Pro-poor intervention strategies in irrigated agriculture in Asia: poverty in irrigated agriculture: issues and options: Pakistan

Irrigated farming / Poverty / Irrigation management / Irrigation systems / Water policy / Water rights / Water law / Irrigation scheduling / Organizations / Social aspects / Households / Economic aspects / Expenditure / Irrigation programs / Performance evaluation / Water delivery / Equity / Models / Crop production / Productivity / Wheat / Pakistan

Causal Relationship Between Exports and Agricultural GDP in Pakistan

This paper is an attempt to investigate the causal relationships among agriculture and exports in Pakistan by using time series data for the period between 1971 and 2007. There are several efforts reflecting greater interest in exploring the possible relation between the international trade and economic growth. Increasing of Gross Domestic Product is the main target of almost every economy. Promoting exports of the country is one of the ways of achieving economic growth. Pakistan is among the developing countries, emphasizing to boost its exports since its inception. The major share of Pakistan’s export has strong backward linkages with the agricultural sector both in terms of primary and value added commodities. The findings have significant implications on Pakistan’s economic policy as both the variables have shown strong long-run relationship. There is also a bi-directional Granger-causality between the total exports and agricultural GDP. However, for short-run, both the variable does not cause each other in either direction.Causality, Growth, Gross Domestic Product, Agriculture, Exports, Pakistan

Development of Fundal Varices in Cirrhotic Patients after Eradication of Esophageal Varices

Background: To analyze the development of fundal varices in cirrhotic patients after eradication of esophageal varicesMethods: In this observational study 150 patients of liver cirrhosis, with the history of upper gastrointestinal tract bleed and esophageal varices of grade F2 and F3 but absence of fundal varices, were included. Patients who had previous history of banding were excluded.Results: Eighty one (54%) patients were male. Mean age of the patients was 49.34±11.45 years. Twenty two (14.66%) developed fundal varices of which 2(1.33%) patients developed fundal varices at 2 months, 8(5.33%) patients developed fundal varices at 4 months following banding, and 12(8%) patients developed fundal varices at 6 months following banding of esophageal varices. Fourteen (63.63%) patients had GOV2 while 8(36.36%) had IGV1. Conclusion: New fundal varices develop with increasing frequency in patients treated with esophageal variceal band ligation, and the incidence has a time-dependent relationship

¿Afecta la estimulación del macho cabrío el rendimiento reproductivo de las cabras sincronizadas con esponjas de acetato de medroxiprogesterona (MAP)?

This investigation was executed to determine effect of buck exposure on estrus response, onset of standing estrus, ovulation rate, conception rate and pregnancy rate in goats synchronized with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) sponges. Sponges were placed inside the vagina for fifteen days in buck exposed and isolated groups. Post sponge withdrawal, estrus activities were continuously observed. The interval between sponge withdrawal and the onset of standing estrus were 32.3±10 h (18-51 h) and 45.2±10.9 h (27-51h) in buck isolated and exposed group respectively (p<0.05). Ovulation and conception rates were confirmed by serum progesterone level using radioimmunoassay. Ovulation rates were 100% in both groups and conception rates were 93% and 100% in buck exposed and in isolated group respectively (p>0.05). Pregnancies were confirmed by ultrasound on day 35 post mating which were 93%, was and 69% in buck exposed and isolated group respectively (p>0.05). Based upon the evidence, it was inference that post sponge removal sudden buck exposure cause markedly earlier estrus onset while the continuous buck exposure was unable to show significantly impact on conception and pregnancy rates compare to isolated group.Esta investigación se llevó a cabo para determinar el efecto de la exposición al macho cabrío sobre la respuesta al estro, el inicio del estro permanente, la tasa de ovulación, la tasa de concepción y la tasa de preñez en cabras sincronizadas con esponjas de acetato de medroxiprogesterona (MAP). Se colocaron esponjas dentro de la vagina durante quince días en grupos aislados y expuestos a machos. Después de retirar la esponja, se observaron continuamente las actividades estrales. El intervalo entre la retirada de la esponja y el inicio del estro permanente fue de 32.3±10 h (18-51 h) y 45.2±10.9 h (27-51 h) en el grupo de machos aislados y expuestos respectivamente (p<0.05). Las tasas de ovulación y concepción se confirmaron mediante el nivel de progesterona sérica mediante radioinmunoensayo. Las tasas de ovulación fueron del 100% en ambos grupos y las tasas de concepción fueron del 93% y del 100% en los machos expuestos y en el grupo aislado, respectivamente (p>0.05). Los embarazos fueron confirmados por ultrasonido en el día 35 después del apareamiento, que fueron 93%, fue y 69% en el grupo expuesto y aislado de machos, respectivamente (p>0.05). Sobre la base de la evidencia, se infirió que la exposición repentina al macho después de la extracción de la esponja provocó un inicio del estro notablemente más temprano, mientras que la exposición continua al macho no pudo mostrar un impacto significativo en las tasas de concepción y preñez en comparación con el grupo aislado

Improved finite control set model predictive control for distributed energy resource in islanded microgrid with fault-tolerance capability

In this paper, improved finite control set model predictive voltage control (FCS-MPVC) is proposed for the distributed energy resource (DER) in AC islanded microgrid (MG). Typically, AC MGs have two or more power electronic-based DERs, which have the ability to maintain a constant voltage at the point of common coupling (PCC) as well as perform power sharing among the DERs. Though linear controllers can achieve above-mentioned tasks, they have several restrictions such as slow transient response, poor disturbance rejection capability etc. The proposed control approach uses mathematical model of power converter to anticipate the voltage response for possible switching states in every sampling period. The proposed dual-objective cost function is designed to regulate the output voltage as well as load current under fault condition. Two-step horizon prediction technique reduces the switching frequency and computational burden of the designed algorithm. Performance of the proposed control technique is demonstrated through MATLAB/Simulink simulations for single distributed generator (DG) and AC MG under linear and non-linear loading conditions. The investigated work presents an excellent steady state performance, low computational overhead, better transient performance and robustness against parametric variations in contrast to classical controllers. Total harmonic distortion (THD) for linear and non-linear load is 0.89% and 1.4% respectively as illustrated in simulation results. Additionally, the three-phase symmetrical fault current has been successfully limited to the acceptable range.©2020 Karabuk University. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Understanding of Elementary School Teachers of 3rd World Country about Levels of SOLO Taxonomy

The study was entitled as “Conceptual awareness of elementary school teachers about SOLO Taxonomy in district Vehari”. The main objectives of the present study were: (1) to find out the understanding of the teachers regarding pre-structural level of SOLO taxonomy. (2) To explore conceptual awareness of teachers about the uni-structural level of SOLO taxonomy. (3) To examine the conceptual awareness of teachers about the multi-structural level of SOLO taxonomy. (4) To find out the awareness of teachers about the relational level of SOLO taxonomy. (5) To analyze the understanding of teachers about the extended abstract level of SOLO taxonomy. The population of the study comprised all the primary teachers in District Vehari. The sample included the primary teachers teaching to primary classes. As many as 272 primary teachers were selected from the Tehsil Vehari through random sampling technique. Questionnaire was constructed with a five point Likert scale and was administered to the sample. The collected data was first tabulated and then analyzed by using the frequency and percentage method. The researcher found that majority of the teachers was confused about the perception of pre-structural level. Most of the teachers have greater thoughtful perception toward first level of SOLO taxonomy, Uni-structural level. The third level of SOLO taxonomy, Multi-structural level is the level that is highly achieved and comprehensible by the primary teachers. The relational level was percept and understood by the primary teacher to a great extent. Primary teachers’ perception about the extended abstract level was reasonable. It also concluded that the problem of conceptual awareness about the levels of Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes (SOLO) taxonomy could be improved but not totally resolved. The major recommendations were that primary teachers may have a dire need of training concerning the levels of SOLO taxonomy. Teachers may educate regarding pre-structural level. DTEs may more focus on relational level of SOLO taxonomy during workshops to educate the primary teachers for better understanding. Primary teachers may be equipped with the related literature and rich material about the levels of SOLO taxonomy. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p113

Causal Relationship Between Exports and Agricultural GDP in Pakistan

This paper is an attempt to investigate the causal relationships among agriculture and exports in Pakistan by using time series data for the period between 1971 and 2007. There are several efforts reflecting greater interest in exploring the possible relation between the international trade and economic growth. Increasing of Gross Domestic Product is the main target of almost every economy. Promoting exports of the country is one of the ways of achieving economic growth. Pakistan is among the developing countries, emphasizing to boost its exports since its inception. The major share of Pakistan’s export has strong backward linkages with the agricultural sector both in terms of primary and value added commodities. The findings have significant implications on Pakistan’s economic policy as both the variables have shown strong long-run relationship. There is also a bi-directional Granger-causality between the total exports and agricultural GDP. However, for short-run, both the variable does not cause each other in either direction

Measuring Business Performance: Comparison of Financial, Non Financial and Qualitative Indicators

Purpose: To review research contributions to performance measurement systems. Design/methodology/approach:Critical review of the literature using the systems developed by previous contributors: performance measurement systems; financial measures v/s nonfinancial measures; quantification of qualitative performance indicators; and generalization v/s specification in performance measurement system. Findings:The absence of unified performance measurement systems means that the existing literature is capturing a wide range of financial measures and qualitative specifications. As a result, performance measurement system appears scattered rather than summative. New measurement systems are needed for correct measurement of performance comprising both financial variables with nonfinancial variables and also inclusion of qualitative perspective is inevitable. Research limitations/implications: Similar researches have suggested performance measurement systems must always be tailored according to requirement of assessment entity. Empirical work must explain the measurement of performance explicitly. Originality/value:This paper synthesizes the existing literature in the area of performance measurement systems that has been critical for the performance evaluator in terms of advice given to strategic manager, business owners and policy makers. Keywords: Performance Measurement Systems, Financial Performance, Non-Financial Performance

Causal Relationship Between Exports and Agricultural GDP in Pakistan

This paper is an attempt to investigate the causal relationships among agriculture and exports in Pakistan by using time series data for the period between 1971 and 2007. There are several efforts reflecting greater interest in exploring the possible relation between the international trade and economic growth. Increasing of Gross Domestic Product is the main target of almost every economy. Promoting exports of the country is one of the ways of achieving economic growth. Pakistan is among the developing countries, emphasizing to boost its exports since its inception. The major share of Pakistan’s export has strong backward linkages with the agricultural sector both in terms of primary and value added commodities. The findings have significant implications on Pakistan’s economic policy as both the variables have shown strong long-run relationship. There is also a bi-directional Granger-causality between the total exports and agricultural GDP. However, for short-run, both the variable does not cause each other in either direction

Close accord on partial discharge diagnosis during voltage harmonics in electric motors fed by variable frequency drives

Partial discharge (PD) diagnostics test is a reliable solution for estimating insulation health conditions in power system components. During laboratory PD diagnostics, the effect of harmonic components in the voltage waveform generated by variable frequency drives (VFD) fed electric motors (EMs) is often overlooked. As VFD-fed EMs operate at low speeds, the harmonic concentration in the voltage increases. It has been found that PD activity in VFD-fed EM is significantly affected by the addition of harmonic components in the voltage, thus making it necessary to consider their impact when performing true PD diagnostics. This paper investigates the influence of voltage harmonic distortion produced in VFD-fed EM on PD severity and the subsequent insulation degradation. Eight VFD-fed EM are used to study the PD behaviour under different levels of harmonic pollution. The PD characteristics, such as inception voltage, pulse repetition rate, accumulated apparent charge, average discharge current, discharge power, and quadratic rate, are determined. Using probability distribution functions, PD activity and severity at various voltage harmonic levels are estimated. The proposed technique can be used to plan the maintenance activities that ensure the reliability for industrial applications dealing with the voltage harmonic distortion