Cooperative Enterprise and Organization Theory: An Appraisal

Agribusiness,

ROLE OF MARKETING AND PROCUREMENT SYSTEMS IN THE CONTROL OF AGRICULTURE

Marketing,

A MARKOV CHAIN ANALYSIS OF PORK FARM SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS IN THE SOUTH: COMMENT

Livestock Production/Industries,

'Smart' design: greening the Total Product System

About the book: Since the Rio summit in 1992, the paradigm of corporate environmental responsibility has gradually and consistently extended beyond complying with increasingly stringent environmental regulation and taking up the proactive initiatives of a few world-class companies. Research indicates that the business and financial performance of companies may depend directly on socially and environmentally responsible business practices. Many world-class companies now realize that customers and other stakeholders do not distinguish between a company and its suppliers. As a result, greening the supply chain is an innovative idea which is fast gaining attention in the industry. Greening the Supply Chain is a compilation of important chapters written by a diverse set of international authors which incorporates a broad variety of perspectives. Note: Smart car refers to Smart City coupe and Fortwo, and all terms are registered trademarks of MCC (micro compact car)

Japan's monetary policy transition, 1955-2004

This paper surveys the postwar evolution of Bank of Japan (BOJ) monetary policy. Using both qualitative and quantitative data, we describe the changes in the money supply process in response to changing institutional constraints. We focus on the transition from quantitative to qualitative control mechanisms, illuminating, in particular, the important role of the BOJ’s lending guidance (window guidance) in the early periods and financial liberalization in subsequent periods. Monetary policy reaction functions are estimated and used to verify major changes in policy instruments, targets, and indicators.Japanese Monetary Policy

Iron metabolism and biomarkers in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a progressive disease characterised by increased vascular resistance and remodelling of the pulmonary vasculature. This causes strain on the right ventricle, leading eventually to failure and death. Iron status is thought to influence pulmonary vascular tone, particularly in hypoxia, and may be important in IPAH. Proteomic studies of lung tissues from IPAH patients versus control lobectomy samples revealed downregulated levels of the haemoglobin- and haem-scavenging proteins haptoglobin (Hp) and haemopexin. Plasma levels of Hp were also reduced in IPAH and related to the Hp genotype. Consistently low Hp levels were associated with dysregulated iron homeostasis in IPAH patients. Iron deficiency, as defined by raised plasma soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) levels, was prevalent in IPAH patients and related to increased levels of the master iron regulator hepcidin. Iron deficiency was also associated with poor exercise capacity, disease progression and mortality. Circulating sTfR levels were compared against other iron-related and established prognostic biomarkers in IPAH, including N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), red cell distribution width (RDW), growth differentiation factor-15 and interleukin-6. All predicted survival and related to disease severity in IPAH, but RDW and NT-proBNP provided the most information when clinical and haemodynamic indices were considered. Dysfunctional bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor type II (BMPR2) signalling contributes to idiopathic as well as heritable PAH. Downregulation of BMPR2, but not the other type II BMP receptors ActRIIA and ActRIIB, led to increased hepcidin expression and secretion in response to BMP-6 stimulation in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Hepcidin expression was also enhanced in rat lung tissue following 1 or 2 weeks exposure to hypoxia. In conclusion, dysregulation of iron homeostasis is common in IPAH and appears to be important clinically. Increased hepcidin levels may contribute to this phenomenon and reflect the dysfunctional BMPR2 signalling associated with the disease

Japan's Monetary Policy Transition, 1955-2004

This paper surveys the postwar evolution of Bank of Japan (BOJ) monetary policy. Using both qualitative and quantitative data, we describe the changes in the money supply process in response to changing institutional constraints. We focus on the transition from quantitative to qualitative control mechanisms, illuminating, in particular, the important role of the BOJ=s lending guidance (Awindow guidance@) in the early periods and financial liberalization in subsequent periods. Monetary policy reaction functions are estimated and used to identify major changes in policy instruments, targets, and indicators. We analyze the historical behavior of the money multipliers and their components, highlighting reasons for their current depressed state. We conclude with comments on current challenges facing the monetary authorities.Monetary policy, Bank of Japan

Cold-Formed Steel Sections with Web Openings Subjected to Web Crippling under Two-Flange Loading Conditions — Part I : Tests and Finite Element Analysis

The results of 82 web crippling tests are presented, with 20 tests conducted on channel sections without web openings and 62 tests conducted on channel sections with web openings. The tests consider both end-two-flange and interior-two-flange loading conditions. In the case of the tests with web openings, the hole was located directly under the concentrated load. The concentrated load was applied through bearing plates; the effect of different bearing lengths is investigated. In addition, the cases of both flanges fastened and unfastened to the support were considered. A non-linear elasto-plastic finite element model is described, and the results compared against the laboratory test results; a good agreement was obtained in terms of both strength and failure modes

ADVERTISING-PRICING CONDUCT IN MEAT RETAILING

Marketing,