Close Nexus Research Articles

Citrus Odour Produces Resilient Response to Cognitive Load and Enhances Performance in the N-Back Task.

Background: Olfactory pathway and limbic system demonstrate a close nexus, which paves common ground for investigating the effects of smell on emotions, cognitive load and autonomic functions. Notably, olfactory stimulation during the administration of cognitive load may interfere with the performance. Purpose: The study is planned to investigate the effect of citrus inhalation on cognitive performance, through psychophysiological assessments. Methods: Thirty male participants were subjected to the cognitive load with the 2-back task in control and experimental sessions. Olfactory stimulation was administered with a pure citrus odour through an aroma diffuser. Electrocardiogram (ECG) for heart rate variability (HRV); photoplethysmography (PPG), and electrodermal activity (EDA) were recorded in experimental and control sessions. Results: Citrus odour significantly improved the performance in 2-back task. A paired t-test revealed that the target correct response numbers and target accuracy were significantly increased with the citrus odour inhalation. The EDA showed a rise in the skin conductance level with the 2-back task that was suppressed with the citrus odour administration. The HRV measures, pNN50, RMSSD, and HF power demonstrated a significant increase in the citrus smell. Conclusion: Importantly, citrus odour produced resilience to cognitive stress due to the cognitive task and it was reflected in the EDA. Olfactory stimulation with citrus improved the scores in the 2-back task performance. Though there was no alteration in the overall variability of cardiac oscillation but there was a conspicuous shift of autonomic balance towards the parasympathetic system with the citrus inhalation. The observed finding advocates the use of citrus odour as a cognitive stress-suppressing measure for cognitive enhancement.

COVID-19 and the risk of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a Mendelian randomization study.

An increasing number of studies have elucidated a close nexus between COVID-19 phenotypes and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), yet the causality between them remains enigmatic. In this study, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis employing summary data sourced from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) pertaining to COVID-19 susceptibility, hospitalization, severity, and NMOSD. The primary MR analysis employed the Inverse variance weighted (IVW) approach, which was supplemented by MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode methods. We implemented various sensitivity analyses including Cochran's Q test, MR-PRESSO method, MR-Egger intercept, leave-one-out analysis, and funnel plot. The MR results demonstrated a nominal association between COVID-19 susceptibility and the risk of AQP4+ NMOSD, as evidenced by the IVW method (OR = 4.958; 95% CI: 1.322-18.585; P = 0.018). Conversely, no causal association was observed between COVID-19 susceptibility, hospitalization, or severity and the increased risk of NMOSD, AQP4-NMOSD, or AQP4+ NMOSD. The comprehensive sensitivity analyses further bolstered the robustness and consistency of the MR estimates. Our findings provide compelling evidence for a causal effect of COVID-19 phenotype on AQP4+ NMOSD, shedding new light on the understanding of the comorbidity between COVID-19 and NMOSD.

Combating colonial mentality within higher learning spaces: The case of sub-Saharan African universities

As former colonies of Western imperial powers, virtually all aspects of African life have been invaded by forces of Western hegemony. Colonial mentality is the blind assimilation or internalisation of the colonial powers’ socio-cultural forms resulting in the destructive and disruptive abandonment of the ways of life of the colonies. As it applies to Africa, colonial mentality is a product of African cultural invasion in which, having been exposed to colonial experience for a long time, an average African has internalised foreign ideas and ideals—so much so that she has lost the authentic African ways of life in the process. Using philosophical methods of argumentation and critical engagements, this paper contends that a connection exists between colonial mentality and the observed failure of African universities to efficiently effectuate their relevance as Africa’s development partners. The paper identifies four key areas in which colonial mentality plays out most profoundly in African universities, namely, the nature of knowledge produced, the mode of certification, the language of instruction, and research funding. The paper argues that the incursion of colonial mentality in these vital areas continues to impede African universities’ capacity to substantively contribute to African development drives and aspirations. Given this close nexus, the paper maintains that African universities may never realise their potential as a critical sector in African development discourse. This qualitative research is based on critical inquiry through a process of identifying, questioning and assessing deeply held assumptions about Western hegemony. The paper concludes that decolonisation in learning spaces can only be a feasible project if it is accorded the seriousness that it deserves by all stakeholders both within and outside the university.

Health status and demand for health care of the rural women: preliminary observations from the backward districts of Karnataka state, South India

Background: In the last few decades, rural people’s health care has garnered increased attention. Especially rural women are facing a variety of life-threatening diseases as a result of traditional health culture, gender-based health exclusion, and low socioeconomic status. This study attempted to disclose the health status and demand for health care of rural women in two backward districts of Karnataka state- south India. Methods: The study has used a survey and interview methods of data collection from 426 rural women from two districts of Karnataka. Results: This study found that women reaching menopause state face a slew of health issues; including anemia (44%), stress (63%) menstrual irregularities (39%), heart disease (47%), arthritis (50%), and diabetes (48%) from a low socio-economic profile. Women in the menopausal stage are the most impacted, followed by pre-menopause and reproductive groups. Per-capita income, level of education, and medical expenditure are decisive factors in the demand for quality health care. Conclusions: Changing health culture has a close nexus with the socioeconomic status affecting rural health behaviour of women. Household income and occupation have a key role in determining women’s health. It is time to establish low-cost healthcare insurance for rural women and encourage the medical pluralism that exists in rural areas.

Serious games in future skills development: A systematic review of the design approaches

AbstractSerious games offer a magnificent potential for developing future skills along with the 21st‐century learning ecosystem. A close nexus between the design and effectiveness of serious games is still argued. In this regard, the current study provides a systematic literature review on serious game design approaches with a special focus on future skill development. A systematic review protocol, including planning, conducting, and reporting stages, is followed to comprehensively interpret the existing studies. Applying quality controls, 32 serious game studies which include a practical serious game design approach are selected. For providing a more systematic analysis, these approaches are then categorized based on the intended outcome of the serious game that the approach aims to facilitate. It is found that 8 (25%) of these design approaches support at least one future skills, among which problem‐solving as well as collaboration and teamwork are the most commonly supported ones. It is also discovered that clear goals and interactivity, used in 6 (75%) and 5 (63%) of the 8 design approaches respectively, are the most commonly implemented game design elements. Considering the significant literature gap on the implementation of serious games for future skills development, this study consequently provides valuable insights for the game designers, software developers, educational technology researchers, and engineering educators in various domains.

National and transnational non-state actors: Strategic dimensions and regional security threats to CPEC

China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a ‘flagship Project’ of China’s wide-ranging and most advanced scheme of development initiated under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The project ranges from investment to infrastructure development in various sectors with an investment of $62 billion in Pakistan. However, the existential fact is that this project is not only restricted to economic growth and trade linkages. It has more strategic dimensions and arguably a strategic instrument in the hand of the Chinese to exponentially increase its influence from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. It is, undoubtedly, rapidly changing the regional apparatus in general and South Asia in Particular. This change on one side is creating space for multiple opportunities not only for Pakistan but at the same time offering bounties to regional countries, but on the other hand security threats and asymmetrical propaganda is on the rise against the CPEC. The most significant aspect which is being neglected in this scenario is the ever-increasing activities of non-state actors which are operating surreptitiously in Pakistan as well as its neighborhood. The presence of ISIS, Baloch insurgency, and TTP are a potential threat and their close nexus and support from inside and outside the country have substantially been proofed. Thus, the current research is divided into two parts. The first part argues that the CPEC project is no doubt a security-oriented, geopolitically, and strategically driven endeavor but predominantly linked with economic growth and regional connectivity. The second part deals with the potential threats to the CPEC posed by the national and transnational non-state actors.

Filarids (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) in wild carnivores and domestic dogs from the Brazilian Atlantic forest.

Onchocercidae nematodes are heteroxenous parasites with worldwide distribution, and some of the species associated to animals may present zoonotic potential. Climatic changes and anthropic influences on the environment may result in vectors’ proliferation, facilitating the spillover to humans and/or non-typical animal hosts. The Iguaçu National Park (PARNA Iguaçu), one of the most important Brazilian natural remanescents of Atlantic rainforest, is strongly affected by human activities such as tourism and agriculture. The complexity of this area is especially characterized by the close nexus between the rich wildlife, humans, and domestic animals, especially domestic dogs. Based on this, this research aimed to diagnose the Onchocercidae nematodes in wild carnivores and domestic dogs in the PARNA Iguaçu and the surrounding areas. For this, we collected 162 samples of seven species of wild carnivores and 225 samples of domestic dogs. The presence of microfilariae in the blood samples was diagnosed by the modified Knott’s test and molecular screening, and the specific identification was based on sequencing of the myoHC and hsp70 genes. Microfilariae were detected only in ring-tailed coatis, in which we found five species: Mansonella sp. 1, Mansonela sp. 2, Onchocercidade gen. sp. 1, Onchocercidade gen. sp. 2, and Dirofilaria immitis. The morphological analysis supported the molecular findings. The domestic dogs were parasitized by Acanthocheilonema reconditum, representing a new locality record for this species. Phylogenetic analysis showed high genetic similarity among the four undetermined species and Mansonella spp., Brugia spp., and Wuchereria bancrofti. The presence of D. immitis in ring-tailed coatis may be result of spillover from dogs, even though the parasite was not diagnosed in the sampled dogs. The presence of several undetermined Onchocercidae species indicates the necessity of continuous investigations on wild and domestic animals from Neotropical area, especially considering the growing anthropic influence on forest remnants.

Biodiversity Conservation: A Preventive Tool for Epidemics and Pandemics

Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services highlights that there is a close nexus between the global health pandemics and the biodiversity. The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly indicated the importance of environmental health. Seeing the advancement of scientific field, it is clear that there is some link between the biodiversity and spread of outbreaks of epidemics and pandemics. Interestingly, preservation of biodiversity has been recognized as an important step to control the disease outbreaks since last one year. If biodiversity is well managed and conserved, it will act as a barrier against the spill-over of infectious diseases.

Nexus between urban mobility and the transmission of infectious diseases: evidence from empirical review

The transportation of human beings from one location to the other could play a crucial role in the transmission of infectious diseases which could result in a major epidemic such as Tuberculosis, Ebola, Covid-19, and others that are currently invading the nations of the world. Concerning the high poverty level, much concentration on livestock farming, open grazing, rising urbanization, and globalization, the human being is exposed to more infectious diseases that can be transited and transmitted. The transmission of infectious diseases can be in the form of a chain; some are imported from high-risk countries and contacted by friends and families which will later spread into the larger society. It can also be contacted through imported livestock which will later spread among other animals and be contacted by a human. Importation of infectious diseases is not only applicable to humans but animals. Findings from the empirical studies reviewed show that a close nexus between urban mobility and the transmission of infectious diseases. To ensure adequate health safety, it is recommended that regional as well as international complementarity of trade should be checked such that high-risk countries should be banned from participating in trade with other low-risk countries; preventive measures should be enforced without any form of sentiment, human being should minimize or reduce traveling.

After global governance

Technology is of crucial importance for understanding the recent crisis of global governance and concomitant practices of re-territorializing sovereignty. It is far more than an instrument for putting ideas and interests into practice; it is embedded in relationships of power, gives expression to normative decisions and shapes the conditions under which politics is conducted. Technology empowers some actors and disempowers others. It makes new forms of political action possible and others more costly. This crucial role of technology has been emphasized in many dispersed parts of the IR discourse since long. What has often been overlooked, however, is that technological innovation can have a disruptive effect on international institutions. This paper traces this disruptive effect in the administration of the internet by underlining the close nexus between technology, sovereignty and global governance. It finally discusses promising avenues for future research.

Nutrient management impacts on net ecosystem carbon budget and energy flow nexus in intensively cultivated cropland ecosystems of north-western India

Nutrient management has led to unprecedented increase in crop production, but with significant carbon (C) trade-off that has close nexus with energy flow. We quantified the impacts of nutrient management on emission of greenhouse gases, net ecosystem C budget (NECB) and energy flow in three cropland ecosystems (rice–wheat, maize–wheat and cotton–wheat). Carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in rice than cotton, while maize ecosystem was in-between. The greenhouse gas intensity was significantly higher for rice–wheat (by 0.2 kg CO2e kg−1 grain) and maize–wheat (by 0.1 kg CO2e kg−1 grain), compared with cotton–wheat. The higher carbon emission ratio for maize–wheat (9.59) and rice–wheat (8.07) suggested their higher potential to fix C per unit loss, compared with cotton–wheat (7.03). Atmospheric CO2 assimilated into net primary production (NPP) totalled 14.1 ± 0.18, 11.5 ± 0.13 and 9.7 ± 0.13 Mg C ha−1 for rice–wheat, maize–wheat and cotton–wheat ecosystems, respectively. With an estimated net ecosystem exchange of 9.5 ± 0.29, 5.8 ± 0.19 and 2.7 ± 0.23 Mg C ha−1, respectively, for three ecosystems, rice–wheat (2427 kg C ha−1 year−1) had significantly higher NECB, compared with maize–wheat (27.1 kg C ha−1 year−1) and cotton–wheat (− 3834 kg C ha−1 year−1). Rice–wheat had significantly higher C addition in soil organic carbon (SOC) pool, compared with other two ecosystems. Conversely, cotton–wheat had depletion of SOC pool (− 817 kg C ha−1). Although the three ecosystems did not differ significantly for fertilizer-related energy input (EI), energy output (EO), energy ratio (ER) and net energy gain were significantly higher for cotton–wheat, compared with other ecosystems.

Energy and carbon footprints of wheat establishment following different rice residue management strategies vis-à-vis conventional tillage coupled with rice residue burning in north-western India

Energy and carbon (C) footprints have close nexus in agriculture. Agri-inputs are energy intensive and lead to significant C equivalent (CE) emissions. We studied energy and C footprints during wheat establishment following different rice residue management (RRM) strategies: residue retention with Happy Seeder (HS); removal after bailing + zero till drill (ZT); incorporation with rotavator tillage + drill (RT) and mould board plough tillage + drill (MBP) vis-à-vis burning + conventional tillage + drill (CT)to identify options for balancing energy, C footprints and C sequestration. Total energy input (EI) with residue retention was significantly (p < 0.05) lower by 1540.9–3884.5 MJ ha−1 (5.9–13.8%) than residue removal/burning. Although, energy output (EO) was significantly lower with residue retention/removal, yet energy productivity (EP) did not differ significantly. Total CE emissions were highest in CT and lowest in ZT. Fertilizer-N was the major hotspot of energy (37.5–45.2% of EI) and C footprints (53.6–87.9% of total CE emissions). As compared to CT, residue retention offers reduction in C and energy footprints ∼14.1 and 12.9%, respectively. Results reveal that rice residue burning is not a viable option as it leaves high C footprints and lowers the amount of C added to soil organic C pool and C sustainability.

The Anti-Coal and Anti-Coal Seam Gas Campaigns as Components of the Climate Movement in Australia: Responses to Corporate Hegemony

ABSTRACT In this paper we examine the climate-driven anti-coal and anti-coal gas organizations and activist campaigns in Australia, a country that is a major force in global coal production and trade, and a growing coal seam gas producer and exporter. The sociopolitical context for our analysis is the close nexus that has existed historically between the coal industry and the Australian state, as well the more recent relationship between the state and the burgeoning coal seam gas industry. We review an array of major anti-coal groups in Australia and assess not only their protest activities but – to the degree they have articulated them – their respective stances on climate justice and on capitalism as a primary driver of climate injustice. While a few groups within the anti-coal movement tend to be anti-capitalist in their orientation, most advocate a largely green social democratic position which calls for ecological modernization as a major climate change mitigation strategy, without addressing whether this is achievable within the current globally dominant political economy.

How is the moral stance related to the intentional stance and group thinking?

The natural history of our moral stance told here in this commentary reveals the close nexus of morality and basic social-cognitive capacities. Big mysteries about morality thus transform into smaller and more manageable ones. Here, I raise questions regarding the conceptual, ontogenetic, and evolutionary relations of the moral stance to the intentional and group stances and to shared intentionality.

Fundamentalism as problem of identity: Social psychological observations in theological perspective

The article analyses the so-called religious and non-religious fundamentalism. From an empirical perspective, fundamentalism appears to be a constant phenomenon of modern life. The author claims that the principle possibility of fundamentalism has its roots in the sociocultural structures of Modernity. Of course, fundamentalist positions do not emerge necessarily, but they are inscribed in these structures as a permanent option. In the field of identity construction, the relation between fundamentalism and modern life can be explored especially well. This is because under modern conditions identity formation processes have not only found new opportunities, but also risky challenges. Herein lays a significant motive for fundamentalist identity constructions. To shed some light on this problematic complex, the author refers to insights of classical social psychology (Dilthey, Mead, Hofstätter, Goffman, Krappmann) and applies them to the problem here at stake. Because of the close nexus between fundamentalism and religion, religion plays an important role in the author’s argument. Reasoning from a protestant theological point of view, the author is not limited to a descriptive approach, but also offers a normative critique.

The Emergence of “Universal Jurisdiction” in Response to Somali Piracy: An Empirically Informed Critique of International Law’s “Paradigmatic” Universal Jurisdiction Crime

Abstract Since the 1980s, the idea that piracy is the “original” and “paradigmatic” universal jurisdiction crime in customary international law has been increasingly supported by weighty scholarship. In the wake of the unprecedented surge in Somali piracy, this view is gaining ground among various powerful actors in international law. Yet, remarkably little empirically grounded scholarship exists in support of universal jurisdiction. This Article provides the first comprehensive empirical analysis of state practice in response to Somali piracy in a ten-year period since 2006. Additionally, the data on Somali piracy are compared with the empirical findings of state practice regarding international crimes, which are more “heinous” than piracy, since the end of World War II to 2016. In so doing, this Article brings new insight and the first thorough critique of what most scholars, governments, the UN and even the International Court of Justice have said on universal jurisdiction, its purpose and the basis for it in international law. In view of inter-state tensions and conflict caused by universal jurisdiction and a move towards law codification, there is now a pressing need for a paradigm shift in the concept of universal jurisdiction for both piracy and international crimes, a step away from conventional scholarly accounts, and the grand narratives from which they proceed, to a position that has a solid basis in the actual practice of states. Empirically and historically informed, it is proposed that “universal jurisdiction” for both categories of crime provides a basis in international law permitting the exercise of national criminal jurisdiction over offences involving foreign nationals abroad that have a close nexus between the case over which jurisdiction is asserted and the state asserting jurisdiction. Common and traditionally held assumptions that universal jurisdiction is based solely on the grave nature of crimes and is applied by states absent any nexus to offences and in the interest of the international community are unfounded.

The Legalization of the Non-Violation Concept in the GATT/WTO System

Article XXVIII:1(b) of the GATT refers to “any benefit … being nullified or impaired” by the application of any measure “whether or not it conflicts with the provisions of this Agreement”. This article suggests that the evolution of GATT/WTO law and practice relating to the non-violation concept is an interesting example of “legalization”, in the sense of indeterminately vague treaty terms being incrementally made more precise and sculpted into a workable legal test which is capable of being applied in the context of binding third-party adjudication. It begins by showing how GATT adjudicators transformed this indeterminately open-ended concept into a workable legal test, generally covering measures with a close nexus (in terms of timing, product coverage, and effects) to specific market access commitments (Section I). It then briefly reviews how the non-violation concept spread to regional trade agreements, taking the CUSFTA and NAFTA as examples. (Section II). Following a closer look at the key non-violation provisions in the text of the Uruguay Round Agreements (including the DSU, GATS, SCM Agreement, and TRIPS Agreement), it surveys the relevant WTO case law and shows that adjudicators have not strayed very far from the traditional legal standard developed under the GATT (Section III). It suggests that the traditional legal test aligns the non-violation concept to various concepts of general international law, and to GATT safeguards provisions and the close nexus test developed in the context of WTO compliance proceedings (Section IV). It concludes with an overall assessment (Section V).

Press, Politics and Democratic Stability

It’s axiomatic to note that, there is indeed an inextricable or close nexus between the realm of mass communication and that of politics. This to a large extent derives from the goal the two seek to achieve. Communication is the oil that lubricates the engine of political and social relations. Politics is meant to realise the goal of the society or to promote the common good. The myriads of political activities in the state and around its agencies can have great impact on the society at large through the instrumentality of mass communication. Arguably, while the complex operational environments of the mass media in older democracies are relatively vibrant and congenial, the same cannot be said of the new democracies. Yet as agents that are meant to check executive recklessness on the one hand and as instruments of sensitisation and mobilisation, the press in the advanced democracies have their own limitations that can hardly be ignored. The peculiar domain in which mass media operate in the less developed societies raises many germane issues that demands answers. The paper seeks to interrogate the nature and character of politics visible in African states that engendered hostile environment for the press. The study contends that there is the dire need for a paradigm shift from sensational reporting to messages that are capable of tilting the mass of the people towards the realisation of the goal of the society, including democratic stability

A ‘Pick and Mix’ Approach to Collective Redundancy: USDAW

The recent litigation on collective redundancy rights raised a number of important issues, all of which centred on whether the national practices in the UK and in Spain were compliant with the relevant EU legislation. The importance of ensuring that the collective redundancy regime operates appropriately has once again reared its head following the collapse of BHS and Austin Reed, and may do again following a vote for Brexit. Inevitably the Court of Justice of the European Union played a pivotal role in interpreting the scope of the legislation, with three distinct and separate challenges to the respective national application of the collective redundancy rights in USDAW , Lyttle and Canas . This paper will give consideration to the issues raised across these three cases. To this end the primary focus of this paper is on the interpretation of the term ‘establishment’, which is central to the working of the Collective Redundancies Directive. This paper identifies the approach adopted by the CJEU in interpreting this concept, before questioning whether an alternative approach may have been more desirable. The second part of this paper considers questions concerning vertical direct effect of the Directive, and horizontal direct effect of rights that are contained within the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Whilst this paper will be led by the UK position and the decision of the European Court in the USDAW litigation, reference will also be made to the decisions in Lyttle and Canas where appropriate, given the close nexus between these cases.

Sensitivity of global and regional poverty rates to alternative purchasing power parities

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the sensitivity of regional and world poverty rates to the purchasing power parities (PPP) used in the calculations. The PPPs are required to convert the “international poverty line” typically denominated in US dollar to its local currency equivalent in the various countries. While recent studies on world poverty differ with respect to the specification of the international poverty line (IPL), they universally use the PPP available from the international comparison program (ICP). This study provides a departure and calculates PPPs using the Gini–Elteto–Koves–Szulc (GEKS) price index and country product dummy (CPD) model as alternatives to the ICP PPPs. The GEKS and CPD PPPs are compared with the ICP PPPs. The paper then compares the global and regional poverty rates based on the three sets of PPPs and presents evidence of significant revision to the poverty rates if we depart from the use of the ICP PPPs. The study tests for the presence of serial correlation between price movements in different countries and investigates its impact on the PPPs. The methodological contribution of this paper is to establish the close nexus between price indices and poverty rates via the PPPs used in obtaining the local currency unit (LCU) denominated IPL.Design/methodology/approachThe PPP calculations in this paper relate to the ICP round, 2011. Along with the ICP PPPs from published reports (with India as the numeraire country), we report the following indices, namely, the GEKS, weighted CPD and its two spatially correlated generalisations. The ICP PPPs are used as benchmark. The ICP group in the World Bank made the price and expenditure information for 2011 available. Corresponding poverty rates are calculated at the country, regional and global levels.FindingsThe empirical evidence points to the fact that while at the country level the alternative calculations have high impact on the implied poverty rates, at the regional and global level the rates are reasonably quite robust.Research limitations/implicationsThree points are worth noting, namely, as opposed to the PPP for “Individual consumption expenditure by households” (ICEH), which is the PPP used for international poverty monitoring by the World Bank and others, we have used the ICP PPPs for “Actual individual consumption” (AIC); although ICP uses the GEKS procedure above the BH level, we independently calculated these PPPs using the price information provided, and the base country has been moved from the USA to India.Practical implicationsOne can come up with independently estimated PPPs that do not require the elaborate and expensive procedure set up by the ICP and can arrive at robust poverty rates at the regional and global level.Social implicationsThe change in base has been made as India shares many of the features of a developing country including high poverty rates, but at the same time provides a market and an economy size that places it in the top tier of nations. In addition, poverty comparisons amongst developing countries can be made using these PPPs directly, without reference to the USA. The poverty calculations are based on the PovcalNet program.Originality/valueThere is no clear answer to the question “how robust are the global poverty numbers to departures from the ICP PPPs?” in the literature nor is there any evidence on the robustness of the ICP PPPs themselves to changes in the ICP methodology. Given that the ICP uses the Gini–Elteto–Koves–Szulc (GEKS) multilateral price index in aggregation of ICP PPP basic heading data, in an attempt to partially answer this question this study examines the sensitivity of measures of relative prices (and poverty) to using CPD (and various spatial versions) and GEKS methods, using price data provided by the World Bank. It also verifies how these PPPs track the published 2011 ICP PPPs, which are used as benchmark.