Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The loss of small groceries and hypermarket growth in Malaysia

The first hypermarkets in Malaysia opened for business in 1994 / 1995. The hypermarkets grew rapidly and symbolised, or led, a change to large-scale grocery retailing, spatially and organisationally. This modernisation, or organisation, was accompanied by a decline of small groceries in residential communities. Soon Malaysian policy makers began to ascribe the decline of small retailers to the hypermarket growth and heralded the possibility of curtailing the hypermarkets to stop the loss of small businesses. In spite of the rhetoric, the number of hypermarkets - and supermarkets - continued to increase. The purpose of this study was to seek to understand and articulate the retail modernisation in Malaysia by large-scale retail and the tens of thousands of small shops at which Malaysian households fundamentally shopped for groceries / provisions until well into the 1990s and which also provided a form of food security in local communities. Data collection included an empirical survey of small groceries in Peninsular Malaysia. The analysis showed that supermarkets affected small groceries more negatively than did the hypermarkets. This was a new empirical finding for Malaysia, but it was hardly a surprising finding.
The Impact of Government Ownership on Banks' Ratings: Evidence from the European Banking Industry

We evaluate the impact of government ownership on the issuer and individual ratings of a sample of 224 large European banks over the 1999-2004 period. Individual ratings differ from traditional ones in that they focus on banks' economic and financial conditions and do not take into account any external support from banks' owners, local or national governments, monetary authorities or other official institutions. Two main results emerge from our analysis. First, after controlling for accounting variables, government-owned banks have a better average issuer rating than privately owned ones, indicating that government-owned banks benefit from a lower cost of debt funding. Second, privately-owned banks have a lower risk of insolvency, as reflected in a better individual rating, than government-owned banks. This result, which remains even after controlling for banks' economic and financial conditions, indicates that government-owned banks benefit from a government protection mechanism in the form of explicit and/or implicit guarantees.
Prediagnostic Sex Steroid Hormones in Relation to Male Breast Cancer Risk.

PURPOSE Although previous studies have implicated a variety of hormone-related risk factors in the etiology of male breast cancers, no previous studies have examined the effects of endogenous hormones. PATIENTS AND METHODS Within the Male Breast Cancer Pooling Project, an international consortium comprising 21 case-control and cohort investigations, a subset of seven prospective cohort studies were able to contribute prediagnostic serum or plasma samples for hormone quantitation. Using a nested case-control design, multivariable unconditional logistic regression analyses estimated odds ratios and 95% CIs for associations between male breast cancer risk and 11 individual estrogens and androgens, as well as selected ratios of these analytes. RESULTS Data from 101 cases and 217 matched controls were analyzed. After adjustment for age and date of blood draw, race, and body mass index, androgens were found to be largely unrelated to risk, but circulating estradiol levels showed a significant association. Men in the highest quartile had an odds ratio of 2.47 (95% CI, 1.10 to 5.58) compared with those in the lowest quartile (trend P = .06). Assessment of estradiol as a ratio to various individual androgens or sum of androgens showed no further enhancement of risk. These relations were not significantly modified by either age or body mass index, although estradiol was slightly more strongly related to breast cancers occurring among younger (age < 67 years) than older men. CONCLUSION Our results support the notion of an important role for estradiol in the etiology of male breast cancers, similar to female breast cancers.
Identifying and Dating Systemic Banking Crises Using Incidence and Size of Bank Failures

We analyse three databases of banking crises and investigate their consistency in the identification and timing of crises. We find that there are large and statistically significant discrepancies between the three datasets. We also compare the dating of banking crises according to these databases using information on the number and size of bank failures for four crises for which the timing strongly differs across these databases. We conclude that information on these variables allows determining the timing of banking crises more precisely. On the basis of our findings, we consider the database compiled by Laeven and Valencia to be the most accurate.
Descriptive Name Services for Large Internets

This thesis addresses the challenge of locating people, resources, and other objects in the global Internet. As the Internet grows beyond a million hosts in tens of thousands of organizations, it is increasingly difficult to locate any particular object. Hierarchical name services are frustrating, because users must guess the unique names for objects or navigate the name space to find information. Descriptive (i.e. relational) name services promise that users can locate resources simply by describing resource attributes. This thesis makes the promise of descriptive name services real by providing fast query processing in large internets. The key to speed in descriptive query processing is constraining the search space using two new techniques, called an active catalog and meta-data caching. The active catalog constrains the search space for a query by returning a list of data repositories where the answer to the query is likely to be found. Components of the catalog are distributed indices that isolate queries to parts of the network, and smart algorithms for limiting the search space by using semantic, syntactic, or structural constraints. Meta-data caching improves performance by keeping frequently used characterizations of the search space close to the user, thus reducing active catalog communication and processing costs. When searching for query responses, these techniques improve query performance by contacting only the data repositories likely to have actual responses, resulting in acceptable search times. The new techniques are integrated with existing data caching techniques through a single mechanism, called a referral. Referrals describe the conditions for using active catalog components, or re-using meta-data or data cache entries. Our prototype descriptive name service called Nomenclator employs these techniques. In one measurement study, Nomenclator consistently improved the performance of descriptive queries in X.500. Another measurement study shows how Nomenclator uses a small investment of network bandwidth and server resources to improve the response time for a wide range of query sizes. An analytical modeling study shows that Nomenclator can amortize this investment over many queries to provide an overall reduction in system load and, as a consequence, better scaling and response time.
Quality and acceptability of traditional styled fried tripe products from buffalo and goat rumen meat.

Rumen meat otherwise known as tripe is one of the important edible offal and the material offers good scope for products processing. Traditional styled fried tripe products were prepared from buffalo and goat tripe and were studied for various physico-chemical, microbial and sensory qualities. Significantly (p<0.01) higher pH, product yield, moisture and fat percentage were observed in fried buffalo tripe product as compared to fried goat tripe product. Protein content of buffalo and goat fried tripe products did not differ significantly between them. Total plate, coliform and yeast and mould counts of buffalo and goat fried tripe products did not differ significantly between them and were within the standards specified for cooked meat products. All sensory scores were better for fried goat tripe product as compared to fried buffalo tripe product. Therefore, it can be concluded that traditional styled fried tripe products prepared from buffalo and goat tripe had better physico- chemical, microbial qualities and sensory scores were rated moderately to highly acceptable.
The impact of salesperson transformational leadership behavior on customer relationship marketing behavior

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact of transformational leadership behavior of salespersons on the level of customers' trust and customers' relationship commitment with the salespersons in the Sri Lankan corporate banking sector.Design/methodology/approach – Based on the literature, it was hypothesized that idealized influence behavior and individualized considerate behavior of salespersons positively affect customers' trust and customers' relationship commitment. A survey was undertaken among 47 sales persons in the Sri Lankan corporate banking sector, and the regression analysis was performed to test hypotheses.Findings – It was found that idealized influence behavior of salespersons positively influences customer trust, which, together with individualized consideration of salespersons, in turn influences customer commitment. It was also found that the joint effect of both customers' trust and individualized considerate behavior of the salesperson is greater than each alone on .
The Impact of Organizational Climate on the Relationship Between Job Characteristics and Job Satisfaction: An Empirical Assessment of Public Sector Managers

This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. For more information, please contact pdxscholar@pdx.edu. Recommended Citation Song, Unsuk, "The Impact of Organizational Climate on the Relationship Between Job Characteristics and Job Satisfaction: An Empirical Assessment of Public Sector Managers" (1992). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 1324.
Low loss and small SiP for DC-DC converters

This paper presents a SiP (system in package) that integrates high-side and low-side MOSFETs and a driver IC. The developed SiP has been realized the smallest mount area and lowest loss of DC-DC converter compared with the conventional devices that have ever been reported. Low-inductance packaging technology and optimization of the MOSFETs and driver IC by the MCM method (MCM: mixed simulation of circuit and MOS-power-devices), reduce the mount area by 60% smaller and reduce the loss by 25% compared with conventional discrete devices, when Vin=12 V, Vout=1.3 V, Iout=25 A, f=1 MHz.
Full waveform inversion of seismic waves reflected in a stratified porous medium

SUMMARY In reservoir geophysics applications, seismic imaging techniques are expected to provide as much information as possible on fluid-filled reservoir rocks. Since seismograms are, to some degree, sensitive to the mechanical parameters and fluid properties of porous media, inversion methods can be devised to directly estimate these quantities from the waveforms obtained in seismic reflection experiments. An inversion algorithm that uses a generalized least-squares, quasi-Newton approach is described to determine the porosity, permeability, interstitial fluid properties and mechanical parameters of porous media. The proposed algorithm proceeds by iteratively minimizing a misfit function between observed data and synthetic wavefields computed with the Biot theory. Simple models consisting of plane-layered, fluid-saturated and poro-elastic media are considered to demonstrate the concept and evaluate the performance of such a full waveform inversion scheme. Numerical experiments show that, when applied to synthetic data, the inversion procedure can accurately reconstruct the vertical distribution of a single model parameter, if all other parameters are perfectly known. However, the coupling between some of the model parameters does not permit the reconstruction of several model parameters at the same time. To get around this problem, we consider composite parameters defined from the original model properties and from ap rioriinformation, such as the fluid saturation rate or the lithology, to reduce the number of unknowns. Another possibility is to apply this inversion algorithm to time-lapse surveys carried out for fluid substitution problems, such as CO2 injection, since in this case only a few parameters may vary as a function of time. We define a two-step differential inversion approach which allows us to reconstruct the fluid saturation rate in reservoir layers, even though the medium properties are poorly known.
An automatic method for determining the anatomical relevant space for fast volumetric cardiac imaging

Fast volumetric cardiac imaging requires to reduce the number of transmit events within a single volume. One way of achieving this is by limiting the field-of-view (FOV) of the recording to the anatomically relevant domain only (e.g. the myocardium when investigating cardiac mechanics). Although fully automatic solutions towards myocardial segmentation exist, translating that information in a fast ultrasound scan sequence is not trivial. The aim of this study was therefore to develop a methodology to automatically define the FOV from a volumetric dataset in the context of anatomical scanning. Hereto, a method is proposed where the anatomical relevant space is automatically identified as follows. First, the left ventricular myocardium is localized in the volumetric ultrasound recording using a fully automatic real-time segmentation framework (i.e. BEAS). Then, the extracted meshes are employed to define a binary mask identifying myocardial voxels only. Later, using these binary images, the percentage of pixels along a given image line that belong to the myocardium is calculated. Finally, a spatially continuous FOV that covers `T' percentage of the myocardium is found by means of a ring-shaped template matching, giving as a result the opening angle and `thickness' for a conical scan. This approach was tested on 27 volumetric ultrasound datasets, a T = 85% was used. The mean initial opening angle for a conical scan was of 19.67±8.53° while the mean `thickness' of the cone was 19.01±3.35°. Therefore, a reduction of 48.99% in the number of transmit events was achieved, resulting in a frame rate gain factor of 1.96. As a conclusion, anatomical scanning in combination with new scanning sequences techniques can increase frame rate significantly while keeping information of the relevant structures for functional imaging.
Methods of a national colorectal cancer cohort study: the PIPER Project.

AIM Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers, and second-leading cause of cancer-related death, in New Zealand. The PIPER (Presentations, Investigations, Pathways, Evaluation, Rx [treatment]) project was undertaken to compare presentation, investigations, management and outcomes by rurality, ethnicity and deprivation. This paper reports the methods of the project, a comparison of PIPER patient diagnoses to the New Zealand Cancer Registry (NZCR) data, and the characteristics of the PIPER cohort. METHOD National, retrospective cohort review of secondary care medical records (public and private) of all cases of ICD-10-AM C18-C20 on the NZCR in the calendar years 2007 and 2008 (main cohort) and an extended sample of Māori and Pacific cases, and non-Māori non-Pacific controls in 2006 and 2009 (extended cohort). RESULTS Of the 6,387 patients identified from the NZCR 5,610 (88%) were eligible for PIPER. Reasons for exclusion were non-adenocarcinoma histology (3%) and non-colorectal primary (2%). Data were collected on 3,695 patients with colon cancer, 1,385 with rectal cancer and 466 with cancer of the recto sigmoid junction. CONCLUSIONS The PIPER Project has generated comprehensive population level data detailing the diagnosis and management of colorectal adenocarcinoma in New Zealand. This will be used to assess the care provided to patients, and the impact of variations in care occurring between patient groups.
Talectomy and Tibiocalcaneal Arthrodesis With Intramedullary Nail Fixation for Treatment of Equinus Deformity in Adults

Background: Severe equinovarus foot deformity in adults is a challenging problem. Conservative treatment rarely is effective, and operative options are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of talectomy and tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis with intramedullary nail fixation for the treatment of severe equinovarus deformity in adults. Methods: Twelve patients (average age 39 years, range 15-70 years) with severe equinovarus deformities of the foot were treated with talectomy and tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis with intramedullary nail fixation between March 2010 and February 2013. Average follow-up was 20 months (range 10-37 months). Results: Tibiocalcaneal fusion was achieved in all patients at an average of 12 weeks (range 8-17 weeks). Preoperatively, all patients had severe, irreducible equinovarus deformities; at last follow-up, almost all feet had mild residual deformity, but were plantigrade and did not require a brace or orthosis. The average AOFAS ankle score improved from 41.1 (range 8-66) preoperatively to 78.4 (range 67-86) postoperatively (P = .02). There was a similar improvement in the average VAS score from 6.3 (range 2-10) preoperatively to 0.8 (range 0-4) postoperatively (P = .02). Conclusion: The combination of talectomy and tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis was effective in correcting severe rigid equinovarus deformity in adults. Removal of the talus resulted in laxity of the soft tissues, making correction of the deformity easier. Tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis achieved a stable foot without the problems associated with talectomy alone. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
Trapping Female Medflies (Ceratitis capitata) by Broadcast of Male Calling Song

Abstract : Attractants for female medflies are of particular interest in monitoring programs where sterile males are released to eradicate incipient populations. A female-targeted trap also could assist the monitoring of mass-trapping suppression efforts in areas of established populations. Mating in this species occurs primarily in leks where groups of males aggregate on the undersides of leaves near the tops of host trees. Each male occupies the underside of a leaf and emits a sex pheromone while vibrating his wings to produce a "calling song", at ca. 350 Hz. When a female lands on top of a leaf and climbs below, the male begins a series of visual displays, and if the female remains interested, he attempts copulation. To consider the feasibility of developing a female-targeted acoustic trap for medflies, we first observed that females landed and remained significantly longer at sites near speakers broadcasting a high-intensity calling song than at sites without song. These results led us to conduct several additional bioassays to determine whether broadcast calling song increased the percentages of females captured in adhesive traps.
Stereological Investigation of Age‐Related Changes of the Capillaries in White Matter

We, for the first time, investigated the age‐related changes of the capillaries in white matter using immunohistochemistry and stereological techniques. Ten young female (7 months) and 10 aged female (27 months) rats were used. The total length, total volume, and total surface area of the capillaries in white matter of aged rats were all significantly lower than those of young rats. The age‐related changes of the capillaries in white matter may have important implications for age‐related white matter atrophy and age‐related cognitive impairments. Anat Rec 293:1400–1407, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimization conditions for anthocyanin and phenolic content extraction form purple sweet potato using response surface methodology

Purple sweet potato flour could be used to enhance the bioactive components such as phenolic compounds and anthocyanin content that might be used as nutraceutical ingredients for formulated foods. Optimization of anthocyanin and phenolic contents of purple sweet potato were investigated using response surface methodology. A face-centered cube design was used to investigate the effects of three independent variables: namely, drying temperature 55–65°C, citric acid concentration 1–3% w/v and soaking time 1–3 min. The optimal conditions for anthocyanin and phenolic contents were 62.91°C, 1.38%, 2.53 min and 60.94°C, 1.04% and 2.24 min, respectively. However, optimal conditions of anthocyanin content were not apparent. The experimental value of anthocyanin content was 19.78 mg/100 g and total phenolic content was 61.55 mg/g. These data showed that the experimental responses were reasonably close to the predicted responses. Therefore, the results showed that treated flours could be used to enhance the antioxidant activities of functional foods.
A specific intermolecular association between the regulatory domains of a Tec family kinase.

Interleukin-2 tyrosine kinase (Itk), is a T-cell specific tyrosine kinase of the Tec family. We have examined a novel intermolecular interaction between the SH3 and SH2 domains of Itk. In addition to the interaction between the isolated domains, we have found that the dual SH3/SH2 domain-containing fragment of Itk self-associates in a specific manner in solution. Tec family members contain the SH3, SH2 and catalytic domains common to many kinase families but are distinguished by a unique amino-terminal sequence, which contains a proline-rich stretch. Previous work has identified an intramolecular regulatory association between the proline-rich region and the adjacent SH3 domain of Itk. The intermolecular interaction between the SH3 and SH2 domains of Itk that we describe provides a possible mechanism for displacement of this intramolecular regulatory sequence, a step that may be required for full Tec kinase activation. Additionally, localization of the interacting surfaces on both the SH3 and SH2 domains by chemical shift mapping has provided information about the molecular details of this recognition event. The interaction involves the conserved aromatic binding pocket of the SH3 domain and a newly defined binding surface on the SH2 domain. The interacting residues on the SH2 domain do not conform to the consensus motif for an SH3 proline-rich ligand. Interestingly, we note a striking correlation between the SH2 residues that mediate this interaction and those residues that, when mutated in the Tec family member Btk, cause the hereditary immune disorder, X-linked agamaglobulinemia.
Labour Migration in South Asia: A Review of Issues, Policies and Practices

This paper reviews migration policy frameworks in South Asia and their implications for governance of migration, protection of migrant workers and maximizing development benefits of migration. The paper takes up a comparative review of different aspects of emigration and immigration policies in South Asian countries as reflected in their respective legislative and policy frameworks and practices. The conclusions identify the crucial role of India as the major emigration-immigration- transit country in the subregion for setting a good practice example in developing comprehensive and transparent migration policies based on international norms.
An evaluation of the API ZYM system as a means of classifying spirochaetes associated with swine dysentery

Thirty-one strains of spirochaetes from pigs and two strains from poultry were tested in the API ZYM enzyme system. The spectrum of enzymatic reactions provided a means of differentiating between strains related to swine dysentery and strains not so related from pigs. The numerical coding system simplified the interpretation of the results.