Gap Inequality Research Articles

Bridging the gender equality gap in STEM to transform the pipeline in Africa: the African Research Academies for Women (ARA-W) summer research programme

BackgroundAlthough progress has been made in developed countries to increase the representation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), women in African countries lag behind. Stark gender disparities exist in STEM in Africa due to economic, environmental, sociocultural, and personal factors. Here, we describe the African Research Academies for Women (ARA-W) summer undergraduate research programme that seeks to reverse the under-representation of women in STEM through fellowship opportunities with mentored training at reputable academic and research institutions. MethodsApplicants are selected through a competitive application process on the basis of academic performance, STEM experience, their personal statement, and career potential. Fellows are paired with established leaders in their fields who provide rigorous mentoring for 8 weeks. Fellows submit weekly progress reports, complete a community service project, and participate in a final presentation. FindingsSince 2014, 65 fellows have completed projects on topics including the transmission dynamics of malaria, in-vitro procedures for evaluating cytotoxicity and use of high-performance liquid chromatography, palliative-care training for caregivers of cancer patients, and converting plastic wastes into biodiesel. Mean age of participants was 20 years and 76%, 11%, and 14% studied science, technology, and engineering, respectively. All fellows attended universities in Ghana at the time of participation. InterpretationSecuring funding to cover the full costs of the programme is a challenge. ARA-W is a volunteer-led organisation, which significantly reduces overhead costs. However, because there is no paid full-time staff, we must be mindful of coordinating responsibilities around teammates' schedules. We plan to increase enrolment by 20 fellows every year, and finalise the development of MentorSpace, an online professional mentorship pairing platform to connect individuals affiliated with ARA-W. Through ARA-W's MentorSpace, fellows can connect with an expanded network both within and outside their fields. New fellows will connect with our alumni network, using their knowledge and experience to open doors for future scholars. We have begun to collaborate with academic institutions in Nigeria to allow our model to be translated across Africa. FundingIndividuals and organisations donate to ARA-W to support our mission.

APPLICATIONS OF CHEMICALLY SYNTHESIZED CUS: PBO ALLOYED THIN FILMS IN MULTILAYER SOLAR CELLS AND OPTOELECTRONICS

CuS: PbO, alloyed thin films were successfully deposited on glass substrates under the deposition condition of 40oC of NaOH solution, using two solution based methods: successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) and solution growth technique. The crystallographic studies were done using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The deposited alloyed samples were annealed at 250oC and 1500C. using Master Chef Annealing Machine. Rutherford backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS) analysis confirmed the percentage of the elements of copper, lead, sulphur and oxygen in the alloyed thin films. The optical characterization was carried out using UV-1800 double beam spectrophotometer. Sample cp1 annealed at 250 oC has an optical transmittance of 27% -71% in the ultraviolet region, 71%-83% in the visible and 83%-88% in the near infrared regions of electromagnetic spectrum. The alloyed thin films of samples cp2 of CuS:PbO annealed at 150oC, show optical transmittance of 15%-61% in the ultraviolet region, 61%-59% in the visible, and becomes linear through the near-infrared regions of electromagnetic spectrum. The two samples, have equal direct wide band gap of 3.65±0.05eV. From the spectral qualities, these compounds alloyed thin films may found useful in passive layer in heat and cold mirror application, vulcanization in tyre production due its thermal stability, active multilayer in various types of solar cells, liquid crystal displays, flat panel displays for optoelectronic applications and gas censor applications.

Female board members: the effect of director affiliation

PurposeThis study aims to investigate whether female directors have an effect on company financial performance in a patriarchal emerging country that has a collectivistic culture with a substantial gender equality gap and is characterized with a paternalistic management culture. In addition, it aims to investigate whether the affiliations of female directors matter performance-wise in a setting where the majority of the companies are ultimately controlled by large business groups including families.Design/methodology/approachThe current study uses a unique hand-collected data set that covers all non-financial public companies quoted at the Borsa Istanbul between the years 2009 and 2017. To investigate the relationships between the presence and ratio of female directors and company financial performance, the current study uses the pooled ordinary least squares method, as well as the firm-fixed effects method to overcome potential omitted variables problems and various generalized method of moments methods to overcome potential reverse causality problems.FindingsThe findings of the current study demonstrate that the presence and percentage of female directors both have a positive effect on company financial performance in a cultural setting where the opposite might be expected. They also present evidence suggesting that the effect becomes larger as the level of the independence of female directors becomes greater.Originality/valueThe current study demonstrates that the presence of female directors on boards has a positive effect on company financial performance, even in a cultural setting that is very different from those of countries where the majority of previous studies on female directors are conducted on. In addition, it demonstrates how company financial performance varies with the level of the affiliation of female directors.

The Equality Gap

The Equality Gap

Endogenous Longevity and Optimal Tax Progressivity

We study the impact of endogenous longevity on optimal tax progressivity and inequality in an overlapping generations model with skill heterogeneity. Higher tax progressivity decreases both the longevity gap and net income inequality, but at the expense of lower average lifetime and lower aggregate labor supply and income. We find that the welfare-maximizing income tax is less progressive than in the case of exogenous longevity and that the present US income tax should redistribute less. Our result is robust to the empirically observed range of labor supply elasticity and the assumptions of both missing annuity markets and tax deductibility of private health expenditures.

To study the context of organizational level factors for promotion of gender equality in the State of Gambella Region in Ethiopia

It is not possible to achieve a controversial goal, such as gender equality, without a clear strategic plan setting out policy, objectives, action, time frame and resources. Any organizational entity of the public or private sector nature should contribute to enhancing greater gender equality in order to minimize the widely expanding gender equality gap between men and women. It should be able to contribute substantively to greater gender equality by having the appropriate gender mainstreaming structures, policies and procedures in place. The objective of this article was to show the existing situation of organizational (input) level factors towards the promotion of gender equality in the Gambella Peoples’ National Regional State of Ethiopia. The study has shown that the basic policy documents did not exist in several public sector organizations. Certain basic gender and gender-related strategies to implementing the gender and gender-related policy documents were not practiced in the public sector offices. The existing gender and gender-related strategies to implementing such gender policy documents were not clear to the civil servants. Gender focal point networking were absent in the public sector organizations. It has also shown that equal hiring or employment opportunities or practices were existing, gender unit department (division) activities were incorporated in the basic organizational core policy goals, objectives, and projects, and job responsibilities and mandates for the gender unit departments or divisions were existing in the public sector offices. The human resources development aspect and the work organization aspect of the organizational human resource practices were not building the capacity of the public sector staff in terms of a number of elements. But, documenting, updating, respecting, and utilizing the existing job descriptions for the GU staff were practiced as the organizational human resource practices to building the capacity of the public sector staff at the regional and local administrative level in the Gambella regional state.

Brechas de género en los exámenes de estado y la relación con la pobreza y desigualdad en Colombia

La presente investigación tiene como objetivo, determinar cómo los factores socioeconómicos departamentales, relacionados con indicadores sobre la incidencia, brecha y severidad de la Pobreza Monetaria, el coeficiente de GINI, y el ingreso per cápita por unidad de gasto, condicionan las brechas de género en los resultados de las pruebas de Estado Saber 11, tomando como caso de estudio el año 2007. La metodología de investigación, es de tipo explicativa, dado que el fin es determinar las causas y consecuencias de un fenómeno concreto. El método estadístico utilizado es de enfoque correlacional, el cual determina la relación de las variables socioeconómicas y la brecha de género con los resultados de las pruebas de Estado. A la vez, la investigación aborda diferentes posturas teóricas, que determinan los diferentes condicionantes para que se produzcan dichas diferencias. Como resultados del estudio, se concluye que factores socioeconómicos departamentales, condicionan las brechas de género en los resultados de Estado, en especial en el área de matemáticas, impactando negativamente en las mujeres, con la segregación en el mercado laboral, brecha de género salarial y las demás desigualdades derivadas de brechas por género.

Pengaruh Ketimpangan Pendapatan Suami Istri terhadap Tingginya Kasus Cerai Gugat Di Pengadilan Agama Kelas 1B Kabupaten Ponorogo

Ponorogo is a city that has a high rate of divorce cases. From the divorce cases, the majority of submissions come from female workers who work as migrant workers, the implication is that the wife has a far greater income than her husband giving rise to a shift in the role of husband and wife which also results in a shift in rights and obligations. Although Islam allows a wife to work (in the context of helping her husband), it is expected that the husband and wife have considered together the good and bad consequences that may arise from the decision. Income gap or income inequality between husband and wife if not interpreted wisely can have an impact on the disharmony of the relationship between the two can even reach the stage of divorce. This research will explain an analyze the effect of income inequality between husbnad and wife on the high cases of divorce in Ponorogo. For that, researcher will examine this income inequality in the view of the sociology of Islamic law in the Ponorogo community in particular and driving factors the rise of female workers in Ponorogo and things that arise when the wife’s income is greater than her husband. The paradigm of this research is used a qualitative paradigm with emphasis on case studies in teh field. The result of the research stated that income inequality where the wife has a greater income than the husband is not a main problem in divorce cases, but there are other factors as a trigger such as the inability of the husband in managing finances, the wife’s takings is only for consumptive activities and even tends to spree, the interference from the husband’s family, especially in financial matters, lack of understanding of religion, and infidelity. This hiigh financial ability of the wife ultimately makes the wife dare to sue for divorce of her husband.

Introduction: the case for inclusive voting practices

ABSTRACTThe voter turnout gap has plagued many elections around the world, with differential levels of participation between groups having the potential to effect election results and policy outcomes. Despite this, there has been little empirical or normative theorization of the interventions that can be used redress the turnout gap and other inequalities within the electoral process. This article defines the concept of inclusive voting practices to refer to policy instruments which can reduce turnout inequality between groups and mitigate other inequalities within the electoral process. This is anchored in a strategic-relational theory of structure, agency and political change. Different state responses are conceptualized and the normative case for an interventionist rather than repressive or laissez-faire approaches is set out. A research agenda is set out which is taken up in subsequent articles in this special issue.

Load imbalances existed as determined by a sensor after conventional gap balancing with a tensiometer in total knee arthroplasty.

To evaluate intercompartmental load intraoperatively with a sensor after conventional gap balancing with a tensiometer during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Fifty sensor-assisted TKA procedures were performed prospectively between August and September 2018 with a cruciate-retaining prosthesis. After applying a modified measured resection technique, conventional balancing between resected surfaces was achieved. The equal and rectangular flexion-extension gaps were confirmed using a tensiometer at 90° and 5°-7° (due to posterior tibial slope) of knee flexion. Then, the load distribution was evaluated intraoperatively with a sensor placed on trial implants in the positions of knee flexion (90° flexion) and extension (10° flexion). The proportion of coronal load imbalance (medial load - lateral load ≥ ± 15lb) was 56% in extension and 32% in flexion (p = 0.023). The proportion of sagittal load imbalance (extension load - flexion load ≥ ± 15lb) was 36% in the medial compartment and 4% in the lateral compartment (p < 0.001). An additional procedure for load balancing was performed in 74% of knees. Coronal and sagittal load imbalances existed as determined by the sensor even after the achievement of appropriate conventional gap balance. The additional rebalancing procedure was performed for balanced loads in 74% of the knees after conventional balancing. The use of an intraoperative load sensor offers the advantage of direct evaluation of the load on TKA implants. IV.

Spectral Gap Critical Exponent for Glauber Dynamics of Hierarchical Spin Models

We develop a renormalisation group approach to deriving the asymptotics of the spectral gap of the generator of Glauber type dynamics of spin systems with strong correlations (at and near a critical point). In our approach, we derive a spectral gap inequality for the measure recursively in terms of spectral gap inequalities for a sequence of renormalised measures. We apply our method to hierarchical versions of the 4-dimensional n-component |varphi |^4 model at the critical point and its approach from the high temperature side, and of the 2-dimensional Sine-Gordon and the Discrete Gaussian models in the rough phase (Kosterlitz–Thouless phase). For these models, we show that the spectral gap decays polynomially like the spectral gap of the dynamics of a free field (with a logarithmic correction for the |varphi |^4 model), the scaling limit of these models in equilibrium.

Mesoscopic effects in the heat conductance of superconducting-normal-superconducting and normal-superconducting junctions

We study the heat conductance of hybrid superconducting junctions. Our analysis involves single-channel junctions with arbitrary transmission as well as diffusive connectors and shows the influence of the superconducting gaps and phases of the contacts on the heat conductance. If the junction is diffusive, these effects are completely quenched on average, however, we find that their influence persists in weak-localization corrections and conductance fluctuations. While these statistical properties strongly deviate from the well-known analogues for the charge conductance, we demonstrate that the heat conductance fluctuations maintain a close to universal behavior. We find a generalized Wiedemann-Franz law for Josephson junctions with equal gaps and vanishing phase difference.

FINANCIAL EQUALITY, THE IGNORED HUMAN RIGHT: HOW E-CURRENCIES CAN LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD

Digitisation of currency is inevitable as less people are using cash, and the reliance on plastic, apps, and online services is ever increasing. Anonymity/privacy, equal access to financial services, and monetary sovereignty are but a few issues that arise from digitisation. Because most e-financial services are provided through corporate means, anonymity/privacy have been eroded while also excluding those who are not target clients, creating a gap in financial equality. Governments could remedy the contention by enshrining in the law access to financial services as a human right for their citizens. The law and human rights would then drive the direction of the technology, rather than commercial interests.

‘Bias in, Bias out’: gender equality and the future of work debate

ABSTRACTThe future of work debate is cast with the certainty that technology-driven change is inevitable as numerous pundits profiteer from predicting the future. Among the many books, conferences, workshops and consultancy reports, there is a notable silence regarding the impact on gender. The aim of this article is to present a corrective, by arguing that if the gender bias that is embedded in the current social order is not tackled head-on, the future world of work is likely to exacerbate gender equality gaps.

Role of Interactions in the Energy of the Spin Resonance Peak in Fe-Based Superconductors

We consider the spin response within the five-orbital model for iron-based superconductors and study two cases: equal and unequal gaps in different bands. In the first case, the spin resonance peak in the superconducting state appears below the characteristic energy scale determined by the gap magnitude, 2ΔL. In the second case, the energy scale corresponds to the sum of smaller and larger gap magnitudes, ΔL+ΔS. Increasing the values of the Hubbard interaction and the Hund's exchange, we observe a shift of the spin resonance energy to lower frequencies.

Optimum Fin Parameters of Radial Heat Sinks Subjected to Natural Convection

Free convection from an upward facing radial heat sink with fins at an equal angular gap attached to an isothermal base has been investigated numerically. The governing equations in primitive variables were changed to vorticity-vector potential formulation, and an in-house code was developed using finite difference technique. To close the computational domain, two pseudo boundaries were considered. Length, height, and number of fins strongly influence the rate of heat transfer while the fin thickness has a marginal role. As the fin length increases, the rate of heat transfer first increases and then remains almost unaffected. However, the active length of the fins depends on the strength of buoyancy. Heat transfer continuously increases with fin height but with diminishing effect. Adding more number of fins has two opposing effects. It provides more surface area for convection, but at the same time, the induced air is unable to reach the interior of the heat sink making the inner portion of the fins inoperative. As a result of these two opposing influences, heat transfer increases in the beginning and then decreases as more fins are added. This article suggests various fin parameters to achieve maximum cooling. In addition, one can estimate the rate of cooling to be achieved by any radial heat sink.

Improving Agricultural Productivity and Energy Sufficiency on Marginal Lands: The Agricultural Waste Recycling Approach in the Ndop Ecofarm, North West Region, Cameroon

The Green Revolution, which promotes the extensive use of chemicals for improved productivity has witnessed enormous setbacks. Numerous small poorly equipped and very low-income farmers are unable to gain access to the new production means. As their income opportunities shrink, farmers are left with no options but to tend towards unsustainable activities that depletes the environment more; consequently precipitating the vicious cycle of poverty and environmental degradation characterized by, rising food prices, food security and energy crises. This study used the modified institutional analysis and development framework on the waste recycling approach to review the model for achieving agricultural productivity and energy sufficiency on marginal lands in the Ndop plain North West Region of Cameroon. It specifically analyzed the food and energy benefits alongside potential uptake by small-scale farmers. The results indicated that agricultural waste recycling provided improved market access; generate employment; increase income – increase purchasing power; improve household nutritional security and close the poverty gap (inequalities) amongst the rural poor in the community. Student t-test revealed a significant difference (t=-3.08, P=0.006) of farmers’ livelihood before and after commencing agricultural recycling. Engaging in agricultural waste has enabled 8.5% of farmers to improve their livelihood and enhanced energy efficiency.

Socio-technical systems cybersecurity framework

PurposeThis paper aims to identify and appropriately respond to any socio-technical gaps within organisational information and cybersecurity practices. This culminates in the equal emphasis of both the social, technical and environmental factors affecting security practices.Design/methodology/approachThe socio-technical systems theory was used to develop a conceptual process model for analysing organisational practices in terms of their social, technical and environmental influence. The conceptual process model was then applied to specifically analyse some selected information and cybersecurity frameworks. The outcome of this exercise culminated in the design of a socio-technical systems cybersecurity framework that can be applied to any new or existing information and cybersecurity solutions in the organisation. A framework parameter to help continuously monitor the mutual alignment of the social, technical and environmental dimensions of the socio-technical systems cybersecurity framework was also introduced.FindingsThe results indicate a positive application of the socio-technical systems theory to the information and cybersecurity domain. In particular, the application of the conceptual process model is able to successfully categorise the selected information and cybersecurity practices into either social, technical or environmental practices. However, the validation of the socio-technical systems cybersecurity framework requires time and continuous monitoring in a real-life environment.Practical implicationsThis research is beneficial to chief security officers, risk managers, information technology managers, security professionals and academics. They will gain more knowledge and understanding about the need to highlight the equal importance of both the social, technical and environmental dimensions of information and cybersecurity. Further, the less emphasised dimension is posited to open an equal but mutual security vulnerability gap as the more emphasised dimension. Both dimensions must, therefore, equally and jointly be emphasised for optimal security performance in the organisation.Originality/valueThe application of socio-technical systems theory to the information and cybersecurity domain has not received much attention. In this regard, the research adds value to the information and cybersecurity studies where too much emphasis is placed on security software and hardware capabilities.

The Achievement of University Access: Conversion Factors, Capabilities and Choices

In the light both of persistent inequality of education opportunities for low income families and a wide equality gap in South Africa, this article explores students’ university access by applying Amartya Sen’s capability approach to a South African case study. The article demonstrates empirically that access is more than an individual project, shaped both by objective conditions and subjective biographies, that is by general conversion factors and a person’s social and personal options. Key conversion factors are material (income) and social (family, community, school, information), which produce an interlocking system of opportunity. Access thus requires more than formal opportunity to enable social mobility for all. The case study comprises qualitative interviews with diverse students in their first year at one university; illustrative narratives are selected to show different pathways, conversion factors and choices. Agency and self-efficacy emerge as especially important for making choices but also for constructing a higher education pathway where none exists for that person and her family. The article suggests that higher education has the potential to advance social mobility provided that it moves in the direction of expanding the capabilities of all students to have the choice of higher education.

IDENTIFICATION OF THE SHADOW ECONOMY DETERMINANTS FOR THE EUROZONE MEMBER STATES: APPLICATION OF THE MIMIC MODEL

This article is aimed at identification of the shadow economy’s causal factors and indicators in 19 Eurozone member states over the period from 2005 to 2016. Application of the MIMIC model has allowed to identify the following causal factors of the shadow economy in the Eurozone: employment rate, gender wage gap and income inequalities (expressed as the GINI index). All of these causal factors of the shadow economy in the Eurozone are attributable to the group of labour market determinants, which proposes that a reasonably arranged labour market mechanism can substantially diminish the probability of the shadow economy emergence. On the other hand, it has been found that the level of the shadow economy determines a positive/negative degree of the public trust in the EU authorities. The novelty of the research lies in the disclosure of the main causal factors of the shadow economy in the geographical area that covers different countries with a single currency. The findings of this research may contribute to the development of the shadow economy reduction strategies in 19 Eurozone member states.