Understanding Volatility dependence between MENA Sukuk, GCC Sukuk and Nifty Shariah Index during Covid-19: A C-vine Copula Approach

The study aims to find out the volatility dependence between MENA Sukuk , GCC Sukuk ,and Nifty 50 Shariah  indices. Further, it finds out volatility pattern among the same indices before and during COVID-19 pandemic. Daily data (April 2017 to November 2020) of the indices are analyzed using the GARCH model and C-Vine Copula approach. It is done by modeling the returns of the indices. In pre Covid period- C Vine copula shows that the Sukuk have strong dependence while Shariah index has rather weak dependence, for MENA Sukuk and Nifty Shariah 50 it increased by a great margin in during-COVID 19 periods. GCC Sukuk and Nifty Shariah indices are positively correlated to each other in comparing to returns of Mena Sukuk.   The results of the GARCH model show asymmetrical co movements for losses and gains. Moreover, conditioned on MENA Sukuk, the GCC Sukuk and Nifty Shariah 50 had a higher negative degree of dependence within and throughout COVID-19 period. There is ample work available on various Islamic indices but there is dearth study found on the S&P Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Sukuk, GCC Sukuk and Nifty Shariah 50 indices, together. It fills the gap in the literature. Keywords: Covid-19, Dependency, Volatility, Sukuk, Index, Copula, GARCH. Paper type:  Empirical paper Funding: This research did not receive any  grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors

Modelling the return of shariah with underlying indices of national stock exchange of India : a case of 3SLS and GMM estimation / Saif Siddiqui and Safika Praveen Sheikh.

Shariah indices can be used to construct socially reliable investment products that are attractive for those, who do not wish to invest in undesired business. National Stock Exchange of India introduced Nifty 50 Shariah and Nifty 500 Shariah indices to provide alternative indices for Shariah compliant companies. The study is an attempt to reveal the relationship between Nifty 50 Shariah and Nifty 500 Shariah with their underlying indices, Nifty 50 and Nifty 500.For this purpose a period of 01/01/2007 to 31/12/2015 is taken. Based on various objectives, techniques like Descriptive statistics, Correlation, Co-integration test, 3SLS and GMM estimation are used. It is concluded that return of Shariah Indices are better and risk is lesser, than underlying indices. These indices are the better option for portfolios

Determination of Yearly Wind Energy Potential and Extraction of Wind Energy Using Wind Turbine for Coastal Cities of Baluchistan, Pakistan

04 March, 2019 Accepted: 24 April, 2019Abstract: Wind energy assessment of Ormara, Gwadar and Lasbela wind sites which are located in provinceBaluchistan is presented. The daily averaged wind speed data for the three sites is recorded for a period of four yearsfrom 2010-2013 at mast heights 7 m, 9.6 m and 23 m. Measured wind data are extrapolated to heights 60 m (Ormara),80 m (Gwadar) and 60 m (Lasbela). Yearly averaged wind speeds are modeled using a two parameters Weibullfunction whose shape (k) and scale (c) parameters are computed using seven well known numerical iterative methods.Reliability of the fitting process is assessed by employing three goodness-of-fit test statistics, namely, RMSE, R2 and χ2tests. Tests indicate that MLE, MLM and EPFM outperformed other Weibull parameter estimation methods for a betterfit behavior. Yearly Weibull pdf and cdf are obtained and Weibull wind characteristics are determined. Wind turbinesEcotecnia 60/1.67 MW and Nordex S77 1500 kW are used to extract wind energy on yearly basis. Estimated yearlyWeibull power densities are in the range 623.00 - 700.13 W/m2, 276.04 – 307.55 W/m2 and 66.85 – 75.93 W/m2 forOrmara, Gwadar and Lasbela respectively. Extracted wind energy values for Ormara and Gwadar using wind turbinesare reported as ca. 8623 kWh and ca. 4622 kWh, respectively

Mothers’s education and working status; do they contribute to corrosive poisoning among paediatric patients of Karachi, Pakistan?

Objectives: To determine the causative factors behind corrosive poisoning in children like effect of working mothers, their educational status, financial background, family size and number of siblings. Methods: The multi-centre, prospective, case series of all paediatric patients presenting to the Emergency Department of the National Institute of Child Health and the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from August 2008 to July 2009 is presented. It comprised all paediatric patients with a history of corrosive poisoning at the two hospitals. SPSS 20 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Out of 105 cases, 56(53%) related to the private-sector Aga Khan University Hospital, and 49(47%) to the public-sector National Institute of Child Health. Of the total, 82(78%) were in 1-5 age group; 61 (58%) were males; and 44(42%) were females. While 59 (56.2%) mothers were educated, only 21 (20%) were working. Of the 46 (43.8%) non-educated mothers, 20 (19%) were working. The type of poison was alkali in 81(77%) cases, acid in 23(22%). The corrosive varied from liquid in 80(76%) cases to powder/gel/semi-solid form in 25(24%) exposures. Besides, 65 (61.9%) families had 3 or more siblings, and the age of siblings was less than 10 in 60 (57.14%) cases, In 34 (32.38%) cases, the chemical were kept in the original container, while in 71 (67.61%) cases other commonly used and familiar containers were used to store these chemicals. Kitchen was the most common place with 51 (48.57%) cases. The time of incident was afternoon in 51(48.57%) cases. Majority cases (n=23; 21.9%) occurred in October. Conclusion: There are multiple contributory factors in corrosive exposure among children rather than the mother\u27s working status and her educational background

In vitro evaluation of microbiological flora of orofacial infections

Objective: To assess the most common micro-organisms causing odontogenic infections and their antimicrobial susceptibility. Methods: The study was conducted in 80 patients with orofacial infection. The pus sample was collected, cultured (aerobically and anaerobically) and stained for morphological study of the isolates. Antibiotic sensitivity test for the isolates were performed. Results: A total of 109 micro-organisms were isolated, no pathogenic organism were isolated in 3 cases. Out of 109 micro-organism isolated, 107 bacteria and 2 fungi were identified. Pure aerobes were identified in 28(35%) of cases, pure anaerobes in 18(22.5%), mixed aerobes and anaerobes in 10(12.5%), mixed aerobes in 15(18.75%) and mixed anaerobes were isolated in 6(7.5%) cases. Among the entire pure gram positive isolates, ofloxacin was the most sensitive drug 83.33% followed by ciprofloxacin 76.2% and sparfloxacin 76.2%. The most resistant drugs were amoxicillin (92.85%) and ampicillin (92.85%). Cefotaxime was found sensitive in 75% of pure gram negative isolates. Conclusion: Ofloxacin was the most sensitive drug followed by ciprofloxacin and sparfloxacin for pure gram positive isolates. The most resistant drugs were amoxicillin and ampicillin. The gram negative colonies were sensitive to Cefotaxime

Effect of Prenatal Dietary Pattern on Maternal Anemia and Low Birth Weight in Rural Areas of Kanpur

Background: In India, the dietary pattern of women from low socioeconomic status are almost same during pre-pregnant, pregnant and lactating periods. Additional foods are required to improve weight gain in pregnancy and birth weight of infants. Aim & Objective: To identify the impact of prenatal dietary pattern on maternal anemia and low birth weight in rural areas of Kanpur Nagar. Methods: This study was a cross sectional study conducted amongst mothers who recently delivered (RDW) in rural blocks of District Kanpur Nagar. Data was collected by interviewing study subjects using a semi-structured interview schedule after applying multistage random sampling technique. Results: Out of 102 women studied, 39.2% women had consumed >90 IFA tablets, 49.1% of mothers had practiced MMF and 47.1% of women practiced MDD during their prenatal period and 40.1% babies of current pregnancy were born as LBW. IFA consumption during pregnancy was significantly associated with maternal anemia. MMF during pregnancy was significantly associated with LBW. Conclusions: In our study it was found that IFA consumption, MMF and MDD during antenatal is a key preventive measure to reduce anemia status in pregnant females and birth weight of baby during prenatal period

Performance Evaluation of Models Established for the Estimation of Diffused Solar Radiation: Case Study Lahore, Pakistan

A suitable design of solar power project requires accurate measurements of solar radiation for the site ofinvestigation. Such measurements play a pivotal role in the installation of PV systems. While conducting such studies,in general, global solar radiation (GSR) is recorded, whereas diffuse component of solar radiation on a horizontalsurface is seldom recorded. The objective of the present study is to assess diffuse solar radiation (DSR) on horizontalsurfaces by using polynomial models for Lahore, Pakistan (27.89 N, 78.08 E) and by correlating clearness index withdiffuse fraction. The established models are compared with some of the existing models from the literature.Performance of models is evaluated by employing five goodness-of-fit (GoF) tests that are, mean bias error (MBE),root mean square (RMSE), Coefficient of Determination (R2), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and Akaike’sInformation Criterion (AIC). The comparison of the results of goodness-of-fit tests with those of existing modelsindicate that the models established in the present study are performed better as compared to the existing models. Thevalues of statistical error analysis further suggested that a cubic model with a good accuracy of 97.5% and AIC of -22.8is relatively more suitable for this climatic region for estimating diffuse solar radiation. The study shows that the modeldeveloped is in good agreement with Elhadidy and Nabi model with an accuracy of 96.1% and AIC of 4.4 andsatisfactory results are obtained for Lahore. The findings can help to give a generous understanding of solar radiation inorder to optimize the solar energy conversion systems. The results of this study provide a better understanding of theassociations between global solar radiation, clearness index and diffused fraction for the region under study

Some Exact Solutions to Equations of Motion of an Incompressible Third Grade Fluid

This investigation deals with some exact solutions of the equations governing the steady plane motions of an incompressible third grade fluid by using complex variables and complex functions. Some of the solutions admit, as particular cases, all the solutions of Moro et al[1].Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

Spatial Wind Speed Forecasting Using Artificial Neural Networks

Spatial interpolation is a commonly used technique to simulate wind speeds in areas which are devoid of such measuring devices. In this paper authors examine the applicability and efficiency of Artificial-Neural- Network (ANN) formalism aimed at interpolating wind speeds in space domain. Additionally, the effect of the correlation between the wind speed at target site and its correlated neighboring site is also examined in the present paper. Hourly wind speed data set comprising of wind speeds recorded from April 2016 to August 2018 provided by Energy Sector Management Assistance Program of World Bank is used for the study. The study is supported by including four different wind speed measuring stations in Pakistan, namely, Tando Ghulam Ali, Umer Kot, Sujawal and Sanghar. Best estimates from ANN model are obtained for Tando Ghulam Ali (MAPE= 7.37%) and worst estimates are observed forSanghar site (MAPE= 10.61%)