Provincial Distribution Research Articles

Social Disparity in Breast and Ovarian Cancer Incidence in Iran, 2003-2009: A Time Trend Province-Level Study

PurposeThis pioneering study aimed to investigate social disparities in breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) incidence rates among women across Iran's provinces from 2003 to 2009.MethodsProvincial level population distribution data pertaining to women were obtained from the Statistical Centre of Iran. Age-standardized incidence rates of BC and OC were gathered from the National Cancer Registry. Human Development Index was used as the provinces' social rank (SR), and rate ratio and Kunst and Mackenbach relative index of inequality were used to assess social disparities. Annual percentage change (APC) was calculated using joinpoint regression, and Spearman rank correlation was used to examine the association between APC and SR.ResultsIt was found that over the study period, annual incidence rates rose by 11.6% and 9.7% for BC and OC, respectively. Social disparities were substantial and stable in favor of provinces with lower SR in Iran, and were more profound for BC than OC. Correlations between APC and SR were small and nonsignificant for both BC and OC.ConclusionThe results showed that both BC and OC incidence increased in Iran during 2003 to 2009. There were positive associations between BC and OC incidence rates and the provinces' SR. This study's recommendations provide valuable information for health resource allocation pertaining to BC and OC control programs across provinces in Iran.

Supplementary Education in Turkey: Recent Developments and Future Prospects

Purpose: This paper aims to provide the recent developments on the supplementary education system in Turkey. The national examinations for advancing to higher levels of schooling are believed to fuel the demand for Supplementary Education Centers (SEC). Further, we aim to understand the distribution of the SECs and of the secondary schools across the provinces of Turkey in order to evaluate the spacial equity considerations. Design/Methodology/Approach: The evolution of the SECs and of the secondary schools over time are described and compared. The provincial distribution of the SECs, secondary schools and the high school age population are compared. The characteristics of these distributions are evaluated to inform the about spatial equity issues. The distribution of high school age population that attend secondary schools and the distribution of the secondary school students that attend SECs across the provinces are compared. Findings: The evidence points out to significant provincial variations in various characteristics of SECs and the secondary schools. The distribution of the SECs is more unequal than that of the secondary schools. The provinces located mostly in the east and south east of the country have lower quality SECs and secondary schools. Further, the SEC participation among the secondary school students and the secondary school participation among the relevant age group are lower in some of the provinces indicating major disadvantages. Originality/Value: The review of the most recent developments about the SECs, examination and comparison of provincial distributions of the SECs and of the secondary schools are novelties in this paper.

Study on the seasonal distribution of human rabies in different regions of China

Using simple quantitative methods to describe the seasonal distribution of rabies in different provinces of China and to analyze how it was influenced by geographical settings, to provide evidence for risk assessment and prediction of potential epidemics of rabies. A total number of 17 800 clinical and laboratory confirmed rabies cases, reported by 29 provinces, from 2005 to 2011 and related data were collected from National Disease Reporting Information System. Data on related latitudes and longitudes of different provinces were obtained from the National Geographic Information Center. Excel 2003 was used to draw the national and provincial seasonal distribution curves while SPSS 18.0 was used to calculate parameters as P(25), P(50), P(75), inter-quartile range Q and kurtosis so as analyze the linear correlation between P(25), kurtosis and the latitude of different provinces respectively. The nation-wide incidence of rabies was low in February. The peaks fell in summer and autumn, especially in August. Seasonal distribution curves of P(25), P(50), P(75), inter-quartile range (Q) and kurtosis were different among provinces. Compared to the low latitude areas, high latitude areas had higher P(25), smaller Q and higher kurtosis. In 9 provinces where the annual reported number of cases more than 100, the related coefficients (r) between latitude and both P(25), kurtosis were 0.9342 and 0.8528 respectively (P < 0.05). There was a distinct seasonality of rabies occurrence in China which was correlated to the geographical settings which was more obvious in the higher latitude areas.

Population Increase of the Great BustardOtis tardain Its Main Distribution Area in Relation to Changes in Farming Practices

We update and present relevant information regarding the abundance and distribution of the great bustard Otis tarda in Castilla y León (Spain) in 2008, compare it with previous census results, and analyse the effects of agricultural changes on the provincial abundance and distribution of the species. The study area was surveyed from four-wheel drive vehicles driven at low speed (20–30 km/h) along predetermined transects, stopping frequently at prominent spots. The intention was to detect all the great bustards present in the study area. The great bustard population in Castilla y León during the breeding season of 2008 was 14,025 birds: 5,637 males, 7,760 females and 628 individuals whose sex could not be determined. The population was 34% greater in 2008 than in 1998 when the area surveyed in both censuses is compared. Population increases were recorded in all provinces except for Soria, where no birds were observed. Not all local populations within provinces increased: we detected population declines of over 10% in 43 (27%) of the 160 polygons surveyed both in 1998 and 2008, population increases of over 10% in 93 (58%) polygons, and largely stable populations (changes less than 10%) in 24 (15%) polygons. Provincial increases in bustard numbers were positively correlated with increases in the extent of unirrigated legume crops. The great bustard population in Castilla y León in 2008 was the largest in the world, accounting for 27–32% of the global population and about 47% of the estimated Spanish population. The spread of unirrigated legumes, crops that are promoted by agrienvironment schemes, may have fostered the observed population increase between 1998 and 2008. A survey of the region every ten years is proposed to monitor future population trends.

Seroprevalence of Major Bovine-Associated Zoonotic Infectious Diseases in the Lao People's Democratic Republic

Bovine-associated zoonotic infectious diseases pose a significant threat to human health in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). In all, 905 cattle and buffalo serum samples collected in northern Lao PDR in 2006 were used to determine seroprevalence of five major bovine zoonotic infectious diseases that included Taenia saginata cysticercosis, bovine tuberculosis, Q-fever, bovine brucellosis, and bovine leptospirosis. Five enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to test for the presence of antibodies to the diseases, except Taenia saginata, for which we tested for the presence of Taenia metacestode circulating antigens. The overall highest prevalence was for T. saginata (46.4%), with lower prevalence for Q-fever (4%), leptospirosis (3%), tuberculosis (1%), and brucellosis (0.2%). Although there were no significant differences in the proportion of seroprevalence between sex and age of the animals sampled, there were significant differences between the provincial distributions. Further studies are required to determine the seroprevalence of these infections in other locations in Lao PDR, as well as other animal species including humans, in order to develop effective prevention and control strategies. This is the first study to investigate the prevalence of bovine zoonotic infectious agents in the Lao PDR. Positivity was demonstrated for all diseases investigated, with the highest prevalence for T. saginata antigen and Coxiella burnetti antibodies. For T. saginata, there were significant differences in the provincial distribution. Approximately 16% seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetti was noted in Xayabuly Province; however, there are no clear reasons why this was the case, and further studies are required to determine risk factors associated with this observation.

The human resource for health situation in Zambia: deficit and maldistribution

IntroductionCurrent health policy directions in Zambia are formulated in the National Health Strategic Plan. The Plan focuses on national health priorities, which include the human resources (HR) crisis. In this paper we describe the way the HRH establishment is distributed in the different provinces of Zambia, with a view to assess the dimension of shortages and of imbalances in the distribution of health workers by province and by level of care.Population and methodsWe used secondary data from the "March 2008 payroll data base", which lists all the public servants on the payroll of the Ministry of Health and of the National Health Service facilities. We computed rates and ratios and compared them.ResultsThe highest relative concentration of all categories of workers was observed in Northern, Eastern, Lusaka, Western and Luapula provinces (in decreasing order of number of health workers).The ratio of clinical officers (mid-level clinical practitioners) to general medical officer (doctors with university training) varied from 3.77 in the Lusaka to 19.33 in the Northwestern provinces. For registered nurses (3 to 4 years of mid-level training), the ratio went from 3.54 in the Western to 15.00 in Eastern provinces and for enrolled nurses (two years of basic training) from 4.91 in the Luapula to 36.18 in the Southern provinces.This unequal distribution was reflected in the ratio of population per cadre. The provincial distribution of personnel showed a skewed staff distribution in favour of urbanized provinces, e.g. in Lusaka's doctor: population ratio was 1: 6,247 compared to Northern Province's ratio of 1: 65,763.In the whole country, the data set showed only 109 staff in health posts: 1 clinical officer, 3 environmental health technologists, 2 registered nurses, 12 enrolled midwives, 32 enrolled nurses, and 59 other.The vacancy rates for level 3 facilities(central hospitals, national level) varied from 5% in Lusaka to 38% in Copperbelt Province; for level 2 facilities (provincial level hospitals), from 30% for Western to 70% for Copperbelt Province; for level 1 facilities (district level hospitals), from 54% for the Southern to 80% for the Western provinces; for rural health centres, vacancies varied from 15% to 63% (for Lusaka and Luapula provinces respectively); for urban health centres the observed vacancy rates varied from 13% for the Lusaka to 96% for the Western provinces. We observed significant shortages in most staff categories, except for support staff, which had a significant surplus.Discussion and ConclusionsThis case study documents how a peaceful, politically stable African country with a longstanding tradition of strategic management of the health sector and with a track record of innovative approaches dealt with its HRH problems, but still remains with a major absolute and relative shortage of health workers. The case of Zambia reinforces the idea that training more staff is necessary to address the human resources crisis, but it is not sufficient and has to be completed with measures to mitigate attrition and to increase productivity.

Infectious keratitis in China during the past two decades: a bibliometric analysis

To gain insights into the construction and content of literature on infectious keratitis in China during the past two decades. Through VIP-VMIS, SinoMed and PubMed databases for the period of 1989 to 2008, the literature regarding infectious keratitis published in domestic and foreign journals by China authors was retrieved. Numbers, types, time, journal distribution of documents published and provincial distribution of authors were recorded. Meanwhile the subject content was roughly analyzed. There were 1982 Chinese articles on infectious keratitis during the past two decades, of which 629 were pertaining to traditional Chinese medicine. In the remaining 1353 of Western medicine articles, 704 were published in kernel journals, 78 in serial journals of Chinese Medical Association and 443 as original research articles (including 160 basic research papers). Moreover, 30 articles regarding epidemiology and etiology of infectious keratitis were retrieved from VIP-VMIS. And 31 papers published in foreign journals were retrieved from PubMed database. During the past two decades, the China oculists have made great progress in research works on infectious keratitis. However more attention should be devoted to the basic researches, epidemiologic survey and etiologic analysis.

Intern Clinical Psychologists' Experiences of their Training and Internship Placements

The study involved a mail survey of all 150 intern clinical psychologists registered with the HPCSA during the year 2009. A response rate of 55.3% was achieved with a representative provincial distribution. The results indicated that 34.9% of the respondents felt adequately prepared for the internship and 53% felt only partly prepared, while 53% considered the training to be relevant and 31.3% felt it was only partly relevant. Although the majority of the respondents were satisfied with various components of their work and supervision, less than half reported having adequate infra-structural support. Only 12% had completed their Masters' dissertations, and less than one-third of the sample favoured the proposed HPCSA ruling on dissertation completion before the internship. The majority of respondents were keen to pursue further research and a doctorate. One-third had planned to emigrate, and this group showed significantly higher levels of dissatisfaction with aspects of the training and supervision, experienced significantly more language difficulties with patients, and had significantly less favourable views of Community Service. The results are discussed within the context of local and international training issues in Professional Psychology, with some recommendations provided.

Closely watched viewers: A taxonomy of Chinese film audiences from 1949 to the Cultural Revolution seen from Hunan

ABSTRACTWho were watching films in China from 1949 to the Cultural Revolution? Research on this question has been patchy and frustrated by the kinds of sources available. Box office statistics, viewers' polls and commentaries, and even fandom were open to manipulation to put a positive spin on the growth of audiences and the appropriate popularity of particular films. This article uses a provincial film distribution list of all Chinese and foreign films distributed nationwide in these years to tease out indirect indications of the nature of film audiences. The number of prints struck in 35-mm and 16-mm formats, the language used (in the case of foreign films) and the timing of release all indicate the importance of a differentiation of audiences. Not all film-goers were expected to watch all films: particular titles suited particular viewers. Comparisons are made with a useful profile of the readership of literature in these years.

British Columbia's Interior: Fisher Wildlife Habitat Decision Aid

Fishers (Martes pennanti) are forest-dependent carnivores of the weasel family that are considered a Species at Risk under the Identified Wildlife Management Strategy and Species of Special Concern (blue-listed) by British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. Under the Forest and Range Practices Act, forest and range licensees in British Columbia are required to develop Forest Stewardship Plans and manage their operations to maintain limiting habitats of Identified Wildlife within their tenures accordingly. Several aspects of the ecology of fishers make them susceptible to forest-harvest activities, including their use of structural elements found primarily in late-successional forests. This Wildlife Habitat Decision Aid (WHDA) summarizes the latest scientific and experiential information that forestry practitioners, including silviculture planners and operational foresters, need to consider when managing for fisher habitat requirements. This information was obtained through an extensive literature analysis and discussions with experts in fisher ecology in British Columbia. Most information on fisher ecology in this extension note was derived from studies conducted in the Cariboo, Williston, Chilcotin, and South Peace regions.The WHDA format has been used to convey information on factors requiring consideration when managing forests and range in British Columbia for specific wildlife species. This WHDA provides information on habitats used by fishers for birthing and rearing young, resting, and foraging; a provincial fisher distribution map and a list of biogeoclimatic zones where fishers most commonly occur; and forest management considerations when harvesting and conducting silviculture activities within fisher range. Also included is a resource and reference list that contains more detailed information. Most reference material that is not available online can be ordered through libraries.

An annotated list of the Lepidoptera of Alberta, Canada

This checklist documents the 2367 Lepidoptera species reported to occur in the province of Alberta, Canada, based on examination of the major public insect collections in Alberta and the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes. Records from relevant literature sources published since 1950 and from selected older works are also included. The entry for each species includes the scientific name, the author and year of publication of the original description, occurrence status, provincial distribution (according to ecoclimatic region), and adult phenology. The most recent taxonomic references are given, and common names are listed for butterflies and conspicuous moth species. The sources of specimen- and literature-based records are provided for each species. An additional 138 species whose occurrence in Alberta is probable are appended to the list. For 1524 of the listed species and subspecies, annotations are given, with selected information on taxonomy, nomenclature, distribution, habitat, and biology. An additional section provides details on 171 species erroneously reported from Alberta in previous works. Introductory sections to the volume provide a general overview of the order Lepidoptera and review the natural regions of Alberta, the state of knowledge of their Lepidoptera faunas, and the history and current state of knowledge of Alberta Lepidoptera. Each of the 63 families (and selected subfamilies) occurring in Alberta is briefly reviewed, with information on distinguishing features, general appearance, and general biology. A bibliography and an index of genus-level, species-level, and subspecies-level names are provided. The list is accompanied by an appendix of proposed nomenclature changes, consisting of revised status for 25 taxa raised from synonymy to species level, and new synonymy for 20 species-level and one genus-level taxa here considered to be subjective synonyms, with resultant revised synonymy for one taxon and formalization of seven new combinations. Status is revised for the following taxa, which were previously treated as junior subjective synonyms or as subspecies and are herein raised to species status: Carterocephalus mandan (Edwards, 1863); Hesperia manitoba (Scudder, 1874); Colias elis Strecker, 1885; Nymphalis j-album (Boisduval &amp; LeConte, [1835]); Euphydryas bernadetta Leussler, 1920; Speyeria leto (Behr, 1862); Boloria myrina (Cramer, 1777); Coenonympha inornata Edwards, 1861; Colostygia circumvallaria (Taylor, 1906); Xanthorhoe delectaria Cassino &amp; Swett, 1922; Xanthorhoe lagganata Swett &amp; Cassino, 1920; Scopula quinquelinearia (Packard, 1870); Spodolepis danbyi (Hulst, 1898); Hyalophora gloveri (Strecker, 1872); Smerinthus ophthalmica Boisduval, 1855; Furcula borealis (Guerin-Meneville, 1844); Furcula occidentalis (Lintner, 1878); Acronicta cyanescens Hampson, 1909; Oligia rampartensis Barnes &amp; Benjamin, 1923; Anarta nigrolunata Packard, 1867; Anarta columbica (McDunnough, 1930); Anarta montanica (McDunnough, 1930); Leucania dia (Grote, 1879); Euxoa adumbrata thanatologia (Dyar, 1904); and Euxoa furtivus (Smith, 1890). The following new synonymies are proposed, with the valid name presented first: Xanthorhoe algidata (Moschler, 1874) (= Xanthorhoe dodata Cassino &amp; Swett, 1920), Macaria signaria (Hubner, 1809) (= Melanolophia unipunctaria W. S. Wright, 1916; Semiothisa marmorata Ferguson, 1972; Macaria? submarmorata Walker, 1861), Speranza occiduaria (Packard, 1874) (= Diastictis andersoni Swett, 1916), Caenurgina crassiuscula (Haworth, 1809) (= Caenurgina distincta (Neumoegen, 1884)), Tarache augustipennis Grote, 1875 (= Conacontia flavicosta Smith, 1900), Acronicta dactylina Grote, 1874 (= Acronicta hesperida Smith, 1897), Acronicta grisea Walker, 1856 (= Acronicta tartarea Smith, 1903), Acronicta lupini Grote, 1873 (= Merolonche ursina Smith, 1898), Fishia yosemitae (Grote, 1873) (= Fishia enthea Grote, 1877; Fishia betsia Smith, 1905; Fishia instruta Smith, 1910), Sutyna privata (Walker, 1857) (= Anytus profundus Smith, 1900), Mniotype ducta (Grote, 1878) (= Xylophasia versuta Smith, 1895), Mniotype tenera (Smith, 1900) (= Xylophasia miniota Smith, 1908; Hadena ferida Smith, 1908), Anarta decepta (Grote, 1883) (= Trichoclea postica Smith, 1891), Protorthodes incincta (Morrison, 1874) (= Taeniocampa utahensis Smith, 1888; Orthodes akalus Strecker, 1898). The following revised synonomy is proposed, with the valid name presented first: Xanthorhoe lagganata Swett &amp; Cassino, 1920 (= Xanthorhoe incursata var. harveyata Cassino &amp; Swett, 1922). One new generic synonymy is proposed, with the valid name appearing first: Idia Hubner, 1813 (= Reabotis Smith, 1903), resulting in one new combination. Six species are transferred from Trichoclea Hubner to Sideridis Hubner, resulting in six new combinations.

British Columbia's Interior: Fisher Wildlife Habitat Decision Aid

Fishers (Martes pennanti) are forest-dependent carnivores of the weasel family that are considered a Species at Risk under the Identified Wildlife Management Strategy and Species of Special Concern (blue-listed) by British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. Under the Forest and Range Practices Act, forest and range licensees in British Columbia are required to develop Forest Stewardship Plans and manage their operations to maintain limiting habitats of Identified Wildlife within their tenures accordingly. Several aspects of the ecology of fishers make them susceptible to forest-harvest activities, including their use of structural elements found primarily in late-successional forests. This Wildlife Habitat Decision Aid (WHDA) summarizes the latest scientific and experiential information that forestry practitioners, including silviculture planners and operational foresters, need to consider when managing for fisher habitat requirements. This information was obtained through an extensive literature analysis and discussions with experts in fisher ecology in British Columbia. Most information on fisher ecology in this extension note was derived from studies conducted in the Cariboo, Williston, Chilcotin, and South Peace regions.The WHDA format has been used to convey information on factors requiring consideration when managing forests and range in British Columbia for specific wildlife species. This WHDA provides information on habitats used by fishers for birthing and rearing young, resting, and foraging; a provincial fisher distribution map and a list of biogeoclimatic zones where fishers most commonly occur; and forest management considerations when harvesting and conducting silviculture activities within fisher range. Also included is a resource and reference list that contains more detailed information. Most reference material that is not available online can be ordered through libraries.

What attracts foreign direct investment in China’s real estate development?

Foreign direct investment in real estate development (FDIRE) in China has been disproportionately agglomerated in the coastal region while has considerably diffused to some inland provinces along the Yangtze River. There is also significant spatial autocorrelation in the provincial distribution of FDIRE. Controlling for the spatial effects, statistical analysis indicates that FDIRE follows their international customers to China and pursues local profit opportunities as well. They avoid high financing cost and labor cost provinces but favor provinces with higher housing prices. FDIRE in China responds to the provincial differences in land and housing commercialization, and demands good regional governance, strong law enforcement and developed services. The findings imply that foreign investors in China’s real estate industry stress returns to capital while appreciate the conducive institutions when choosing locations.

Fiscal Decentralization and Provincial‐Level Fiscal Disparities in China: A Sino‐U.S. Comparative Perspective

Since China’s 1994 fiscal reform, increasing concerns have been voiced about fiscal disparities across the country. Can local governments fairly and effectively fulfill basic public services such as primary education, public health, and social welfare? This essay traces the evolution of intergovernmental relations in China since 1978. The fluctuation of provincial level fiscal distribution over time and the underlying factors behind fiscal inequality, as compared to a decentralized American revenue system, are analyzed. The author, Zhirong Jerry Zhao of the University of Minnesota, argues for additional research on alternative measures of local fiscal capacity.

Genera of Gymnodamaeidae (Acari: Oribatida: Plateremaeoidea) of Canada, with notes on some nomenclatorial problems

The taxonomy of the North American Gymnodamaeidae is currently intractable, because (1) the adults are covered in a thick, ornamented cerotegument that provides useful characters, but that obscures the cuticle; (2) many descriptions appear to be based on newly moulted or cleared specimens and are incomplete or contain misinterpretations; and (3) there is considerable disagreement in the literature about valid genera and generic limits, leading some authors to sink some or all of the North American genera into Gymnodamaeus s.l. Several nomenclatorial problems have added to the confusion. In this paper I use new diagnoses to demonstrate that seven previously described genera based on North American species can be separated from Gymnodamaeus s.s. and provide a key to distinguish them. I clarify the correct publication dates for Paschoal’s genera and after consultation with the original author, propose replacements for two of these generic names that are preoccupied: Donjohnstonella nom. nov. for Johnstonella Paschoal and Roynortonella nom. nov. for Nortonella Paschoal. New Canadian provincial distribution records are provided for Gymnodamaeus cf. ornatus Hammer (AB), Jacotella quadricaudicula (Jacot) (AB, ON), Joshuella agrosticula Paschoal (AB, YK), and Pleodamaeus plokosus (Woolley &amp; Higgins) (AB). Finally, I discuss the similarity between the cerotegumental pustules in the Gymnodamaeidae and the epicuticular wax crystalloids on the leaves of plants such as the water lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) and suggest that they may have a similar water repellent “Lotus-effect.

Provincial Wages in Spain: Convergence and Flexibility

This paper analyses the performance of provincial Spanish wages during the period 1985—2003. Using both traditional and recent analytical approaches, related to spatial econometrics, non-parametric and semi-parametric techniques, the paper reveals that a process of wage convergence has taken place. However, this does not preclude that mobility within the provincial wage distribution is small. The paper also shows that the degree of provincial wage flexibility is very low, which is in accordance with the institutional framework of wage formation in Spain.

Distribución geográfica de los médicos en España y su evolución temporal durante el período 1998-2007

Population accessibility to health care depends on the geographical distribution of health care professionals. The aim of this study is to analyse the provincial distribution of Spanish physicians, its recent evolution and the factors related with it. Observational, cross-sectional, ecological, descriptive and analytical study on data from public official data sources (Statistics National Institute, Health and Consume Ministry). We obtained, on a provincial basis, variables related with physicians' distribution, socioeconomic conditions, health care resources and medical training capacity. We built some variability indicators for physicians' distribution, and we analysed the bivariated and multivariated correlations between provincial physicians' rate and the other variables. The ratio between the upper and lower values of the population based physicians' provincial ratio is 2,109 (2,158 in 1998), the variation coefficient is 0,19 (0,185 in 1998), and the Gini index is 0,103 (0,097 in 1998). There is a strong correlation between physicians' distribution and the specialist training capacity of each province in bivariated (r=0,87) and multivariated analysis (where socioeconomic and health care structure indicators and postgraduate training capacity explain 83,3% of physicians' distribution variance). The variability of physicians' distribution in Spain has been almost steady in the last decade, and its level is similar to that in other European countries. The provincial training capacity seems to play a fundamental role in physicians' distribution.

Feeding Damage byHeliothrips sylvanusFaure to Sweet and Astringent Persimmon (Diospyros kakiL.) in South Africa

According to Mound & Monteiro (1997), the genus Heliothrips contains three species : H. haemorrhoidalis (Bouche) and H. zucchi Mound & Monteiro which are native to Brazil, and H. sylvanus Faure which is native to southern Africa. The revised checklist of Thysanoptera of southern Africa (zur Strassen 2006) listed the South African provincial distribution of H. sylvanus as Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.

Trends and Patterns of Foreign Direct Investment in Lao PDR

Foreign direct Investment (FDI) has played an important role in the development of the economy of Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (Lao PDR or Laos) in recent decades. Economic transition of Laos to a market-driven economy has attracted international investor attention. This paper examines the trends of foreign capital inflows to Laos as they increased since the promulgation of FDI law in 1988. The paper also describes the sources and types of FDI in Laos. The sectoral, provincial and legal-type distribution of FDI in Laos are investigated. Finally, the paper provides an overview of the trends and patterns of Australian investments in Laos.

The Emergence of a Multinational Corporation From a Developing Country: A Case Study of TM Berhad International Expansion

Foreign direct Investment (FDI) has played an important role in the development of the economy of Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (Lao PDR or Laos) in recent decades. Economic transition of Laos to a market-driven economy has attracted international investor attention. This paper examines the trends of foreign capital inflows to Laos as they increased since the promulgation of FDI law in 1988. The paper also describes the sources and types of FDI in Laos. The sectoral, provincial and legal-type distribution of FDI in Laos are investigated. Finally, the paper provides an overview of the trends and patterns of Australian investments in Laos.