Of Religion and Redemption: Evidence from Default on Islamic Loans (Replaces CentER DP 2010-136)

Abstract: We compare default rates on conventional and Islamic loans using a comprehensive monthly dataset from Pakistan that follows more than 150,000 loans over the period 2006:04 to 2008:12. We find robust evidence that the default rate on Islamic loans is less than half the default rate on conventional loans. Islamic loans are less likely to default during Ramadan and in big cities if the share of votes to religious-political parties increases, suggesting that religion – either through individual piousness or network effects – may play a role in determining loan default.Loan Default;Islamic Loans;Religion;Duration Analysis

Barley-Based cropping systems and weed control strategies influence weed infestation, soil properties and barley productivity

Barley-based cropping systems (BCS) alter barley production by influencing weed infestation rates and soil nutrient dynamics. This two-year field study evaluated the interactive effects of five BCS and five weed control strategies (WCS) on soil properties and the growth and yield of barley. Barley was planted in five different cropping systems, i.e., fallow-barley (FB), maize-barley (MaB), cotton-barley (CB), mungbean-barley (MuB) and sorghum-barley (SB). Similarly, five different WCS, weed-free (control, WF), weedy-check (control, WC), false seedbeds (FS), chemical control (CC) and use of allelopathic water extracts (AWE), were included in the study. The SB system had the highest soil bulk density (1.48 and 1.47 g cm−3 during the period 2017–2018 and 2018–2019, respectively) and lowest total soil porosity (41.40 and 41.07% during the period 2017–2018 and 2018–2019, respectively). However, WCS remained non-significant for bulk density and total soil porosity during both years of the study. Barley with WF had a higher leaf area index (5.28 and 4.75) and specific leaf area (65.5 and 64.9 cm−2 g−1) compared with barley grown under WC. The MuB system under WC had the highest values of extractable NH4-N (5.42 and 5.58 mg kg−1), NO3-N (5.79 and 5.93 mg kg−1), P (19.9 and 19.5 mg kg−1), and K (195.6 and 194.3 mg kg−1) with statistically similar NO3-N in the MaB system under WC and extractable K in the MuB system under FS. Grain yield ranged between 2.8–3.2 and 2.9–3.3 t ha−1 during the period 2017–2018 and 2018–2019, respectively, among different WCS. Similarly, grain yield ranged between 2.9–3.2 and 3.0–3.2 t ha−1 during the period 2017–2018 and 2018–2019, respectively, within different BCS. Among WCS, the highest grain yield (3.29 and 3.32 t ha−1) along with yield-related traits of barley were in WF as compared to WC. Overall, MuB system recorded better yield and yield-related traits, whereas the lowest values of these traits were recorded for FB systems. In conclusion, the MuB system with WF improved soil characteristics and barley yield over other cropping systems. The AWE significantly suppressed weeds and was equally effective as the chemical control. Therefore, MuB and AWE could be used to improve barley productivity and suppress weeds infestation

The impact of different weed management systems on weed flora and dry biomass production of barley grown under various barley-based cropping systems

Weeds are among the major issues responsible for reduction in yield and profit in any crop production system. Herbicides are the easiest and quickest solution of weeds; however, their frequent use exert negative consequences on environment, human health, and results in the evolution of herbicide-resistant weed species. Due to these reasons, alternative weed management methods that are less harmful to environment and human health are needed. This two-year study evaluated the impact of different weed management options, i.e., false seedbed (FS), allelopathic water extracts (AWE), chemical control (CC), weed-free (WF) weedy-check (WC) on weed spectrum in various barley-based cropping systems, i.e., fallow-barley (FB), maize-barley (MB), cotton-barley (CB), mungbean-barley (M*B), and sorghum-barley (SB). Data relating to density, diversity, and biomass production of weed species prevailing in the studied cropping systems were recorded. Interactive effect of weed management methods and barley-based cropping systems significantly altered weed diversity, and densities of individual, broadleaved, and grassy weeds. A total 13 weed species (ten broadleaved and three grass) were recorded during both years of study. The highest dry biomass, diversity, and density of individual, broadleaved, and grassy weeds were noted in WC treatment, whereas WF treatment resulted in the lowest values of these traits. Chemical control resulted in the highest suppression of weed flora and improved dry biomass production of barley followed by AWE. The SB cropping system with CC or AWE resulted in the least weed flora. The M*B cropping system with CC or AWE produced the highest dry biomass of barley. It is concluded that including sorghum crop in rotation and applying AWE could suppress weeds comparable to herbicides. Similarly, including mungbean in rotation and applying AWE could increase dry biomass production of barley. In conclusion, herbicides can be replaced with an eco-friendly approach, i.e., allelopathy and inclusion of sorghum crop could be helpful in suppressing weed flora

Characterizing Visual Programming Approaches for End-User Developers: A Systematic Review

Recently many researches have explored the potential of visual programming in robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and education. However, there is a lack of studies that analyze the recent evidence-based visual programming approaches that are applied in several domains. This study presents a systematic review to understand, compare, and reflect on recent visual programming approaches using twelve dimensions: visual programming classification, interaction style, target users, domain, platform, empirical evaluation type, test participants’ type, number of test participants, test participants’ programming skills, evaluation methods, evaluation measures, and accessibility of visual programming tools. The results show that most of the selected articles discussed tools that target IoT and education, while other fields such as data science, robotics are emerging. Further, most tools use abstractions to hide implementation details and use similar interaction styles. The predominant platforms for the tools are web and mobile, while desktop-based tools are on the decline. Only a few tools were evaluated with a formal experiment, whilst the remaining ones were evaluated with evaluation studies or informal feedback. Most tools were evaluated with students with little to no programming skills. There is a lack of emphasis on usability principles in the design stage of the tools. Additionally, only one of the tools was evaluated for expressiveness. Other areas for exploration include supporting end users throughout the life cycle of applications created with the tools, studying the impact of tutorials on improving learnability, and exploring the potential of machine learning to improve debugging solutions developed with visual programming

Of Religion and Redemption:Evidence from Default on Islamic Loans (Replaces CentER DP 2010-136)

Abstract: We compare default rates on conventional and Islamic loans using a comprehensive monthly dataset from Pakistan that follows more than 150,000 loans over the period 2006:04 to 2008:12. We find robust evidence that the default rate on Islamic loans is less than half the default rate on conventional loans. Islamic loans are less likely to default during Ramadan and in big cities if the share of votes to religious-political parties increases, suggesting that religion – either through individual piousness or network effects – may play a role in determining loan default.