Extra-gonadal germ cell tumour – what about the testis!

Extra-gonadal germ cell tumours (EGGCT) are rare. Therefore further investigations of the testis is aimed at sourcing a possible primary origin of gonadal tumour. Over the years, various case series on EGGCT have been reported questioning its true nature as in a majority of them, a primary source is found in the testis, thus representing a metastatic gonadal tumour. The testis pathology could be either a true germ cell foci, an intra-tubular epithelial neoplasia or an area of fibrosis, indicating a „burnt out tumour‟. We report a 39-year-old male who underwent laparotomy and excision of a retroperitoneal tumour. Histopathological examination revealed retroperitoneal lymph node of mixed germ cell tumour origin. Clinical and ultrasound examination of bilateral testis was normal. The patient refused orchidectomy or a testicular biopsy. He underwent four cycles of bleomycin, cisplatin, and etoposide with no evidence of tumour recurrence on follow up and remains disease free after 12 months of diagnosis. A literature review of EGGCT, its relation and factors relating with future testicular tumour is presented

Determinants of Online Purchase Intention of Seasonal Goods in Nigeria: A Conceptual Model and Proposition

In the past few decades, studies in online purchase intention have received a great deal of attention from researchers in developed countries compared to developing countries. Despite this growing interest, there is insufficient research on online purchase intention of seasonal goods from existing literature. Hence, this paper aims to examine the determinants of online purchase intention of seasonal goods in Nigeria. The paper identified perceived economic benefit, perceived transaction security as factors that may influence online purchase intention of seasonal goods. The study proposed a quantitative research design. Hence data will be collected from online shoppers in Nigeria purposively selected based on established criteria. The data collected from the field survey will be analyzed with PLS-SEM. The study being a conceptual paper, proposed the relationship between perceived economic benefit, perceived transaction security and online purchase intention of seasonal goods through the mediating role of perceived value. Future researchers should conduct an empirical study using the conceptual framework of this paper. The limitations identified in this paper will facilitate discussions on the need to deepen the understanding of the determinants of online purchase intention of seasonal goods. The study will contribute to the existing literature by identifying the factor (s) that influence the online purchase of seasonal goods. Research paper Keywords: E-Commerce; Online purchase intention; Seasonal goods; Perceived economic benefit; Perceived transaction security and perceived value Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Nwakaji, C., & Goh, Y. N. (2021). Determinants of Online Purchase Intention of Seasonal Goods in Nigeria: A Conceptual Model and Proposition. Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics, 9(2), 218–252.         &nbsp

Evaluating Job Training in Two Chinese Cities

Recent years have seen a surge in the evidence on the impacts of active labor market programs for numerous countries. However, little evidence has been presented on the effectiveness of such programs in China. Recent economic reforms, associated massive lay-offs, and accompanying public retraining programs make China fertile ground for rigorous impact evaluations. This study evaluates retraining programs for laid-off workers in the cities of Shenyang and Wuhan using a comparison group design. To our knowledge, this is the first evaluation of its kind in China. The evidence suggests that retraining helped workers find jobs in Wuhan, but had little effect in Shenyang. However, in terms of earnings impacts, retraining appears to have increased earnings in Shenyang but not in Wuhan. The study raises questions about the overall effectiveness of retraining expenditures, and it offers some directions for policymakers about future interventions to help laid-off workers.Active labor market programs, job training, impact evaluation, propensity score matching, China

Nephrectomy for a case of intrarenal dermoid cyst: was it an appropriate decision?

Dermoid cyst in a kidney is rarely seen. We report a case of intrarenal dermoid cyst which mimics malignant renal tumour and discuss the dilemma in managing this disease

Physical changes to oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) and EFB Mat (Ecomat) during their decomposition in the field

The main objectives of this study were to determine the physical changes in oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) and EFB mat (Ecomat), which were used as soil mulching materials, during their decomposition in the field, as well as to compare the soil water content under these mulches and with bare soil. A field experiment was conducted at an estate using ten-year-old oil palm trees. Experimental design was a Randomized Complete Block with two treatments (EFB and Ecomat) and three replications. EFB was applied at 1000 kg palm-1 as a single layer on the soil surface. Ecomat was applied as a single layer with an area of 4 m2. Physical properties of EFB and Ecomat, measured every two month for six months, were bulk density, water content, water retention, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Soil water content up to 750 mm depth was further measured on a daily basis. Results showed that EFB was better than Ecomat as a mulching material to conserve soil water. As compared to Ecomat, EFB had a lower bulk density (two times less dense), higher saturated hydraulic conductivity (about two times higher) and higher water content (between 20 to 57% more water). EFB was also found to hold its water more strongly than Ecomat. On average, the soil under EFB mulches had, nearly 27% more water than the soil under Ecomat mulches, and 38% more than bare soil. The soil under Ecomat mulches had only 8% more water than bare soil on average. Based on the model simulations, 5 layers of Ecomat would conserve as much soil water as 1 layer of EFB. Both mulching materials were estimated to fully decompose in the field in about 9 months

Which financing model is right for hotel properties? An exploratory study of financing models highlighting the practice and effects of different financing models adopted by hotel industries in USA and Singapore

The high debt-financing model adopted by hotel owners in United States had contributed to a large number of foreclosures during the economic downturn. In contrast, the conservative financing model adopted by hotel owners in Singapore had sheltered them through the past recessions. Cultural values may have influenced the types of financing model adopted by hotel owners. Americans have a value system of using borrowed money to invest, while Singaporeans have a value system of saving for rainy days and spending within one’s means. The studies concluded that hotel owners in the United States and Singapore should consider Juglar’s nine to eleven year business cycle as reference (Juglar, n.d.), and adopt a financing model that undertakes an appropriate level of debt at early stage of economic upturns and when the hotel properties are increasingly enjoying high profitability. At the peak of economic upturns, hotel owners should revert to conservative financing model in preparation for potential economic downturns. As hotel business is a high-risk industry, a Quick Ratio of at least 1.5, and Interest Coverage of at least two must be maintained all the time

A Little Twin Higgs Model

We present a twin Higgs model based on left-right symmetry with a tree level quartic. This is made possible by extending the symmetry of the model to include two Z_2 parities, each of which is sufficient to protect the Higgs from getting a quadratically divergent mass squared. Although both parities are brokenexplicitly, the symmetries that protect the Higgs from getting a quadratically divergent mass are broken only collectively. The quadratic divergences of the Higgs mass are thus still protected at one loop. We find that the fine-tuning in this model is reduced substantially compared to the original left-right twin Higgs model. This mechanism can also be applied to the mirror twin Higgs model to get a significant reduction of the fine-tuning, while keeping the mirror photon massless