Women’s empowerment and food consumption:Evidence from female-headed households in Tanzania

Despite the growing recognition of women’s increasing role in the household and corresponding empowerment programs in sub-Saharan Africa,intensive research on the relationship between women’s influence and household food consumption is minimal.Using the most recent(2017-2018)national household survey data from Tanzania,this study examined the influence of women’s empowerment on household food consumption.First,we compared the monthly consumption of eight food categories between female-headed households(FHHs)and male-headed households(MHHs)using both descriptive statistics and the propensity score matching(PSM)method.Furthermore,we adopted the two-stage Linear Expenditure System and Almost Ideal Demand System model(LES-AIDS)to estimate income and price elasticities for the two household types.The results show that FHHs consume bread and cereals,fish,oils and fats,vegetables,and confectionery(sugar,jam,honey,chocolate,etc.)more than MHHs.Moreover,FHHs have a significantly higher income elasticity of demand for all food groups than MHHs.They are also more price elastic than MHHs in meat,fish,oils,fats,sugar,jam,honey,chocolate,etc.

The Three Principles of Institutional Safeguards for Women's Participation in Legislation in China

The participation of women in legislation is an important aspect and means of safeguarding women’s rights.Feminist theory,based on criticism of both the“citizenship identity theory as rights”and the“citizenship identity theory as responsibilities,”proposes the“citizenship identity theory as subjectivity.”Observing the current practice of women’s participation in legislation in China,two institutional safeguard principles can be summarized:the“minimum proportion”and the“influence evaluation.”However,each of these principles has its inherent limitations.Therefore,it is necessary to supplement them with the principle of“subjective participation”in a reflective manner.This principle requires women to participate substantively in the legislative process as subjects,express women’s needs and demands,input women’s perspectives and experiences,and reconstruct the distribution of rights and responsibilities in the existing legislation.The three principles complement each other and work together to comprehensively constitute the institutional structure of women’s participation in legislation,thereby promoting the reproduction of corresponding action structures.

Solving the Olbers’s Paradox, Explaining the “Red-Shift”, and Challenging the Relativities by “Sun Matters Theory” and “Sun Model of Universe”, an Evolution of the Einstein’s Static Universe Model

Olbers’s paradox, known as the dark night paradox, is an argument in astrophysics that the darkness of the night sky conflicts with the assumption of an infinite and eternal static universe. Big-Bang theory was used to partially explain this paradox, while introducing new problems. Hereby, we propose a better theory, named Sun Matters Theory, to explain this paradox. Moreover, this unique theory supports and extended the Einstein’s static universe model proposed by Albert Einstein in 1917. Further, we proposed our new universe model, “Sun Model of Universe”. Based on the new model and novel theory, we generated innovative field equation by upgrading Einstein’s Field Equation through adding back the cosmological constant, introducing a new variable and modifying the gravitationally-related concepts. According to the Sun Model of Universe, the dark matter and dark energy comprise the so-called “Sun Matters”. The observed phenomenon like the red shift is explained as due to the interaction of ordinary light with Sun Matters leading to its energy and frequency decrease. In Sun Model, our big universe consists of many universes with ordinary matter at the core mixed and surrounded with the Sun Matters. In those universes, the laws of physics may be completely or partially different from that of our ordinary universe with parallel civilizations. The darkness of night can be easily explained as resulting from the interaction of light with the Sun Matters leading to the sharp decrease in the light intensity. Sun Matters also scatter the light from a star, which makes it shining as observed by Hubble. Further, there is a kind of Sun Matters named “Sun Waters”, surrounding every starts. When lights pass by the sun, the Sun Waters deflect the lights to bend the light path. According to the Sun Model, it is the light bent not the space bent that was proposed in the theory of relativities.

The “Dead Universe” Theory: Natural Separation of Galaxies Driven by the Remnants of a Supermassive Dead Universe

This article explores the dead universe theory as a novel interpretation for the origin and evolution of the universe, suggesting that our cosmos may have originated from the remnants of a preceding universe. This perspective challenges the conventional Big Bang theory, particularly concerning dark matter, the expansion of the universe, and the interpretation of phenomena such as gravitational waves.

On Some Mathematical Connections between the Cyclic Universe, Inflationary Universe, p-Adic Inflation, p-Adic Cosmology and Various Sectors of Number Theory

This paper is a review, a thesis, of some interesting results that have been obtained in various research concerning the “brane collisions in string and M-theory” (Cyclic Universe), p-adic inflation and p-adic cosmology. In Section 2, we have described some equations concerning cosmic evolution in a Cyclic Universe. In Section 3, we have described some equations concerning the cosmological perturbations in a Big Crunch/Big Bang space-time, the M-theory model of a Big Crunch/Big Bang transition and some equations concerning the solution of a braneworld Big Crunch/Big Bang Cosmology. In Section 4, we have described some equations concerning the generating ekpyrotic curvature perturbations before the Big Bang, some equations concerning the effective five-dimensional theory of the strongly coupled heterotic string as a gauged version of N=1five-dimensional supergravity with four-dimensional boundaries, and some equations concerning the colliding branes and the origin of the Hot Big Bang. In Section 5, we have described some equations regarding the “null energy condition” violation concerning the inflationary models and some equations concerning the evolution to a smooth universe in an ekpyrotic contracting phase with w>1. In Section 6, we have described some equations concerning the approximate inflationary solutions rolling away from the unstable maximum of p-adic string theory. In Section 7, we have described various equations concerning the p-adic minisuperspace model, zeta strings, zeta nonlocal scalar fields and p-adic and adelic quantum cosmology. In Section 8, we have shown various and interesting mathematical connections between some equations concerning the p-adic inflation, the p-adic quantum cosmology, the zeta strings and the brane collisions in string and M-theory. Furthermore, in each section, we have shown the mathematical connections with various sectors of Number Theory, principally the Ramanujan’s modular equations, the Aurea Ratio and the Fibonacci’s numbers.

A Historical Review of the Development of Women’s Higher Education in China (1908-2020): Stages, Explanations, and Trends

The development of women’s higher education in China can be divided into four stages:emergence(1908-1948);foundation(1949-1976);accelerating development(1977-2008);and the qualitative leap(2009-2020).This work considers the principal institutional mechanisms that contributed to this development.First,flexibly planned parenthood gradually promoted gender equality and openness in society facilitated by systematic“awards,grants,and loans”initiatives to support women’s higher education economically.Second,compulsory education ensured that left-out and migrant children had access to higher education.Third,effective connectivity across different education types bridged education gaps between those with different levels of education.Fourth,China made great efforts to invite and integrate international experiences that promoted the development of women’s higher education.Looking beyond these achievements,we also discuss the future trends of women’s higher education in China.

Special Relativity’s “Newtonization” in Complex “Para-Space”: The Two Theories Equivalence Question

Complex model, say C3, of “para-space” as alternative to the real M4 Minkowski space-time for both relativistic and classical mechanics was shortly introduced as reference to our previous works on that subject. The actual aim, however, is an additional analysis of the physical and para-physical phenomena’ behavior as we formally transport observable mechanical phenomena [motion] to non-real interior of the complex domain. As it turns out, such procedure, when properly set, corresponds to transition from relativistic to more classic (or, possibly, just classic) kind of the motion. This procedure, we call the “Newtonization of relativistic physical quantities and phenomena”, first of all, includes the mechanical motion’s characteristics in the C3. The algebraic structure of vector spaces was imposed and analyzed on both: the set of all relativistic velocities and on the set of the corresponding to them “Galilean” velocities. The key point of the analysis is realization that, as a matter of fact, the relativistic theory and the classical are equivalent at least as for the kinematics. This conclusion follows the fact that the two defined structures of topological vector spaces i.e., the structure imposed on sets of all relativistic velocities and the structure on set of all “Galilean” velocities, are both diffeomorphic in their topological parts and are isomorphic as the vector spaces. As for the relativistic theory, the two approaches: the hyperbolic (“classical” SR) with its four-vector formalism and Euclidean, where SR is modeled by the complex para-space C3, were analyzed and compared.

基于D-S证据理论的岩爆预测方法研究

为了有效预测岩爆,提出基于D-S证据理论的岩爆预测方法.首先,选取与岩爆发生相关的6个指标因素作为证据体,并通过模糊物元框架和正态型隶属度函数构建证据体的基本概率分配.然后,利用K均值将证据体分类,并提出簇内证据用传统方式融合而簇间证据用权重方式融合的组合融合规则,以减轻高冲突证据融合的不利影响.最后,将模型应用在秦岭终南山公路隧道2号竖井工程,且与经验方法对比.为了分析预测过程的不确定性和估计岩爆发生概率,采用蒙特卡洛模拟进行抽样仿真,并通过Spearman秩相关系数衡量输入指标的全局敏感性.研究结果表明:输入指标在不同的岩爆案例的影响程度差异较大且方向不同;5个岩爆案例的发生概率在40.8%~70.1%之间.该模型表现出优异的预测分类性能,可为深埋地下工程岩爆预测提供参考.

D-S证据理论在空中目标识别中的应用现状与展望

D-S证据理论作为一种多源信息融合工具,在空中目标识别领域中得到了广泛应用。对D-S证据理论进行了概述;简要梳理了D-S证据理论在空中目标识别领域中的发展脉络,并提出应用中需要解决的三类关键问题;围绕上述问题,重点对该领域中的BPA获取、证据冲突度量、证据融合的应用现状进行综述;最后,基于空域控制视角,对D-S证据理论在该领域中的应用进行了展望。研究可为空中目标识别领域的理论发展和工程应用提供参考。

D-S理论和Markov链组合的桥梁性能退化预测研究

为准确预测桥梁性能退化,考虑到数据随机性和微小扰动发生状态跳跃,提出了一种D-S(Dempster-Shafer)证据理论和Markov链组合的桥梁性能退化组合预测模型和性能退化率的概念.该模型基于指数平滑(exponential smoothing,ES)方法获得新的预测数据序列,并利用Markov链和D-S理论不断进行优化,从而实现桥梁性能退化的组合预测.实际工程的应用结果表明:性能退化率可以直观地表征在梁性能退化的速度.其次,该模型的平均相对误差为1.54%,较于回归、灰色和模糊加权Markov链模型,精度分别提高了1.11%,0.88%和2.8%,而后验差比值为0.242,小于0.35;模型的标准差为9.021,相比其他模型分别减小了3.978,3.405和7.500,而变异系数为0.109,均小于其他模型,验证了组合预测模型在精度和稳定性方面的优越性,可为在役桥梁结构性能退化预测与维护提供理论基础.

基于D-S证据理论的农作物气候品质预测方法研究:以晚熟杂交柑橘春见为例

【目的】基于多源气象数据构建果实品质(糖含量等级)预测模型,为科学评价果实气候品质及深入挖掘农产品气候资源提供科学依据。【方法】以晚熟柑橘春见果实为研究对象,利用多源数据融合技术、人工神经网络(BP神经网络、RBF神经网络和Elman神经网络)和D-S证据理论,包括气象数据质量控制、特征选取、特征级融合、决策级融合4个步骤,构建基于多源气象数据的果实品质(糖含量等级)预测模型。【结果】春见果实品质预测模型采用BP神经网络预测结果总体准确率为87.50%,平均绝对误差(MAE)为0.150,均方根误差(RMSE)为0.447;RBF神经网络预测结果总体准确率为85.00%,MAE为0.175,RMSE为0.474;Elman神经网络预测结果总体准确率为87.50%,MAE为0.150,RMSE为0.447;D-S证据理论决策融合总体预测准确率达95.20%,分别较BP神经网络、RBF神经网络和Elman神经网络提升7.7百分点、10.2百分点和7.7百分点,MAE和RMSE分别为0.040和0.214,均明显降低。【结论】D-S证据理论决策融合后的果实品质预测准确率相比单一神经网络预测更高、误差更小。

基于加权D-S证据理论的旋翼故障诊断

旋翼作为直升机的升力面和操作面,其健康状态对直升机的安全至关重要。旋翼故障诊断技术仍是直升机健康与使用监测系统(Health and usage monitoring system, HUMS)领域的薄弱环节,开发旋翼故障诊断技术具有重要价值。基于信息融合技术,首先分析了旋翼故障的诊断机理,建立了旋翼故障模型,通过流固耦合仿真获取了不同故障下桨叶、轮毂和机身的故障特征信息,生成数据集进行网络训练和验证。然后,利用遗传算法反向传播(Genetic algorithm-backpropagation, GA-BP)优化神经网络诊断3种类型的直升机旋翼故障,即后缘调整片误调、变距拉杆误调和桨叶质量不平衡。3个逐级神经网络分别对旋翼故障类型、故障位置和故障程度进行了诊断识别。最后采用加权的Dempster-Shafer(D-S)证据理论对旋翼故障进行诊断和分析。结果证明基于改进D-S证据理论的旋翼故障诊断方法能够成功应用到旋翼故障诊断中,并具有良好的识别效果。

基于D-S证据理论改进AHP-熵权的流域洪涝灾害评估研究

考虑致灾因子危险性、孕灾环境敏感性以及承灾体易损性,选取指标构建小清河流域洪涝灾害风险评估指标体系,提出一种基于D-S证据理论的改进AHP-熵权法计算指标权重,求取洪涝灾害风险指数,运用自然断点分级法确定洪涝灾害风险等级,分析小清河流域洪涝灾害风险空间分布情况。结果表明:小清河流域洪涝灾害风险总体上表现出南低北高的趋势,其中高风险区和较高风险区分别占流域面积的8.7%和14.3%,主要分布在小清河干流以及主要支流两岸。所得评估结果同“利奇马”台风发生期间实际洪灾风险分布情况一致,对比证明基于D-S证据理论的改进AHP-熵权法优于AHP和熵权法,可为小清河流域防洪减灾决策提供依据。

Continuum Skyrme Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov theory with Green’s function method for neutron-rich Ca,Ni,Zr,and Sn isotopes

The possible exotic nuclear properties in the neutron-rich Ca,Ni,Zr,and Sn isotopes are examined with the continuum Skyrme Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov theory in the framework of the Green’s function method.The pairing correlation,the couplings with the continuum,and the blocking effects for the unpaired nucleon in odd-A nuclei are properly treated.The Skyrme interaction SLy4 is adopted for the ph channel and the density-dependentinteraction is adopted for the pp chan-nel,which well reproduce the experimental two-neutron separation energies S_(2n)and one-neutron separation energies Sn.It is found that the criterion S_(n)>0 predicts a neutron drip line with neutron numbers much smaller than those for S_(2n)>0.Owing to the unpaired odd neutron,the neutron pairing energies−E_(pair)in odd-A nuclei are much lower than those in the neighbor-ing even-even nuclei.By investigating the single-particle structures,the possible halo structures in the neutron-rich Ca,Ni,and Sn isotopes are predicted,where sharp increases in the root-mean-square(rms)radii with significant deviations from the traditional rA^(1∕3)rule and diffuse spatial density distributions are observed.Analyzing the contributions of various partial waves to the total neutron densityρlj(r)∕ρ(r)reveals that the orbitals located around the Fermi surface-particularly those with small angular momenta-significantly affect the extended nuclear density and large rms radii.The number of neutrons Nλ(N_(0))occupying above the Fermi surfacen(continuum threshold)is discussed,whose evolution as a function of the mass number A in each isotope is consistent with that of the pairing energy,supporting the key role of the pairing correlation in halo phenomena.

Influence of cultural factors on choice of childbirth place among women in Oyigbo Local Government Area,Rivers State,Nigeria

Objectives:This study aims to ascertain if cultural factors influence the childbirth place choice of women in Oyigbo.Materials and Methods:The study used a cross‑sectional study design using a self‑structured questionnaire as the instrument to collect data from 384 volunteers through simple random sampling,and these data were analyzed using frequency and percentage for descriptive statistics while Chi‑square was used for inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance.Results:The influence of cultural factors such as family traditions(χ^(2)=12.56,P=0.006),beliefs(χ^(2)=70.66,P=0.000),lack of confidence in health facilities(χ^(2)=367.83,P=0.000),and the presence of male skilled birth attendants(χ^(2)=50.85,P=0.000)were statistically significant to the choice of childbirth place,while patriarchal system(χ^(2)=2.99,P=0.393)was not statistically significant to the choices of childbirth places of women in Oyigbo.Religion had a statistically significant influence on childbirth place(χ^(2)=125.46,P=0.000).Conclusion:This study shows that religious and cultural factors have a significant influence on the childbirth place choices of women in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Dilemma of Women’s Voices in the Post-Epidemic Era:Misconceptions of Feminism on Digital Media Platforms-The Example of Sina Weibo

Weibo,one of China’s largest digital media platforms,has become a major platform for women’s voices to fight for equality.However,misconceptions of feminism on Weibo have become obstacles to women’s voices,for which the platforms did not post women’s views prominently.From the perspective of women themselves,this paper adopted a questionnaire to study the misunderstanding of feminism and its impact on women’s expression on Weibo.

Identifying the Cultural Shifts and Societal Changes That Facilitated the Rise in Box Office Performance of Chinese Women’s Cinema in the 21st Century

With the gradual improvement of Chinese women’s status in the 21st century,gender studies and gender relations have become one of the hottest topics in Chinese society,which consequently prompted Chinese Women’s Cinema to attract the attention of larger audiences.With regard to the box office performance of Chinese Women’s Cinema,there seems to be a gap in research in finding an association between women’s status and the relevant films’box office performance.The purpose of this research is to outline the underlying reasons for the changes in gender roles and gender representation in the Chinese film industry over the past few decades in order to better understand this expansive social change in the 21st century.This study provides a comprehensive analysis through the use of questionnaires to better understand society’s attitude towards gender representation within the film industry.The questionnaire findings indicate that there is a direct correlation between people’s awareness of women’s changing status and gender equality and their acceptance of materials produced by Chinese Women’s Cinema.At the some time,it highlights that the Chinese government’s support and initiatives for gender equality have had a significant impact on the general popularity of Chinese Women’s Cinema.The significance of this research is to effectively popularize Chinese Women’s Cinema culture and the box office growth by understanding the social attitude towards gender representation in the Chinese film industry and to provide relevant information about the development direction and trend of Chinese Women’s Cinema.Furthermore,this research aims to provide foundational support for gender equality and help to understand the underlying factors that society needs to promote gender equality.

Energy-Efficient Clustering Using Optimization with Locust Game Theory

Wireless sensor networks(WSNs)are made up of several sensors located in a specific area and powered by a finite amount of energy to gather environmental data.WSNs use sensor nodes(SNs)to collect and transmit data.However,the power supplied by the sensor network is restricted.Thus,SNs must store energy as often as to extend the lifespan of the network.In the proposed study,effective clustering and longer network lifetimes are achieved using mul-ti-swarm optimization(MSO)and game theory based on locust search(LS-II).In this research,MSO is used to improve the optimum routing,while the LS-II approach is employed to specify the number of cluster heads(CHs)and select the best ones.After the CHs are identified,the other sensor components are allo-cated to the closest CHs to them.A game theory-based energy-efficient clustering approach is applied to WSNs.Here each SN is considered a player in the game.The SN can implement beneficial methods for itself depending on the length of the idle listening time in the active phase and then determine to choose whether or not to rest.The proposed multi-swarm with energy-efficient game theory on locust search(MSGE-LS)efficiently selects CHs,minimizes energy consumption,and improves the lifetime of networks.The findings of this study indicate that the proposed MSGE-LS is an effective method because its result proves that it increases the number of clusters,average energy consumption,lifespan extension,reduction in average packet loss,and end-to-end delay.

Do Chinese Women Face Subtle Discrimination in Job Hiring?

Gender discrimination has long been the problem that exists in the entire world,including China.However,as more and more people are focusing on the general gender discrimination,the group recognized an extension of such discrimination-pregnancy discrimination in job hiring(the discrimination that women who are pregnant or have the inclination to pregnancy receive in hiring).The possible subtle pregnancy discrimination may be one of the main causes that lead to the declining fertility rate in China.The group decided to conduct an experiment to determine whether women are receiving more subtle discrimination in job hiring due to their identity as mother than men with children,men without children,and women without children.Using the form of questionary and resumes,the team found that Chinese women are indeed enduring subtle discrimination in work hiring.The experiment highlights the importance to promote further equality among women.However,there are some confounding variables,like the level of patient of the HR who reads the resume,affecting the ultimate result of the study.Keywords:gender discrimination,women’s career,Chinese job market,pregnancy discrimination,fertility rate in China.

基于D-S证据理论的配电网接地故障原因综合辨识模型

单相接地故障(single-phase-to-ground fault,SPGF)是配电网中最常见的故障,严重影响配电系统的可靠性和安全性,准确辨识SPGF可以提高配电网接地故障处理的精细化水平。首先,从故障波形中提取能有效反映不同接地故障原因的多域特征组成候选波形特征集,通过多元方差法分析波形特征与接地故障原因的相关性,筛选识别接地故障原因的有效特征;然后,分别设计基于极限学习机和支持向量机的故障原因辨识模型,利用Dempster-Shafer(D-S)证据融合理论对模型的识别结果进行融合,建立了接地故障原因综合辨识模型;最后,基于现场数据对所建立的综合辨识模型的有效性进行了验证,结果表明综合辨识模型优于任何单一辨识模型,验证了该模型的优势和可行性。