Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wheat Production in Pakistan : Saga of Policy Disincentives

This study probes into the interplay of the factors operating on supply side of the wheat economy of Pakistan. The analysis is carried out to determine the performance of the agricultural policy of the country in securing a sustainable measure of self-sufficiency in food production. It is argued that, compared to the developed countries, the developing countries like Pakistan have done too little and too late for their farm sector. The authors hold that the agricultural performance of the developing countries is directly affected by the high subsidies paid to the rich country farmers by their governments. The study attempts to determine the relationship of both wheat production and wheat productivity with the prices promised to the growers in Pakistan by government’s agricultural policy over the period 1966-2001. The results show that support price policy, adequate water availability and technology together helped enhance the wheat production of the country. The estimated coefficient showing the relationship between support price and wheat productivity, however, turns out to be insignificant. The analysis also incorporates the shocks in the economy that are independent of the usually normallydistributed random error. The results show that shocks are affecting both wheat production and wheat productivity. It is argued that achievement of the proclaimed objectives of the wheat support price policy in Pakistan has been constrained because of the incumbent governments’ high political stakes, usually warranting protection of urban consumers and producers by keeping food prices low. The study concludes that wheat production is not some peripheral issue and the target of increasing both wheat production and wheat growers’ income must be central to the macro management policy in Pakistan. Finally, the authors maintain that developing countries, while trusting the promise of freer trade in farm goods offered by the Doha Round, must remember the raw deal they got from the Uruguay Round. Introduction Food is the basic and most important concern of the living organisms. Viewed in this light, world governments’ policies designed to support cereal production, the main food item consumed by the homosapiens, are both warranted and justified. However, in developing countries like Pakistan, such policies have been frequently in conflict with their governments’ concern to ensure the availability of food at low prices, particularly
Limited Evolution of Inferred HIV-1 Tropism while Viremia Is Undetectable during Standard HAART Therapy

Background HIV patients on suppressive antiretroviral therapy have undetectable viremia making it impossible to screen plasma HIV tropism if regimen change is required during suppression. We investigated the prevalence and predictors of tropism switch from CCR5-using (“R5”) to non-CCR5-using (“non-R5”) before and after viral suppression in the initially therapy-naïve HOMER cohort from British Columbia, Canada. Methods We compared pre-therapy and post-suppression viral genotypic tropism in patients who initiated on PI/NNRTI-based antiretroviral regimens between 1996-1999 (n = 462). Virologic suppression was defined as having two consecutive viral loads of <500 copies/mL, which was the sensitivity limit of most viral load assays at the time. Viral tropism was inferred by V3-loop-population-sequencing and geno2pheno[coreceptor] with cutoff at 5.75% false positive rate (FPR). Results When virologic suppression was defined as two-consecutive viral loads <500 copies/mL, 34 (9%) of the 397 patients with pre-therapy R5-virus switched to non-R5 at viral load rebound after a median of 19 months (IQR 8–41 months) of undetectable viremia. Duration of viral load suppression was not a predictor of switch, but lower CD4 count during suppression (median 400 versus 250 cells/mL) and an increased prevalence of pre-therapy non-R5 HIV by “deep” sequencing (median 0.2% versus 3.2%) were independently associated with switch (p = 0.03 and p<0.0001, respectively). Conclusion R5-to-non-R5 tropism switches in plasma virus after undetectable viremia were relatively rare events especially among patients with higher CD4 counts during virologic suppression. Our study supports the use of pre-suppression tropism results if maraviroc is being considered during virologic suppression in this subgroup of patients.
Business adaptation strategies used by small and medium retailers in an increasingly competitve environment: A study of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

This thesis presents a study of business adaptation strategies employed by small and medium retailers in order to be sustainable in a climate of rapid and significant environmental change in regional Thailand. The study was carried out in Ubon Ratchathani, a large regional city in North Eastern Thailand which shares many of the difficulties encountered by regional businesses in regional Thailand. Changes over the last ten years have been considered in this work and recent strategies adopted by the small and medium retailers have been investigated. Using extensive input from a study group which represented approximately 10% of all small and medium retailers, the study attempts to isolate the successful strategies for the region. Data obtained through survey and in-depth interview revealed that difficulties encountered by small and medium retailers were independent of the type of business. The study observed an increase in overall business performance which appears to be linked to the general population growth and improvement in the local economy. Young businesses were found to be growing faster than older businesses but are at risk because of their lack of sustainable practice resulting in many young businesses collapsing. The impact of larger chain stores has forced the small and medium retailers to focus on service, rather than price, in order to remain competitive. Since many of the small and medium retailers have originated from traditional family businesses, there has been little emphasis on accounting and management control and this is a major factor contributing to the lack of sustainability in such businesses. The study also makes a comparison between the different sizes of businesses in Ubon Ratchathani and considers factors that contribute to the relative success or failure of the different businesses. The study shows there are major deficiencies in the capabilities of many of the small businesses and that these need to be addressed by Government. Smaller businesses do not have the same access to the resources of larger businesses and chain stores but can become more competitive through effective use of networks or business associations which the government needs to support. The author proposes that an existing government initiative to promote One Tambon One Product could be expanded to provide resources and networks which could be utilised by small
Cyclooxygenase‐1 is a marker for a subpopulation of putative nociceptive neurons in rat dorsal root ganglia

Immunocytochemical and morphometric techniques were used to quantify the distribution of cyclooxygenase (cox)‐containing neurons in rat L5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Cox‐1 immunolabelling was almost exclusively restricted to small diameter DRG neurons (< 1000 μm2), and was extensively colocalized with calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) and isolectin B4 (IB4). Cox‐1 was present in 65% and 70% of CGRP‐ and IB4‐labelled neurons, respectively. Cox‐1 labelling was also found in neurons expressing the sensory neuron‐specific (SNS) Na+ channel. Cox‐2 labelling was absent in DRG from normal rats. In the Freund's adjuvant model of monoarthritis, the proportion of cox‐1‐positive DRG neurons was unchanged and no neurons were found to be labelled for cox‐2. In primary tissue culture, cox‐1 immunolabelling persisted in vitro for up to 9 days and was present in morphologically identical neurons. The selective expression of cox‐1 in peripheral ganglia was confirmed by the small number of nodose ganglion neurons and superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons labelled for cox‐1. These data suggest that cox‐1 is a marker for a subpopulation of putative nociceptive neurons in vitro and in vivo, and suggests that the prostaglandins synthesized by these neurons may be important for nociceptor function. These data may have important implications for the mode and mechanism of action of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Reasons for the use and non-use of electronic journals and databases: A domain analytic study in four scholarly disciplines

Previous research has shown that there are major differences in the search methods used in different disciplines, and that the use of electronic journals and databases likewise varies according to domain. Previous studies have not, however, explored whether, or how, this variation is possibly related to factors such as domain size, the degree of scatter in a domain or domain‐specific relevance criteria. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the development of a domain analytic approach for explaining the use and non‐use of e‐journals and databases. We identify and define factors to account for disciplinary differences in e‐journal use, outline hypotheses to be tested more rigorously in future research, and test them initially on a limited data set. The empirical data was gathered as a part of a wider qualitative study exploring scholars’ use of networked resources in four different disciplines: nursing science, literature/cultural studies, history and ecological environmental science. The findings suggest that e‐journals and databases are likely to be used most heavily in fields in which directed searching is the dominant search method and topical relevance the primary relevance type, and less in fields in which browsing and chaining are the dominant search methods and paradigmatic relevance the primary relevance type. The findings also support the Bates hypothesis that domain size has an important impact on the search methods used.
Mergers – Acquisitions as a Strategic Option: A Probit Model

Purpose – M&A differences are based on three levels: preconditions, payment methods and motives-drivers. The paper’s purpose is to determine the motives, preconditions and methods of M&As in Greece and to compare them with the ones that are recorded in the studies for the Anglo-Saxon countries. Design/methodology/approach – The data used are collected from annual reports. A model was constructed using Probit regression methodology. The paper focused on the decision to adopt the M&A strategy (of the M&A strategy adoption). Findings – The paper argues that the M&A activity in Greece wasn’t the result of a convergence trend (a shift in the fundamental elements of the Greek business environment), but rather an extraordinary event. The preconditions and motives that are reported for the Anglo-Saxon countries are either none existing or weak in comparison in the case of Greece. In Anglo-Saxon countries M&As changed the business and organizational model, whereas in Greece the fundamental characteristics remained the same. Research limitations/implications – Data have been collected from the annual reports of the 60 biggest in capitalization firms in the Greek Stock Exchange. Practical implications – The fact that there are different businesses and organizational models across Europe is a factor that must be taken into account in designing and implementing policies and regulations that promote the idea of a common market with complete freedom of movement and the same rules and regulations. Originality/value – This is the first paper that uses Probit methodology to study M&As in Greece and complements a growing body of literature studying the M&A phenomenon in Europe.
RELIABILITY OF THE CPRS BETWEEN THE DISCIPLINES OF PSYCHIATRY, GENERAL PRACTICE, NURSING AND PSYCHOLOGY IN DEPRESSED PATIENTS

To test the reliability and robustness of the CPRS in use by different disciplines we obtained 49 pairs of ratings on depressed patients in England and Sweden during treatment. Each rater pair consisted of a psychiatrist trained as a rater plus either a psychologist, a general practitioner, or a nurse, who had not been trained as a rater. The 17 most commonly rated items in depressive illness showed good inter-rater reliability for all groups and demonstrated the robustness of the scale even in training sessions. The implications of this for future interdisciplinary research are discussed along with suggestions for the use of the CPRS for teaching purposes.
The Effects of Shock-Induced Anxiety on Noise in the Visual System

Vickers et al. (1972) suggested that a useful index of noise in the visual system should be provided by a measure sD, defined as ‘the standard deviation of the best fitting normal ogive calculated for the psychometric function obtained in a forced-choice discrimination task using the method of constant stimuli, the discriminanda being presented for 100 ms, in random order, and followed by appropriate backward masking’. The sensitivity of sD to anxiety produced by painful electric shocks, arriving at unpredictable times, is examined. Results suggest that, although increased anxiety does not produce consistent or significant changes in heart rate or in degree of caution, it does cause a marked increase in noise.
Procyclicality, Collateral Values and Financial Stability

This paper analyses how the risk-sharing capacity of the financial system varies over the business cycle, leading to procyclical fragility. We show how financial imperfections contribute to underinsurance by entrepreneurs, generating an externality that leads to the build-up of systematic risk during upturns. Increased asset price uncertainty emerges as a symptom of the sectoral concentration that builds up during booms. The liquidity of the collateral asset is shown to play a key role in amplifying the financial cycle. The welfare costs of financial stability, in terms of the efficiency costs due to financial frictions and the volatility costs due to amplification, are also illustrated.
MARKETING ON THE INTERNET: A CASE ANALYSIS OF THE HOTEL INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA

Generally, the Internet and the hospitality industries are enthusiastic about the mutual benefits that they could possibly bring each other. In the hospitality industry, Malaysian hotel companies have begun to recognize the importance of understanding Internet marketing; there is likely to be increased recognition of the potential. Since no research has been done on the Malaysian hospitality industry’s use of the Internet technologies, this researcher took the opportunity to look into current Malaysian hotel website marketing to examine the successful elements. The purpose of the study is to evaluate Malaysian Hotel Website marketing in the context of the elements of successful Internet marketing identified in the literature. This study is mainly based on primary qualitative data. The main benefits of this study approach were the ability to gather the richest and most reliable data within the prescribed limits of the study. Ten hotels representing the hotel industry in Malaysia were chosen. An interview was conducted with marketing managers at five hotels in Kuala Lumpur and five hotels in Pulau Pinang. The hotels that were chosen were well known to Malaysian tourists and included four and five star establishments. The Internet was found to benefit most of the Malaysian hotel companies in promoting the hotel’s image, branding and creating awareness in the public. Notable differences were found in hotel online pricing strategies. Online prices were found to be either higher, lower or the same as offline prices. Online purchasing styles were found to provide an immediate response from the hotel, and were convenient and easy to perform. Online service delivery did not alter offline service delivery. The major difficulties of marketing an online product were that not many Malaysian people use the Internet and it is hard to attract the attention of viewers. Online bookings and reservations provided the company with lower revenues than other distribution channel. The Internet was considered likely to play an important role in the future.
HE4, CA-125, and cystic ovarian mass

To the editor: The recent publication on 'HE4, CA-125, and cystic ovarian mass' is very interesting [1]. Partheen et al. [1] concluded that HE4 did not outperform CA-125. Indeed, the use of two biomarkers might be expected for increased screening ability; however, the problem of the cost should be kept in mind. Incremental analysis on additional cost should be done. Based on the present report, the question is whether it should recommend screening for both HE4 and CA-125 in the patient presenting with a suspicious mass at ovary. This topic is the further point for future studies as indicated in many recent studies [1,2]. Finally, the use of additional means, such as ROMA algorithm and symptom index, to add more value of using HE4 and CA-125 screening should also be further assessed [2,3].
The marketing strategy‐performance relationship in an export‐driven developing economy

The relationship between export marketing strategies and export performance is examined in Korea under the strategy‐environmental co‐alignment theoretical perspective put forth previously. A sample of managing directors of electronics exporters in Korea is used to test the hypotheses. Results indicate that the adaptation of products to foreign customers’ tastes, adjustment of export prices to foreign market conditions, direct exporting, and trade promotions toward overseas distributors positively influence the performance of Korea exporters. Expenditure on overseas advertising was not found to influence export performance. Implications for marketing practitioners and academics are addressed.
Quantitative evaluation of photic driving response for computer-aided diagnosis

The aim of our research is the quantification of the photic driving response, a routine electroencephalogram (EEG) examination, for computer-aided diagnosis. It is well known that the EEG responds not only to the fundamental frequency but also to all sub and higher harmonics of a stimulus. In this study, we propose a method for detecting and evaluating responses in screening data for individuals. This method consists of two comparisons based on statistical tests. One is an intraindividual comparison between the EEG at rest and the photic stimulation (PS) response reflecting enhancement and suppression by PS, and the other is a comparison between data from an individual and a distribution of normals reflecting the position of the individual's data in the distribution of normals in the normal database. These tests were evaluated using the Z-value based on the Mann–Whitney U-test. We measured EEGs from 130 normal subjects and 30 patients with any of schizophrenia, dementia and epilepsy. Normal data were divided into two groups, the first consisting of 100 data for database construction and the second of 30 data for test data. Using our method, a prominent statistical peak of the Z-value was recognized even if the harmonics and alpha band overlapped. Moreover, we found a statistical difference between patients and the normal database at diagnostically helpful frequencies such as subharmonics, the fundamental wave, higher harmonics and the alpha frequency band.
Competition and access price regulation in the broadband market

We construct a model for differentiated Cournot competition between service-based and infrastructure-based firms, out of which one infrastructure-based firm (the incumbent) supplies to the service-based firms. We seek for and compare the socially optimal and the incumbent’s profit maximizing access price in two scenarios: (i) service-based firms and incumbent supply homogeneous services (partial differentiation), and (ii) all services are horizontally differentiated (uniform differentiation). We show that in both cases the incumbent never forecloses service-based firms if infrastructure-based competition is present or if services are somewhat differentiated. Under uniform differentiation the welfare optimizing access price is below marginal cost, hence the incumbent subsidizes the production of service-based firms and makes zero profit. In the case of partial differentiation, the same result obtains when both markets are concentrated. However, if markets are not concentrated, the socially optimal access fee exceeds the marginal cost.
Evidence for hepatocarcinogenic activity of pentachlorobenzene with intralobular variation in foci incidence.

Pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) is an important environmental contaminant derived primarily from the by-product contamination of the popular fungicides hexachlorobenzene and pentachloronitrobenzene. Its tumor-promoting activity was studied in a medium-term initiation/promotion assay in male F344 rats. Animals were given a single i.p. injection of diethylnitrosamine (200 mg/kg body weight) and 2 weeks later were administered 0.1 or 0.4 mmol/kg per day PeCB by gavage in a corn oil vehicle, 7 days/week. At the end of week 3, rats were subjected to a partial hepatectomy. Results showed that PeCB, at both doses, significantly increased both the number and area of glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-P) foci (>0.2 mm diameter) (P < 0.05). This trend was dose-dependent. In addition to increases in preneoplastic foci, liver glutathione concentrations and glutathione-associated enzymes showed significant changes in animals treated with PeCB. Glutathione reductase (GR) and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) were both significantly induced in the centrilobular region. Changes in oxidized glutathione concentrations corresponded with the increase in GR activity with decreases of 40 and 30% in the low and high dose groups, respectively. No significant changes were detected in reduced glutathione concentrations. Together with changes in GR and gamma-GCS expression, a decrease in GST-P foci around the central veins was significant (P = 0.004) at the high dose. In these animals, 26% of the foci were classified as centrilobular whereas 37 and 39% of the foci were centrilobular in the low dose and control groups, respectively. Because of the co-localized nature of the changes in glutathione-associated enzymes and the decreased incidence of centrilobular foci, our results suggest that the reduced cellular environment may ultimately play a role in negatively selecting for foci growth.
How Self-Congruity Affects Patronage Behaviors in Fashion Retailing: Mediating Roles of Satisfaction and Loyalty

The purpose of this study was to examine how congruity between self-image and store image affects a customer`s satisfaction with the retailer, loyalty towards that retailer, and patronage behavior toward that retailer in a fashion retailing context. In addition to the direct effects of self-congruity on consumer responses, the mediating roles of satisfaction and retailer loyalty were also examined. A convenience sample of 137 college students participated in an online survey. Path analysis showed that self-congruity had a direct effect on satisfaction, but not on retailer loyalty and patronage behavior. However, the effect of self-congruity on retailer loyalty and patronage behavior was fully mediated by satisfaction. Satisfaction had a positive effect on both retailer loyalty and patronage behavior. The effect of satisfaction on patronage behavior was partially mediated by retailer loyalty. As supported in the study, self-congruity can induce retailer loyalty. Given that retailers have direct control over developing a certain store image that affects perceptions of self-congruity of their target market, the findings of the study provide useful information for fashion retailers. The findings of the study add to current self-congruity literature by extending to fashion retailing and also by examining the mediating roles of satisfaction and retailer loyalty on the effects of self-congruity.