Effect of Planting Date and Other Management Inputs on Production of Wheat.

Intensive cereal management (ICM) can optimize the yield and performance of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell.). Planting is often delayed beyond the optimum date along the Gulf Coast due to frequent precipitation. Field experiments were conducted at four locations in 1991 and two locations in 1992 to evaluate the effects of intensive management practices on performance of wheat planted at recommended and post-recommended dates. Seeding rates of 84 or 168 kg ha\sp{-1} and topdress N rates of 90 or 90 + 45 kg ha\sp{-1} were evaluated for an early and a late-maturing cultivar planted at a recommended date or 35 d later, with or without foliar fungicide application. Late planting resulted in significant yield loss even though more spikes m\sp{-2} were produced. Yield loss for the late-planted crop was due to lighter and fewer kernels spike\sp{-1}. Leaf area index (LAI) was unaffected by either planting date or seeding rate. Grain yield was not affected by seeding rate for the early-planted wheat. The seeding rate of 168 kg ha\sp{-1} gave higher leaf rust (Puccinia recondita Rob. ex. Desm. f. sp. tritici) and Septoria leaf (Mycosphaerella graminicola (Fuckel) Schroeter) and glume (Leptosphaeria nodorum) blotch ratings, but increased grain yield when the crop was planted late by increasing spikes m\sp{-2}. Additional spring N significantly increased yield of the crop planted at a recommended date by increasing grains spike\sp{-1}, but did not increase the yield for the late-planted crop. Additional spring N also increased LAI and absorption of photosynthetically active radiation by the crop planted at both dates. \u27Traveler\u27 gave higher grain yield by producing heavier and more kernels spike\sp{-1}. \u27Terral-101\u27 produced higher LAI and spikes m\sp{-2}. Fungicide application increased the yield of resistant and susceptible cultivar equally, despite the fact that the susceptible cultivar developed about three-times the severity of leaf rust as the resistant cultivar in the absence of fungicide. Bacterial streak (Xanthomonas campestris pv. translucens (Jones, Johnson, and (Reddy) Dye) was not affected by fungicide application, N, and seeding rate, while Septoria leaf blotch was only affected by cultivar

Explaining Idiosyncratic Volatility Puzzle and Lottery-Like Stock with Extreme Returns: Evidence from Emerging Stock Market

This paper explores the possibility that idiosyncratic volatility may cause unexpectedly high levels of volatility in the Pakistani stock market. This study further analyzes the Pakistani stock market as there has been much discussion about the existence of a pervasive idiosyncratic volatility puzzle since the market as a whole low volatility stock has significantly grown. The study implemented the Fama-French six-factor model to the data of common stocks traded on the Pakistan Stock Exchange between the time period of 2003 to 2020 in order to quantify idiosyncratic volatility. The expected return is then investigated as a possible explanation for the anomalous volatility. The authors discover that individual stock price swings are strongly linked to predicted returns. As the company-level factors have a strong explanatory power when it comes to explaining idiosyncratic volatility for equity returns, based on the findings of this study, we can conclude that the expected returns for firms with strong idiosyncratic volatility are extraordinarily high, and this problem disappears once firm-level factors are taken into account. Additionally, it is found that stocks with high skewness and high idiosyncratic volatility have underperformed the market over almost two decades.  Overall, our results imply that the mystery emerges because highly volatile equities are overvalued and then undergo a subsequent correction because of their high max effect/lottery properties. Investment lottery preferences and market frictions have been cited in the literature as possible causes of idiosyncratic volatility. An expected return measure for stocks as a proxy for the over-valuation of stock returns and discover the relevance of idiosyncratic volatility in solving the idiosyncratic volatility puzzle

Demand and Supply Analysis of Transport Energy in Pakistan

Over the last decade, the importance of energy consumption in transport sector has burgeoned forth and has been growing rapidly in Pakistan, and the course is being augured to linger over the coming decades. This paper brings about the function of transport energy demand, economic growth (GDP), oil rents, gas rents, road length and number of registered vehicles for Pakistan over the 1980-2015 by using Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) approach. The results which have had come about shows preponderance of the fact that there is powerful relationship between all concerned variables when transport energy demand is used as a dependent variable in Pakistan. Hence, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model is used for the future forecasting related to the consumption and production of gasoline and oil. According to the forecasted results, consumption (demand) is much greater as compared to production (supply) in both non-renewable sources. As policy makers suggest, we can make up for this lacuna by bourgeoning forth new technology (hybrid vehicles) as well as an awareness campaign through which we can make others abreast of this research may be launched about energy conservation methods to curtail the transport energy demand (TED) in the country

AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH OF FOUR-STEP METHOD FOR OPTIMAL SOLUTION OF TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM

Transportation problem (TP) in operation research is one of the most in use optimization technique to deal the problems that are related with transportation of goods from sources to destinations. Initial Basic Feasible Solution (IBFS) plays a vital role in TP which offers a way to obtain the optimal solution. The objective is to prevail the total transportation cost equivalent or nearer to optimal solution. In this paper, an effective approach of Four Step Method (FSM) for optimal solution of TP has been brought up in order to get optimal solution of TPs. In this method we construct the Maximum Column Table (MCT) and Maximum Row Table (MRT). Several problems has been solved using this method to get the optimal solution. The outcomes of proposed method are contrasted with results of North West Corner Method (NWCM), Least Cost Method (LCM) and Vogal’s Approximation Method (VAM). It is observed that the proposed method is not only achieving better results but also overcoming the limitation of VAM. Key Words: Transportation problem, Initial Basic Feasible Solution, Optimal solution, Linear programming proble

Risk factors associated with ectopic pregnancy: A case control study.

Introduction: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) accounting for 10% of all pregnancies is a major health problem for women of childbearing age and leading cause of maternal deaths. The identified risk factors are previous ectopic pregnancy, previous pelvic surgery, induction of ovulation, intrauterine device usage, history of pelvic inflammatory disease, and smoking at the time of conception. Objective: To identify risk factor for ectopic pregnancy so that appropriate directional strategies may be developed to reduce its prevalence.  Methodology: This observational case control study was conducted with sample size of 100 (50 cases, 50 control) from January 2017 to 30 July 2017 at different hospitals of Sindh and Punjab. For this study, case was defined as a pregnant woman with a confirmed tubal ectopic gestation, while control as pregnant women with a confirmed normal intrauterine pregnancy. Information regarding demographic socio-economic status and risk factors were also collected. Results:  The case & control groups were almost similar with respect to age, education, residence, age of marriage and parity. There was a significant associa­tion between prior ectopic pregnancy (OR 15.47, CI 95% 1.92-124.3, p=0.00) , history of previous pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID) (OR 13.5, CI 95% 5.09-35.83, p=0.01), smoking (OR 15.47, CI 95% 1.92-124.3, p=0.00), history of endometriosis (OR 4.04, CI95%1.22-13.47, p=0.00), use of intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) (OR 5.41, CI 95% 1.66-17.65, p=0.00), and previous cesarean section(OR 2.42,CI 95%1.04-5.63, p=0.02). Conclusion: Identification of risk factors for ectopic pregnancy may help in early detection and appropriate management. Risk factors modification, such as cigarette smoking, use of IUCD and first pregnancy interval may be effective as risk-reduction strategies. Key Word:  Ectopic pregnancy, Intrauterine contraceptive device, Pelvic inflammatory disease

Does Trade with China Can Make Growth in Pakistan More Inclusive? Pre and Post Empirical Impact of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

The main objective of this study is to analyze the impact of Pakistan trade relation with China, especially in the perspective of "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor" (CPEC), on the inclusive Growth in Pakistan. This study contains two phases. Phase-I elaborates the impact of Pakistan trade with China and its inclusive growth without the effect of CPEC during 1985 – 2017 by applying ARDL frame-work. The results of the study confirmed that the influence of Pakistan-trade with China and its impact on the inclusive growth of Pakistan is Positive and Significant. Granger Causality test also give robust evidence that the relationship between Pakistan trade with China enhances inclusive growth of Pakistan. Correspondingly, Phase-II, examined the impact of CPEC and Pakistan-trade with China on the inclusive growth of Pakistan during 1990 – 2017 by using Ordinary Least Square (OLS). The results argue that the Impact of CPEC and Trade volume of Pakistan with China encourages inclusive growth of Pakistan.  Beside the main variables, the control variable like, (foreign direct investment, government expenditure, financial development, trade openness and inflation) also positive and significant effect on inclusive growth but in some cases the impact is insignificant. Keywords: Trade; Inclusive Growth; CPEC; ARDL; Pakistan. DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-3-05 Publication date:March 31st 201

Development, stabilization, and characterization of nanoemulsion of vitamin D3-enriched canola oil

In this study, the oil-in-water nanoemulsion (NE) was prepared and loaded with vitamin D3 in food-grade (edible) canola oil and stabilized by Tween 80 and Span 80 by using a water titration technique with droplet sizes of 20 to 200 nm. A phase diagram was established for the influence of water, oil, and S-Mix concentration. The outcomes revealed that the particle size of blank canola oil nanoemulsion (NE) ranged from 60.12 to 62.27 (d.nm) and vitamin D3 NE ranged from 93.92 to 185.5 (d.nm). Droplet size and polydispersity index (PDI) of both blank and vitamin D3-loaded NE results were less than 1, and zeta potential results for blank and vitamin D3 loaded NE ranged from −9.71 to −15.32 mV and −7.29 to −13.56 mV, respectively. Furthermore, the pH and electrical conductivity of blank NE were 6.0 to 6.2 and 20 to 100 (μs/cm), respectively, whereas vitamin D3-loaded NE results were 6.0 to 6.2 and 30 to 100 (μs/cm), respectively. The viscosity results of blank NE ranged from 0.544 to 0.789 (mPa.s), while that of vitamin D3-loaded NE ranged from 0.613 to 0.793 (mPa.s). In this study, the long-term stability (3 months) of canola oil NE containing vitamin D3 at room temperature (25 C) and high temperature (40 C) was observed

Formulating DNA Chains Using Effective Calculability

Nearly all computational algorithms are modeled as ‘Effective Calculability’ i.e Finite State Model and Lambda Calculus. Effectively calculable function Comprise of three parts: the info, the yield, and the finite state function or transition function. It takes stream of data as input and translates to specific output, as defined by transition function [1]. The aftereffect of this conversion is another flood of information or the yield. Both i.e info and yield information streams comprise of arrangements of characters and are known as strings. DNA exhibits a property of being a pattern of strings. Automatic machines like automata and Lambda Calculus or simply the Effective Calculability [8] can be an efficient approach to study these patterns. By the introduction of Effective Calculability we can express the pattern of DNA in much better way. The transition function runs stepwise each character of the information string to produce the output string. The transformations achieved by the transition function are relatively simple in nature. Complex computations and operations can be affected by linking together several Effective Calculability switches so that the output string of one switch becomes the input string of another switch

The use of folic acid in dengue: Has it any value?

Folic acid is used in dengue patients. Our study aims to compare the duration of recovery of thrombocytopenia in patients with dengue infection who received folic acid and those who did not. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of adult patients admitted over six years with a diagnosis of dengue. Of 2216 patients, 1464 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Group A were those patients who received folic acid and group B were those who did not. A total of 1322 (90.3%) patients received folic acid. The mean time period required for platelets to double the nadir was 1.7 (±2.2) days in both groups A and B ( P = 0.89). In conclusion, there is no significant difference in the recovery of thrombocytopenia in patients with dengue fever who received folic and those who did not receive folic acid

Microfinanças e empoderamento de mulheres: uma análise de regressão de comutação endógena

Women in Pakistan are suffering from a great social and economic deprivation due to gender discrimination and inequitable distribution of resources. This paper examines the determinants and extent of women empowerment by their participation in microfinance programs. Data for this study were collected from different areas of Faisalabad, Pakistan, where most of the households were poor and had borrowed money from different microfinance institutes. Keeping in view the disguised endogeneity, Endogenous Switching Regression Model was employed which accounts for selection bias because of observable and unobservable factors. The analysis revealed that education level, household size, family system, educational expenditures, income level and the ownership of different assets like sewing machines have the statistically significant impact on the women decision to work and hence promote women empowerment. It is concluded that the government in developing countries should introduce income-generating activities, especially for women by providing them access to financial resources.Las mujeres en Pakistán están sufriendo una gran carencia social y económica debido a la discriminación de género y la distribución desigual de los recursos. Este documento examina los determinantes y el alcance del empoderamiento de las mujeres por su participación en los programas de microfinanzas. Los datos para este estudio fueron recolectados de diferentes áreas de Faisalabad, Pakistán, donde la mayoría de los hogares eran pobres y habían tomado dinero prestado de diferentes institutos de microfinanzas. Teniendo en cuenta la endogeneidad disfrazada, se empleó el Modelo de Regresión de Conmutación Endógena que explica el sesgo debido a factores observables y no observables. El análisis reveló que el nivel educativo, el tamaño del hogar, el sistema familiar, los gastos educativos, el nivel de ingresos y la propiedad de diferentes activos, como las máquinas de coser, tienen un impacto estadísticamente significativo en la decisión de las mujeres de trabajar y, por lo tanto, promover el empoderamiento de las mujeres. Se concluye que el gobierno de los países en desarrollo debe introducir actividades generadoras de ingresos, especialmente para las mujeres, proporcionándoles acceso a recursos financierosAs mulheres no Paquistão sofrem de uma grande privação social e econômica devido à discriminação de gênero e à distribuição desigual de recursos. Este artigo examina os determinantes e a extensão do empoderamento das mulheres pela sua participação em programas de microfinanças. Os dados para este estudo foram coletados em diferentes áreas de Faisalabad, Paquistão, onde a maioria dos domicílios era pobre e tinha tomado dinheiro emprestado de diferentes institutos de microfinanças. Tendo em vista a endogeneidade disfarçada, empregou-se o Modelo de Regressão por Comutação Endógena, que considera o viés de seleção por causa de fatores observáveis e inobserváveis. A análise revelou que o nível de escolaridade, tamanho da família, sistema familiar, gastos com educação, nível de renda e posse de diferentes ativos, como máquinas de costura, têm impacto estatisticamente significativo na decisão das mulheres de trabalhar e, portanto, promovem o empoderamento das mulheres. Conclui-se que o governo dos países em desenvolvimento deve introduzir atividades geradoras de renda, especialmente para as mulheres, proporcionando-lhes acesso a recursos financeiro