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Fulltext Financing universal coverage in Malaysia: a case study

Chua HT, Cheah JC

BMC Public Health, 2012;12 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S7.
PMID: 22992444 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-S1-S7

One of the challenges to maintain an agenda for universal coverage and equitable health system is to develop effective structuring and management of health financing. Global experiences with different systems of health financing suggests that a strong public role in health financing is essential for health systems to protect the poor and health systems with the strongest state role are likely the more equitable and achieve better aggregate health outcomes. Using Malaysia as a case study, this paper seeks to evaluate the progress and capacity of a middle income country in terms of health financing for universal coverage, and also to highlight some of the key underlying health systems challenges.The WHO Health Financing Strategy for the Asia Pacific Region (2010-2015) was used as the framework to evaluate the Malaysian healthcare financing system in terms of the provision of universal coverage for the population, and the Malaysian National Health Accounts (2008) provided the latest Malaysian data on health spending. Measuring against the four target indicators outlined, Malaysia fared credibly with total health expenditure close to 5% of its GDP (4.75%), out-of-pocket payment below 40% of total health expenditure (30.7%), comprehensive social safety nets for vulnerable populations, and a tax-based financing system that fundamentally poses as a national risk-pooled scheme for the population.Nonetheless, within a holistic systems framework, the financing component interacts synergistically with other health system spheres. In Malaysia, outmigration of public health workers particularly specialist doctors remains an issue and financing strategies critically needs to incorporate a comprehensive workforce compensation strategy to improve the health workforce skill mix. Health expenditure information is systematically collated, but feedback from the private sector remains a challenge. Service delivery-wise, there is a need to enhance financing capacity to expand preventive care, in better managing escalating healthcare costs associated with the increasing trend of non-communicable diseases. In tandem, health financing policies need to infuse the element of cost-effectiveness to better manage the purchasing of new medical supplies and equipment. Ultimately, good governance and leadership are needed to ensure adequate public spending on health and maintain the focus on the attainment of universal coverage, as well as making healthcare financing more accountable to the public, particularly in regards to inefficiencies and better utilisation of public funds and resources.

Matched MeSH terms: Universal Coverage/economics*
Quantifying an influence of green credit on digital technology innovation: financial perspective of a China's case study

Ke W, Lu S

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Apr;30(17):49744-49759.
PMID: 36781669 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25691-5

This paper examines the impact of green credit (GC) on digital technology innovation based on Chinese enterprises using panel data from 1990 to 2016. The study collected panel data from the 40 Chinese firms listed on the Beijing and Wuhan stock markets. Manufacturing companies were selected because they mainly contribute to green credit from pre- and post-policy periods. First, in the "two high and one surplus" sectors, the application of China's Green Credit 2012 could significantly increase total factor digital technology innovation by 1.21%. Results show a considerable drop in the variable values of digital technology innovation, 61.3%; green credit policy, 10.45%; leverage, 21.0%; and green innovation, 85.4%. The results of the absolute value of standard error after matching is much lower than 20.0%, demonstrating that the variable features of the two sets of samples are similar. In conclusion, GC's impact on the FDI of capital was asymmetrical, reflecting various impacts on businesses with various types of property rights and sizes.

Matched MeSH terms: Inventions/economics
Fulltext The impact of digital inclusive finance on environmental pollution: A case study of air pollution

Wang Z, Fan M, Fan Y

PLoS One, 2024;19(7):e0305963.
PMID: 39047026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305963

This study delves into the impact of digital inclusive finance on environmental pollution, with a specific focus on air pollution. Utilizing data from 265 Chinese cities, advanced econometric methods such as the bi-directional fixed effects model, threshold model, spatial Durbin model, and multi-period difference-in-differences model are employed, incorporating a variety of control variables. The empirical findings indicate that digital inclusive finance significantly reduces air pollution. This mechanism chiefly operates through enhancing public environmental consciousness and fostering green technological innovation. The study also uncovers the spatial spillover effect and non-linear characteristics of digital inclusive finance on air pollution, along with its interactive effects with specific policies (e.g., smart city pilot policies and the "major protection, no major development" initiative). Moreover, heterogeneity analysis reveals regional variations in the environmental effects of digital inclusive finance. These insights provide a novel perspective on the relationship between financial technology and environmental protection and offer crucial guidance for policymaking.

Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollution/economics
Fulltext The short- and long-run effect of human capital on income inequality: Empirical evidence in the ASEAN region

Vo DH, Vo AT, Ho CM

PLoS One, 2024;19(7):e0304678.
PMID: 39083555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304678

Human capital is a nation's primary source of inner strength to achieve sustainable economic growth and development. Meanwhile, income inequality is a critical issue preventing sustainable economic growth and social transformation, especially in developing countries. This paper investigates the effect of human capital on income inequality in both the short and long term using the mean group, pooled mean group, and threshold regressions for the ASEAN-7 (including Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) from 1992 to 2018. The paper develops a theoretical linkage between human capital and income inequality by combining the learning theory and the Kuznets hypothesis. This linkage is then tested using data from the ASEAN countries. Findings from the paper indicate that human capital reduces income inequality in the short run in the ASEAN countries. However, the effect is reverted in the long run, suggesting that human capital may increase the income gap in these countries. Particularly, the inverted U-shaped relationship between human capital and income inequality is established for the ASEAN countries whose GDP per capita is lower than USD 8.2 thousand per year. In contrast, the U-shaped relationship is found for the countries with income per capital of more than USD 8.2 thousand. All these findings suggest that social policies targeting reducing income inequality should be prioritized and stay at the centre of any economic policies to achieve sustainable economic growth and development in the ASEAN countries.

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries/economics
Paving the way for affordable and equitable liposomal amphotericin B access worldwide

Lee JSF, Cohen RM, Khan RA, Burry J, Casas EC, Chung HY, et al.

Lancet Glob Health, 2024 Sep;12(9):e1552-e1559.
PMID: 39151989 DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00225-0

Amphotericin B has long been crucial for treating many serious infectious diseases, such as invasive fungal infections and visceral leishmaniasis, particularly for patients who are immunocompromised, including those with advanced HIV infection. The conventional amphotericin B deoxycholate formulation has largely been replaced in high-income countries with liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB), which has many advantages, including lower rates of adverse events, such as nephrotoxicity and anaemia. Despite an evident need for LAmB in low-income and middle-income countries, where mortality from invasive fungal infections is still substantial, many low-income and middle-income countries still often use the amphotericin B deoxycholate formulation because of a small number of generic formulations and the high price of the originator LAmB. The pricing of LAmB is also highly variable between countries. Overcoming supply barriers through the availability of additional quality-assured, generic formulations of LAmB at accessible prices would substantially facilitate equitable access and have a substantial effect on mortality attributable to deadly fungal infections.

Matched MeSH terms: Drugs, Generic/economics
Green finance and environmental, social, and governance: evidence from Chinese listed companies

Wu J, Liew CY

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Nov;30(51):110499-110514.
PMID: 37792189 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30139-x

In recent years, academics have paid more attention to green finance, and public companies have reached a broad consensus on the concept of timely environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure. Due to the close relationship between green finance and ESG, this presents an opportunity to determine whether green finance compels companies to actively disclose ESG. The sample for this study consists of China's non-financial A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2021, and the empirical findings demonstrate that green finance can positively influence the ESG performance of listed companies. Through an analysis of heterogeneity, this study reaches the following conclusions: state-owned enterprises, heavy pollution companies, and companies in low-carbon pilot cities perform better in terms of green finance's role in promoting ESG scoring. This study also introduces market concentration and social trust as the moderating variables, enriching the green finance research framework. Through the analysis of moderating variables, the 'black box' effect of green finance on ESG is disclosed, providing theoretical support for the government and companies to better comprehend the policy effect as well as a reference for reform and experimental promotion of green finance.

Matched MeSH terms: Commerce/economics
Fulltext Enhanced forecasting of rice price and production in Malaysia using novel multivariate fuzzy time series models

Bilal M, Alrasheedi MA, Aamir M, Abdullah S, Norrulashikin SM, Rezaiy R

Sci Rep, 2024 Dec 02;14(1):29903.
PMID: 39622831 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-77907-4

A significant portion of the world's population relies on rice as a primary source of nutrition. In Malaysia, rice production began in the early 1960s, which led to the cultivation of the country's most significant food crop up till the present day. Research on various aspects of the price and production of rice has been done by various methods in the past. In this study, we have adopted novel multivariate fuzzy time series models (MFTS) i.e. fuzzy vector autoregressive models (FVAR) alongside conventional vector autoregressive model (VAR) for assessing rice price and production using a dataset from the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MERDI). The proposed method(s) especially with the usage of Trapezoidal Fuzzy Numbers (TrFNs) have commendable accuracy with great future forecasts over the VAR model. The model selection was made by the least MAPE with the corresponding highest Relative Efficiency as criteria. The study fills the gap in applying advanced fuzzy models for rice forecasting, aiming to improve accuracy using fuzzy vector autoregressive (FVAR) models with Triangular Fuzzy Numbers (TFNs) and Trapezoidal Fuzzy Numbers (TrFNs) over traditional VAR models. The study's findings imply that the enhanced forecasting accuracy of FVAR models with Trapezoidal Fuzzy Numbers (TrFNs) can significantly assist local farmers and stakeholders in making informed decisions about production and pricing. This improved forecasting capability is expected to promote business growth within the Malaysian market and facilitate increased rice exports, ultimately contributing to the country's economic prosperity.

Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture/economics
Fulltext Use of multiple data sources to estimate the economic cost of dengue illness in Malaysia

Shepard DS, Undurraga EA, Lees RS, Halasa Y, Lum LCS, Ng CW

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2012 Nov;87(5):796-805.
PMID: 23033404 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.12-0019

Dengue represents a substantial burden in many tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. We estimated the economic burden of dengue illness in Malaysia. Information about economic burden is needed for setting health policy priorities, but accurate estimation is difficult because of incomplete data. We overcame this limitation by merging multiple data sources to refine our estimates, including an extensive literature review, discussion with experts, review of data from health and surveillance systems, and implementation of a Delphi process. Because Malaysia has a passive surveillance system, the number of dengue cases is under-reported. Using an adjusted estimate of total dengue cases, we estimated an economic burden of dengue illness of US$56 million (Malaysian Ringgit MYR196 million) per year, which is approximately US$2.03 (Malaysian Ringgit 7.14) per capita. The overall economic burden of dengue would be even higher if we included costs associated with dengue prevention and control, dengue surveillance, and long-term sequelae of dengue.

Matched MeSH terms: Dengue/economics
Abusive head trauma: Annual medical costs for inpatient care of children managed at a single tertiary care centre in Malaysia

Rais UM, Marret MJ, Azzeri A

Child Abuse Negl, 2024 Dec;158:107126.
PMID: 39488966 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107126

BACKGROUND: Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a leading cause of traumatic head injury in young children. This study estimated the annual direct medical cost of managing AHT at a single tertiary care centre in Malaysia.
METHODS: Criteria were set for categorisation of patients as moderate or severe based on resource utilisation. The two methods used for cost computation were (1) cost estimation based on predefined clinical pathways for case management (2) computation of actual costs using patient-level data from retrospective review of all AHT admissions in 2021. Both methods utilised a combination of activity-based and top-down costing according to availability of reference data. Costs are presented in USD.
RESULTS: Costs for 9 severe and 3 moderate cases in 2021 amounted to $70,532.16, of which 93 % was for severe cases. Cost estimate for moderate cases was $2009.88 while actual costs ranged between $749.37-3115.47 (median $1422.76). Cost estimates of $15,125.76-$17,958.18 for severe cases exceeded actual costs of $2195.57-$13,186.03 (median $7379.40) for severe cases due to shorter-than-expected duration of stay, with only 2 who underwent neurosurgical procedures. Major cost contributors were duration of stay, intensive care, ventilation and neurosurgical procedures.
CONCLUSION: Cost comparison utilising predefined treatment standards versus actual patient data which reveals major cost determinants enables refinement of budget allocation. Median medical costs for severe cases which exceeded the monthly income ceilings of low- and middle-income households in Malaysia demonstrate the economic burden of AHT, reinforcing the need to invest in prevention.

Matched MeSH terms: Hospitalization/economics
Fulltext Impact of low-carbon economic policies on the corporate environmental responsibility model in China

Liu H, Lbrahim H, Song M

PLoS One, 2025;20(1):e0314589.
PMID: 39823423 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314589

This study investigates the impact of low-carbon economic policies on Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER) in Chinese A-share listed companies, with a particular focus on the role of financing constraints as a mediating factor. Despite a decrease in environmental pollution incidents in 2022, the economic and social impacts of such incidents remain significant, highlighting the need for stronger environmental governance. Building upon previous research, this study utilizes data from the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges (2010-2020) and employs a Difference-in-Differences (DID) model to assess the effects of low-carbon economic policies introduced in 2016 on CER. The findings reveal that these policies positively influence CER and that financial constraints act as a mediator. The study finds how low-carbon policies indirectly promote environmental commitments by alleviating financial barriers. The research provides valuable insights for policy formulation, advocating for intensified reforms on the financial supply side to foster a sustainable economic framework. Additionally, it underscores the importance of implementing robust low-carbon policies to elevate corporate environmental responsibility. However, the study also notes limitations related to data scope and potential external factors influencing the results. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable development, offering a blueprint for harmonizing economic growth with environmental preservation and informing future research in this area.

Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Pollution/economics
Revitalizing plastic wastes employing bio-circular-green economy principles for carbon neutrality

Rani A, Negi S, Fan C, Lam SS, Kim H, Pan SY

J Hazard Mater, 2024 Jul 05;472:134394.
PMID: 38703690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134394

The use of plastics has become deeply ingrained in our society, and there are no indications that its prevalence will decrease in the foreseeable future. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the global plastic waste disposal landscape, examining it through regional perspectives, various management technologies (dumping or landfilling, incineration, and reuse and recycling), and across different sectors including agriculture and food, textile, tourism, and healthcare. Notably, this study compiles the findings on life-cycle carbon footprints associated with various plastic waste management practices as documented in the literature. Employing the bio-circular-green economy model, we advocate for the adoption of streamlined and sustainable approaches to plastic management. Unique management measures are also discussed including the utilization of bioplastics combined with smart and efficient collection processes that facilitate recycling, industrial composting, or anaerobic digestion. Moreover, the integration of advanced recycling methods for conventional plastics with renewable energy, the establishment of plastic tax and credits, and the establishment of extended producer responsibility are reviewed. The success of these initiatives relies on collaboration and support from peers, industries, and consumers, ultimately contributing to informed decision-making and fostering sustainable practices in plastic waste management.

Matched MeSH terms: Refuse Disposal/economics
Fulltext Beyond borders: Decoding the influence of economic development, money confidence, financial market, and purchasing power on currency internationalization

Cao Z, Soh W, Razak NHA, Noordin BAA

PLoS One, 2025;20(2):e0317765.
PMID: 39933010 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0317765

Due to dedollarization and deglobalization trends, countries are pursuing currency diversification to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar and mitigate currency risks. The research on the drivers of currency internationalization still faces problems such as small sample sizes, fewer methods, and incomplete theoretical frameworks. This study aims to investigate the effects of economic development, money confidence, and the financial market on currency internationalization. It also explores whether purchasing power mediates the relationships between the first two exogenous variables and currency internationalization. The Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method is used to analyze secondary data from 9 of the 10 most used currencies (excluding the euro) from 2000 to 2020 to examine these relationships. The findings show that economic development and money confidence have negative and significant relationships with currency internationalization, while financial market and purchasing power have positive and significant relationships with currency internationalization. The relationships between economic development and currency internationalization, as well as between money confidence and currency internationalization, are both mediated by purchasing power. These mediation effects are partially complementary mediation effects. Accordingly, to promote currency internationalization, this study recommends governments should adopt policies to develop the financial market, increase openness, and reduce capital controls. It also highlights the importance of managing inflation, diversifying reserve assets, and maintaining a flexible exchange rate to prevent currency depreciation. This study is limited by the exclusion of the euro, reliance on hard data, a small sample size, and a narrow focus on economic factors.

Matched MeSH terms: Commerce/economics
The Development of Health Services in the colonies--a study of British Malaya and Singapore

Phua KH

Asia Pac J Public Health, 1989;3(4):315-23.
PMID: 2700659
Matched MeSH terms: Health Services/economics
Analysis of the economic and environmental imperatives of the service sector: The role of government in promoting sustainable development

Ehigiamusoe KU, Lee CC, Lean HH

J Environ Manage, 2025 Mar;376:124470.
PMID: 39929127 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124470

The important role of the service sector in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-8 and SDG-13) cannot be overemphasized. Precisely, SDG-8 focuses on the promotion of sustained economic growth while SDG-13 entails the mitigation of climate change and its impacts. Stakeholders are expected to embrace sustainable policies and redesign business processes to tackle the environmental issues associated with the service sector. Besides, nations use government consumption expenditure and tax revenue to boost the service sector's activities, which could have ramifications for environmental sustainability. Hence, this study is motivated by the need to ensure a balance between the economic and environmental imperatives of the service sector. The objective is to analyse the economic and environmental impacts of the service value added in Southeast Asia during 1990-2020. It also seeks to determine the moderating roles of government consumption expenditure and tax revenue on the economic and environmental impacts of the service value added. The estimation methods utilized are the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) and Instrumental Variables (IV) techniques. The empirical results of the economic growth model indicate that the service value added accelerates economic growth while the environmental quality model suggests that the service value added intensifies carbon emissions and ecological footprint. The results of the interaction model show that government consumption expenditure and tax revenue mitigate the environmental impact of the service value added. This study represents an innovative idea that unravels both the direct and indirect impacts of the service sector on economic and environmental sustainability. The implication of this study is that service industry should conduct service activities in an environmentally friendly manner while policymakers should use government expenditure and tax to mitigate the environmental problems associated with the service sector.

Matched MeSH terms: Conservation of Natural Resources/economics
The perceived cancer-related financial hardship among patients and their families: a systematic review

Azzani M, Roslani AC, Su TT

Support Care Cancer, 2015 Mar;23(3):889-98.
PMID: 25337681 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-014-2474-y

PURPOSE: The escalating health-care spending for cancer management has caused cancer patients to struggle further as a result of financial burden. This systematic review was carried out to investigate the prevalence of perceived financial hardship and associated factors among cancer patients and their families.
METHODS: A systematic search for studies concerning the perception of financial burden among cancer patients and their families was conducted. Several electronic resources such as Medline, Elsevier (Science Direct), Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus (SciVerse) were searched. Additionally, manual search through indices citation was also thoroughly utilized. The main outcome of interest was the prevalence of perceived financial hardship among cancer patients and their families. Studies reported only the cost of cancer treatment and qualitative studies were excluded. Our search was limited to articles that were published from 2003 to 2013.
RESULT: Ten studies were included in this review and with a majority originating from high-income countries. The prevalence of the financial burden perception was reported between 14.8 and 78.8 %. The most frequent and significant risk factor reported associated with the perception of financial difficulty was the households with low income. Discontinuation of treatment and poverty were conversely the important consequences of financial burden in cancer patients and their families.
CONCLUSION: Evidently, cancer is a long-term illness that requires a high financial cost, and a significant number of cancer patients and families struggle with financial difficulty. Identifying such groups with a high risk of facing financial difficulty is a crucial measure to ensure safety nets are readily available for these targeted population.

Matched MeSH terms: Delivery of Health Care/economics; Neoplasms/economics*; Caregivers/economics
Choosing between 7-, 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in childhood: a review of economic evaluations (2006-2014)

Wu DB, Chaiyakunapruk N, Chong HY, Beutels P

Vaccine, 2015 Mar 30;33(14):1633-58.
PMID: 25681663 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.01.081

BACKGROUND: Seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV7) have been used in children for more than a decade. Given the observed increase in disease caused by pneumococcal serotypes not covered by PCV7, an increasing number of countries are switching from 7-valent to 10- and 13-valent PCVs ("PCV10" and "PCV13"). Economic evaluations are important tools to inform decisions and price negotiations to make such a switch.
OBJECTIVE: This review aims to provide a critical assessment of economic evaluations involving PCV10 or PCV13, published since 2006.
METHODS: We searched Scopus, ISI Web of Science (SCI and SSCI) and Pubmed to retrieve, select and review relevant studies, which were archived between 1st January 2006 and 31st January 2014. The review protocol involved standard extraction of assumptions, methods, results and sponsorships from the original studies.
RESULTS: Sixty-three economic evaluations on PCVs published since January 2006 were identified. About half of these evaluated PCV10 and/or PCV13, the subject of this review. At current prices, both PCV13 and PCV10 were likely judged preferable to PCV7. However, the combined uncertainty related to price differences, burden of disease, vaccine effectiveness, herd and serotype replacement effects determine the preference base for either PCV10 or PCV13. The pivotal assumptions and results of these analyses also depended on which manufacturer sponsored the study.
CONCLUSION: A more thorough exploration of uncertainty should be made in future analyses on this subject, as we lack understanding to adequately model herd and serotype replacement effects to reliably predict the population impact of PCVs. The introduction of further improved PCVs in an environment of evolving antibiotic resistance and under the continuing influence of previous PCVs implies that the complexity and data requirements for relevant analyses will further increase. Decision makers using these analyses should not just rely on an analysis from a single manufacturer.
KEYWORDS: Cost-effectiveness; Cost–benefit; Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Matched MeSH terms: Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine/economics*; Pneumococcal Infections/economics; Pneumococcal Vaccines/economics*
The cost-effectiveness of boceprevir for hepatitis C

Neoh CF, Kong DC

Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res, 2014 Jun;14(3):319-34.
PMID: 24708054 DOI: 10.1586/14737167.2014.906306

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is costly to treat and, has high morbidity and mortality. The addition of new protease inhibitors (i.e., boceprevir, telaprevir), to the standard dual therapy with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin, for the treatment of HCV infection has demonstrated superior efficacy with shorter treatment duration, but at higher drug acquisition costs and incidence of adverse events. Robust economic data are required to inform healthcare decision for the optimal use of these expensive antiviral agents. Accordingly, this review will explore the clinical and economic aspects of boceprevir-based treatment strategies. Important considerations, challenges and gaps for future pharmacoeconomic research in this setting are highlighted.

Matched MeSH terms: Antiviral Agents/economics; Proline/economics; Economics, Pharmaceutical
Fulltext SEM-PLS analysis of inhibiting factors of cost performance for large construction projects in Malaysia: perspective of clients and consultants

Memon AH, Rahman IA

ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:165158.
PMID: 24693227 DOI: 10.1155/2014/165158

This study uncovered inhibiting factors to cost performance in large construction projects of Malaysia. Questionnaire survey was conducted among clients and consultants involved in large construction projects. In the questionnaire, a total of 35 inhibiting factors grouped in 7 categories were presented to the respondents for rating significant level of each factor. A total of 300 questionnaire forms were distributed. Only 144 completed sets were received and analysed using advanced multivariate statistical software of Structural Equation Modelling (SmartPLS v2). The analysis involved three iteration processes where several of the factors were deleted in order to make the model acceptable. The result of the analysis found that R(2) value of the model is 0.422 which indicates that the developed model has a substantial impact on cost performance. Based on the final form of the model, contractor's site management category is the most prominent in exhibiting effect on cost performance of large construction projects. This finding is validated using advanced techniques of power analysis. This vigorous multivariate analysis has explicitly found the significant category which consists of several causative factors to poor cost performance in large construction projects. This will benefit all parties involved in construction projects for controlling cost overrun.

Matched MeSH terms: Construction Materials/economics*; Referral and Consultation/economics*; Construction Industry/economics*
Cigarette price level and variation in five Southeast Asian countries

Liber AC, Ross H, Ratanachena S, Dorotheo EU, Foong K

Tob Control, 2015 Jun;24(e2):e137-41.
PMID: 24500266 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2013-051184

OBJECTIVES: To monitor and analyse impacts of the interaction between tobacco excise tax policy and industry price strategy, on the price level and variation of cigarettes sold in five Southeast Asian countries (Indonesia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, the Philippines and Vietnam).
METHODS: Prices of cigarette sold by sticks and packs were collected through an in-person survey of retailers during 2011. Mean cigarette prices and price variation were calculated in each study country for single cigarettes, whole packs and brand groups.
RESULTS: Price variation of whole packs was greater in countries with ad-valorem excise tax structures (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) than in countries with multitiered specific excise taxes (Indonesia and the Philippines). The price variation for single sticks appeared to be driven by local currency denomination. Cigarettes sold individually cost more per stick than cigarettes sold in whole packs in every brand group except for Indonesia's domestic brands.
CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco industry strategy and excise tax structure drove the price level and variation of cigarettes sold in packs, while currency denominations influence the selling price of single sticks. To maximise the effectiveness of tobacco tax policies, countries should adopt specific excise tax structures to decrease cigarette price variation, which would minimise opportunities for smokers to 'trade down' to a cheaper brand to avoid a tax-driven price increase.
KEYWORDS: Low/Middle Income Country; Packaging and Labelling; Price; Surveillance and Monitoring; Taxation

Matched MeSH terms: Smoking/economics*; Tobacco Industry/economics*; Tobacco Products/economics*
Fulltext Salinity tolerance turfgrass: history and prospects

Uddin MK, Juraimi AS

ScientificWorldJournal, 2013;2013:409413.
PMID: 24222734 DOI: 10.1155/2013/409413

Land and water resources are becoming scarce and are insufficient to sustain the burgeoning population. Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses affecting agricultural productions across the world. Cultivation of salt-tolerant turfgrass species may be promising option under such conditions where poor quality water can also be used for these crops. Coastal lands in developing countries can be used to grow such crops, and seawater can be used for irrigation of purposes. These plants can be grown using land and water unsuitable for conventional crops and can provide food, fuel, fodder, fibber, resin, essential oils, and pharmaceutical products and can be used for landscape reintegration. There are a number of potential turfgrass species that may be appropriate at various salinity levels of seawater. The goal of this review is to create greater awareness of salt-tolerant turfgrasses, their current and potential uses, and their potential use in developing countries. The future for irrigating turf may rely on the use of moderate- to high-salinity water and, in order to ensure that the turf system is sustainable, will rely on the use of salt-tolerant grasses and an improved knowledge of the effects of salinity on turfgrasses.

Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture/economics; Developing Countries/economics; Crops, Agricultural/economics

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