The real exchange rate of an oil exporting economy: Empirical evidence from Nigeria

In this study the long-run relationship between real oil price, real effective exchange rate and productivity differentials is examined using annual data for Nigeria over the period 1980 to 2010. We aim to investigate whether oil price fluctuations and productivity differentials affect the real effective exchange rate. The empirical results suggest that whereas real oil price exercise a significant positive effect on the real exchange rate in the long run. Productivity differentials exercise a significant negative influence on the real exchange rate. The study noted that, the real exchange rate appreciation of 2000-2010 was driven by oil prices. The findings of this study have important implications for exchange rate policy and are relevant to many developing economies where oil exports constitute a significant share of their exports.Exchange rate, oil price, Nigerian economy

Exploring oil price – exchange rate nexus for Nigeria

This paper investigates the oil price – exchange rate nexus for Nigeria during the period 2007-2010 using daily data. The generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) and exponential GARCH (EGARCH) models are employed to examine the impact of oil price changes on the nominal exchange rate .The outcome of this research indicates that a rise in oil prices leads to a depreciation of the Nigerian Naira vis-à-vis the US dollar over the study period.Exchange rate, oil price, Nigeria, GARCH/EGARCH

Direction and Destination Pattern of Fresh Oranges Export from Pakistan: A Markov Chain Approach

Current study is an endeavor to examine the behavior of the big five Pakistani oranges importers i.e., Afghanistan, Ka-zakhstan, Russia, the UAE, and Ukraine. For measuring the occurrence probability of a random variable, the Markov chain analysis is applied to the time series data from FY 2013–14 to FY 2019–20 collected from secondary sources. The Markov chain process with the transition probability matrix (TPM), the compound annual growth rate (CAGR), the coefficient of variation, and the Cuddy Della Valle instability index (CDVI) have displayed interesting results. Based on the TPM, the study concludes that, in terms of quantity, Afghanistan and the UAE showed the highest retention levels and remained consistent. However, the CDVI of all the importing nations for the exports of fresh oranges from Pakistan displayed inconsistent export growth. This study demonstrated the significance of Markov chain theory and its application in the Pakistani context for behavioral prediction of importing countries. This study measures the retention behavior of importing countries, and the results showed that Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine are not willing to import fresh oranges from Pakistan in the future. Regulations and directions that can increase fresh oranges production and exports, as well as alternative management strategies and policies to improve fresh oranges exports in Pakistan, are required. &nbsp

Design Fabrication & Real Time Vision Based Control of Gaming Board

This paper presents design, fabrication and real time vision based control of a two degree of freedom (d.o.f) robot capable of playing a carom board game. The system consists of three main components: (a) a high resolution digital camera (b) a main processing and controlling unit (c) a robot with two servo motors and striking mechanism. The camera captures the image of arena and transmits it to central processing unit. CPU processes the image and congregate useful information using adaptive histogram technique. Congregated information about the coordinates of the object is then sent to the RISC architecture based microcontroller by serial interface. Microcontroller implements inverse kinematics algorithms and PID control on motors with feedback from high resolution quadrature encoders to reach at the desired coordinates and angles. The striking unit exerts a controlled force on the striker when it is in-line with the disk and carom hole (or, pocket). The striker strikes with the disk and pots (to hit (a ball) into a pocket) it in the pocket. The objective is to develop an intelligent, cost effective and user friendly system that fulfil the idea of technology for entertainment

Design Fabrication & Real Time Vision Based Control of Gaming Board

This paper presents design, fabrication and real time vision based control of a two degree of freedom (d.o.f) robot capable of playing a carom board game. The system consists of three main components: (a) a high resolution digital camera (b) a main processing and controlling unit (c) a robot with two servo motors and striking mechanism. The camera captures the image of arena and transmits it to central processing unit. CPU processes the image and congregate useful information using adaptive histogram technique. Congregated information about the coordinates of the object is then sent to the RISC architecture based microcontroller by serial interface. Microcontroller implements inverse kinematics algorithms and PID control on motors with feedback from high resolution quadrature encoders to reach at the desired coordinates and angles. The striking unit exerts a controlled force on the striker when it is in-line with the disk and carom hole (or, pocket). The striker strikes with the disk and pots (to hit (a ball) into a pocket) it in the pocket. The objective is to develop an intelligent, cost effective and user friendly system that fulfil the idea of technology for entertainment

Blending Old and New Teaching Methods and Tools in Medical Education

OBJECTIVES To identify a preference for current teaching methods and use new teaching aids through feedback by medical students and teachers of first and second-year MBBS. METHODOLOGY This cross-sectional study was conducted on 91 MBBS students and teachers of Nowshera Medical College (NMC), Nowshera. Both male and female students and teachers of NMC of class first and second-year MBBS participated in the study. A feedback proforma-based questionnaire was filled out by all the participants online using Google forms. Participants were given the option to select more than one option in the case of the mode of teaching and tool of teaching. The data was collected, analyzed and presented in tabular and graphical forms using SPSS version 23. RESULTS Out of the 91 participants who responded to our research, 45 (49.5%) were males, and 46(50.5%) were female. The majority, 74 (81.3%), were MBBS students, while 17(18.7%) were MBBS teachers. Most of the participants selected more than one option. Most 48(52.7%) of the participants preferred lectures as the mode of delivery while 35(38.4%) opted for SGD, for demonstrations 14(15.3%), PBL 33(36.2%), assignments 13(14.2%0 and notes opted by 4(4.39%). 60.4% (55) were selected to use whiteboards and markers. Only 15.3% (14) were in favour of Powerpoint use, dissection 25(27.4%), models 29(31.86%), and figures 11(12%). CONCLUSION Lectures remain the most preferred teaching method in basic medical sciences among teachers and students, along with other teaching methods. Multiple teaching tools must be used during the class instead of solely depending on Powerpoint presentations

FOLIC ACID-CONJUGATED DOXORUBICIN-LOADED PHOTOSENSITIZING MANGANESE FERRITE NANOPARTICLES: SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTICANCER ACTIVITY AGAINST HUMAN CERVICAL CARCINOMA CELL LINE (HELA)

Objective: On account of several complications and adverse effects associated with the use of conventional chemotherapeutic regimen, the advanced drug-targeted therapies have gained the remarkable attention of the researchers due to their fabulous pharmaceutical and therapeutic advantages. The present study was designed with the aim to synthesize manganese ferrite nanoparticles (MnFe2O4 NPs) and folic acid-conjugated doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded manganese ferrite bovine serum albumin NPs (FA-BSA-DOX-MnFe2O4 NPs) using desolvation cross-linking method.Methods: Having assessed their physicochemical characteristics, the prepared NPs were evaluated for hem compatibility, photo-mediated cytotoxicity, and anti-cancer potential against human cervical carcinoma cell line (HeLa) using a range of in vitro assays which include hemolysis assay, sulforhodamine B (SRB) and MTT assays.Results: Spectroscopic characterization revealed that MnFe2O4 NPs were spherical with an average size diameter of approx. 15 nm and a band gap of 1.4 eV. Another remarkable feature of FA-BSA-DOX conjugated MnFe2O4 NPs was high entrapment efficiency (approx. 95%). MTT assay demonstrated that MnFe2O4 NPs revealed potential photosensitizing ability upon exposure to sunlight. FA-BSA-DOX conjugated MnFe2O4 NPs showed promising cytotoxicity against human cervical epithelial malignant carcinoma cell line (HeLa). Interestingly, the cytotoxicity of these NPs was gradually increased with time of exposure to sunlight.Conclusion: These findings suggested that FA-BSA-DOX conjugated MnFe2O4NPs exhibit promising photosensitizing and anticancer potential against human cervical carcinoma and thus can be considered as an alternative targeted therapy against human cervical cancer.Â

THE INTERCONNECTIONS OF GREEN MOTIVES AND CORPORATE SOCIAL PERFORMANCE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF GREEN PRACTICES

This research aims to explore the impact of green motives (GM) on Corporate Social Performance (CSP) through green practices (GP) in the hotel industry. Data was collected from the 250 executives and other members of senior management who were involved in the management decision making directly or indirectly. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique was applied through Smart-PLS version 3.2.8. Subsequently, results proved that green motives have a positive association with green practices and CSP. Green practices mediated the relationship between green motive and CSP.  This research isolates itself from the previous ones in this area by integrating the literature of green motives and corporate social performance that how green practices intercede this relationship in the context of the hotel industry. In the hotel industry, owners/managers should focus on green motives and must consider them to keep their stakeholders interested and motivated. This study guides management in practice that how to satisfy their customers timely through the green process and build a strong foundation for CSP. This is quantitative research based on cross-sectional data and has been conducted in Pakistan

Mechanical and comfort properties of Hydroentangled nonwovens from comber noil

Cotton fibre is one of the most important commodity fibre and is widely employed in apparels. At present, the share of natural fibres in production of nonwoven fabrics is low and employed in opt applications. The cotton fibre is conventionally converted into woven and knitted fabrics by short staple spinning methods. The comber noil is short fibre waste during production of combed cotton yarns. The aims of the current study were to employ comber noil for preparation of Hydroentangled cotton nonwovens at varying water jet pressures and conveyor speeds. The effect of these parameters is studied with respect to mechanical and comfort properties of prepared fabrics. The results showed that these variables can help to manufacture fibrous assemblies with engineered properties according to required application area

Evaluating the Effects of Textural Properties on the Strength Parameters of Marbles from North-Western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Marble is globally used as a natural stone for decorative and architectural purposes. Primary utilization of marble is as building and dimension stones. Mechanical properties and aesthetic aspects are major characteristics of marble and decisive factors for its selection and utilization. It is therefore imperative to evaluate the key strength properties i.e. Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) and Uniaxial Tensile Strength (UTS) of marble before its utilization. These key strength parameters are dependent on textural features of marble. Present study investigates the effect of two key textural features i.e. grain size and grain shape on two key strength parameters i.e. UCS and UTS of marble samples taken from three different regions i.e. Buner, Chitral and Swat in the north western part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Correlation and regression analysis between these textural properties and strength parameters revealed that prominent textural features of grain size and shape can be used as a quick indicator for assessment of strength parameters and as guideline for appropriate utilization of marble