The Effects of Competition Policy on TFP Growth: Some Evidence from the Malaysian Electricity Supply Industry

The main objectives of this paper are to measure total factor productivity (TFP) growth in the electricity supply industry in Peninsular Malaysia from 1975 to 2005 and to assess the impact of private entry reforms upon TFP in this industry. Prior to 1995, a government-linked, vertically-integrated electricity utility, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), was essentially the sole operator. However, since 1995 privately-owned Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have also begun generating electricity, all of which is purchased by TNB under fixed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The introduction of IPPs has reduced the need for TNB to find finance for new power plants. It has been argued that the participation of IPPs in the electricity generation industry should also facilitate improvements in industry productivity; however this proposition is yet to be tested. In this study we calculate TFP growth using Törnqvist index methods, finding that there is no direct evidence of productivity improvements attributable to the privatization. Furthermore, it is not clear that consumers have benefited from this, since the PPAs have generally been quite generous to the IPPs in terms of risk sharing and prices paid.

Same same but different? A roundtable discussion on the philosophies, methodologies, and practicalities of conserving cultural heritage in Asia

'Same same but different'. A common expression in Asia. Initially perplexing, its simultaneous embrace of contradiction and similarity is a powerful statement. This simple phrase of four words conveys an acceptance of and tolerance for contradictions, differences, and variations within an understanding of the similarities which link and unite. It is applied to all manner of experiences and aspects of the tangible world. How is this relevant to a roundtable discussion on heritage conservation in Asia. With the addition of a single word, it aptly describes the current tension and discourse that is ongoing within the heritage conservation profession in Asia - 'same same but different - how?' Over the past twenty years there has been much discussion and international debate regarding the boundaries and essence of heritage and these expanding definitions have profound implications for conservation. The inclusion of vernacular forms and the recognition of the inextricable link between places and objects and the socio-cultural interactions which are bound to and constitute them have challenged the heritage conservation sector to rethink some of its foundation assumptions of what and how to conserve. A great deal of this debate is occurring in Asia and is evidenced in the number of regional conferences, charters and proclamations with some variation on this theme. It is a discourse that questions the applicability of 'standards' or notions of intemational best practice as they are introduced - or in some cases imposed - in a wide variety of contexts throughout the region. The debate has also both been driven by and reinforced ideas among many that Asia needs a distinct set of philosophies and methodologies for the conservation of cultural heritage

Characterizing haploinsufficiency of SHELL gene to improve fruit form prediction in introgressive hybrids of oil palm

The fundamental trait in selective breeding of oil palm (Eleais guineensis Jacq.) is the shell thickness surrounding the kernel. The monogenic shell thickness is inversely correlated to mesocarp thickness, where the crude palm oil accumulates. Commercial thin-shelled tenera derived from thick-shelled dura × shell-less pisifera generally contain 30% higher oil per bunch. Two mutations, shᴹᴾᴼᴮ (M1) and shAVROS (M2) in the SHELL gene – a type II MADS-box transcription factor mainly present in AVROS and Nigerian origins, were reported to be responsible for different fruit forms. In this study, we have tested 1,339 samples maintained in Sime Darby Plantation using both mutations. Five genotype-phenotype discrepancies and eight controls were then re-tested with all five reported mutations (shAVROS, shᴹᴾᴼᴮ, shᴹᴾᴼᴮ², shᴹᴾᴼᴮ ³ and shᴹᴾᴼᴮ⁴) within the same gene. The integration of genotypic data, pedigree records and shell formation model further explained the haploinsufficiency effect on the SHELL gene with different number of functional copies. Some rare mutations were also identified, suggesting a need to further confirm the existence of cis-compound mutations in the gene. With this, the prediction accuracy of fruit forms can be further improved, especially in introgressive hybrids of oil palm. Understanding causative variant segregation is extremely important, even for monogenic traits such as shell thickness in oil palm

Dual membrane-spanning anti-sigma factors regulate vesiculation in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron

Bacteroidota are abundant members of the human gut microbiota that shape the enteric landscape by modulating host immunity and degrading dietary- and host-derived glycans. These processes are mediated in part b