Implications of a Doha Agreement on Agricultural Markets in Sudan

The latest round of multilateral trade negotiations was launched at the ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization in Doha, Qatar, in November 2001. Agriculture is a major item on the agenda for the Doha Round. The primary focus is on the three “pillars” of the Uruguay Round agreement—domestic support, market access, and export competition. The framework for a final agreement was finalized at a Ministerial meeting in Geneva in July 2004, but contains few details on modalities (e.g., the formula to be used for reductions in tariffs/increases in tariff-rate quotas, quantitative limitations on domestic support, and the schedule for the elimination of export subsidies). Detailed proposals on a number of these issues were put forward in October 2005 by the European Union and the United States, in addition to the G10 and G20 groups of countries. The Doha Round negotiations have since run into several major hurdles, and it is unclear at this time if, or when, an agreement might be reached. Nevertheless, the range of alternatives for key parameters is becoming increasingly clear. In this paper we analyze empirically the implications of the provisions of a Doha agreement for agricultural markets in Sudan. The analysis is based on the PEATSim model (Partial Equilibrium Agricultural Trade Simulator) developed by the Penn State University in collaboration with the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This dynamic, multi-country, multi-commodity model covers 35 of the major traded agricultural commodities and contains a detailed representation of markets and policies in twelve countries/regions that are particularly significant for world agricultural trade. The model is used to analyze the US, EU, and G20 negotiating proposals from October 2005. The PEATSim model has previously been used to analyze a number of agricultural trade and policy reform scenarios, including global agricultural trade liberalization in all commodities, trade liberalization in global dairy markets, and trade liberalization in coarse grain markets. Sudan is not a currently member of the WTO although it has been in the accession process since 1994. Assuming that Sudan continues outside of WTO membership, its trade policies will not be directly affected by a Doha agreement. But Sudan could be affected significantly by changes in global agricultural markets. Preliminary results using PEATSim indicate an increase in Sudanese production and exports of course grains, peanuts, cotton, sunflowers, and beef due to increases in world prices. Imports of several products increase, especially wheat, rice, and poultry meat. On the whole the preliminary results suggest that Sudanese agriculture should benefit from a Doha agreement.Doha Agreement, Sudan, agricultural markets, trade policy, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Development, International Relations/Trade, Political Economy,

Bit-systolic arithmetic arrays using dynamic differential gallium arsenide circuits

A new family of gallium arsenide circuits for fine grained bit-systolic arithmetic arrays is introduced. This scheme combines features of two recent techniques of dynamic gallium arsenide FET logic and differential dynamic single-clock CMOS logic. The resulting circuits are fast and compact, with tightly constrained series FET propagation paths, low fanout, no dc power dissipation, and depletion FET implementation without level shifting diodes

Measuring sociocultural engagement of health professions education students:a psychometric study

Background: Sociocultural engagement of students refers to broadening viewpoints and providing awareness of, and respect for, diverse backgrounds and perspectives. However, there are no existing validated instruments in the literature for measuring sociocultural engagement of health professions education (HPE) students. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop and validate a questionnaire designed to assess sociocultural engagement among HPE students. Methods: The study included undergraduate HPE students (n = 683) at Gulf Medical University. The initial version of the sociocultural engagement of students’ questionnaire (SESQ) was developed after extensive literature review and guided by the Global Learning Qualifications Framework. We then tested the content validity of the questionnaire by using focus group discussion with subject experts (n = 16) and pilot testing with students (n = 20). We distributed the content-validated version of the SESQ (16 items) to undergraduate students in six HPE colleges. To examine the construct validity and construct reliability of the questionnaire, we conducted exploratory factor analysis, followed by confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the two-factor structure which consists of 13 items with good fitness indices (χ2 = 214.35, df = 61, χ 2/df = 3.51, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.025, and AIC = 208.00). The two factors were sociocultural interactions (8 items) and sociocultural adaptation (5 items). The construct reliability of the total questionnaire is 0.97 and the two factors were 0.93 and 0.92 for sociocultural interactions and sociocultural adaptation, respectively. In addition, there were significant weak correlations between both factors of sociocultural engagement scores and student satisfaction with the university experience (r =.19 for each, P =.01). Conclusions: The sociocultural engagement of students’ questionnaire exhibits good evidence of construct validity and reliability. Further studies will be required to test the validity of this questionnaire in other contexts.</p

Measuring sociocultural engagement of health professions education students:a psychometric study

Background: Sociocultural engagement of students refers to broadening viewpoints and providing awareness of, and respect for, diverse backgrounds and perspectives. However, there are no existing validated instruments in the literature for measuring sociocultural engagement of health professions education (HPE) students. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop and validate a questionnaire designed to assess sociocultural engagement among HPE students. Methods: The study included undergraduate HPE students (n = 683) at Gulf Medical University. The initial version of the sociocultural engagement of students’ questionnaire (SESQ) was developed after extensive literature review and guided by the Global Learning Qualifications Framework. We then tested the content validity of the questionnaire by using focus group discussion with subject experts (n = 16) and pilot testing with students (n = 20). We distributed the content-validated version of the SESQ (16 items) to undergraduate students in six HPE colleges. To examine the construct validity and construct reliability of the questionnaire, we conducted exploratory factor analysis, followed by confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the two-factor structure which consists of 13 items with good fitness indices (χ2 = 214.35, df = 61, χ 2/df = 3.51, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.025, and AIC = 208.00). The two factors were sociocultural interactions (8 items) and sociocultural adaptation (5 items). The construct reliability of the total questionnaire is 0.97 and the two factors were 0.93 and 0.92 for sociocultural interactions and sociocultural adaptation, respectively. In addition, there were significant weak correlations between both factors of sociocultural engagement scores and student satisfaction with the university experience (r =.19 for each, P =.01). Conclusions: The sociocultural engagement of students’ questionnaire exhibits good evidence of construct validity and reliability. Further studies will be required to test the validity of this questionnaire in other contexts.</p

Propolis Modulates Inflammatory Mediators and Improves Histopathology in Male Rats with L-arginine-induced Acute Pancreatitis

ABSTRACT: Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effects of propolis on immune mediators and tissue histopathology in rats with L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods: This study was conducted at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudia Arabia between September and November 2017. A total of 24 male albino Wistar rats were divided into three equal groups. Group one was the negative control, group two was the positive control (L-arginine-induced AP) and group three received treatment (L-arginineinduced AP and propolis). The rats in group three were treated with 100 mg/kg propolis for seven days after AP induction. Pancreatic tissue was evaluated histologically and levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-22 and IL-1β and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured. Results: Propolis reduced the quanitity of proinflammatory molecules (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) in group three compared to group two, significantly increased the overall anti-inflammatory effect of IL-22 (P &lt;0.005) and reduced interstitial inflammation and neutrophil cell infiltration of the pancreatic tissues. Conclusion: Propolis may exert a therapeutic effect in AP. Further studies are required to demonstrate the mechanisms of propolis in AP.Keywords: Propolis; Arginine; Pancreatitis; Interleukins; Cytokinesis; Rats; Saudi Arabia

Construct validity of a questionnaire for measuring student engagement in problem-based learning tutorials

Background: Student engagement is student investment of time and energy in academic and non-academic experiences that include learning, teaching, research, governance, and community activities. Although previous studies provided some evidence of measuring student engagement in PBL tutorials, there are no existing quantitative studies in which cognitive, behavioral, and emotional engagement of students in PBL tutorials is measured. Therefore, this study aims to develop and examine the construct validity of a questionnaire for measuring cognitive, behavioral, and emotional engagement of students in PBL tutorials. Methods: A 15-item questionnaire was developed guided by a previously published conceptual framework of student engagement. Focus group discussion (n = 12) with medical education experts was then conducted and the questionnaire was piloted with medical students. The questionnaire was then distributed to year 2 and 3 medical students (n = 176) in problem-based tutorial groups at the end of an integrated course, where PBL is the main strategy of learning. The validity of the internal structure of the questionnaire was tested by confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modeling assuming five different models. Predictive validity evidence of the questionnaire was studied by examining the correlations between students’ engagement and academic achievement. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis indicates a good fit between the measurement and structural model of an 11-item questionnaire composed of a three-factor structure: behavioral engagement (3 items), emotional engagement (4 items), and cognitive engagement (4 items). Models in which the three latent factors were considered semi-independent provided the best fit. The construct reliabilities of behavioral, cognitive, and emotional factors were 0.82, 0.82, and 0.76, respectively. We failed however to find significant relationships between academic achievement and engagement. Conclusions: We found a strong evidence to support the construct validity of a three-factor structure of student engagement in PBL tutorial questionnaire. Further studies are required to test the validity of this instrument in other educational settings. The predictive validity is another area needing further scrutiny.</p

The effect of diode laser and topical steroid on serum level of TNF-alpha in oral lichen planus patients

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common chronic inflammatory mucosal disease with a multifactorial etiology. It is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease in which the cytotoxic CD8+T cells trigger apoptosis of the basal cells of oral epithelium. Various treatment regimens have been employed for management of symptomatic OLP. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of topical steroids as well as laser on the clinical signs and symptoms detected by reticular, atrophic, erosive score (RAE score) and tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) level in the serum of patients with symptomatic OLP. The study was conducted on twenty-four patients (18 females and 6 males) with symptomatic OLP that were allocated into two groups. Each included twelve patients. The first group treated either with diode laser (970nm SIROLaser Advance class IIIb, SIRONA The Dental Company, Germany) twice weekly with maximum of ten sessions while the second group were treated with topical corticosteroids (0.1% triamcinolone acetonide orabase, Kenacort-A Orabase Pomad, DEVA HOLDING A.Ș, Istanbul, Turkey) for four weeks. Corticosteroids group showed less clinical signs and symptoms of reticular, atrophic, erosive RAE score (p=0.02) and TNF-α serum level (p=0.028) than diode laser group with no reported therapy side effects or complications in any of the treated patients. Topical steroids reduce pain, reticular, atrophic, erosive RAE score and TNF-α serum level more than laser treatment. Moreover, laser treatment can be used as an alternative treatment when steroids are contraindicated for the treatment of symptomatic OLP

A Delayed Black and Scholes Formula I

In this article we develop an explicit formula for pricing European options when the underlying stock price follows a non-linear stochastic differential delay equation (sdde). We believe that the proposed model is sufficiently flexible to fit real market data, and is yet simple enough to allow for a closed-form representation of the option price. Furthermore, the model maintains the no-arbitrage property and the completeness of the market. The derivation of the option-pricing formula is based on an equivalent martingale measure

Evaluation of bituminous mixes in pavement structures interim report III - A preliminary study of the use of the stiffness concept in minimizing

Transverse cracking in flexible highway pavements is considered to be a serious and extensive problem by the asphalt paving technologist. There is a wide adreement that these cracks are caused primarily by the thermal contraction of the pavement structure at low temperatures and appear in the surface when asphalt concrete pavement has been unable to absorb the strains generated by the thermal contraction forces. This cracking of the asphalt concrete is related to the rheological properties of the bitumen, and it sppears necessary that a state highway department be able to specify bitumens which can accomodate the thermal strains imposed by the various environmental conditions encountered. To accomplish this, numerous investigations have been directed towards characterizing the rheological and consistency properties of the bitumens at low temperatures. These studies indicated that the most satisfactory parameter to characterize the low-temperature response of binders and mixtures is the "stiffness modulus". The use of a lmiting stiffness value, or what is called a "critical" stiffness value, seems to be a very useful quantitative guide in selecting asphalt cements that will enable low-temperature transverse pavement cracking to be avoided during a pavement's service life. This report reviews the literature related to the different direct and indirect methods of determining the stiffness modulus of asphalt binders and/or mixtures. The concept of limiting stiffness in selecting asphalt binders was extensively reviewed and the main findings are included.Interim Report IIIN