Estimation of Export Supply Function for Citrus Fruit in Pakistan

There is strong evidence in the literature that export and economic growth have a positive relationship. In Pakistan, with an agrarian economy, earnings from primary agricultural exports are vital for the overall growth process. Fruits are the traditional export commodities, which contribute more than half of total export earnings from primary agricultural commodities. The persistent instability in world market prices for primary commodities has depressed the export earnings from these commodities over time. This poses great challenges to a country like Pakistan. The present study aims at examining changes in the volume of export of citrus fruit from Pakistan caused by such factors as changes in domestic and export prices, national product, foreign exchange rate, etc. The study uses time series data for the period 1975–2004 for citrus exports and related domestic price, export price, GDP, and foreign exchange rate, employing the co-integration and error correction techniques for analysis purposes.

Fall Detection System with Accelerometer and Threshold-based Algorithm

Most presently available fall detection systems that are marketed for commercial use predominantly consist of wearable technologies. These technologies often involve a device positioned on the wrist, which may lead to the occurrence of false positive alerts due to the movements of the wrist. This paper proposed a fall detection system that aims to improve both reliability and cost-effectiveness. The system is designed to promptly inform surrounding individuals of their need for assistance in emergency situations. The fall detection system we propose consists of an accelerometer and a gyroscope, which collectively calculate acceleration, orientation, and various other motion characteristics. The resulting system demonstrated a sensitivity of 90%, a specificity of 85%, and an accuracy of 87.5%

Assessment of hypoglycaemia and aneamia associated with malaria parasitaemia among pregnant women attending some selected hospitals in Kano metropolis

Malaria in pregnancy is one of the major factors leading to anaemia and hypoglycaemia. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of malaria, anaemia and hypoglycaemia on pregnant women attending antenatal care at Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital and Murtala Muhammad specialist Hospital. A total of 128 pregnant women, who granted informed consent, were recruited for the study. Demographic information such as their age, number of previous pregnancies and the age of present pregnancies were collected using structural questionnaire. Blood samples were collected and used to prepare Giemsa-stained smears for determination of the presence of malaria parasites in pregnant women. Packed Celled Volume (PCV) on a Hawksley micro haematocrit reader using blood samples collected into capillary tubes and centrifuge at 300rpm, Haemoglobin concentration was read using Hemocue machine and Glucose level was taken using Redox Reagents according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The collected data were analysed using open -Epi statistical software. Results showed that malaria was higher in youngest with (65.5%) occurrence rate, and oldest (34%) age groups while anaemia is higher in younger age group of (16-30) years (50.9%) by PCV and (47.3%) by Hb, by (31-45) years is (12.7%) and (21.8%) respectively. In contrast, pregnant women are susceptible to hypoglycaemia and based on our findings, higher positive cases were obtained in the second trimester (61.8%) followed by (23.6%) in the third trimester. The result also indicates that there is no record of a significant differences when comparing anaemia using hemocue and doing so using the PCV machine among pregnant women (p<0.05). The study indicates that a large population of pregnant women in the study may be at risk of malaria, hypoglycaemia and anaemia related problems associated with child bearing. This underscores the need for integrated prevention and morbidity in pregnant women.Key wards: - Malaria, Pregnancy, Hypoglycaemia, Anaemi

Influence of Poultry Manure on Aggregate Stability and Infiltration Rates of a Disturbed Sandy Loam Soil

An evaluation of soil aggregate stability and infiltration rate is significant in the assessment of soil management practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of poultry manure on aggregate stability and infiltration rate on a disturbed sandy loam soil of Bauchi. Poultry manure was applied at 0, 10, 15, 20, and 25 Mg/ha at three replications in a completely random design. Four weeks after, aggregate stability and infiltration rates were determined by wet sieving method and double ring infiltrometer respectively. Treatment levels showed an increase in aggregate stability of the soil by mean weight diameter (MWD) indices from 0.337mm (control ) to 0.473 – 0.934mm (for 10 – 25Mg/ha treatments).Infiltration rates also showed a significant increase as the manure was added from 1.3mm/min for the control plot, to 2.7 – 3mm/min for 10 – 25 Mg/ha treatment levels respectively. The results also indicates that application of poultry manure did significantly (P ˂ 0.05) affects aggregate stability and infiltration as determined by ANOVA. It was then concluded that poultry manure was effective in increasing soil aggregate stability and infiltration rates, but decreasing bulk density from 1.35g/cm3 for control plot to 1.33 – 1.25 g/cm3 for 10 – 25M g/ha treatment levels in the tillage zones. Keywords: – Aggregate stability, Poultry manure, Infiltration rates, Treatment levels, Sandy Loam and Bulk density

Efektifitas Penambahan Curd Kefir terhadap Mutu Sabun dan Daya Hambat Pertumbuhan Escherichia coli pada Sabun Alami Berbahan Dasar Tallow

The ban on using triclosan as an antiseptic in bath soap in various countries has given rise to new ideas to apply natural ingredients as an alternative. Curd kefir, as a natural ingredient, can be used as an alternative antiseptic. In this study, the manufacturing of tallow-based soap has been developed by adding kefir curd as an antiseptic to improve the soap's quality and inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli. The results showed no significant difference in the soap's free alkali content, saponification number, and hardness. The inhibition of the growth of Escherichia coli increased with the rise of kefir curd concentration.The ban on using triclosan as an antiseptic in bath soap in various countries has given rise to new ideas to apply natural ingredients as an alternative. Curd kefir, as a natural ingredient, can be used as an alternative antiseptic. In this study, the manufacturing of tallow-based soap has been developed by adding kefir curd as an antiseptic to improve the soap's quality and inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli. The results showed no significant difference in the soap's free alkali content, saponification number, and hardness. The inhibition of the growth of Escherichia coli increased with the rise of kefir curd concentration