Significant Reduction Effect Research Articles

A novel approach of in-cylinder NOx control by inner selective non-catalytic reduction effect for high-pressure direct-injection ammonia engine

As an efficient hydrogen carrier and carbon-free fuel, ammonia shows great promise in realizing zero-carbon propulsions. However, challenges such as poor ignition stability, low combustion efficiency, and fuel-NOx emissions are yet to overcome. In this paper, the high-pressure direct-injection ammonia/diesel dual-fuel combustion mode (HPDF) with post injection strategy is proposed as a solution. The study reveals that HPDF combustion mode enables in-cylinder reduction of NOx, which is attributed to the selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) reaction. The results uncover that NH2, NH, and N radicals have a significant reducing effect on NO and NO2, while N2O serves as an important byproduct of the reduction reactions. Subsequently, the generated N2O can be further reduced to N2 through the involvement of O, H, and OH radicals. Building upon these findings, an innovative ammonia post injection method for reducing NOx emissions is explored. The post injection strategy effectively reduces the NOx emissions with only a minor decrease in indicated thermal efficiency, but an over-delayed post injection could also cause significant increase in N2O and unburned NH3 emissions. A post injection proportion of 20%-30% with appropriate post injection timing is found to achieve desired emission reduction. Overall, the HPDF combustion mode is a promising solution for ammonia engine, due to the high thermal efficiency and low nitrogen oxide emissions, as well as the ability to further reduce the NOx emissions through ammonia post injection strategy.

Application of hot water and cold air to reduce bacterial contamination on broiler carcasses.

Two physical treatments (heat via water bath and cold air) with various temperatures (20/70/75/80°C and - 80/-90°C) and exposure times (20, 30, 40 s) were carried out to identify a decontaminating effect on zoonotic pathogens on broiler carcasses. Subsequently, carcasses were analyzed for thermotolerant Campylobacter (C.), Salmonella, Escherichia (E.). coli and total colony count (TCC). Moreover, for the hot water treatment, qPCR with viable/dead differentiation (v-qPCR) was applied to detect viable but non-culturable cells (VBNC) of Campylobacter, referred to as intact but putatively infectious units (IPIU). Hot water immersion was tested on carcasses inoculated with C. jejuni and Salmonella, while cold air treatment was evaluated for naturally contaminated carcasses of broiler flocks colonized with Campylobacter. For hot water treatment, the statistically significant reducing effect was about 1 log10 CFU/ml for both Salmonella and Campylobacter for 70-80°C and 20/30 s treatments. The effect of heat treatment for Campylobacter was smaller when samples were analyzed with v-qPCR with reductions of 0.5-0.8 log10 IPIU/ml in mean. Cold air treatments at -90°C were effective in reducing the mean contamination level of Campylobacter by 0.4-0.5 log10 CFU/ml at all exposure times (p < 0.05). Hot water treatments showed a decreasing trend on TCC by 0.6-0.9 log10 CFU/ml (p < 0.05). TCC counts were not significantly affected by cold air treatment. For E. coli no statistically significant reductions were observed by hot water treatment. The cold air treatment at -90°C for 20 and 40 s led to a reduction of E. coli by 0.4 and 0.8 log10 CFU/ml (p < 0.05), respectively. Treatment of carcasses with higher bacterial levels tended to show higher reduction. The research demonstrated that the efficacy of physical treatments for decontamination of broiler carcasses was more pronounced for hot water immersion than for cold air exposure. In conclusion, the results shed light on the potential application of these physical treatments in practice to reduce the quantitative load of contaminating pathogens to enhance food safety in the broiler meat production.

Effects of Pre-Fermentative Treatments with Non-Synthetic Ternary Component Fining Agents Based on Pea Protein on the Volatile Profiles of Aromatic Wines of Tămâioasă Românească

To remove oxidizable polyphenolic compounds from wines, fining treatments with products of various origins are applied before or after fermentation. Seeking alternatives to the treatments with animal proteins or synthetic materials such as polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), vegetal and mineral products are tested. One of these alternative agents is pea protein (P), which can be combined with chitosan (K), yeast cell walls (Y), active carbon (C), and/or Ca-bentonite (B). Aside from the proven polyphenol removal effect, these products can also have an impact on aroma. This research evaluates the effect of P and ternary combinations with P on the volatile compounds of aromatic wines from the Tămâioasă românească variety. Several variants of treatments with P and with ternary mixtures involving P were prepared in triplicate with a total dose of 20 g/hL of fining agent applied during the pre-fermentative phase. Volatile profiles were determined using a flash gas chromatograph with two short columns of different polarities. The chromatographic peak areas for the identified ethylic esters, acetates and terpenes were used to compare the fining treatment effects. To test the significant differences between experimental variants, the Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM) was used. The influences of P used alone and PVPP used alone were both significantly different compared to control (untreated), but based on the dissimilarity index R, PVPP affected the volatile profile about twice as much as P, showing that pea protein is a good alternative for PVPP. The ethyl esters were especially reduced by PVPP, while P especially reduced the terpenes. From all the tested pea protein ternary agents, those containing bentonite (PCB and PYB) showed a significant reducing effect on all classes of compounds and therefore are not recommended. The combinations containing yeast cell walls, PCY and PKY, are the most interesting alternatives to both PVPP and P used independently, PCY being the least aggressive of all treatments on overall aroma, preserving well the aroma compounds of all determined classes, including terpenes.

Investigating the properties of a novel organic composite warm mix additive on SBS modified asphalt binder

This study investigated the effects of new organic composite warm mix additive on the performance and microstructure of SBS modified asphalt binder. Acmp, as an organic composite warm mix additive, was used to prepare warm mix SBS modified asphalt binders with different contents, and compared and analyzed with Sasobit and Evotherm warm mix additives. The rheological properties of asphalt binders were evaluated by rotational viscometer, dynamic shear rheometer and bending beam rheometer. The effects of the warm mix additives on chemical composition and microstructure of binders were analyzed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and fluorescence microscope. The results showed that, Acmp had significant viscosity reducing effect, and 6 % Acmp reduced the rotational viscosity of binder by approximately 50 %. Acmp warm mix modified asphalt binder exhibited better low temperature performance compared to Sasobit and Evotherm, but Acmp had negative impact on the high temperature performance. Acmp was mainly composed of light components produced by the cracking of rubber powder and plastic powder, which were mainly short chain alkanes and did not affect the distribution of SBS in binder. These light components were well soluble in asphalt binder to improve its fluidity and were the main components that affected the performance of binders and achieved warm mix effects. Considering the performance of asphalt binder and mixture, Acmp is more suitable for pavements in cold regions, with a recommended dosage of 5 % of asphalt mass. The findings validate the effectiveness of organic composite warm mix additives and contribute to the exploration of more efficient new warm mix technologies.

Experimental Study on Preparation of Inorganic Fibers from Circulating Fluidized Bed Boilers Ash.

The ash generated by Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) boilers is featured by its looseness and porosity, low content of glassy substances, and high contents of calcium (Ca) and sulfur (S), thus resulting in a low comprehensive utilization rate. Currently, the predominant treatment approach for CFB ash and slag is stacking, which may give rise to issues like environmental pollution. In this paper, CFB ash (with a CaO content of 7.64% and an SO3 content of 1.77%) was used as the main raw material. The high-temperature melting characteristics, viscosity-temperature characteristics, and initial crystallization temperature of samples with different acidity coefficients were investigated. The final drawing temperature range of the samples was determined, and mechanical property tests were conducted on the prepared inorganic fibers. The results show that the addition of dolomite powder has a significant reducing effect on the complete liquid phase temperature. The final drawing temperatures of the samples with different acidity coefficients range as follows: 1270-1318 °C; 1272-1351 °C; 1250-1372 °C; 1280-1380 °C; 1300-1382 °C; and 1310-1384 °C. The drawing temperature of this system is slightly lower than that of basalt fibers. Based on the test results of the mechanical properties of inorganic fibers, the Young's modulus of the inorganic fibers prepared through the experiment lies between 55 GPa and 74 GPa, which basically meets the performance requirements of inorganic fibers. Consequently, the method of preparing inorganic fibers by using CFB ash and dolomite powder is entirely feasible.

The Impact of Informationization Construction on Stock Price Synchronicity: Empirical Evidence from the "Pilot Zones of Integration of Information and Industrialization"1, a

Within the context of the rapid advancement of information technology, this study examines the effects of information construction in the "Pilot Zones of Integration of Information and Industrialization" on the synchronicity of stock prices. The research findings indicate that the development of information has a significant reducing effect on stock price synchronicity. This conclusion still holds after undergoing a series of robustness tests. Furthermore, the impact is more evident in enterprises with dual roles and in areas with lower levels of legal governance. Additional analysis suggests that information construction mitigates stock price synchronicity by improving corporate governance and ensuring the prompt and accurate representation of company-specific information. In conclusion, this research offers insights for policymakers regarding the promotion of informationization, the optimization of corporate governance frameworks, and the enhancement of capital market efficiency. It advocates for the strengthening of legal protections and oversight mechanisms to guarantee that informationization can effectively elevate corporate governance standards and market transparency.

An ESG Evaluation System Based on New Quality Productivity and Blockchain Application

Within the context of the rapid advancement of information technology, this study examines the effects of information construction in the "Pilot Zones of Integration of Information and Industrialization" on the synchronicity of stock prices. The research findings indicate that the development of information has a significant reducing effect on stock price synchronicity. This conclusion still holds after undergoing a series of robustness tests. Furthermore, the impact is more evident in enterprises with dual roles and in areas with lower levels of legal governance. Additional analysis suggests that information construction mitigates stock price synchronicity by improving corporate governance and ensuring the prompt and accurate representation of company-specific information. In conclusion, this research offers insights for policymakers regarding the promotion of informationization, the optimization of corporate governance frameworks, and the enhancement of capital market efficiency. It advocates for the strengthening of legal protections and oversight mechanisms to guarantee that informationization can effectively elevate corporate governance standards and market transparency.

A Pilot Study on the Influence of Maternal Attachment Representations on Maternal Heart Rate Mediated by Perceived Stress.

Past findings have suggested that there is a link between attachment representations and reactions towards stress (subjective and physiological). The aim of this study was to examine the mediating effect of perceived stress on the association between attachment representation and physiological changes, specifically heart rate. As part of a long-term study investigating the transgenerational transmission of childhood maltreatment, n = 163 mothers participated in multiple assessments. The Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP) was used to measure maternal attachment representation, categorizing individuals as securely or insecurely attached. Perceived daily stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale 14 (PSS-14), and maternal baseline heart rate (HR) was measured via electrocardiography during a laboratory visit. The results revealed that the representation of secure attachment had a significant reducing effect on both the mother's perceived daily stress and heart rate. Furthermore, the association between secure attachment representation and heart rate was mediated by perceived stress. This study emphasizes the role of attachment representation in maternal well-being, highlighting its impact on stress and physiological responses.

The role of institutions on public debt: A quantile regression approach

The unprecedented rise in debt levels across countries has given rise to the role of institutions on public debt. This study examines the impact of institutions on government debt in a sample of 54 EU and non-EU countries, covering the 2010 to 2022 period, employing the Logistic Quantile Regression (LQR) and Recentered Influence Function (RIF) method, Our results indicate that the effect of institutions varies across the distribution of government debt. The results show that government effectiveness, regulatory quality, voice, and accountability have similar effects in the EU and non-EU countries. However, political stability and the control of corruption have a significant and debt reducing effect only in EU countries. Robustness checks confirm our findings.

The impact of different transportation infrastructures on urban carbon emissions: Evidence from China

Transport infrastructure is an important source of carbon emissions, and different transport infrastructure have varying impacts on urban carbon emissions, which has been lacking in previous research. This study selects 273 cities in China from 2005 to 2020 and applied the spatial Durbin model and mediation effect model to empirically examine the direct impact effects, spatial spillover effects, scale and regional heterogeneity, and indirect pathways of highways, high-speed railways, and urban rail on urban carbon emissions. The results shows that: (1) Overall, high-speed railways have a significant reducing effect on carbon emissions, while highways and urban rail have the opposite effect. (2) Considering spatial spillover effects, highways and high-speed railways can promote carbon emissions reduction in neighboring areas, while urban rail has the opposite effect. (3) For scale heterogeneity, urban rail can reduce carbon emissions in mega-cities, while highways and high-speed railways have the opposite effect. For regional heterogeneity, all three types of transport infrastructure can reduce carbon emissions in western cities, but increase urban carbon emissions in eastern and central regions. (4) Industrial upgrading, technological progress, and population agglomeration are all pathways through which transport infrastructure indirectly affects carbon emissions, but their effects vary for different transport infrastructure.

Blockholder exit threats and excess executive perks

There is a growing interest in the influence of blockholder exit threats on corporate governance. When perceive managerial underperformance, blockholders have strong incentives to reduce their shareholding, which in turn requires managers to align their actions with the interests of shareholders. In this paper, we further develop the theory of blockholder exit threats by scrutinizing the influence of blockholder exit threats on excess executive perks. Empirical results suggest that blockholder exit threats have a significant reducing effect on excess executive perks, which is further confirmed via robustness checks. It is also found that the reducing effect is enhanced when managers’ wealth is closely related to stock prices, blockholders are long-term strategic blockholders, or short selling is allowed, under the condition of a deteriorating information environment or corporate governance, or before the Blockholders Reduction Restrictions.

Study of the Correlation between the Urban Wind–Heat Environment and Urban Development Elements in High-Density Urban Areas: A Case Study of Central Shanghai

To prevent damage to human life and health caused by high temperatures and extreme weather and to promote sustainable urban development, it is necessary to optimize the layout of urban development elements to improve the urban wind–heat environment. Taking the high-density urban area of Shanghai as an example, this study used wavelet analysis to investigate the cyclic changes of the average annual temperature of Shanghai from 1950 to 2022 and the average annual wind speed of Shanghai from 2000 to 2020. The correlation between the urban heat environment and the urban development elements was analyzed using geographically weighted regression. The correlation was then examined using BP neural network, and finally, the impacts of different urban spatial patterns on the wind environment were analyzed using CFD numerical simulation. The results show that the average annual temperature of Shanghai city has an overall upward trend, with significant cycles of 44 and 32 years that are shortening over time. The average annual wind speed has a downward trend, with a significant main cycle of 22 years. Greening and water coverage, as well as the floor area ratio, have a significant reducing effect on surface temperature, whereas building density is positively correlated with surface temperature. Building density has a significant reducing effect on wind speed, whereas the effect of floor area ratio is not significant. The effect of building density on wind speed is significantly weakened, whereas the effect of the floor area ratio is not significant. This study provides valuable references for Shanghai and other high-density cities to optimize urban spatial patterns in order to improve the safety and comfort of the urban wind–heat environments. This study is of significant importance and value in promoting sustainable urban development, protecting the health of urban residents, and advancing spatial justice and equal well-being.

The impact of electronic levy on mobile money transactions: lessons from Ghana

ABSTRACT The rapid advancement of technology has transformed the way financial transactions are conducted and made assessing their impact a pressing international research problem. This article evaluates and quantifies the potential short-run impact of electronic transaction levy (e-levy) on mobile money transactions in Ghana based on forecasting the counterfactual mobile money market response. It uses monthly time series data from January 2019 to February 2023 in the analysis. The results show that the e-levy has a statistically significant reducing effect on mobile money transactions. In particular, the value of mobile money transactions, number of mobile money transactions, and value of mobile money transactions from mobile money interoperability decreased by about 47%, 24%, and 49% respectively. The results, however, show that overtime, the adverse effect of the e-levy on mobile money transactions diminishes. The findings from the study provide a comprehensive analysis of the effect of the e-levy on mobile money market in Ghana, and thus, contribute to the growing body of research on the role of taxation in the digital economy and financial inclusion.

무엇이 일터혁신의 산업안전 효과를 조절하는가?: 인적자원관리와 기술혁신을 중심으로

This study conducts an empirical study on whether HRM and automated technology&#x0D; moderate the impact of workplace innovation on occupational injury and illness, using the&#x0D; manufacturing sample of the 6th-8th rounds of Workplace Panel Survey(2015-2019)&#x0D; collected by Korea Labor Institute. Conjecturing that the inconsistent safety effects of&#x0D; workplace innovation in the previous studies are due to the varying characteristics of&#x0D; workplace innovation practices, we draw the following hypotheses: HRM and automation&#x0D; rate moderates negatively the effect of workplace innovation on occupational injury and&#x0D; illness. Besides, we explore the effects of workplace innovation, HRM, and automated&#x0D; technology on occupational injury and illness. We estimate panel-data fixed effects models.&#x0D; Their dependent variables are simple and recognized occupational injury and illness rate,&#x0D; and their main independent variables are workplace innovation, HRM, automation rate, and&#x0D; their interaction terms. The results of this study indicate the following: HRM moderates&#x0D; positively the reducing effect of workplace innovation on occupational injury and illness,&#x0D; and automation rate partially moderates it positively. Workplace innovation does not have&#x0D; a significant reducing effect on occupational injury and illness, while HRM and automation&#x0D; rate partially have significantly negative and positive ones respectively. Finally the results&#x0D; are summarized and interpreted, and their implications are discussed.

The effect of silymarin on liver enzymes and serum lipid profiles in Iranian patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silymarin on liver enzyme levels and serum lipid profiles in patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), the most common chronic liver disease worldwide.&#x0D; Methods: This randomized double-blinded clinical trial included 80 NAFLD patients referred to the gastrointestinal clinic of Kowsar Hospital in Semnan. Forty of these patients were supplemented with 150 mg of silymarin twice a day for two months, while the other 40 received a placebo. Both groups were advised to follow a hypertriglyceridemia correction and lifestyle modification. Evaluation of serum lipid profiles and liver enzymes in both groups were performed at the baseline and after two months.&#x0D; Results: The results showed that silymarin use significantly reduced ALT (U/L) (58.72± 32.16 vs 42.2 ± 20.2, p = 0.003) and AST (U/L) (36.62± 13.46 vs 30.3 ± 9.7, p = 0.036) levels compared with the placebo group. Additionally, a statistically significant reducing effect of silymarin on triglycerides (mg/dL) (189.5 ± 65.5 vs 164.6 ± 91.3, p = 0.026), total cholesterol (mg/dL) (192.8 ± 40.3 vs 174.07± 34.5, p = 0.027), and LDL-cholesterol (mg/dL) (114.6±33.9 vs 95.6± 26.5, p = 0.012) levels was found, with no significant statistical difference for HDL-C (mg/dL) (41.5 ± 6.8 vs 43.5± 9.2, p = 0.44).&#x0D; Conclusion: Silymarin, at a dose of 150 mg twice daily, significantly reduced liver enzymes and some lipid markers in patients with NAFLD, suggesting that this compound could be a novel therapy for NAFLD.

Study of overflow effects on flow‐induced stress in injection molding

AbstractOverflow is usually used to keep fluid continuously flowing to avoid the fluid from changing flow direction and subsequently inducing large stresses. To explore the mechanism of flow‐induced stress evolution, a flow model was established in terms of compressible, non‐isothermal, and viscoelastic flow. Based on the Leonov model and the mid‐plane approach, a pseudo‐Poisson type equation for pressure was derived to decouple the interdependence between velocity and pressure. To improve computational efficiency, a numerical approach involving double iterations was proposed to solve the flow problem. Two kinds of mold cavities, with and without overflow, were designed and manufactured. Molding experiments were conducted, and corresponding simulations based on the proposed model and algorithm were performed. The results show that the simulated contours of flow‐induced stress are in good agreement with the photoelastic streaks. The use of overflow can significantly reduce flow‐induced stresses. If the slot thickness is set to a proper value, the flow‐induced stress can be reduced by more than 80%. On the other hand, a slot that is too thick does not have significant reducing effects. Therefore, using overflow to reduce flow‐induced stresses during transparent part production is a promising approach if the material cost is worthy of the quality.Highlights A double iteration method is proposed for viscoelastic flow problem. Overflow can reduce the stress as much as 80% if the dimension is properly set. The simulated stress streaks are in good agreement with photoelasticities.

Effects of marine-derived n–3 PUFA supplementation on soluble adhesion molecules: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Long-chain n–3 poly unsaturated fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects but their effects on serum levels of adhesion molecules are inconsistent and contradictory. In this updated systematic review and meta-analysis, marine sources of omega-3 fatty acids were pooled up to determine the effects of omega-3 supplementation on adhesion molecules. PubMed-Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases (from inception to April 2023) were searched and all RCTs investigating the effects of marine sources of omega-3, on blood concentrations of adhesion molecules were included and a meta-analysis undertaken. Forty-two RCTs were included involving 3555 participants aged from 18 to 75 years. Meta-analysis of 38 arms from 30 RCTs reporting serum concentrations of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) showed a significant reduction after omega-3 supplementation (WMD: −1.26, 95% CI: −1.88 to −0.64 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Meta-analysis of 40 arms from 30 RCTs reporting serum concentrations of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) revealed a reduction following omega-3 supplementation, although it was not significant (WMD: −1.76, 95%CI: −3.68 to 0.16 ng/mL, P = 0.07). Meta-analysis of 27 arms from 21 trials showed no effect on E-selectin (WMD: 0.01, 95%CI: −0.02 to 0.04 ng/mL, P = 0.62). Pooling 15 arms from 11 RCTs showed a marginally significant reducing effect on P-selectin concentrations (WMD: −2.67, 95%CI: −5.53 to 0.19 ng/mL, P = 0.06). A considerable decrease in VCAM concentration was observed after omega-3 supplementation in this meta-analysis with a trend to decreases in both ICAM and P-selectin levels, with effects that may be significant depending on study design, and there was no effect on E-selectin.

Micrometeorological Analysis and Glacier Ablation Simulation in East Kunlun

Worldwide, there are great challenges for meteorological monitoring and glacier ablation monitoring in high-altitude mountain areas. It is often difficult to capture fine-scale climate and glacial changes in high-altitude mountainous areas due to the harsh natural environment and the extreme lack of observational sites. Based on high-altitude meteorological stations erected on the eastern shore of Aqikkule Lake (AQK) and at the terminus of Shenshechuan Glacier (SSG), as well as on mass balance data from SSG, the characteristics and correlation of temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity, precipitation, wind speed and direction of the two regions, and the mass balance in the ablation area of SSG from 30 May 2022 to 18 May 2023 were analyzed, and the average melting depth of SSG was simulated. The results indicate the following: (1) The average annual temperature of AQK and the terminus of SSG is −3.7 °C and −7.7 °C, respectively, and the vertical lapse rate of temperature in the summer half of the year is greater than that in the winter half of the year. Precipitation timing has a great influence on daily temperature differences. (2) Precipitation in both places is concentrated in summer; the glaciers in this area are of the summer recharge type, and precipitation has a significant reducing effect on the solar incident radiation and increases the relative humidity in this region. (3) AQK and SSG both have local circulation development, in the area of AQK all year round due to the lake effect, while the terminus of SSG only has the development of valley winds in the summer, being controlled in the winter by the westerly wind belt. (4) The average mass balance value of the ablation area of SSG was −1786 mm as measured by the range poles method. The average annual ablation depth of SSG simulated by using the empirical formula was 587–597 mm, which is not large compared with other glacier areas in the Tibetan Plateau, and it has the characteristics of typical continental-type glaciers.

Examination of the Emission of Gas-Phase Components, Including Some Not-Conventional Ones from a Parking Heater, While Increasing the Bioethanol Content of the Fuel

The air pollutant emissions of a motor vehicle do not only mean the emissions from the engine used for propelling the vehicle. Another possible source is the passenger compartment heater. In the focus of our research, we investigated the effect of mixing gasoline-powered cabin air and ethanol (E10, E30, E100 on a volumetric basis) on the emissions of the equipment. Among the pollutant components examined, there were conventional components and so called not-conventional components. The chosen length of the test was 1800 s, while the intake air parameters temperature (tin) and relative humidity (h) have been kept constant (tin = 15 °C, h = 30%). Bioethanol mixing has a significant reducing effect on NOx (oxides of nitrogen) and CO2 (carbon dioxide). As for the components CO (carbon monoxide), THC (total hydrocarbons), CH4 (methane) and N2O (nitrous oxide), the values of the components reach usable values only in the start-up and burnout phases, while in the stable-operation phase, their values are outside the limit of detectability. A small part of THC is only CH4; a more significant part is NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbons). The results of the developed vehicle fleet model for calculating the GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions of a vehicle fleet equipped with such a device showed that the fleet’s GHG emissions are less than 1% of the annual emissions from the combustion of transport fuel.

Structural Change and Inequality in Africa

AbstractThis paper examines how inequality could be tackled through structural transformation using unit record data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) for Africa. Results suggest inequality between countries tends to be higher when the share of labour employed or value-added in the agriculture sector is higher, while no association is observed for industry and services sectors contributions to GDP or employment. Within-country inequality however tends to be strongly affected by structural change. A 1 standard deviation growth in the movement of labour from low- to high-productivity sectors could decrease overall inequality by 0.5% and inequality of opportunity by 1.1%. Results from other data sources strongly support these findings suggesting that positive structural transformation could lead to sustained reduction in inequality in Africa. Other factors correlated strongly with inequality reduction include human capital, which tend to have large and significant income or asset reducing effect in Africa, particularly at higher level of education, while the pace of urbanisation exacerbates it incidence.