Solar Resource Assessment in Jammu and Kashmir State

The state of Jammu and Kashmir has diverse agro-climatic zones. The present paper on solar resource assessment in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is based on ten years of average data taken from NREL and SRRA stations. The state is blessed with huge solar potential, both for thermal generation as well as photovoltaic. The same energy can be used for electricity and process heat generation to mitigate growing energy crisis particularly in winter. The data as obtained from NREL and C-WET through SRRA stations revealed that the state is receiving more than 5 kWh/m2/day of average DNI and GHI every month which in itself can be harnessed for solar thermal energy and photovoltaic power. The average DNI and GHI received from last ten years varied from (1 kWh/day/m2) to (8kWh/day/m2) per day

Conformal Ricci collineations of static spherically symmetric spacetimes

Conformal Ricci collineations of static spherically symmetric spacetimes are studied. The general form of the vector fields generating conformal Ricci collineations is found when the Ricci tensor is non-degenerate, in which case the number of independent conformal Ricci collineations is \emph{fifteen}; the maximum number for 4-dimensional manifolds. In the degenerate case it is found that the static spherically symmetric spacetimes always have an infinite number of conformal Ricci collineations. Some examples are provided which admit non-trivial conformal Ricci collineations, and perfect fluid source of the matter

Repatriation of Afghan Refugees from Pakistan: an analysis of constraints, challenges and prospects

This study analyses constraints facing the government of Pakistan in the repatriation of Afghan refugees and investigates the underlying factors forcing the government to return Afghan refugees. The presence of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is associated with involvement in militant and other illicit activities. The call to repatriate Afghan Refugees could be a lasting solution. Accordingly, the main concern for the Pakistani government is to manage its border with Afghanistan, identified as the entry point of the militants and insurgents. Consequently, the Pakistani security agencies and armed forces have been subject to serious reforms, aiming at increasing their motivation and decreasing corruption among the officers, which has been termed as a drawback in fighting terrorism. Reforms are needed in the judicial system to prosecute the culprits arrested by the police force. It is recommended that the UNHCR provide financial assistance, especially for police reforms. Furthermore, closer coordination between the refugees and the law enforcement apparatus is encouraged to curb the association of terrorists and refugees. While repatriation has been identified as the best international norm for solving the refugee dilemma, clear guidelines should be enumerated as to at what cost the practice should be carried on

The centre-periphery relations and governance issues: the role of decentralisation in post-conflict North-Western Pakistan

This study explores the centre-periphery relations and the role of local governance (decentralisation) in filling the governance gap in post-conflict North-Western Pakistan. The study investigates whether the local government can contribute to establishing a state\u27s writ and perform governance functions better. There is a strong correlation between conflict situations, decentralisation and governance. A state can have adequate governance and a strong state-society relation if local governance arrangements are ensured with a conducive environment for socio-economic development, guarantee national security and solve the common problems of all citizens irrespective of any discrimination based on ethnicity, religion or region. The study analysed that the central government has a low political and institutional infrastructure presence that promotes hurdles to strong state-society relations necessary for stable and equitable social relations and social contracts. In the more centralised administrative system, the provision of public goods by the state created pressures on the state compared to the decentralised system. The study shows that decentralisation provides opportunities for better governance, equity, and improved efficiency by handling diversity. Moreover, decentralisation moves the authority and responsibility from the centre to the local level, thus expanding the roles and functions of central government agencies to other state affairs

Local Government Elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: An Assessment of Challenges and Prospects (2012-2015)

The 18th Amendment in the 1973 Constitution mandated provinces to institute a local government system. However, it has provided fewer details on what kind of administrative and financial powers would be conferred to the local governments (LG). The Local Government Act 2012 was passed by the Awami National Party (ANP) led coalition government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). This act was replaced with the Local Government Act 2013 by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) led coalition government. This paper investigates the reasons behind the failure of the PTI government to conduct an in-time LG election. The findings show that the deferral is accounted for by the revision and delimitation of local government constituencies, which could not be done due to the government-opposition contentions for securing political interests and edge over the voting majority areas of candidates of the rival parties. Another point to ponder is the PTI government’s failure to keep the promise of conducting voting through a biometric system, which could minimise the problem of rigging and mismanagement. An attempt has also been made to analyse the complex relationship between the PTI-led government and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), fraught with a mutual blame game, to cover up their inabilities

Does FDI Regulatory Policies Influence FDI Inflows in Developing Countries? A Non Linear Analysis

Purpose: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow is regarded as highly important particularly for developing countries as it enhances economic activities and creates job opportunities. The main objective of the present study is to analyze the impact of two regulatory policies i.e. Regulatory Restrictiveness Index (RRI) and Ease of Doing Business (EDB) on FDI inflows in developing countries. Research Gap: Not many studies have discussed the role of more than one regulatory policy to examine their impact on FDI inflows. Therefore, the present study is an attempt to bridge this research gap as it uses two regulatory policies to examine this relationship. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study performs the non-linear analysis using two separate models to determine FDI inflows in 39 developing countries for the period 1997-2020.For this purpose FGLS econometric technique is utilized. The Main Findings: The linearized marginal effects of RRI show that all the countries are located on the left side of U shaped curve while linearized marginal effects of EDB show that some countries lie on the left side and others lie on the right side of U shaped curve. The higher value of the level coefficient than the value of the quadratic coefficient reveals the stronger influence of level coefficients in both models. Theoretical/Practical Implications of the Findings: The study concludes that developing countries need to reduce FDI restrictions to attract maximum FDI inflows. Furthermore, it is recommended that for improving the confidence of foreign investors, appropriate and consistent policies should be designed and implemented

Automated Quantification of Neuropad Improves Its Diagnostic Ability in Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy.

PublishedResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tNeuropad is currently a categorical visual screening test that identifies diabetic patients at risk of foot ulceration. The diagnostic performance of Neuropad was compared between the categorical and continuous (image-analysis (Sudometrics)) outputs to diagnose diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). 110 subjects with type 1 and 2 diabetes underwent assessment with Neuropad, Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS), peroneal motor nerve conduction velocity (PMNCV), sural nerve action potential (SNAP), Deep Breathing-Heart Rate Variability (DB-HRV), intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD), and corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). 46/110 patients had DPN according to the Toronto consensus. The continuous output displayed high sensitivity and specificity for DB-HRV (91%, 83%), CNFD (88%, 78%), and SNAP (88%, 83%), whereas the categorical output showed high sensitivity but low specificity. The optimal cut-off points were 90% for the detection of autonomic dysfunction (DB-HRV) and 80% for small fibre neuropathy (CNFD). The diagnostic efficacy of the continuous Neuropad output for abnormal DB-HRV (AUC: 91%, P = 0.0003) and CNFD (AUC: 82%, P = 0.01) was better than for PMNCV (AUC: 60%). The categorical output showed no significant difference in diagnostic efficacy for these same measures. An image analysis algorithm generating a continuous output (Sudometrics) improved the diagnostic ability of Neuropad, particularly in detecting autonomic and small fibre neuropathy.National Institute of Health (NIH)Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF

Operational experience with the GEM detector assembly lines for the CMS forward muon upgrade

The CMS Collaboration has been developing large-area triple-gas electron multiplier (GEM) detectors to be installed in the muon Endcap regions of the CMS experiment in 2019 to maintain forward muon trigger and tracking performance at the High-Luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC); 10 preproduction detectors were built at CERN to commission the first assembly line and the quality controls (QCs). These were installed in the CMS detector in early 2017 and participated in the 2017 LHC run. The collaboration has prepared several additional assembly and QC lines for distributed mass production of 160 GEM detectors at various sites worldwide. In 2017, these additional production sites have optimized construction techniques and QC procedures and validated them against common specifications by constructing additional preproduction detectors. Using the specific experience from one production site as an example, we discuss how the QCs make use of independent hardware and trained personnel to ensure fast and reliable production. Preliminary results on the construction status of CMS GEM detectors are presented with details of the assembly sites involvement

The Environmental Issues in Pakistan: An Assessment of the Political Parties Manifestos for the 2018 Elections

This paper assessed political parties’ manifestos of the 2018 election regarding their policies for addressing Pakistan\u27s environmental issues. The area covered by forests has reduced to 24% from 50% (in the 1940s). The wastage of natural resources, especially water, has resulted in the drying of swamps and lakes (and a general reduction of freshwater resources). Soil has become less fertile; the underground water has been receding, and the country has become a desert. Textual analysis is used to clarify each party\u27s position and examine the comparative approach of eight major political parties. The manifestos of these parties expressed commitment to solving environmental problems as the voters have been directly affected by adverse climate changes, which have affected the social, political, and economic spheres. The parties that have been in power and those not been in power but have a significant voter following are collectively shaping the governance system to address the environmental concerns of Pakistan. Unfortunately, the redressal of environmental issues has been commonly relegated to the bottom of priorities in the manifestos of the political parties. Instead of addressing the environmental concerns, the political parties prioritised it with manipulation to grab power for the sake of enjoying it