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The objective of this paper is to apply the stochastic production frontier methodology to a survey database collected in northern Vietnam. Our study finds that the average technical efficiency of tea production is only about 41 %. Among extension policy measures available to farmers, only training on production inputs has an improving impact on technical efficiency. Other features of policy have no significant effect, contrary to the expectation. The adoption of the oldest variety “Trung-Du” is not a source of inefficiency while the effects of other new varieties are insignificant. The results indicate that there is a great potential for improving production efficiency in the region of the study.

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of anti-leukotrienes and inhaled glucocorticoids as monotherapy in people with asthma. Design: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials comparing anti-leukotrienes with inhaled glucocorticoids for 28 days or more in children and adults. Main outcome measure: Rate of exacerbations that required treatment with systemic glucocorticoids. Results: 13 trials (12 in adults, one in children) met the inclusion criteria; all were in people with mild and moderate asthma. Leukotriene receptor antagonists were compared with inhaled glucocorticoids at a daily dose equivalent to 400–450 μg beclometasone dipropionate. Patients treated with leukotriene receptor antagonists were 60% more likely to suffer an exacerbation requiring systemic glucocorticoids (relative risk 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 2.2; number needed to treat 27, 13 to 81). A 130 ml greater improvement (80 ml to 170 ml) in forced expiratory volume in one second and a 19 l/min greater increase (14 l to 24 l) in morning peak expiratory flow rate were noted in favour of inhaled glucocorticoids. Differences in favour of inhaled glucocorticoids were also observed for nocturnal awakenings, use of rescue β2 agonists, and days without symptoms. Risk of side effects was no different between groups, but leukotriene receptor antagonists were associated a 2.5-fold increase risk of withdrawals due to poor asthma control (relative risk 2.5, 1.8 to 3.5). Conclusions: Inhaled glucocorticoids doses equivalent to 400 μg/day beclometasone are more effective than leukotriene receptor antagonists in the treatment of adults with mild or moderate asthma. There is insufficient evidence to conclude on the efficacy of anti-leukotrienes in children. What is already known on this topic In 2000 a Cochrane systematic review tentatively concluded that control of asthma was better in patients treated with inhaled glucocorticoids as single agents than with anti-leukotrienes The 2002 Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines still classify the role of anti-leukotrienes as “under investigation” What this study adds Anti-leukotrienes as single agent are less effective than low doses of inhaled glucocorticoids for patients with mild and moderate persistent asthma

This paper argues that Pynchon may allude to Marcel Proust through the character Marcel in Part 4 of Gravity's Rainbow and, if so, what that could mean. I trace the textual clues that relate to Proust and analyze what Pynchon may be saying about a fellow great experimental writer.

Call for papers for International Pynchon Week 2013 to be held at Durham University, UK from the 5th-8th of August 2013

Signatura antiga: 365. El document original era en paper, segellat amb el segell del bisbe de València, el qual també usa el bisbe de Vic a falta del seu propi. Notes sobre les dates: Còpia de 1303, febrer, 26 Trasllat del manament que Ramon, bisbe de València, i Ponç, bisbe de Vic, transmeten a Arnau de Soler, ardiaca de Besalú, i Companyó d'Estanyol, prevere del capítol de Girona, de no exigir res per raó de delme al monestir de Sant Daniel

Summary form only given. Much effort has been put in the elucidation of the photochemistry of ClO/sub 2/ in the gas and the condensed phases since the outcome of the reaction pathways may have strong implications for sun-light induced stratospheric chemistry. Gas phase experiments and ab initio calculations have shown the complexity of the photochemical dynamics of ClO/sub 2/, that can dissociate along the pathways ClO+O or Cl+O/sub 2/. It is now clear that the excited state dynamics of the A/spl tilde//sup 2/A/sub 2/ state is determined by a multitude of conical intersections to the optically weak 1/sup 2/A/sub 1/ and the dark 1/sup 1/B/sub 2/ states. In the gas phase the lifetimes of these states before dissociation to the photoproduct can be determined with femtosecond time-resolved mass and photoelectron spectroscopy. We have performed pump-probe spectroscopy with 50 fs temporal resolution, where pump and probe were centered at 403 nm, produced by a frequency-doubled l-kHz amplified Ti:sapphire system, in order to get more insight in the initial dynamics in solution, where features like cage effect, recombination and relaxation to the ground state as well as reaction with the solvent may occur.

This study is designed to investigate the behavioral implications of "Activity-Based Costing" (ABC) in managerial accounting. The objective of the paper is to distinguish the major differences that exist between the ABC and other traditional costing systems. This objective is achieved through the use of an analytical framework and with the aid of an il1ustration. Following illustration presents the practical runifications along with the behavioral implications of the use of ABC in both manufacturing and service oriented companies in different countries. From the logic of the illustration, it becomes evident that ABC, as a revolutionary costing method, among other benefits, has the capacity of being used as an effective managerial problem solving tool. In Addition, the article presents and studies the relevent behavioral factors in the form of following four theses: 1- international, societal, and organizational climate, 2- managerial culture, 3- methods of managerial performance evaluation, and 4- existing organizational control environment. The paper concludes that the apllication of the ABC to different settings and utlizing its benefits, requires the fu11 recognition of its behavioral implications.

This paper examined the relationship between the two basic criteria "virtue" and "competence" in Islamic Management. Studies showed that from the perspective of management scholars in the West virtues and technical competencies have been taken identical and primarily in Western management paradigm no distinction has been drawn between these two measuresin most cases (MC Cowli and Lawtan, 2006). Regarding the fact that virtuesdefinedsomewhatdifferentlyin Islam fromwhat has been inthe West by the dominant view, in this paper by using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews it is tried to answer this question that does virtues have the same value as technical merits and competencies or is there significant difference between them in Islamic management which its basic valueshave differed somewhatfrom thevalues ofWesternmanagement? The statistical population for this study was as follows: a group of faculty members anddoctoral students of management at University of Tehran, University of Tarbiat Modarres and University of Allameh Tabatabaei, well-knowledgeable in principles of Islamic management and also number of Hawzah scholars, typically experts in the field of Islamic management. Findings from the data analysis showed thatrespondents, besides making distinction between virtues and competencies, in most cases have not taken these two criteria necessarily identical from the perspective of Islamic managementand contrary to popular opinion in the West and subsequently in Western management paradigm, virtue and competence criteria are two separate and somewhat different criteria from each other.

In general, due to the preceding of psychological approach over sociological approach in describing organizations, the role of governments and business organizations in developing countries has been argued in this paper. What has been neglected in the related scientific literature inside and abroad the country is role of NGOs in social development. NGOs that their numbers are increasing on a daily basis are divided into two categories of sacred and non-sacred. Some debateshave been made about NGOs, but conceptualizing faith based organizations which are NGO and sacred, has been remained obsolete. A faith-based organization has double effectiveness than other NGOs in providing social services and that is because of its faith capacity. This paper which is a case studysought to reveal the importance of these organizations more than ever before. To do, primarily with explaining normative rationality and conceptualization of faith based organizations, creating this type of organization was justified. Then, it studied these types of organizations. Finally, the role of faith-based organizations to provide social services was discussed.

Numerous management papers emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking among managers, but the issue that has been paid less attention is the link between strategic thinking and values. This link connects moralities with business logic. This paper aims at illustrating and defining conceptual framework for the explanation of connection between ethics and strategic thinking. Based on content analysis method, this research paper examines concepts concerning business in Nahjolbalagheh. It attempts to extract central ideas implied in that noteworthy Islamic source. By evaluating their significance and frequency, these ideas will be our guide for understanding the connection between ethic and strategic thinking. In the model derived from the Nahjolbalagheh, Imam Ali (A.S.) based on a transcendental attitude gives business divine approach along with materialistic one. The model presents ethical indices influencing business by focusing on basic indices of business. It demonstrates thinking criteria in business according to the Nahjolbalagheh. Efficiency of strategic thinking requires presentation of the model that shows the criteria of business strategic in a perfect interaction with moral values and includes ethical content associates with a well-defined process.