DETERMINANTS OF REAL EXCHANGE RATE MOVEMENTS IN SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES: AN EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE

This study investigates the determinants of real exchange ratemovements in South Asian Countries. The determinants which are examined in the study are fiscal, monetary and other (stock returns, real income and political stability). Panel data of 15 years from 1998 to 2012 has been used in the study, where four cross sections are included. Multicollinearity test, panel unit root tests, Kao’s cointegration test and FMOLS (fully modified ordinary least square) are applied in the study. All the variables are found stationary at first difference although Kao’s cointegration test results are not found favorable for co-integration. However, FMOLS results are in favor of co-integration. Some variables are proved to have opposite direction as expected although they are found consistent with some previous studies

Biosafety risk assessment approaches for insect-resistant genetically modified crops

Background: Environmental risk assessment (ERA) is imperative for commercial release of insect resistant, genetically modified crops (IR-GMCs).An insect specific, spider venom peptideω-HXTX-Hv1a (Hvt) was successfully expressed in cotton plants. The cotton plants producing Hvt protein have demonstrated resistance against economically important insect pest species. The study was performed to assess the effects of Hvt producing cotton plants on Honey bees (Apis mellifera).Methods: Three approaches were used to evaluate the effects of Hvt protein on adults of honeybees; whole plant assays in flight cages, in vitro assays with pollen of Hvt-cotton, and assays with elevated levels of purified Hvt protein. Pollens of Bt cotton or purified Bt proteins were used as control.Results: The field experiments did not yield any meaningful data due to high rate of mortality in all treatments including the control. However, the laboratory experiments provided conclusive results in which Hvt, purified or in pollens, did not affect the survival or longevity of the bees compared to the control. During the course of study we were able to compare the quality, effectiveness and economics of different experiments. Conclusions: We conclude that Hvt either purified or produced in cotton plants do not affect the survival or longevity of honey bees. We are also of the view that starting at laboratory level assays not only gives meaningful data but also saves a lot of time and money that can be spent on other important questions regarding safety of a particular transgenic crop. Hence, a purpose-based, tiered approach could be the best choice for pre-release ERA of IR-GMCs.

Max-gain relay selection scheme for wireless networks

© 2020 Karabuk University Next generation wireless systems are supposed to handle high amount of data with broader coverage and high quality of service (QoS). When a signal travels from a source to destination, the signal quality may suffer from the fading, which makes it difficult to receive correct messages. To handle the impact of fading, various diversity techniques are performed with Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO). Considering cooperative wireless networks, virtual MIMOs are being used, which also called cooperative diversity. In this paper, we propose a max-gain relay selection scheme (MGRS) for buffer-aided wireless cooperative networks. This scheme determines the best link using the maximum gain based on quality of link and available buffer size. The time slot is divided into two parts, one is used to choose the best link from the source to relay transmission (odd slot) and another time slot (even) is used based on the selection of the best link from the relay to destination. Markov chain model is use to measure buffer status and QoS parameters to evaluate the performance. The proposed scheme provides better QoS (12%) compared to the existing relay selection schemes with respect to throughput, end-to-end delay and outage probability

O efeito moderador da pressão do tempo sobre os elementos de embalagem e o comportamento de compra do consumidor: um caso da Nestlé Paquistão

The purpose of this study to measure whether three product packaging Elements Wrapper Design, Packaging Material and Printed Information Influences Consumer Buying Behavior or does Time Pressure shows a moderating relationship. This study determines the importance of these elements when they purchase Nestle products during short time period. In this research highlighted that companies cannot afford to ignore the importance of time constraints and packaging elements of the products on consumer Buying Behavior. The study was conduct in District Vehari, Punjab Pakistan. Data was collecting to the students of Higher Educational Institution in District Vehari. Structured Questionnaire was used that consist on five point Likert Scale. Multiple Regression Analysis, ANOVA, coefficient was used to test the variables.El propósito de este estudio es medir si el diseño de envoltorio de tres elementos, el material de empaque y la información impresa influyen en el comportamiento de compra del consumidor o si la presión del tiempo muestra una relación moderada. Este estudio determina la importancia de estos elementos cuando compran productos Nestle durante un período de tiempo corto. En esta investigación, se destacó que las empresas no pueden permitirse ignorar la importancia de las limitaciones de tiempo y los elementos de empaquetado de los productos en el comportamiento de compra del consumidor. El estudio fue realizado en el Distrito Vehari, Punjab Pakistán. Los datos fueron recolectados a los estudiantes de la Institución de Educación Superior en el Distrito Vehari. Se utilizó un cuestionario estructurado que consta de una escala Likert de cinco puntos. El análisis de regresión múltiple, ANOVA, coeficiente se utilizó para probar las variables.O objetivo deste estudo é medir se três elementos de embalagem, design de invólucro, material de embalagem e informações impressas influenciam o comportamento de compra do consumidor ou se a pressão no tempo apresenta uma relação de moderação. Este estudo determina a importância desses elementos quando eles compram produtos da Nestlé durante um curto período de tempo. Nesta pesquisa destacou que as empresas não podem ignorar a importância das restrições de tempo e elementos de embalagem dos produtos no comportamento de compra do consumidor. O estudo foi realizado no Distrito Vehari, Punjab Paquistão. Data estava coletando para os estudantes da Instituição de Ensino Superior no Distrito Vehari. Utilizou-se Questionário Estruturado que consiste na Escala Likert de cinco pontos. Utilizou-se o coeficiente de Análise de Regressão Múltipla, ANOVA, para testar as variáveis

A Rare Case of Thiamine Responsive Megaloblastic Anemia Presenting with Seizures

Thiamine responsive megaloblastic anemia (TRMA) also known as Rogers syndrome is a rare entity inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder. It consists of a pentad of diabetes-mellitus, megaloblastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia and sensory-neural hearing loss. The defect occurs due to mutations in SLC19A2 gene resulting in the deficiency of a thiamine transporter proteins which prevents the transport of thiamine in to the cells and tissues. Here we report a 13 year old boy with megaloblastic anemia, sensory-neural deafness and young onset diabetes mellitus who presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Diagnosis was based on clinical features and a rapid response to thiamine replacement with adequate control of seizures. This clinical entity and its association with epilepsy is extremely rare and must be thought of amongst the differentials of megaloblastic anemia and epilepsy. This rare case emphasizes the unique association of TRMA with epilepsy. Early diagnosis and management with thiamine drastically improves anemia, seizure control and blood glucose levels. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first case report of TRMA with epilepsy from Pakistan

Association of Hypomagnesaemia & Hypocalcemia with Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Outcome

Determine if hypomagnesemia & hypocalcemia on admission was associated with ICH and outcome. Magnesium is a vascular smooth muscle relaxant and appears to provide protection against cellular injury in experimental stroke models. The implication of low serum magnesium in primary ICH is not well defined. All patients with a primary ICH presented to PIMS, Islamabad prospectively analyzed in a pilot study. Demographics, initial lab values, ICH location, Mg+2 level, NIHSS & MRS at presentation were recorded. All patients with INR \u3c= 1.5 were included in this study. We took normal serum magnesium in our study was 1.8 - 2.5 mEq/dL. Statistical significance was determined using linear regression adjusting for admission systolic blood pressure (SBP). We identified 66 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 52.76 years with minimum and maximum age was 25 and 80 years respectively. Total male and female patients were 40 (61%) and 26 (39.4%). The total number of patients with hypomagnesemia was 23 (30%) and with hypocalcemia was 54 (65%). All patients having hypomagnesemia (30%) also had subsequent hypocalcemia. Mean systolic Blood pressure (SBP) was 156.65 mmHg and 55patients (84.62%) presented with high SBP. All patients with hypomagnesemia presented with high SBP (p=0.001). Hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia both were showed statically significant association with poor MRS & NIHSS score (p=0.013 and p=0.001). Hypomagnesemia was not showed statistically significant relation with the outcome (p=0.11) while hypocalcemia showed a remarkable association with outcome (p=0.001)

Effect of Water Cooling on the Energy Conversion Efficiency of PV Cell

By receiving the solar irradiance, the photovoltaic solar cell generates electricity. During the absorption of solar radiations, there is a considerable increase in cell operating temperature, that effects upon the electrical efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) cell. On the back side of PV panel, water absorption sponge is fixed, the adverse effect can be avoided and wet condition is maintained with the help of passage of water by wipe. Main purpose of this effort is to increase the electrical conversion efficiency by reducing the solar cell’s temperature. Experiments were performed in order to observe the effect of cooling on the efficiency of PV solar cell. It was found that there is a linear relationship between temperature and efficiency of the PV module. From the statistical data it was found that the water cooling drops the temperature of PV panel by 4-5oC, which significantly increase the efficiency from 7 to 12%

Significant Parameters Affecting the Performance of Si Based Solar Cells

Photovoltaic cell has become the most utilized renewable energy resource for the production of power directly from the sun radiations but it has comparatively lower efficiency than other power producing sources and is expensive too. Out of many reasons of lower efficiency of PV cells; some factors are studied in this work i.e. temperature of the module, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and the efficiency of energy transformation. From the experimentation it was concluded that the rise in the temperature of solar cell, after an optimum level, declines its efficiency by 0.5% for each unit rise in temperature (/°C). So an appropriate method should be adopted to control the temperature of the panel. The energy conversion efficiency was increased with the reduction in the reflection of the incident rays coming from the sun, so that more photons are absorbed by the cell thus achieving increment in energy conversion and MPPT adjust the working point of PV cell under varying intensity of sunrays which is achieved when the tracker changes the solar cell’s equivalent load