Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three Essays on Private Labels, Product Quality and The Retailer's Bargaining Power

The first chapter of this thesis studies the motivations of a retailer to launch a private label product in an environment where consumers do not know the quality of the product before consumption. I show that the launch of the private label product can be a form of brand stretching, with the sales of a national brand acting as a bond to ensure that the retailer sells a private label product of high quality. Consequently, the retailer would carry and sell the national brand product even in situations where it would not have done so under perfect information. In addition, I also demonstrate that other motivations for launching a private label product, namely to strengthen the retailer's bargaining position and to engage in market segmentation, are not fundamentally affected by the presence of asymmetric information. In the second chapter, an overlapping-generation model is constructed to investigate the motivations of a retailer to launch a private label product in an environment of asymmetric information about its quality. I focus on the case where the national brand product is too costly to be offered by the retailer under perfect information. I show that, under imperfect information, the national brand product can be used as a signal for the quality of the private label product in a long term even though its cost is very high relative to that of the private label product. In the final chapter, I use data on a large super-market chain to test two hypotheses regarding the use of private labels by a retailer that also offers national brands. The first hypothesis is whether private labels enhance the retailer's bargaining power vis-a-vis its manufacturers. The second hypothesis is whether the retailer strategically sets its prices to favor its private labels. I find that private labels indeed enable the retailer to receive lower wholesale prices with its national brand manufacturers. Moreover, private labels lead to an increase in retail prices for the national brands in support of the strategic retail pricing hypothesis. I also use a simulation exercise to evaluate the benefit of private labels to the consumers.
Prevalence and pattern of tobacco use among auto rickshaw drivers of South Delhi: a cross-sectional study

Background: Tobacco is one of the major preventable causes of death and disability worldwide. Tobacco related diseases are a burgeoning public health problem. The pattern of tobacco consumption in India is unique as varied smoked and smokeless products are consumed.Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study.Results: 69% of the auto-rickshaw drivers are currently using tobacco in one form or the other. Use of multiple tobacco products is also quite high; 54% of tobacco users consumed both smoked as well as smokeless forms of tobacco. Bidi smoking is the most common form of tobacco consumption among current users.Conclusions: Tobacco consumption among auto rickshaw drivers is high. The use of multiple products puts them at risk for problems related to both smoked and smokeless tobacco products. Support/services to quit tobacco should be targeted at their workplace as stress and free time during working hours have been cited as main reasons for tobacco consumption.
Food tourism and events as tools for social sustainability?

Purpose Food tourism and events are often prefaced as tools for sustainability within national and intra-national food and agricultural policy contexts. Yet, the realities of enhancing sustainability through food tourism and events are problematic. Sustainability itself is often conceived broadly within policy proclaiming the benefits of food tourism and events, with a need for further deconstruction of the ways each dimension of sustainability – economic, environmental, social and cultural – independently enhances sustainability. The lack of clarity concerning the conceptual utilisation of sustainability works to compromise its value and utilisation for the development of food tourism and events in peripheral areas. In recognition, this paper aims to turn attention to social sustainability within the context of a local food festival, to ask the following: in what ways is social sustainability enhanced through a local food festival, who benefits from this sustainability, and how? Design/methodology/approach The paper examines the development of a local food festival in a rural coastal community on Scotland’s west coast. The concept of social capital is used to examine the unfolding power relations between committee members, as well as the committee and other social groups. Observant participation undertaken over a 10-month period, between December 2015 and September 2016, renders insights into the ways event planning processes were dependent on the pre-existing accruement of social capital by certain individuals and groups. Findings Local food festivals have the potential to enhance social sustainability, in offering opportunity to bridge relations across certain diverse groups and foster an environment conducive to cohabitation. Bridging, however, is dependent on preconceived social capital and power relations, which somewhat inhibits social integration for all members of a community. The temporally confined characteristics of events generates difficulties in overcoming the uneven enhancement of social sustainability. Care, thus, needs to be upheld in resolutely claiming enhancement of social sustainability through local food events. Further, broad conceptualisations of “community” need to be challenged during event planning processes; for it is difficult to develop a socially inclusive approach that ensures integration for diverse segments without recognising what constitutes a specific “community”. Originality/value This paper is situated within the context of a peripheral yet growing body of literature exploring the potential of events to develop social sustainability. In extending work examining events and social sustainaility the paper turns attention to the gastronomic – examining the extent to which social sustainability is enhanced through a local food festival, for a rural coastal community – Mallaig, on Scotland’s west coast.
Poor prognostic value of proliferating cell nuclear antigen labelling index in breast carcinoma.

AIM--To investigate the association between proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunostaining and various clinicopathological variables, and its prognostic value in breast carcinoma. METHODS--A monoclonal antibody PC10 was applied to formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissue in 144 cases of primary breast cancer. PCNA immunostaining was scored by counting 1000 cells; the percentage of positive stained cells was recorded as the PCNA labelling index (PCNA-LI). RESULTS--The PCNA-LI varied from 0-77% with a mean of 18%. When tumours were separated on the basis of the mean value, 93 had a low PCNA-LI of less or equal than 18% and 47 a high PCNA-LI of more than 18%. There was no significant correlation between PCNA-LI and all prognostic factors included in this study. Moreover, PCNA-LI failed to show any prognostic value for overall and disease free survival. CONCLUSION--PCNA immunostaining is not correlated with clinicopathological variables and patient survival in breast cancer.
Community‐based study to assess the efficacy of DEC plus ALB against DEC alone on bancroftian filarial infection in endemic areas in Tamil Nadu, south India

As part of the Global Programme for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF), India is implementing mass drug administration (MDA) with annual single dose of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) with and without albendazole (ALB). The impact of MDAs on filarial infections and soil‐transmitted helminth (STH) infections was assessed during a 3‐year period in two communities, one with DEC + ALB and the other with DEC alone. Prior to each MDA (during 2001, 2002 and 2003), filarial indices (microfilaraemia and antigenaemia) were assessed from blood samples of 450–650 persons aged 2–25 years and STH infections in stool samples (Kato–Katz method) from 325 to 500 children aged 9–10 years. Mosquitoes resting indoors were collected to determine the filarial infection status. The microfilaraemia prevalence decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in both arms, with the highest decline in the DEC + ALB arm (72%vs. 51%). Decline in micrefilaria intensity was also higher in the DEC + ALB arm (81.4%vs. 48.5%). In this arm alone, the antigenaemia prevalence was reduced significantly (62%; P < 0.001). The reduction in STH prevalence was lower in the DEC alone arm (6.5%; NS) than in the DEC + ALB arm (70.9%; P < 0.001). Also, the egg reduction in DEC alone arm was only half that of DEC + ALB arm (49%vs. 97%). Our community‐based follow‐up study showed higher and sustained benefits with regard to filarial and STH infections for the two‐drug arm over the DEC alone arm. The trends suggest that at least 10 MDAs may be necessary to achieve the goal of elimination.
The role of an audit committee in bank solvency: An emerging market case

Recent discourse on corporate failures gives prominence to the impact of weak corporate governance systems in most corporate entities, hence reasons for investors and creditors pessimism. This literature review article seeks to articulate how audit committee could strengthen corporate governance in organizations. The paper reviews the guidelines developed by the Bank of Ghana to curb the degeneration of the Banking sector in Ghana following the collapse of seven indigenous banks between 2017 and 2018. The objective of this paper is to underscore the effective functioning of audit committees as a panacea to the corporate governance weaknesses in Ghana. The paper observes that albeit the Bank of Ghana, as a regulatory body, underscored weak corporate governance systems – it failed to emphasize mechanisms for strengthening audit committees in its guidelines to regulate the sector. The paper, therefore, promotes the presence and effective functioning of the audit committees as an additional layer to strengthen the monitoring and supervisory functions within corporate bodies. It recommends that the Bank of Ghana must emphasize the establishment of audit committees as a core part of corporate governance systems of all banks to ensure that the interest of all stakeholders is protected adequately through the oversight role of the audit committees.
Low vitamin D, and bone mineral density with depressive symptoms burden in menopausal and postmenopausal women

Background: The reported association between vitamin D level and loss of Bone mineral densitometry measurements (BMD) has been controversial. Objective: The objectı;ve of the current study was to determine whether low vitamin D level and BMD are associated with depresive symptoms as burden in Arab women during the menopausal and postmenopausal period. Design and Setting: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used at the Primary Health Care (PHC) Centers in Qatar. Subjects: A multi-stage sampling design was used and a representative sample of 1436 women aged 45-65 years were included during July 2012 and November 2013 and 1106 women agreed to participate (77.2%) and responded to the study. Materials and Methods: BMD (g/m 2) was assessed at the BMD unit using a Lunar Prodigy DXA system (Lunar Corp., Madison, WI). The antero-posterior lumbar spine (L2-L4) and the mean of the proximal right and left femur were be measured by two technician and then reviewed by one radiologist. Data on body mass index (BMI), clinical biochemistry variables including serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D were collected. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered for depression purposes. Results: Of the 1436 women living in urban and rural areas, 1106 women agreed to participate (77.0%) and responded to the study. The mean age and standard deviation of the subjects was 53.8 ± 3.2. The median age of natural menopausal in the present study was 49 years (mean and standard deviation 49.5 ± 3.1 and postmenopausal was 58.1 ± 3.3). There were statistically significant differences between menopausal stages with regards to ethnicity, education level, systolic and dialostic blood pressure, parity, sheesha smoking and depressive symptoms. Overall 30.4% of women were affected with osteopenia/osteoporosis in premenopausal and postmenopausal (24.4% vs 35.7%; P = 0.0442). Osteopenia in premenopausal and postmenopausal (18.7% vs 29.3%; P = 0.030) and Osteoporosis (9.9% vs 15.9%; P = 0.049) were significantly higher in post-menopausal women than in premenopausal women (P = 0.046). Similarly, vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent among postmenopausal women than menopausal women. Overall, only 15.1% of women had optimum vitamin D level and 15.5% had severe, 33.2% had moderate vitamin D insufficiency and 36.3% had mild vitamin D insufficiency in menopausal and post menopausal women (P = 0.021). The study revealed that vitamin D level, hemoglobin level, serum iron fasting plasma glucose, calcium, triglycerides, high density lipid (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipid (LDL) Cholesterol, alkaline phosphate and magnesium were considerably lower in postmenopausal compared to menopausal women (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The current study revealed that there was a strong association between vitamin D level and BMD in Arab women during the menopausal and post-menopausal period.
miR-135 a-5 p inhibits 3 T 3L 1 adipogenesis through activation of canonical Wnt / b-catenin signaling

MicroRNAs are endogenous, conserved, and non-coding small RNAs that function as post-transcriptional regulators of fat development and adipogenesis. Adipogenic marker genes, such as CCAAT/enhancer binding protein a (Cebpa), peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor g (Pparg), adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (Ap2), and fatty acid synthase (Fas), are regarded as the essential transcriptional regulators of preadipocyte differentiation and lipid storage in mature adipocytes. Canonical Wnt/b-catenin signaling is recognized as a negative molecular switch during adipogenesis. In the present work we found that miR-135a-5p is markedly downregulated during the process of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. Overexpression of miR-135a-5p impairs the expressions of adipogenic marker genes as well as lipid droplet accumulation and triglyceride content, indicating the importance of miR-135a-5p for adipogenic differentiation and adipogenesis. Further studies show that miR-135a-5p directly targets adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc), contributes to the translocation of b-catenin from cytoplasm to nucleus, and then activates the expressions of cyclin D1 (Ccnd1) and Cmyc, indicating the induction of canonical Wnt/b-catenin signaling. In addition, inhibition of APC with siRNA exhibits the same effects as overexpression of miR-135a-5p. Our findings demonstrate that miR-135a-5p suppresses 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis through the activation of canonical Wnt/b-catenin signaling by directly targeting Apc. Taken together, these results offer profound insights into the adipogenesis mechanism and the development of adipose tissue. Key Words
Determinants of Audit fees in a Developing Economy: Evidence from Ghana

Audit fee studies, being a tool to assist negotiation between auditors and clients are regularly undertaken all over the world and essentially stem on the factors prevalent in the specific auditing/accounting environments. The purpose of the study was to examine the determinant of audit fee with empirical evidence from the Ghana stock exchange. Specifically, the study examined audit fee determinant which included the client size, profitability measured by ROA, LOSS, client risk measured by debt ratio, YEAR (season) and MNC. Using the Simunic (1980) model, this study reveals that client’s size of business, international recognition, affiliation of audit firms (Big four firms) and profitability are significant determinants of audit fee in Ghana. Results in study indicate that ignorance of risk factor by the auditors may pose serious threat to fame and reputation of audit firm along with indication of feeble legal regime in Ghana. The results of the study have significant implications for auditors and firms in negotiating audit fees in Ghana. The results of this study is unique as it is the first study that comprehensively examines determinants of audit fees on listed firms in Ghana.
The case for stepped care: Exploring the applicability and cost-utility of stepped-care strategies in the management of depression

This PhD thesis presents an approach to support care professionals in improved clinical decision making with stepped-care heuristics that reduce uncertainty around the prognosis and progression of depression, while avoiding both overtreatment and under-treatment in individual treatment strategies. This thesis also addresses quality improvement in depression care through stepped-care service delivery with care improvement strategies from a chronic care management approach.
RE-EXAMINING DIVIDEND PAYOUT, PROPORTION OF OWNERSHIP AND FIRM’S VALUE IN INDONESIA

We re-examining the impact of dividend policy and proportion of ownership on firm value in the Indonesian Capital Market, which include 2712 firm-year over the period of 2005-2016. Tobin Q measures firm value, dividend payout over net income is a measure of dividend policy, and meanwhile we also include proportion ownership of insider of company, foreign owner and government owner. Panel data regression model is used in our analysis. After controlling with firm specific variables; size of company, liquidity, profitability and leverage, we find that dividend policy is irrelevant in driving the value of firm in Indonesian capital market. This phenomenon might occur in Indonesia because market is characterized by short-term investment prospective from investors. They are less concern on dividend payment, more focus on capital gains. Additionally, it seems that insiders expropriate the firm cash flows for their benefits on the cost of minority shareholders with their control power, consequently value lower by the market. However, the higher the ownership by foreigner impact value higher by the market, positive reaction emerge possibly because the firm perceive applying good corporate governance. Concentrated ownership on government does not have significant relationship with the value of firm.
Influenza-associated deaths among children in the United States, 2003-2004.

BACKGROUND Although influenza is common among children, pediatric mortality related to laboratory-confirmed influenza has not been assessed nationally. METHODS During the 2003-2004 influenza season, we requested that state health departments report any death associated with laboratory-confirmed influenza in a U.S. resident younger than 18 years of age. Case reports, medical records, and autopsy reports were reviewed, and available influenza-virus isolates were analyzed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS One hundred fifty-three influenza-associated deaths among children were reported by 40 state health departments. The median age of the children was three years, and 96 of them (63 percent) were younger than five years old. Forty-seven of the children (31 percent) died outside a hospital setting, and 45 (29 percent) died within three days after the onset of illness. Bacterial coinfections were identified in 24 of the 102 children tested (24 percent). Thirty-three percent of the children had an underlying condition recognized to increase the risk of influenza-related complications, and 20 percent had other chronic conditions; 47 percent had previously been healthy. Chronic neurologic or neuromuscular conditions were present in one third. The mortality rate was highest among children younger than six months of age (0.88 per 100,000 children; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.52 to 1.39 per 100,000). CONCLUSIONS A substantial number of influenza-associated deaths occurred among U.S. children during the 2003-2004 influenza season. High priority should be given to improvements in influenza-vaccine coverage and improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of influenza to reduce childhood mortality from influenza.
Determinants and significance of declining blood pressure in old age. A prospective birth cohort study.

AIMS To investigate the changes in blood pressure and their causes in an elderly population. METHODS Orthostatic blood pressure measurements were performed in randomly in four birth cohorts (years 65-, 75-, 80- and 85, n=773) at 5-year intervals. RESULTS Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased in both genders and all age groups. The falls in blood pressure related closely to initial blood pressure values and to the thickness of the left ventricular posterior wall of the heart. The changes in supine (r=0.118, P=0.007) and standing systolic blood pressure (r=0.123, P=0.005), as well as supine (r=0.148, P<0.001) and standing diastolic blood pressure (r=0.186, P<0.001) correlated with changes in body weight. Changes in supine diastolic blood pressure also related to changes in serum cholesterol (r=0.207, P=0.002) and triglycerides (r=0.160, P=0.016). Changes in supine and standing systolic and standing diastolic blood pressures also related to changes in dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (r=0.161, P<0.05; r=0.205, P<0.01; r=0.140, P<0.05, respectively). Changes in blood pressure also correlated with self-estimated poor health after 5 years (r for supine systolic blood pressure= -0.133, P<0.001, for standing systolic blood pressure= -0.135, P<0.001, for supine diastolic blood pressure= -0.111, P<0.002). PATIENTS who were institutionalized during the follow-up or who had severely impaired performance capacity after 5 years, displayed the most marked decline in blood pressure. Declining systolic blood pressure was also related to impaired survival prognosis. According to the logistic regression analyses the baseline blood pressure, antihypertensive drugs and changes in dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and cholesterol explained over 30% of the changes in blood pressure. In the logistic models, declining blood pressure was associated with baseline blood pressure, antihypertensive treatment, poor health after 5 years, and decreasing cholesterol and triglycerides. CONCLUSION Decline in blood pressure in old age is associated with deteriorating health and is only partly explained by the use of antihypertensive drugs.
The Effect of Flavoring Oral Rehydration Solution on its Composition and Palatability

Objective: As a number of mild to moderately dehydrated children refuse to drink oral rehydration solution (ORS) because of its strong salty taste, many parents and health workers flavor ORS with the childs favorite juice. The effects of flavoring ORS on electrolyte content and osmolality were assessed and the palatability of various solutions were compared with commercially flavored ORS. Methods: Osmolality, sodium, potassium, chloride and glucose content after flavoring with varying concentrations of apple juice, orange juice or orangeade was determined. Two of the solutions were offered to 30 children and adults to assess palatability. Results: All additions to ORS (apple juice, orange juice or orangeade) caused a decrease of sodium (−30 to −53 mmol/L) and chloride (−27 to −47 mmol/L) content, whereas osmolality increased to greater than 311 mOsm/kg. These homemade oral rehydration solutions did not fulfill ESPGAN criteria for ORS, and rehydration will therefore be less effective. The majority of subjects also preferred the commercially flavored ORS. Conclusion: Only very small amounts of apple juice or orange juice can be added to the ORS without significantly altering electrolyte composition and osmolality. Palatability, however, does not improve compared with commercially flavored ORS. We therefore recommend using commercially flavored ORS, the composition of which fulfills ESPGAN criteria.