTRATION FEE INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT,Export Competitiveness,Environmental Economics&Policies,Trade and Regional Integration,Economic Theory&Research
A Prevalence Study of Iodine Deficiency Disorder in Children of Primary Schools in Gandhinagar District
No full textObjective: To assess the magnitude of IDD in Gandhinagar region and also assess the salt consumption patterns in the region.
Study Design: It is a Cross-sectional study conducted in primary schools of both urban and rural areas. Clinical examination of study population for goiter, laboratory assessment of casual urine sample for urinary iodine and estimation of Iodine in salt samples were done. School children in the age group of 6-12 years were selected for study using WHO 30-cluster methodology. During the school survey, 10 salt samples were collected from the students (preferably from all age group) and tested on the spot with UNICEF kit. Iodine concentration recorded as 0, 15. Fourteen Samples of Urine were obtained from students for Iodine estimation from each school.
Results: An overall goiter prevalence of 7.75% was observed in the district. Females had a prevalence of 7.68% and males 7.82%. 78.57 percent of subjects had urinary iodine excretion >100mcg/l with 21.43% having moderate -mild iodine deficiency. In Gandhinagar region, 93.2% of households consume powdered salt with 90.5% powdered salt samples having an iodine content of greater than 15 ppm.
Conclusion: Iodine deficiency remains a public health problem in kalol and dehgam taluka and proper administrative action to enhance universal iodinization is recommended
Rent - seeking trade policy : a time series approach
No full textUsing a time-series approach, the author analyzes the relationship between the extent of rent-seeking trade policy and both political and economic variables. For rent-seeking trade policy, the indicator he uses is the number of foreign-trade regulations passed each year for the benefit of a single firm or industry. The author uses data from Uruguay for 1925-83. Uruguay, which experienced an impressive economic decline, is an outstanding example of a rent-seeking society. After being a wealthy economy in midcentury, it suffered almost complete stagnation, which led to social and policital disintegration by the end of the 1960s. Three decades of restrictive regulations on foreign trade had created a nearly closed economy by the end of the 1960s. It was worth analyzing whether policymakers'great receptiveness to demands for protection could account for Uruguay's decline. Over the period 1925-83, the author finds almost 4,000 laws, decrees, and administrative resolutions that create, maintain, or modify a foreign-trade regulation for the benefit of a single firm or industry. About half of them explicitly identify the petitioner - usually a firm or guild. Since the size of the Uruguayan economy changed over the period studied, the author scales the annual number of regulations by output or exports to measure the extent of rent-seeking trade policy. The author shows that the extent of rent-seeking trade policy increased with discretionary policies and under dictatorship. (In the period studied, there were two stages of democracy - until 1932 and from 1943-72 - and two stages of dictatorship.) He also shows that rent-seeking trade restrictions increased under import-substitution strategies and, more unexpectedly, under active export promotion. This suggests that discretionary power leads to wasteful distribution, whether it is used to support inward- or outward-oriented policies. Finally, the author analyzes the correlation between innovations in the trade policy indicator and innovations in the growth rates of output and exports, with a lag of up to 20 years. Surprisingly, he finds a positive correlation with output growth rates after two or three years. But the correlation becomes negative some years later, particularly in the case of exports. The short-run positive impact on growth rates, together with the surprisingly long time lag before the negative impact, may account for policymakers'receptiveness to demands for protection.Trade Policy,Achieving Shared Growth,TF054105-DONOR FUNDED OPERATION ADMINISTRATION FEE INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies
A Study to Assess the Availability of Basic Facilities for Inmates in Geriatric Home, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
No full textBackground: Ageing is a normal physiological process for human being, but modernization and globalization have disintegrated the Indian family system and elders are focused to stay in geriatric homes. The care for the aged is slowly shifting from the family to geriatric homes.
Objective: To study the function of geriatric homes, background information and reasons for shifting to geriatric home.
Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in geriatric homes of urban and periurban areas of Ahmedabad during January 2008 to January 2009.
Result: All the geriatric homes were nongovernment organization. Out of total (13) geriatric homes, majority (76.9%) of them have the criteria for enrolment was the cut off age as 60 years or above. Out of total 530 inmates, 380(71.7%) inmates having children, out of them, maximum number of inmates had either two (28.9%) or three (23.9 %) children. According to education of inmates 29.6%were secondary and 25.5% were primary education. Among marital status of inmates, 78.8% were widow/widower. Familial conflict (53.6%) was major reason for shifting at geriatric home. Overcrowding was present in 38.5 % geriatric homes according to person per floor area. Majority of geriatric homes were having TV, library, garden, kitchen, availability of newspaper and adequate lighting, ventilation, water supply. Only 7.7% of geriatric homes had full time doctor while 61.5% had part time doctor. 84.6% of old age homes had paid staff of institute for sweeping and mopping and for cleaning utensils
A Study of Socio-Demographic Profile of Substance Abusers Attending a De-Addiction Centre in Ahmedabad City
No full textA comparative study to analyze the cost of curative care at primary health center in Ahmedabad
No full textObjectives: To determine the unit cost of curative care provided at Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and to examine the variation in unit cost in different PHCs. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out in three PHCs of Ahmedabad district namely Sanathal, Nandej, and Uperdal, between 1 April, 2006 and 31 March, 2007. For estimating the cost of a health program, information on all the physical and human resources that were basic inputs to the PHC services were collected and grouped into two categories, non-recurrent (capital resources vehicles, buildings, etc.) and recurrent resources (salaries, drugs, vaccines, contraceptives, maintenance, etc.). To generate the required data, two types of schedules were developed, daily time schedule and PHC/SC (Subcenter) information schedule. Results: The unit cost of curative care was lowest (Rs. 29.43) for the Sanathal PHC and highest (Rs. 88.26) for the Uperdal PHC, followed by the Nandej PHC with Rs. 40.88, implying severe underutilization of curative care at the Uperdal PHC. Conclusions: Location of health facilities is a problem at many places. As relocation is not possible or even feasible, strengthening of infrastructure and facilities at these centers can be taken up immediately
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