A simplified dynamic systems approach for the energy rating of dwellings

The drive to reduce carbon emissions and energy utilisation, directly associated with dwellings and to achieve a zero carbon home, suggests that the assessment of energy ratings will have an increasingly prioritised role in the built environment. Created by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the UK Government’s recommended method of assessing the energy ratings of dwellings. This paper describes a new, simplified dynamic method (hence known as IDEAS – Inverse Dynamics based Energy Analysis and Simulation) of assessing the controllability of a building and its servicing systems. The IDEAS method produces SAP Comparable results. Results suggest this design approach could enhance the SAP Methodology by the addition of advanced systems controllability and dynamic values

Was everything much better before? A comparison of children’s gross motor skills in 1995, 2004 and 2018

Sammendrag Bakgrunn: Denne studien var en videreføring av tidligere forskning som ble utført i 1995 og 2004 for å kartlegge forskjeller i grovmotorikk i sju- og åtteåringer. Det hevdes at velutviklede grovmotoriske ferdigheter bidrar på en positiv måte til aktiviteter gjennom livet og fører til vekst av mer kompliserte motoriske og sportsspesifikke ferdigheter. Hensikt: Målet med denne forskningen var å finne ut om det har vært en nedgang i grovmotorikk blant sju- og åtteåringer de siste tiårene i Nøtterøy og kartlegge forskjellene. Metode: Det var 45 deltagere i alderen syv og åtte år. I denne studien var 24 av deltagerne jenter og 21 var gutter. Deres motoriske kompetanse ble målt med Körperkoordiationstest für Kinder og analysert før sammenligning med data fra 1995 og 2004. Resultater: Resultatene fra testene i 2018 ble sammenlignet med resultatene fra 1995 og 2004. Det ble sett en signifikant nedgang i den totale motoriske kvotienten til deltagergruppen. Det var en nedgang på 14.3 poeng fra 1995 til 2018 og en nedgang på 16,4 poeng fra 2004 til 2018. Begge kjønnene scoret signifikant lavere i 2018 sammenlignet med 1995 og 2004. Jentene skåret litt bedre enn guttene med .9 poeng høyere i total motorisk kvotienten i 2018. Konklusjon: Det finnes en nedgang i grovmotorikken blant sju- og åtteåringer i Nøtterøy i 2018 sammenlignet med 1995 og 2004. Fremtidig forskning bør se mer på hvilke faktorer som påvirker motorisk kompetanse mest, og se videre på sammenhengen mellom disse og motorisk utvikling og fysisk aktivitetsnivå. Nøkkelord: Fysisk aktivitet, Körperkoordiationstest für Kinder, motoriske ferdigheter, motorisk kompetanse, motorisk utvikling. Abstract Background: This study was a continuation of previous research that was carried out in 1995 and 2004 to map differences in gross motor skills in seven- and eight-year-olds. It is claimed that well-developed gross motor skills contribute in a positive way to activities throughout life and lead to the growth of more complicated motor and sport-specific skills. Purpose: The aim of this research was to find out whether there has been a decline in gross motor skills among seven- and eight-year-olds in recent decades in Nøtterøy and to map the differences. Method: There were 45 participants aged seven and eight. In this study, 24 of the participants were girls, and 21 were boys. Their motor competence was measured by the Körperkoordiationstest für Kinder and analyzed before comparison with data from 1995 and 2004. Results: The results from the tests in 2018 were compared with the results from 1995 and 2004. A significant decrease was seen in the total motor quotient of the participant group. There was a decrease of 14.3 points from 1995 to 2018 and a decrease of 16,4 points from 2004 to 2018. Both genders scored significantly lower in 2018 compared to 1995 and 2004. Girls scored slightly better than the boys by .9 points higher in total motor quotient in 2018. Conclusion: There is a decline in gross motor skills among seven- and eight-year old’s in Nøtterøy in 2018 compared to 1995 and 2004. Future research should look more into which factors influence motor competence the most and look further into the connection between factors and motor development and physical activity levels. Key words: Körperkoordiationstest für Kinder, motor competence, motor development, motor skills, physical activity

Sustainable Core Earnings & Stock Performance: An Evidence of the Pharmaceutical Sector of Pakistan

  This study furnishes a new measure of earnings quality that pertains to the sustainability of core-component & non-core components of earnings measured through firms’ and industry profitability benchmark and finds its impact on the stock performance in the context of the pharmaceutical sector of Pakistan. The study identifies twelve major determinants of sustainable earnings in the firms of the pharmaceutical sector of Pakistan that are mainly classified into core and non-core earnings and sub-classified into the firms’ and industry profitability benchmark and all three profitability measures (Gross Profit, Operating Profit & Net Profit). Based upon the core and non-core earnings components, the intensity of core earnings is measured and its impact on the stock performance is analyzed. For this purpose, a balanced panel data of 09 firms of the pharmaceutical sector that are listed in Pakistan stock exchange for 10 years i.e. 2010 to 2019 is used. The study employs two estimators: one, Random Effects Model for finding the determinants of sustainable earnings and its ability of sustainability and predictability, second, dynamic GMM model for measuring the impact of sustainable earnings on stock performance. This study affirms that the earnings of the firms operating in the pharmaceutical sector are sustainable; firms’ intensity of core earnings is a significant determinant of its profitability and industry intensity of core earnings is an insignificant determinant of firms’ profitability for the firms operating in the pharmaceutical sector of Pakistan. Lastly, the study did not find any significant impact of unexpected earnings on the stock’s performance on the firms. This study is of vital interest to investors, auditors, analysts, educational institutes, researchers and regulators

Synthesis, in-vitro and in silico studies of azo-based calix[4]arenes as antibacterial agent and neuraminidase inhibitor: a new look into an old scaffold

Calixarene derivatives are reported as potential therapeutic agents. Azo derivatives of calixarenes have not been given much consideration to explore their biomedical applications. In the present study, some azo-based derivatives of calix[4]arene were synthesized and characterized and their antibacterial and antiviral potentials were studied. The mono azo products of sulphanilamide, sulfaguanidine and 2-methyl-4-aminobenzoic acid showed good activity against bacterial strains with minimum inhibition concentration values ranging from 0.97 to 62.5 μg/mL. For mono azo products, the diazotized salt was applied as a limiting reagent. The use of calix[4]arene and sodium acetate trihydrate in 1:3 (molar ratio) helped in partial substitution. Molecular docking was performed to see the interaction of the designed compounds with two bacterial and one viral (neuraminidase) receptor. Some of the derivatives showed good interaction with the active site of bacterial and neuraminidase enzymes through hydrogen, hydrophobic and pi-pi interactions, and could inhibit the activity of the selected enzymes

Iron and Zinc Bio-Fortification Strategies in Wheat Crop by Exogenous Application of Micronutrients

Under nutrition or nutrient deficiency is a major concern in third world, and is an underlying cause for millions of deaths each year. Biofortification is an important technique to increase the concentration of trace mineral elements in the grain which improve the nutritional value of cereal and solve health problems in poorer areas of world. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the biofortification potential of wheat crop by exogenously applied micro nutrients (Fe & Zn). Soil and foliar application with two levels of Fe and Zn (2 mg kg-1 and 4 mg kg-1) were applied according to CRD under factorial design. Results showed that soil application of Fe and Zn at 4 mg kg-1 is significant effect on plant available nutrients and nutrient concentration in wheat straw and grain. Application of micronutrients also increased and improved growth parameters. Keywords: Wheat, Zinc, Iron, Biofortification, Plant Nutrient

Infectious disease (COVID-19)-related uncertainty and the safe-haven features of bonds markets

Purpose: This study aims to examine the hedge, diversifier and safe-haven properties of bonds against infectious disease-related equity market volatility (IDEMV), like COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach: The authors apply wavelet coherence methodology on the daily data of IDEMV and bond market (US, UK, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Sweden, China and Europe) indices from 1 January 2000 to 14 February 2021. Findings: The results show no significant co-movement between these bond indices and IDEMV, thus confirming that they serve as a hedge against IDEMV. However, during the turbulent period like COVID-19, the authors find that the US, UK, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Sweden, China and European bond markets act as safe-haven against IDEMV, whereas the UK, US, Japan and Canadian bond markets demonstrate an in-phase and positive co-movement with IDEMV during COVID-19, suggesting their role as a diversifier. Research limitations/implications: The study findings are important for investors and portfolio managers regarding risk management, portfolio diversification and investment strategies. Originality/value: The authors contribute to the fast growing body of work on the financial impacts of COVID-19 as well as to ongoing consideration of whether a bond is a safe-haven investment

Number of Hofbauer Cells in Placentae from Normal and Pre Eclamptic Gestation

Background:. To compare the number ofHofbauer cell in placenta from normal pregnancywith placenta complicated by pre eclampsiaMethods: For this comparative study, fiftyplacentae were taken from normotensive mothers(Normotensive group) and fifty placentae were takenfrom mothers with hypertension (Hypertensivegroup). Placentae were fixed in formalin for 48hours. Placentae were divided into four parts, afterfixation and 5mm tissue was taken from the center ofrandomly selected two parts. After tissue processingand staining, number of Hofbauer cells wascounted in both groups.Results: The number of Hofbauer cells wasincreased in hypertensive group. The quantitativedifference between number of Hofbauer cells innormotensive and hypertensive groups werestatistically significant.Conclusion: Number of Hofbauer cells wasincreased in hypertensive group and it may be theresult of placental hypoxia which is a commonfinding in pre eclampsi

Coverage of Pak-India Relations in the Elite Press of Pakistan (June 2013- August 2013)

The present study is focused to determine the coverage of the Pak-India relations in the national press of Pakistan, for this study four newspapers two English (Daily Times and The Nation) and two Urdu (Daily Jang and Nawa i Waqt) are selected to analyse the relations between the two countries. The agenda setting theory is used in this study and the media agenda is tried to determine. The content method is used to study the contents of the editorials of the selected newspapers from June 2013 to August 2013. The study shows that both the English and Urdu newspapers has shown the negative behaviour mostly followed by neutral behaviour whereas very less positive coverage is given for all the selected categories/issues that are Cross Border insurgency, Kashmir issue, Terrorism issue and Water crisis except the Trade, Sports and Showbiz that is given very less negative coverage. Keywords: national press, Pakistan, India, cross border insurgency, Kashmir, terrorism, water, sports, trade, showbi

Evaluation Of Ovicidal And Larvicidal Effects Of Plant Extracts From Family Anacardiaceae Against Aedes Aegypti And Aedes Albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae).

Fitokimia telah mendapat lebih tumpuan dalam program kawalan nyamuk sebagai pengganti kepada racun perosak sintetik pada masa ini. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk meneroka kesan-kesan daripada Anacardium occidentale, Gluta renghas, Mangifera indica dan Melanochyla fasciculiflora dari keluarga Anacardiaceae terhadap vektor denggi; Aedes aegypti dan Ae. Albopictus di peringkat ovicidal serta larvicidal masing-masing dan juga perbandingan biologi progeni mereka. Vektor denggi dari strain makmal serta lapangan didedahkan dengan ekstrak metanol dari bahagian batang dan daun. Tangkai dari Gl. renghas menunjukan nilai LC95 paling rendah untuk kedua-dua strain makmal dan lapangan nyamuk Aedes diikuti oleh Mn. indica, Ml. fasciculiflora dan An. occidentale. Gluta renghas dan Mn. indica telah dipilih untuk penilaian lapangan sebagai perbandingan untuk Abate dan kumpulan kawalan. Ekstrak stem Gl. renghas adalah berkesan mengurangkan jumlah telur untuk vektor denggi dalam keadaan kering berteduh. Sebaliknya, ekstrak stem dari Mn. indica adalah lebih baik dalam keadaan kering dengan tidak berteduh dalam kawalan jumlah telur vektor denggi. Ekstrak daun dari Gl. renghas telah mempamerkan kadar hayat yang paling kurang terhadap nyamuk dewasa untuk kedua-dua musim (33.5%). Phytochemicals are getting hype in mosquito control programs as a pertinent substitute to synthetic pesticides. The objective of this study is to explore the ovicidal and larvicidal effects of Anacardium occidentale, Gluta renghas, Mangifera indica and Melanochyla fasciculiflora from family Anacardiaceae against the dengue vectors; Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus and biological comparisons of their progenies. Laboratory and field strains of dengue vectors were exposed to methanolic extracts of stem and leaf parts. Gluta renghas stem displayed the lowest LC95 values for both laboratory and field strains of Aedes mosquitoes followed by Mn. indica, Ml. fasciculiflora and An. occidentale. Gl. renghas and Mn. indica were selected for the field evaluation with comparison to Abate and control. Gluta renghas stem extracts effectively reduced the number of eggs for dengue vectors in dry shaded conditions. Whereas, Mn. indica stem extracts were better in dry unshaded conditions. Gluta renghas leaf extract exhibited least survival rate of adults during both seasons (33.5%)