Aid Effectiveness Research Articles

Effects of hearing aids and cochlear implants on the education of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and sound environment improvement

In recent years, the functional improvement of hearing aids and cochlear implants and the spread of new-born hearing screening have a major influence on the start of early educational intervention and the early application of hearing aids and cochlear implants. It has been clarified that the performances of children who are utilizing hearing aids and/or cochlear implants are comparable to those of hearing children in language development such as phonological awareness and vocabulary, and in cognitive development such as working memory. At the same time, such children will understand their own hearing/listening characteristic and as a result they will be able to propose the appropriate sound environment for themselves.

Analysis of the Effects of State Aid on the Development of Algerian Dairy Farms: The Case of National Unemployment Fund (CNAC)

This study is aimed at demonstrating the importance of public investment in developing the dairy sector through support schemes such as the CNAC (national unemployment fund). Fifty-five dairy farms benefiting from CNAC funding were surveyed. The results show that 63% of the beneficiaries have difficulties with the submission and processing of their administrative files. The lack of technical control by the CNAC services was reported by the vast majority of beneficiary farmers (83%). There has been an increase in the number of wage labourers from nine to 20% of the total farm labour force. There has been an increase in the number of farms with a small forage area (0-5 ha). Bovine livestock increased by 12%, the most important breed being the Montbeliarde. More than half of the farmers have increased the amount of concentrates distributed, from an average of 7 to 10 kg per animal per day. Green fodder is also appearing in the form of wrapped silage distributed throughout the year. Milk production increased by 7.3%, from 17.7 litres per cow per day to 19.1 litres per cow per day. Natural breeding is still practised by 42% of farmers, despite the prevalence of artificial insemination. Finally, 54 % of the farmers benefiting from the programme say that dairy production has become unprofitable because of higher production costs. It would be preferable for this mechanism to improve and simplify the administrative procedure and ensure effective follow-up of beneficiary farmers in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of CNAC funding.

Poverty Reduction Effect of Chinese Foreign Aid to Africa: An Empirical Study Based on Panel Data of 48 Recipient Countries

This research examines the impact and mechanisms of poverty alleviation associated with Chinese aid to African countries, utilizing comprehensive panel data from the 2000-2017 timeframe. A detailed exploration of salient indicators - the headcount ratio, poverty gap, and poverty severity - has been conducted to critically evaluate the efficacy of this aid. The study substantiates that Chinese aid meaningfully ameliorates the headcount ratio, lessens the poverty gap, and mitigates poverty severity in the recipient countries. Further examination of mechanisms reveals that the principal stratagem of reducing poverty resides in the proliferation of capital accumulation, fostering job generation, and advancing human capital development in the recipient countries. An assessment of varied outcomes demonstrates Chinese aid to be most potent in poverty alleviation in countries characterized by diminished per capita income and lower corruption indices. When compared, Official Development Assistance (ODA) exerts a more pronounced impact on curtailing poverty severity than other official aids, which have a more potent influence on reducing poverty incidence. Mixed aid-types demonstrate superior efficacy in decreasing poverty incidence, with development aid showing remarkable proficiency in addressing poverty depth and severity. This investigation significantly broadens the existing discourse on the poverty-reduction impact of Chinese foreign aid, offering invaluable insights and articulate points of reference for the enhancement of collaborative strategies in poverty alleviation policy between nations.

Perspectives of Local Communities on the Impact of Chinese Aid: A Case Study of China's Aid Projects in the Education Sector in Guinea

China's re-emergence as an aid donor has attracted the attention and criticism from Western donors, academia, and the media. In contrast to traditional donors, China's aid has been portrayed as anti-poverty aid, mainly due to its combination with other instruments, such as investment, and the absence of any political or economic conditions. This paper examines the impact of Chinese aid projects in Guinea's education sector from the perspective of the beneficiaries. The author collected data from both primary (interviews) and secondary (document analysis) sources. The present study concludes that China's aid projects in the education sector have received both positive and negative feedback, mainly because the recipients' needs have not been appropriately targeted. This study contributes to the literature on China's role in Africa. More specifically, it discusses the conditions for aid effectiveness in the field of education. Moreover, in the context of the globalization of aid practices, the study proposes best practices for China to adopt in order to improve the practices of its aid delivery. The novelty of this study lies in the methodology (qualitative method) used to understand China's aid from the perspective of the beneficiaries of its aid.

LESSONS FROM THE MARSHALL PLAN FOR UKRAINE’S POST-WAR RECOVERY

This article presents a comprehensive discourse analysis of the Marshall Plan’s administration, shedding light on a facet of history that has often been overlooked in favor of discussions on aid effectiveness and outcomes. Central to our inquiry is the hypothesis that the institutionalization of U.S. foreign aid, initiated with the Marshall Plan, played a critical role in its success and laid the foundation for future aid initiatives. By focusing on the administrative strategies and decision-making processes, the study offers novel insights into how these elements contributed to the Plan’s effectiveness and the overall evolution of U.S. foreign aid policy. The analysis draws on a variety of primary sources, including historical documents, speeches, and policy papers, to provide a detailed picture of the Plan’s implementation. In doing so, we unveil the complex dynamics and challenges of post-war recovery efforts and the strategic decisions that shaped them. The findings reveal the intricacies of the Marshall Plan’s administration and provide valuable lessons for contemporary policy discourse, particularly in the context of Ukraine’s ongoing recovery and its significance to Kyiv’s international partners. This study contributes to the existing body of literature by offering a nuanced understanding of the Marshall Plan’s legacy and its enduring impact on international development and foreign aid. It serves as a vital resource for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners engaged in shaping effective and sustainable foreign aid programs in the modern era. This study also examines the evolution of U.S. foreign aid from the mid-19th century technical missions to the modern era, highlighting key changes in aid administration and objectives. By tracing this evolution, it contextualizes the Marshall Plan within the broader narrative of U.S. international development policy. The role of the Truman administration in shaping the plan and its broader foreign policy implications, including containment of communism and promotion of democracy, are critically analyzed. This article thus fills a gap in the literature by offering a comprehensive view of the Marshall Plan’s administration and its lasting influence on U.S. foreign aid policy.

Do the principles of effective development co‐operation improve development outcomes? The case for clearer definitions and measurement

AbstractMotivationElaborated in their current form in Busan in 2011, and reiterated in Geneva in 2022, the four Principles of Effective Development Co‐operation comprise country ownership, focus on results, inclusive partnerships, and transparency and mutual accountability. Framed to guide more effective development assistance, their measurement and impact has not been systematically studied.PurposeWe ask, what do we know about adherence to the principles and better development outcomes? What can we learn about this relationship using the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co‐operation's (GPEDC) monitoring framework?Methods and approachWe define and measure adherence to the four principles using the GPEDC framework and indicators. We then explore the association between these indicators and development outcomes (for example, economic growth and poverty) using correlation, descriptive analysis, and analysis of data quality.FindingsAcross countries, the empirical relationship between the currently available GPEDC data and the development outcomes is tenuous at best. Shortcomings in the data explain much of the lack of evidence. Some shortcomings could be easily fixed with adjustments to the indicators and data collection, but many relate to inherent challenges in measuring the four principles.Policy implicationsA more precise definition of indicators of adherence to the principles, with a wider coverage of countries and with annual measurement, would help—not necessarily for their instrumental value, but as much, if not more, to raise the profile of the principles themselves. The universally agreed objectives of strengthening international partnerships and co‐operation, as well as of building inclusive, effective, accountable, and transparent institutions as declared in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, are goals well worth pursuing.

Effect of sintering aid combined vacuum infiltration on the properties of Al2O3-based ceramics via binder jetting

Binder Jetting (BJ) technology enables cost-effective and efficient fabrication of complex Al2O3-based ceramic components. However, in the process of manufacturing Al2O3-based ceramics using BJ, issues such as high sintering temperatures and relatively low sintered strength and relative density are encountered. In this study, we investigated the MnO2 sintering aid in combination with TiO2 sol-gel vacuum infiltration to introduce a MnO-TiO2-Al2O3 ternary sintering system, which could reduce the sintering temperature and enhance the strength and relative density of Al2O3-based ceramics. Through single-factor and response surface experiments, the effects of MnO2 addition, green body sintering temperature, infiltration time, and infiltration vacuum level on the properties and reinforcement mechanism of BJ Al2O3-based ceramics were studied. The research results revealed that with 10% MnO2 addition, a sintering temperature of 1450 °C, infiltration time of 60 s, and infiltration vacuum level of 24 KPa, the bending strength and sintered relative density of Al2O3-based ceramics reached 113.79 MPa and 78.13%, respectively. The bending strength was 48 times higher than that of the Al2O3 ceramic samples without sintering aid composite infiltration treatment, and the sintered relative density was improved by 41.85%.

The Green Climate Fund and private sector climate finance in the Global South

ABSTRACT Governments and international organizations are increasingly using public funds to mobilize and leverage private finance for climate projects in the Global South. An important international organization in the effort to mobilize the private sector for financing climate mitigation and adaptation in the Global South is the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The GCF was established under the UNFCCC in 2010 and is the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund. The GCF differs from other intergovernmental institutions through its fund-wide inclusion of the private sector, ranging from project design and financing to project implementation. In this paper, we investigate private sector involvement in the GCF through a qualitative exploratory research approach. We ask two main questions: Do private sector projects deliver on their ambitious goals? What are the tensions, if any, between private sector engagement and other principles of the GCF (most importantly the principles of country ownership, mitigation/adaptation balance, transparency, and civil society participation)? This paper argues that private sector involvement does not provide an easy way out of the financial constraints of public climate financing. We show that the GCF fails to deliver on its ambitious goals in private sector engagement for a number of reasons. First, private sector interest in GCF projects is thus far underwhelming. Second, there are strong tradeoffs between private sector projects and the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC) principles of country ownership, transparency, and civil society participation. Third, private sector involvement is creating a mitigation bias within the GCF portfolio. Fourth, while the private sector portfolio is good at channeling funds to particularly vulnerable countries, it does so mostly through large multi-country projects with weak country ownership. Fifth, there is a danger that private climate financing based on loans and equity might add to the debt burden of developing countries, destabilize financial markets, and further increase dependency on the Global North.

The effects of walking aids on shoulder joint kinematics in older persons: an initial study

BackgroundMany older persons with degenerative physical functions use walking aids to improve their ambulation ability. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of walking aids with different configurations on shoulder joint motion in older persons.MethodsThe 3D motion capture system VICON was applied to collect data on gait parameters and shoulder motion characteristics of 6 older persons walking either independently or with the assistance of a footed walking frame and a wheeled walking frame. The different effects of walking aids on gait parameters and the shoulder joint motion of older individuals were quantitatively analyzed.ResultsThe gait parameters of the older individuals changed significantly when they used walking frames to assist walking. Compared to independent walking, the range of motion of the shoulder joint was reduced by 79.92% in flexion when walking with a wheeled walking frame. Meanwhile, the range of motion in flexion, extension, and external rotation increased by 76.04%, 85.55%, and 110.99%, respectively, when walking with a footed walking frame.ConclusionThe motion characteristics of shoulder joints in older persons were significantly affected by using different walking aids. These changes in shoulder joint motion characteristics will lead to potential diseases related to the shoulder musculoskeletal system. These findings are beneficial to determine a walking aid for older people.

Promoting Renewable Energy Consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa: How Capital Flight Crowds Out the Favorable Effect of Foreign Aid

The study assesses the effect of capital flight in the nexus between foreign aid and renewable energy consumption in 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa using data for the period 1996 to 2018. The empirical technique employed is interactive quantile regressions, and the following findings are established. Foreign aid increases renewable energy consumption, while capital flight dampens the favorable effect of foreign aid on renewable energy consumption. The underlying significance and corresponding mitigating effect are exclusively relevant to the bottom (i.e., 10th) quantile of the conditional distribution of renewable energy consumption. The findings are robust to simultaneity and unobserved heterogeneity. Policy implications are discussed. JEL Classification: H10; Q20; Q30; O11; O55

Review of the Effect of Grinding Aids and Admixtures on the Performance of Cements

Grinding aids (GAs) are polar chemicals introduced in cement mills in either liquid or powder form to improve on mill grindability efficiency. Studies have shown that some GAs not only help in grinding efficiency but also play vital roles in improving the product particle size distribution, product ability to flow in the mill, grinding energy reduction, and improvement on the separator efficiency. This review investigated the impacts of the GAs on the performance of some properties of cement when used as either mortar and/or concrete. The influence of the GAs incorporation in cement grinding on properties such as workability and setting times of the placed concrete and/or mortar has been covered in this review. The performance of GAs on ordinary portland cement (OPC) and blended cements with other supplementary cementitious materials such as pozzolana, fly ash, and slag has also been discussed. This is in view to tapping the maximum benefits of using GAs in cement production and use. This review work established that GAs have a positive influence on mill performance when properly applied. It further established that blended cements work better when dosed with additives such as GAs and/or quality improvers when compared to OPC. The review work demonstrated that some superplasticizers help in lowering the water demand in highly blended pozzolanic-based cements. The review finally recommended that the future course of action in the production of blended cements should apply GAs. This is in order to help produce highly replaced blended cements that are sustainable.

Foreign Aid and Institutional Quality towards Reducing Gender-Based Violence

Studies have shown a possible link between women achieving some degree of economic independence through empowerment and a decline in gender-based violence (GBV). However, inadequate funding has been a major challenge in developing economies, while foreign aid has been seen as an alternative funding source. Foreign aid for promoting women’s rights and gender equality is improving in African countries. Yet, according to official statistics, the frequency of GBV in Africa is among the highest in the world. Given this, this paper examines the impact of women’s aid and institutional quality on factors that can reduce GBV using both cross-sectional autoregressive lags to investigate short- and long-run implications and the Panel Vector Correction Model to examine the shock effect of aid on other variables. Also, the mediating role of institutional quality and women’s aid are considered. The metrics used for the factors that reduce GBV are female children out of school, the secondary school gender parity index, the genital mutilation prevalence rate, and the metrics for institutional quality are the rules of law and government effectiveness. The implications from the findings show that enhancing the legal structure is very important in Africa, given the low coefficient values to reduce discrimination against the right to education; more should be done to increase the enrolment of female students through the maximisation of women’s aid in order to achieve the short- and long-term objectives of reducing gender violence. The findings also show that the rule of law significantly aids in the reduction of female genital mutilation in the short and long run; government effectiveness is insignificant. Also, they show that women’s aid also reduces female genital mutilation, albeit at a low rate. The results of this study call for strong enhanced government support and funding to end the practice of female genital mutilation and discrimination against female education in the short and long run.

Fractional model of HIV transmission on workplace productivity using real data from Indonesia

A mathematical model approach to control the spread of HIV and AIDS is needed to predict the future effect of HIV and AIDS on work productivity. In this paper, we consider the analysis of fractional-order mathematical models of the spread of HIV with productivity in the workplace. First, we estimate the epidemiological parameters of the HIV/AIDS model using the annual data of AIDS reported in Indonesia from 2006 to 2018. Based on the model analysis, two equilibria are determined, namely the HIV disease-free and endemic equilibrium’s. The disease-free equilibrium of HIV is locally asymptotically stable if the basic reproduction number is less than one, while the endemic equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if the reproduction number is greater than one. The sensitivity analysis and numerical simulations are then carried out with variations in fractional order values to determine the dynamics of HIV spread with on-site productivity. Based on numerical simulation results, it was found that the transition rate of HIV-productive workers to AIDS sufferers could reduce the labor population of people living with AIDS and increase the workforce population vulnerable to HIV infection.

The effects of different navigational aids on wayfinding and spatial memory for older adults.

Navigation aids can help people conduct daily wayfinding activities. However, because of cognitive limitations that can emerge with age, it is not clear how different navigation aids impact wayfinding behaviors and spatial memory in older adults. In Experiment 1, 66 older adults and 65 younger adults participated. They were asked to make turn decisions when the navigation aid was a map, a map plus self-updating (Global Positioning System [GPS]), or a text. After the wayfinding task, they completed two spatial memory tasks recalling scenes and drawing the routes. Results showed that younger adults outperformed older adults on most outcome measures. The text and the GPS conditions benefited older adults' wayfinding behaviors more than the map condition, as indicated by route decision accuracies and reaction times. However, the map condition was associated with better route memory than the text condition. Experiment 2 aimed to replicate the results using more complex environments. Sixty-three older adults and 66 younger adults participated. The advantage of the text over the map conditions was again found in wayfinding behaviors for older adults. However, no difference was found between the map and the text conditions in route memory. No difference was found between the GPS and the map conditions in any outcome measures. Overall, our results showed the relative strengths and weaknesses of different navigation aids and the interactive effects between the type of navigation aid, age, outcome measure, and environmental complexity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Youth mental health first aid training with diverse educators.

Schools are the most likely place for students to receive formal or informal mental health services and support. Classroom educators often provide informal mental health support to students and referrals to school-based services. Despite their key role, educators often feel underprepared in recognizing concerning symptoms in youth and supporting student mental health. This mixed-methods study explored the effectiveness of in-person Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training on a diverse sample of 106 educators (Mage = 22, SD = 1.9 years, 96% ethnic minorities): City Year AmeriCorps members who work in diverse low-income schools in Florida. We culturally adapted the program to better meet the needs of the participants and the students they serve as over 95% of the students they served were people of color. Quantitative survey data were collected at three time points (pre, post, and 3 months after the training) to examine whether YMHFA training better equipped classroom educators to support students' mental health. Overall, training was associated with improvements in mental health literacy, knowledge of school-based mental health providers, confidence, and intentions to engage in mental health first aid (MHFA) behaviors. Notably, educators reported greater engagement in mental health first aid behaviors at the 3-month follow-up than before training. No improvement in mental health stigma was observed. Some improvements (i.e., mental health literacy, intentions to help) were not sustained at the follow-up. Qualitative data generally supported quantitative findings and suggested that the YMHFA program with cultural consideration is suitable for this diverse sample of classroom educators. Educators' suggestions to improve the training to support culturally and linguistically diverse students' mental health are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

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]

ANALYSIS OF HSSLC (CLASS XII) ARTS EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPERSIN MIZORAM (INDIA) USING THE COGNITIVE LEVELS OF BLOOMS TAXONOMY OF EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

In education, evaluation means a study designed to determine the effectiveness of instruction. It provides empirical evidences about the effectiveness of teaching strategies, tactics and aids and suggests modifications and improvements for remediation. The primary concern of evaluation is to bring about improvements in the teaching-learning process so that the learner develops his potential to the optimum level. The modern concept of evaluation is put forward by Bloom and is based upon a triangular model showing relationship between educational objectives, learning experiences and evaluation procedures. Using Blooms Taxonomy to help design examinations and analyze the results could greatly improve the quality of assessment in education.

Effectiveness of Hearing Aids in the Management of Psychological Distress in Hearing-Impaired Adults

Effectiveness of Hearing Aids in the Management of Psychological Distress in Hearing-Impaired Adults

Mental Health First Aid training for China: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

ABSTRACT Objective This study involves a cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) of the effectiveness of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training for China. Method A two-arm wait- list cRCT will be conducted in 6 settings: 2 health services, 2 workplaces and 2 community settings in Shanghai. We aim to include a total of 120 participants. The cluster level will be defined as the setting. Intervention settings will be paired according to type and one of each pair will be randomly allocated to the intervention (the MHFA Training for China) or the wait-list control group, with a 1:1 allocation. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires at baseline (T1) and 1 month (T2) and 7 months after completing the training (T3). Participants in the control group will be asked to complete questionnaires at corresponding times. The primary outcome will be intended support towards someone experiencing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. Secondary outcome measures will include recognition of depression in a vignette; beliefs about the helpfulness of interventions; helping actions; confidence in providing mental health first aid; and stigmatising attitudes towards a person with a mental health problem. Results Findings will demonstrate whether the culturally adapted MHFA Training for China can enhance intended support, knowledge, attitudes and supportive actions towards someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. Discussion Findings could provide evidence for disseminating MHFA Training for China more widely, potentially improving support for people experiencing mental health problems and benefiting their wellbeing. Trial registration The trial is registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number’ (ISRCTN) Registry. Date 18 February 2023, ISRCTN21096283.

High energy ball milling composite modification of Mg2Ni hydrogen storage alloy by graphene and MWCNTs

This study focuses on the preparation of a Mg2Ni hydrogen storage alloy through high-energy ball milling, further enhanced by composite graphene and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modification. It is evident that high-energy ball milling successfully incorporates graphene and MWCNTs onto the surface of Mg2Ni particles. This process not only creates surface defects but also establishes hydrogen pathways, facilitating the absorption and desorption of hydrogen. This improvement enhances the performance of hydrogen storage. With an increase in the composite quantity of graphene and MWCNTs, a more noticeable lubrication and grinding aid effect become evident during the ball milling process. This effect promotes more efficient grain refinement and minimizes agglomeration and welding phenomena. A comparative analysis with the Mg2Ni alloy reveals that the activation duration for the composite hydrogen storage alloy material significantly decreases. Concurrently, the kinetic performance sees substantial enhancement, and the temperature needed for hydrogen absorption and discharge is correspondingly reduced.