Modelling Financial Contagion in the South African Equity Markets Following the Subprime Crisis

This paper used wavelet analysis and Dynamic Conditional Correlations model derived from the Multivariate Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (MGARCH-DCC) to investigate the possible presence of financial contagion in the South African equity market in the wake of the subprime crisis that occurred in the United States. The study uses Dornbusch, Park and Claessens’s (2000) broader definition which asserts that financial contagion only takes place if cross-correlation between two markets is relatively low during the tranquil period, and that a crisis in one market results in a substantial increase cross-market correlation. Using wavelet analysis, the study found high levels of correlation during the subprime financial crisis in both smaller and longer timescales. In the former, high correlation was identified as financial contagion, whereas in the latter it was found to indicate co-movement due to financial fundamentals. The high correlation was identified for small scales 3, 4 and 5 that range from a week to one month indicates the presence of contagion. The study also used the MGARCH-DCC model to compare the cross-market correlation between the SA and the US markets, during a ‘pre-crisis’ and ‘crisis’ period. The study used data for the period between January 2005 and December 2007 for the ‘pre-crisis’ period and that for the period from January 2008 to December 2014 for the ‘crisis’ period. The results indicate cross-market linkages only during the crisis period; hence, it was concluded that cross-market correlation during the period of financial turmoil in the US was the result of financial contagion

\u3cem\u3e Albizia procera\u3c/em\u3e Based Silvipastoral System: An Ideal Alternate Land Use System for Sustainable Forage Production in Semi-Arid Region

India’s economy is agro-based and about 69% of the total population depends on it for their livelihood (GoI, 2013). Livestock is the integral component of Indian agriculture since time immemorial. Its contribution to national economy through milk, meat, wool as well as farmyard manure is enormous. India has the largest number of livestock, representing over 17% of the world. Among four important species of livestock, cattle represent over 43% of the population followed by buffaloes (19%), goats (26%) and sheep (10%). The share of livestock reared is highest in marginal followed by small and semi-medium land holders implying that marginal holders and small land holders are playing seminal role in development of livestock sector in country. The productivity of livestock and growth of animal husbandry are closely linked with the biomass and quality of forages. Currently there has been radical change in realising the importance of forages in integrated farming system, crop diversification, watershed management, restoration of degraded lands and climate resilient agriculture. Grasslands represent some 70% of global agricultural land area; unfortunately as much as 35% of the grasslands are degraded. The insufficient fodder availability has adversely affected all the three systems of livestock production. Silvipasture systems is an integrated approach of growing ideal combinations of grasses, legumes and trees for higher land productivity, conserving biodiversity and nutrients and producing forage, timber and firewood from a single unit area on a sustainable basis. The trees and shrubs used in silvipasture are used primarily to produce fodder for livestock. Looking at the enormous production potential of the slivipastoral systems, it is pertinent to introduce these in the arid and semi-arid regions so that large area of wasteland which is not suitable for crop production can be used for of fodder and biomass production. Dev et al. (2014) observed significant impact of participatory silvipastoral intervention and soil conservation measures for forage resource enhancement in western Himalaya. The study aims to present the suitability of silvipastoral systems in detail and advocate the extensive use of silvipasture in semi-arid regions for higher production

Transforming livestock productivity through watershed interventions: A case study of Parasai-Sindh watershed in Bundelkhand region of Central India

CONTEXT: Global experiences reveal the positive impact of watershed-based interventions in improving livelihoods and environmental security. In the drylands, increasing forage resources and improving livestock productivity is a critical challenge. OBJECTIVES: The overarching aim of this paper is to analyse the impact of watershed-based interventions on livestock population, productivity, fodder resources, and biomass availability. The paper describes the interrelationship between land, water, crop, and livestock and how the gap in forage deficit can be bridged through a range of watershed interventions

Surgical Techniques to Optimize Early Urinary Continence Recovery Post Robot Assisted Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A variety of different surgical techniques are thought to impact on urinary continence (UC) recovery in patients undergoing robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for prostate cancer. Herein, we review current evidence and propose a composite evidence-based technique to optimize UC recovery after RARP. RECENT FINDINGS: A literature search on studies reporting on surgical techniques to improve early continence recovery post robotic prostatectomy was conducted on PubMed and EMBASE. The available data from studies ranging from randomized control trials to retrospective cohort studies suggest that minimizing damage to the internal and external urinary sphincters and their neural supply, maximal sparing of urethral length, creating a secure vesicourethral anastomosis, and providing anterior and posterior myo- fascio-ligamentous support to the anastomosis can improve early UC recovery post RARP. A composite evidence-based surgical technique incorporating the above principles could optimize early UC recovery post RARP. Evidence from randomized studies is required to prove benefit

Biobanking after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: a quality assessment of providing prostate tissue for RNA studies.

BACKGROUND: RNA quality is believed to decrease with ischaemia time, and therefore open radical prostatectomy has been advantageous in allowing the retrieval of the prostate immediately after its devascularization. In contrast, robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomies (RALP) require the completion of several operative steps before the devascularized prostate can be extirpated, casting doubt on the validity of this technique as a source for obtaining prostatic tissue. We seek to establish the integrity of our biobanking process by measuring the RNA quality of specimens derived from robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. METHODS: We describe our biobanking process and report the RNA quality of prostate specimens using advanced electrophoretic techniques (RNA Integrity Numbers, RIN). Using multivariate regression analysis we consider the impact of various clinicopathological correlates on RNA integrity. RESULTS: Our biobanking process has been used to acquire 1709 prostates, and allows us to retain approximately 40% of the prostate specimen, without compromising the histopathological evaluation of patients. We collected 186 samples from 142 biobanked prostates, and demonstrated a mean RIN of 7.25 (standard deviation 1.64) in 139 non-stromal samples, 73% of which had a RIN ≥ 7. Multivariate regression analysis revealed cell type--stromal/epithelial and benign/malignant--and prostate volume to be significant predictors of RIN, with unstandardized coefficients of 0.867(p = 0.001), 1.738(p < 0.001) and -0.690(p = 0.009) respectively. A mean warm ischaemia time of 120 min (standard deviation 30 min) was recorded, but multivariate regression analysis did not demonstrate a relationship with RIN within the timeframe of the RALP procedure. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the robustness of our protocol--representing the concerted efforts of dedicated urology and pathology departments--in generating RNA of sufficient concentration and quality, without compromising the histopathological evaluation and diagnosis of patients. The ischaemia time associated with our prostatectomy technique using a robotic platform does not negatively impact on biobanking for RNA studies

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Not AvailableA study on Dendrocalamus strictus + Sesamum indicum based agroforestry was conducted at ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh), India during 2007 to 2012 to find out the suitability of bamboo based agroforestry system (AFS) in the semi-arid region. Bamboo recorded survival of 62 to 77% (1st year), 86 to 96 (2nd year) and 100% thereafter. D. strictus culm (No.) varied in the range of 178-388 (1st year); 936 to 1439 (2nd year); 1507 to 2134 (3rd year); 2182 to 2901 (4th year) and 2422 to 3215 (5th year, i.e. at harvest stage). Bamboo did not influence the sesame yields during initial two years, however, yield level got reduced during subsequent years. During 5th year intercropped sesame yield got reduced 15.69 (10m × 10m bamboo) and 10.09% (10m × 12m bamboo) as compared to pure crop. Bamboo clump affected the sesame yield substantially and 16.3, 14.3, 7.5 and 0.3% sesame yield reduction was observed at a distance of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0m, respectively, during 5th year. Organic C increased from 3.92 to 6.24 g/kg soil over a period of five years in bamboo based AFS. At harvest stage of bamboo (5th year), highest B:C ratio of 2.83 was observed in 10m×10m bamboo + sesame followed by 2.59 (10m×12m bamboo + sesame) and 1.43 (pure sesame). Therefore, bamboo based AFS has economic and environmental advantages over the sole crop and due to this, the system could be one of best alternative livelihood options for farmers of semi-arid tropics.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA study on Dendrocalamus strictus + Sesamum indicum based agroforestry was conducted at ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh), India during 2007 to 2012 to find out the suitability of bamboo based agroforestry system (AFS) in the semi-arid region. Bamboo recorded survival of 62 to 77% (1st year), 86 to 96 (2nd year) and 100% thereafter. D. strictus culm (No.) varied in the range of 178-388 (1st year); 936 to 1439 (2nd year); 1507 to 2134 (3rd year); 2182 to 2901 (4th year) and 2422 to 3215 (5th year, i.e. at harvest stage). Bamboo did not influence the sesame yields during initial two years, however, yield level got reduced during subsequent years. During 5th year intercropped sesame yield got reduced 15.69 (10m × 10m bamboo) and 10.09% (10m × 12m bamboo) as compared to pure crop. Bamboo clump affected the sesame yield substantially and 16.3, 14.3, 7.5 and 0.3% sesame yield reduction was observed at a distance of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0m, respectively, during 5th year. Organic C increased from 3.92 to 6.24 g/kg soil over a period of five years in bamboo based AFS. At harvest stage of bamboo (5th year), highest B:C ratio of 2.83 was observed in 10m×10m bamboo + sesame followed by 2.59 (10m×12m bamboo + sesame) and 1.43 (pure sesame). Therefore, bamboo based AFS has economic and environmental advantages over the sole crop and due to this, the system could be one of best alternative livelihood options for farmers of semi-arid tropics.Not Availabl

Bamboo-based agroforestry system (Dendrocalamus strictus + sesame–chickpea) for enhancing productivity in semi-arid tropics of central India

Bundelkhand region of central India is characterized by erratic rainfall with high frequency of drought. The region has undulating topography, poor groundwater resources and shallow soils with low soil fertility, resulting in frequent crop failures. A study was undertaken to assess the potential of bamboo-based agroforestry system to enhance productivity and economic returns at the research farm of ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh), India, which lies in the Bundelkhand region of central India. The 7-year study (2007–2015) recorded 2906 number of bamboo culms ha−1 at 10 m × 10 m spacing compared to 2409 culms under 12 m × 10 m spacing. Averaged over 3 years (5th, 6th and 7th year), bamboo culm yield from agroforestry (Dendrocalamus strictus + Sesamum indicum–Cicer arietinum)/(bamboo + sesame–chickpea) was higher by 3.20 and 4.96% over sole bamboo in 12 m × 10 m and 10 m × 10 m, respectively. The intercrop productivity started declining from 3rd year onwards, and the extent of reduction in productivity was to the tune of 26.1, 23.7, 24.2, 17.4 and 17.4% during the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th year, respectively. From 5th year onwards, the harvested bamboo culms contributed to the improvement in the system productivity and it was 29 and 236% higher than the sole crops and sole bamboo, respectively, during the 7th year. Financial analysis showed that bamboo-based agroforestry system (bamboo + sesame–chickpea) planted at 12 m × 10m spacing was having high land equivalent ratio (1.95–2.14) and was more profitable than arable cropping and sole bamboo. Therefore, the Dendrocalamus strictus-based agroforestry system can be a potential alternative to arable cropping in semi-arid tropics of central India to enhance productivity and economic returns

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Not AvailableBundelkhand region of central India is characterized by erratic rainfall with high frequency of drought. The region has undulating topography, poor groundwater resources and shallow soils with low soil fertility, resulting in frequent crop failures. A study was undertaken to assess the potential of bamboobased agroforestry system to enhance productivity and economic returns at the research farm of ICARCentral Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh), India, which lies in the Bundelkhand region of central India. The 7-year study (2007–2015) recorded 2906 number of bamboo culms ha-1 at 10 m 9 10 m spacing compared to 2409 culms under 12 m 9 10 m spacing. Averaged over 3 years (5th, 6th and 7th year), bamboo culm yield from agroforestry (Dendrocalamus strictus ? Sesamum indicum–Cicer arietinum)/(bamboo ? sesame–chickpea) was higher by 3.20 and 4.96% over sole bamboo in 12 m 9 10 m and 10 m 9 10 m, respectively. The intercrop productivity started declining from 3rd year onwards, and the extent of reduction in productivity was to the tune of 26.1, 23.7, 24.2, 17.4 and 17.4% during the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th year, respectively. From 5th year onwards, the harvested bamboo culms contributed to the improvement in the system productivity and it was 29 and 236% higher than the sole crops and sole bamboo, respectively, during the 7th year. Financial analysis showed that bamboo-based agroforestry system (bamboo ? sesame–chickpea) planted at 12 m 9 10m spacing was having high land equivalent ratio (1.95–2.14) and was more profitable than arable cropping and sole bamboo. Therefore, the Dendrocalamus strictus-based agroforestry system can be a potential alternative to arable cropping in semi-arid tropics of central India to enhance productivity and economic returns.Not Availabl

Synthesis and application of Amberlite xad-4 functionalized with alizarin red-s for preconcentration and adsorption of rhodium (III)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>A new chelating resin was prepared by coupling Amberlite XAD-4 with alizarin red-s through an azo spacer, characterized by infra-red spectroscopy and thermal analysis and studied for Rh(III) preconcentration using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) for rhodium monitoring in the environment. The optimum pH for sorption of the metal ion was 6.5. The sorption capacity was found 2.1 mg/g of resin for Rh(III). A recovery of 88% was obtained for the metal ion with 1.5 M HCl as eluting agent. Kinetic adsorption data were analyzed by adsorption and desorption times of Rh(III) on modified resin. Scat chard analysis revealed that the homogeneous binding sites were formed in the polymers. The linear regression equation was Q/C = –1.3169Q + 27.222 (R² = 0.9239), for Rh were formed in the SPE sorbent,K_d and Q_max for the affinity binding sites were calculated to be 0.76 μmol/mL and 20.67 μmol/g, respectively. The equilibrium data and parameters of Rh(III) adsorption on modified resin were analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Redlich–Peterson models. The experimental adsorption isotherm was in good concordance with Langmuir and Freundlich models (R² > 0.998) and based on the Langmuir isotherm the maximum amount of adsorption (q_max) was 4.842 mg/g. The method was applied for rhodium ions determination in environmental samples. with high recovery (>80%).</p