Direct Grants Research Articles

The link between social grants and employment in South Africa

ABSTRACT We analyse the link between means-tested social grants and employment in South Africa, where social grant expenditure is relatively large amid persistently high unemployment. Using a large panel household survey spanning a decade, we find that the recipients of both old-age and disability grants are less in employment, which is intended by the social program and consistent with the literature. However, among indirect grant recipients (those in the same households as direct grant recipients), younger members typically have lower employment prospects than other indirect recipients. There could be various explanation for this finding, including that the youth are more discouraged from seeking jobs, face larger constraints in the labour market, or have less job opportunities.

Reporting guidance for the One Health surveillance data collection

Abstract This technical report aims at guiding the data reporting to EFSA of analytical test results and the related metadata generated in the context of the One Health surveillance activities carried out by Member States under their direct grant agreements. The objective is to explain in detail the individual data elements that are included in the EFSA Standard Sample Description version 2 (SSD2) data model. The guidance is intended to support the reporting countries in data transmission using eXtensible Markup Language (XML) data file transfer through the Data Collection Framework (DCF) according to the protocol described in the EFSA Guidance on Data Exchange version 2 (GDE2). The data elements are explained, including information about data type, list of allowed terms and associated business rules. Instructions about how to report common sampling schemes are also provided to ensure harmonised reporting among countries.

Abstract 6268: A study of orphan nuclear receptor SHP (NR0B2) in prostate cancer progression

Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) is a significant male cancer in many countries accounting for around 14% of new cancer cases globally in 2020 and ranked as 3rd common cancer in males in Hong Kong. The major risk factors include old age, high-fat diet, and genetics. Compared to other cancers, PCa is unique as its initial and advanced growth is androgen dependent. As tumor progresses, it accumulates numerous genetic alterations. Main therapeutic options include surgery, radiotherapy and or active surveillance. Upon treatment failure or when metastasis develops, androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) with the use of potent androgen receptor (AR) antagonists and androgen biosynthesis inhibitors (e.g. Enzalutamide and abiraterone acetate) aiming to suppress AR signaling axis are the standard treatment options. However, the effect of these treatments is short-lived, in which nearly all patients will inevitably relapse to a hormone-independent and metastatic stage known as metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) within few years and further drive progression to a more lethal subtype, described as treatment-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). The treatment options are limited and therefore resulted in high mortality, representing an emerging clinical problem. Recent studies have illustrated that NEPC progression follows a lineage plasticity model with a phenotypic transition to AR loss and neuroendocrine transdifferentiation. Our preliminary study has identified a nuclear receptor NR0B2 (SHP, small heterodimer partner SHP), which is a unique ligand-independent orphan nuclear receptor without a DNA-binding domain, that displays a significant up-regulation in clinical NEPC and prostate cancer cells with NEPC phenotype. Mechanistic studies revealed that SHP could directly interact with AR utilizing its NR Box1 motif while inducing repression on the AR transactivation via its another NR Box2 motif. Based on this, we conducted in vitro growth studies and revealed that NR0B2 overexpression could promote growth differentially in AR-negative PCa cells. However, AR-positive PCa cells were insensitive to AR blockade, providing supporting evidence that NR0B2 may be involved in repressing AR activity in prostate cancer cells. Multiple key NEPC and oncogenic TGFβ signaling markers showed significant upregulation in gene expression. Based on this, we hypothesize that upregulation of NR0B2 could play an important role in driving the advanced progression of CRPC via its direct interference of AR signaling axis and through other AR-independent signaling pathways, including activation of TGFβ signaling. (Study supported by a CUHK Direct Grant for Research 2022-2023, Project No. 2022.081) Citation Format: Hau Tak Daniel Lam, Franky Leung Chan. A study of orphan nuclear receptor SHP (NR0B2) in prostate cancer progression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6268.

DETERMINANTS OF FRAUD PREVENTION MANAGEMENT GRANT FUNDING FINANCE

The management of direct grant funds for regional elections requires streamlined processes within the Provincial Election Supervisory Agency and Regency/City Election Supervisory Committees. Technical Instructions outlined in a 2019 decree guide work plans, budgets, administration, accountability, and reporting. Efforts to prevent fraud in grant management are essential for reliable financial reporting, operational efficiency, auditor confidence, legal compliance, and asset protection. Controls, whether preventive or detective, manual or automatic, play a crucial role in these efforts. This research aims to analyze the Determinants of Fraud Prevention in Financial Management of Grant Funds. The context chosen was the Bawaslu of Jambi Province and the Bawaslu of Districts/Cities throughout Jambi Province, totaling 65 people. The analytical tool used in this research is SMART PLS. The results can be concluded that the competency of the work unit apparatus has no effect on preventing fraud in the financial management of grant funds, the internal control system has an effect on preventing fraud in the financial management of grant funds, Whistleblowing systems have an effect on preventing fraud in the financial management of grant funds.

Assessing cancer-related financial support needs by household income.

210 Background: Financial hardship associated with a cancer diagnosis can impact access to healthcare, treatment adherence, and overall quality of life. Family Reach, a national nonprofit, offers direct financial assistance grants for both medical and nonmedical expenses. Our analysis aimed to assess financial hardship, essential needs, and specific assistance requests amongst grant applicants based on household income level. Methods: Data from applications in March 2021-February 2022 were analyzed using descriptive statistics and univariate tests. Household income was assessed across 3 categories of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL): <150% of FPL, 150-250% of FPL, and >250% of FPL. Associations between FPL and race/ethnicity, gender, insurance, phase of treatment, self-reported financial concerns, and assistance requests were characterized. Results: 4077 patients with cancer applied for assistance in the 12-month period; 2398 (59%) were <150% FPL, 845 (21%) were 150-250% FPL, and 834 (20%) were >250% FPL. Common diagnoses included leukemia (25%), breast (19%), and brain (7%). 57% applicants were female and 42% male; racial/ethnic identity included 43% Non-Hispanic White, 24% Non-Hispanic Black, and 19% Hispanic/Latinx. 89% of applicants reported undergoing active treatment, with 7% in monitoring and follow-up. Lower household income was associated with more food insecurity, higher risk of utilities and phone being shut-off, and increased risk of homelessness (p<0.001). Requests for unexpected aid, childcare, funeral expenses, and public transportation were all less common in higher income groups compared to those with incomes <150% FPL. Requests for assistance with medical expenses and car payments/insurance were more common for those with higher household income. Conclusions: This analysis of patients with cancer who applied for financial assistance shows that support needs vary significantly by household income; families affected by cancer close to the poverty threshold had significant difficulties meeting essential needs, including food and shelter. Lack of individualized interventions may decrease effectiveness of aid and fail to fill gaps in financial coverage. Programs like Family Reach can serve as a blueprint for future individualized aid distribution to address financial barriers to optimal cancer outcomes.[Table: see text]

Direct Electrosynthesis of Metal Nanoparticles on Ti3C2Tx-Mxene during Hydrogen Evolution.

Herein, we propose a simple yet effective method to deposit metal nanoparticles on Ti3C2Tx-MXene via direct electrosynthesis. Without using any reducing reagent or annealing under reducing atmosphere, it allows the conversion of metal salts (e.g., PtCl4, RuCl3·yH2O, IrCl3·zH2O, AgNO3, and CuCl2·2H2O) to metal nanoparticles with a small particle size (ca. 2 nm). Under these circumstances, it was realized that the support effect from Ti3C2Tx-MXene (electron pushing) is quite profound, in which the Ti3C2Tx-MXene support will act as an electron donor to push the electron to Pt nanoparticles and increase the electron density of Pt nanoparticles. It populates the antibonding state of Pt-Pt bonds as well as the adsorbate level that leads to a "weakening" of the ΔGH* in the optimal position. This rationalizes the outstanding activity of Pt/Ti3C2Tx-MXene (5 wt %, η10 = 16 mV) for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In addition, this direct electrosynthesis method grants the growth of two or multiple types of metal nanoparticles on the Ti3C2Tx-MXene substrate that can perform dual or multiple functions as desired. For instance, one can prepare an electrocatalyst with Pt (2.5 wt %) and Ru nanoparticles (2.5 wt %) on the Ti3C2Tx-MXene support from the same synthetic method. This electrocatalyst (Pt_Ru/Ti3C2Tx-MXene) can display good electrocatalytic HER performance in both acid (0.5 M H2SO4) and alkaline electrolytes (1.0 M KOH).

Fiscal transfers, local government, and entrepreneurship

AbstractCan local government spending spur entrepreneurial activity? To answer this question, we study a setting where, around multiple pre‐determined and non‐manipulable thresholds, municipalities with lower tax revenues receive direct and different monetary grants from the national budget. Employing a fuzzy regression discontinuity design, we find a positive impact of fiscal transfers on the number of firms, especially sole proprietorships and small firms. The impact is stronger in municipalities where the opposition is more involved in the legislative process or more parties are represented in the municipal council.

A pilot investigation of low-pass genome sequencing identifying site-specific variation in chromosomal mosaicisms by a multiple site sampling approach in first-trimester miscarriages.

Can multiple-site low-pass genome sequencing (GS) of products of conception (POCs) improve the detection of genetic abnormalities, especially heterogeneously distributed mosaicism and homogeneously distributed mosaicism in first-trimester miscarriage? Multiple-site sampling combined with low-pass GS significantly increased genetic diagnostic yield (77.0%, 127/165) of first-trimester miscarriages, with mosaicisms accounting for 17.0% (28/165), especially heterogeneously distributed mosaicisms (75%, 21/28) that are currently underappreciated. Aneuploidies are well known to cause first-trimester miscarriage, which are detectable by conventional karyotyping and next-generation sequencing (NGS) on a single-site sampling basis. However, there are limited studies demonstrating the implications of mosaic genetic abnormalities in first-trimester miscarriages, especially when genetic heterogeneity is present in POCs. This is a cross-sectional cohort study carried out at a university-affiliated public hospital. One hundred seventy-four patients diagnosed with first-trimester miscarriage from December 2018 to November 2021 were offered ultrasound-guided manual vacuum aspiration (USG-MVA) treatment. Products of conception were subjected to multiple-site low-pass GS for the detection of chromosomal imbalances. For each POC, multiple sites of villi (three sites on average) were biopsied for low-pass GS. Samples with maternal cell contamination (MCC) and polyploidy were excluded based on the quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) results. The spectrum of chromosomal abnormalities, including mosaicism (heterogeneously distributed and homogeneously distributed) and constitutional abnormalities was investigated. Chromosomal microarray analysis and additional DNA fingerprinting were used for validation and MCC exclusion. A cross-platform comparison between conventional karyotyping and our multiple-site approach was also performed. One hundred sixty-five POCs (corresponding to 490 DNA samples) were subjected to low-pass GS. Genetic abnormalities were detected in 77.0% (127/165) of POCs by our novel approach. Specifically, 17.0% (28/165) of cases had either heterogeneously distributed mosaicism (12.7%, 21/165) or homogeneously distributed mosaicism (6.1%, 10/165) (three cases had both types of mosaicism). The remaining 60.0% (99/165) of cases had constitutional abnormalities. In addition, in the 71 cases with karyotyping performed in parallel, 26.8% (19/71) of the results could be revised by our approach. Lack of a normal gestational week-matched cohort might hinder the establishment of a causative link between mosaicisms and first-trimester miscarriage. Low-pass GS with multiple-site sampling increased the detection of chromosomal mosaicisms in first-trimester miscarriage POCs. This innovative multiple-site low-pass GS approach enabled the novel discovery of heterogeneously distributed mosaicism, which was prevalent in first-trimester miscarriage POCs and frequently observed in preimplantation embryos, but is currently unappreciated by conventional single-site cytogenetic investigations. This work was supported partly by Research Grant Council Collaborative Research Fund (C4062-21GF to K.W.C), Science and Technology Projects in Guangzhou (202102010005 to K.W.C), Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme (TCFS), Innovation and Technology Fund (GHP/117/19GD to K.W.C), HKOG Direct Grant (2019.050 to J.P.W.C), and Hong Kong Health and Medical Research Fund (05160406 to J.P.W.C). The authors have no competing interests to declare. N/A.

Comprehensive characterization of HER2-low breast cancers: implications in prognosis and treatment

HER2-low cancers are heterogeneous with different degrees of HER2 expression and hormone receptor (HR) status. Currently, its analysis is mostly focused on the standard clinic-pathologic features or common biomarkers expression, without considering the heterogeneity within the category. A further characterization and understanding of this cancer subgroup will facilitate its management. A large cohort of HER2-negative cancers (N=1464) was included. The HER2-low (N=412) and HER2-zero cancers (N=1052) were compared and correlated with a comprehensive panel of clinico-pathologic features and biomarker expression according to different HER2 expressions and HR statuses. The prognostic values of these features in HER2-low cancers were also evaluated. The characteristics of HER2-low breast cancers, as compared to HER2-zero, varied with the HR status. HER2-low luminal cancers were associated with younger age, larger tumor, high pAKT and high HLA expression. Among TNBCs, opposite trends in age and tumor size were found. Additionally, HER2-low TNBC showed less necrosis, higher pN, lower c-kit and CK14 than HER2-zero cancers. Nonetheless, regardless of HR status, HER2-low status was associated with increased COX2 and AR expression, implicated in the biology of HER2-low cancers. HER2-low cancers showed high expression of HLAs in tumors and PD-L1 in immune cells. In particular, the co-expression of HLAs was found to be associated with better survival in HER2-low cancers. This study revealed further characteristic of HER2-low breast cancers as compared to HER2-zero cancers, provided further insights into its prognostication and therapeutic strategies. Health and Medical Research Fund (08190586), Cheng Yue Pui Charity Foundation and CUHK direct grant.

Dynamics of renewable energy index in G20 countries: influence of green financing.

The research intends to investigate the green financing trends movement with renewable energy dependence of G-20 economies. The data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique explains research results and illustrates current topicality. The Wald econometric method is utilized for robustness analysis, and a comparative picture of public support is provided. The research demonstrated that green financing metrics are significantly affected by public support during the COVID-19 crisis. Due to the volatility of COVID-19, public assistance funding plays an uneven role in green finance. G-20 member nations financed 17% of total green financing using public funds, which contributed 4% to GDP and achieved 16% of annual energy dependence improvement due to COVID-19 and 24% additional production from renewable energy resources. The results of this research demand maximal support by using positions in the government, ministries in charge of energy efficiency, and departments for energy efficiency improvement. Several possible policy interventions are discussed in this paper that may increase renewable energy efficiency via several alternative approaches, including on-bill financing, direct efficiency grant, guaranteed energy efficiency contracts, and credit lines for energy efficiency. If recommended policies are implemented successfully, they are expected to reduce the crisis' impact and elevate funding for energy efficiency.

Abstract 1456: An expression study of circadian clock-associated transcription factors and nuclear receptors in mouse prostate gland and tumor

Abstract The circadian clock lies in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus and is regulated directly by the daily light/dark cycles, generating rhythmic expression of core circadian-controlled genes (CCCG) some belonging to the nuclear receptors (NR) superfamily. Recent advances show that the disruption of the circadian clock is identified as a risk factor for endocrine cancers, such as prostate cancer which is the most common hormone-related male cancer globally. Whether the prostate gland has its own circadian expression of CCCG and NR, and how the dysregulated circadian clock would influence the fate of the prostate tumors is not well studied. Thus, the present study aims to determine the circadian expression patterns of CCCG and NR in normal mouse prostate and further validate their disrupted circadian expression in a transgenic mouse adenocarcinoma prostate cancer model (TGMAP) with neuroendocrine phenotypes and suppressed androgen gene expression (AR), over the 12 hours light/dark cycle. We establish the rhythmic expression patterns of multiple CCCG and the full class of NR by quantitative polymerase-chain reaction analysis in normal mouse prostate (C57BL/6 strain) and advanced prostate tumors derived from TGMAP in a 12-hours light/dark cycle with 4-hours interval. Our results showed that 30 out of 49 NR and several CCCG follow rhythmic expression patterns, followed by 10 NR with unidentifiable expression patterns and 9 NR showing very low expression in the mouse prostate tissue. The circadian expression of these transcription factors including the AR gene, could be divided into 2 categories with single peak or double peaks at specific time points throughout the light/dark cycle, linking them to the regulating function of the circadian clock in the normal prostate gland. In the advanced prostate tumors derived from TGMAP model that exhibit androgen independence and neuroendocrine trans-differentiation phenotype, the rhythmic cycles of the NR and CCCG showed disruption, and several transcription factors were upregulated in overall circadian expression in comparison to the normal prostate tissue. In summary, this study establishes two categories of rhythmic expression patterns in normal mouse prostate tissue that link the circadian expression of these transcription factors in the peripheral clock to that of androgen signaling axis that is responsible for the maintenance of prostate gland while disruption of such circadian expression patterns was demonstrated in the TGMAP tumors of which the AR signaling was either lost or disrupted. The upregulated circadian expression patterns as revealed in TGMAP model also provide insight into the significance of the dysregulation of circadian rhythm as regulated by CCCG and NR in the advanced prostate cancer. (Study supported by a Direct Grant for Research 2021-2022 Project No. 2021.062, CUHK) Citation Format: Ria Chopra, Franky Leung Chan. An expression study of circadian clock-associated transcription factors and nuclear receptors in mouse prostate gland and tumor [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 1456.

The Role of Agriculture in the Rural Development of the Municipality of Skenderaj

This study analyzes of the role of agriculture in the rural development in Kosovo’s municipality of Skenderaj, which implements measures by central institutions, including development policies aimed at strengthening rural development, further development of agricultural and livestock farms, and improvements in sustainable and competitive agriculture. The analysis of direct payments and grants in the agricultural sectors was performed, and the drafting of policies for rural development in Kosovo was presented. The study presents data on the agricultural sector which have had a positive impact on increasing agricultural productivity, improving working conditions and creating new jobs. A number of methods, including qualitative, quantitative, and action research approaches, have been utilized in this study through discussions with farmers. Secondary data analysis was performed, and a comparison of Skenderaj’s data with data at the national level was also performed

Prioritisation of zoonotic diseases for coordinated surveillance systems under the One Health approach for cross-border pathogens that threaten the Union.

In the context of the initiative 'CP-g-22-04.01 Direct grants to Member States' authorities', EFSA was requested to develop and conduct a prioritisation of zoonotic diseases, in collaboration with Member States, to identify priorities for the establishment of a coordinated surveillance system under the One Health approach. The methodology developed by EFSA's Working Group on One Health surveillance was based on a combination of multi-criteria decision analysis and the Delphi method. It comprised the establishment of a list of zoonotic diseases, definition of pathogen- and surveillance-related criteria, weighing of those criteria, scoring of zoonotic diseases by Member States, calculation of summary scores, and ranking of the list of zoonotic diseases according to those scores. Results were presented at EU and country level. A prioritisation workshop was organised with the One Health subgroup of EFSA's Scientific Network for Risk Assessment in Animal Health and Welfare in November 2022 to discuss and agree on a final list of priorities for which specific surveillance strategies would be developed. Those 10 priorities were Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, echinococcosis (both E.granulosus and E. multilocularis), hepatitis E, influenza (avian), influenza (swine), Lyme borreliosis, Q-fever, Rift Valley fever, tick-borne encephalitis and West Nile fever. 'Disease X' was not assessed in the same way as other zoonotic diseases on the list, but it was added to the final list of priorities due to its relevance and importance in the One Health context.

Coordinated surveillance system under the One Health approach for cross-border pathogens that threaten the Union - options for sustainable surveillance strategies for priority pathogens.

This report provides guidance for Member states who plan to submit applications under the work programme 'CP-g-22-04.01 Direct grants to Member States' authorities'. The priority pathogens on which the coordinated surveillance under the grant initiative shall focus have been identified in a prioritisation exercise with Member States and ECDC. These are Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever, echinococcosis, hepatitis E, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), influenza in swine, Lyme disease, Q-fever, Rift Valley fever, tick-borne encephalitis, West Nile fever and Disease X (Disease Y of animals). Surveillance activities (surveillance cards) have been proposed for these agents in this report. Member States should select one or more diseases from the list of priority diseases and then choose surveillance activities from the surveillance cards and modify them where needed, to reflect their national needs and situation. Member States can also design alternative surveillance activities for the priority infectious agents that may better fit the epidemiological situation in their country. Further, this report provides a section on surveillance perspectives that links infectious agents to different hosts, allowing Member States to consider the testing for multiple infectious agents in samples from a single host population, as well as sections providing guidance on surveillance in vectors and wildlife and for Disease X (Disease Y in animals). Member States are encouraged to develop cross-sectoral collaborations and the report provides guidance on cross-sectoral collaboration to help them. Finally, there is a roadmap providing an overall description of the steps in the process of developing a surveillance system in order to apply for the grant.

Precommitments in Two-Sided Market Competition

Problem definition: We consider a two-sided market competition problem where two platforms, such as Uber and Lyft, compete on both supply and demand sides and study the impact of precommitments in a variety of practically motivated instruments on the equilibrium outcomes. Academic/practical relevance: We extend a set of classic oligopoly pricing results to account for two-sided competition under demand uncertainty. Methodology: We investigate multi-stage competition games. Results: We start with a sufficiently low demand uncertainty. First, we show that a precommitment made on the less competitive (demand or supply) side (on price or wage) has a less intense outcome than no commitment (i.e., spot-market price and wage competition). Then we show that, somewhat surprisingly, if the competition intensities of both sides are sufficiently close, the commission precommitment, where the platforms first compete in setting their commission rates and then their prices, is less profitable than no precommitment at all, and vice versa. Furthermore, we show that the capacity precommitment, in which the platforms first commit to a matching capacity and then set price and wage simultaneously subject to the precommitted capacity, leads to the most profitable outcome of all competition modes and extends the celebrated Kreps-Scheinkman equivalency to the two-sided market (without demand uncertainty). Then we extend the comparisons of various competition modes to account for a relatively high demand uncertainty. We show that the comparison between the spot-market price and wage competition and the commission precommitment stays the same as that with a sufficiently low demand uncertainty. In addition, the more flexible competition modes, such as no commitment and commission precommitment, benefit from higher demand uncertainty (with a fixed mean demand) because of their operational flexibility in response to the market changes. Further, a relatively high demand uncertainty may undermine or enhance the value of the wage precommitment, as opposed to no commitment. Finally, we also account for platforms with asymmetric parameters and matching friction and find that our main insights tend to be robust. Managerial implications: Our results caution platforms that a precommitment to the wrong instrument can be worse than no commitment at all. Moreover, the regulation of classifying gig workers as employees, despite many of its benefits to workers, may lead to a less competitive market outcome and, surprisingly, hurt gig workers by paying them lower wages. Funding: M. Hu was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada [Grants RGPIN-2015-06757, RGPIN-2021-04295]. Y. Liu was supported by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Direct Allocation Grant [Project ID P0036818]. Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.1173 .

ECONOMIC GROWTH OF SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES

This study attempts to empirically explore the possible relationships of multiple forms of foreign capital inflow i.e., foreign direct investment (FDI), foreign debt, worker remittances, foreign grants, and foreign aid on domestic investment in order to quantify the degree of effectiveness of each form of capital inflow. The context of study is the economic development of Pakistan whilst utilizing the time series data (secondary) over the period of 1980-2020. In order to the association among multiple variables used, correlational research design is used. Granger's causality test was applied in order to check the causal impact of the variables. Hence, to examine the degree of effectiveness of each form of foreign capital inflow on domestic investment, ordinary least square regression model technique is applied. The results of the study reveal that the foreign direct investment is the most contributing factor, as it stimulates the domestic investment in Pakistan. Besides, worker remittances followed by external debt are also significant and positively augments the domestic investment. On the contrary, foreign grants and foreign aid does not facilitate the recipient country in the enhancement of domestic investment but not significant though. However, the policy makers in Pakistan should ensure the conductive and supportive environment in order to attract the foreign direct investment to facilitate foreign investors in a more befitting and appropriate manner.

COVID-19 policy actions and inflation targeting in South Asia

In this paper, we examine the impact of policy actions undertaken by governments during the COVID-19 pandemic on Consumer Price Index (CPI) in five major South Asian nations, namely, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Using panel fixed effects regression with robust standard errors, we show the relative importance of monetary and financial interventions on reducing CPI while fiscal interventions, direct grants and aid are insignificant. Further, delving into nature of policy interventions, our study finds evidence of negative impact of Credit Support, and Healthcare Support on CPI in South Asian nations. While our investigation is preliminary, it provides insights into additional understanding of effectiveness of policy actions on inflation targeting.

Zero surface tension limit of the free-boundary problem in incompressible magnetohydrodynamics* *XG was supported in part by NSFC Grant 12031006. CL was supported in part by the RGC Grant of Hong Kong CUHK-24304621 and CUHK Direct Grant for Research No. 4053457.

We show that the solution of the free-boundary incompressible ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations with surface tension converges to that of the free-boundary incompressible ideal MHD equations without surface tension given the Rayleigh–Taylor sign condition holds initially. This result is a continuation of the authors’ previous works (Gu et al 2020 arXiv:2105.00596; Gu and Wang 2019 J. Math. Pures Appl. 128 1–41; Luo and Zhang 2021 SIAM J. Math. Anal. 53 2595–630). Our proof is based on the combination of the techniques developed in our previous works (Gu et al 2020 arXiv:2105.00596; Gu and Wang 2019 J. Math. Pures Appl. 128 1–41; Luo and Zhang 2021 SIAM J. Math. Anal. 53 2595–630), Alinhac good unknowns, and a crucial anti-symmetric structure on the boundary.

Validation of the Sonographic Measurement of Lateral Parapharyngeal Wall Thickness in Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Lateral parapharyngeal wall (LPW) thickness is a potentially useful anatomical marker of childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Measuring LPW thickness by ultrasonography (USG) is technically feasible but its use in children has not been validated. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the intra- and inter-operator reliability of the sonographic measurements of LPW thickness in children and to assess its validity against magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements. Prepubertal children aged 6-11 years suspected to suffer from OSA were recruited. Repeated measurements of LPW thickness by USG were conducted to evaluate the intra- and inter-operator reliability, examined by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). LPW thickness was measured as the distance between the internal carotid artery and the echogenic surface of the pharynx in an oblique coronal plane by USG. LPW thickness was measured by MRI at the retropalatal level. The agreement between the LPW thickness measured by USG and MRI was assessed by ICC and Bland-Altman plot. Thirty-four children (mean age: 8.66 ± 1.61, 26 male) were recruited. The intra- and inter-operator reliability of the LPW thickness by USG was good (ICC = 0.84 and 0.82, respectively). The agreement between the USG-measured and MRI-measured LPW thickness was moderate (ICC = 0.72). he Bland-Altman plot demonstrated a mean difference of 0.061 cm and a 95% limit of agreement from 0.91 to 1.12 cm. In this study, we demonstrated that ultrasonography is a valid and reliable method to assess LPW thickness in children. This study was supported by the Direct Grant for Research from the Research Committee of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Project no. 2020.073).

Sustainable urban rail funding: Insights from a century-long global dataset

In recent years, urban rail funding has become an increasing concern in some western cities. The underlying issues over ridership and funding has largely been driven by trends such as increasing teleworking and new transport modes like ridesharing, which are likely to further exacerbate funding issues in the aftermath of the worldwide health crisis. This paper contributes to the discussion through the examination of funding within urban rail transport, specifically the strengths and weaknesses of mechanisms that can be used to achieve sustainable, stable long-term funding. A unique, very long-term historical dataset of five large metros around the world was collected for this research, with the analysis based on evidence of actual practices, from a relatively rare organisational perspective. Key results include: i) appropriate fare-setting has been critical for long-term financial health, but is vulnerable to inflation effects and political interference; indexing is important but use of consumer prices has led to revenue erosion in real terms, since wage growth is typically higher. ii) How subsidies are generated can have varying impacts on funding stability and sustainability — dedicated taxes and cross-subsidies from road charges are typically better than direct grants as they are secured by legislation; they also reduce political changes and avoid competing claims from other types of government spending (health, education), as compared with grants. iii) Commercial revenue can be a valuable source for future growth, in light of increased resistance to taxation. Real estate-related revenues in particular can be substantial, as in Hong Kong and Tokyo, with historically faster growth than wages, while also capturing any further value increases from rail system improvements.