10 research outputs found
Earthworm Grazed-Trichoderma harzianum Biofortified Spent Mushroom Substrates Modulate Accumulation of Natural Antioxidants and Bio-Fortification of Mineral Nutrients in Tomato
Get PDFThe present investigation was aimed at evaluating the impact of earthworm grazed and Trichoderma harzianum biofortified spent mushroom substrate (SMS) on natural antioxidant and nutritional properties of tomato. Results of the investigation reveal that earthworm grazing and T. harzianum bio-fortification led to significant improvement in the physico-chemical properties of fresh SMS and its application increased the accumulation of natural antioxidants and mineral content in tomato as compared to either T. harzianum biofortified SMS or fresh SMS. In particular, the earthworm grazed, T. harzianum biofortified SMS (EGTHB-SMS) was found to inhibit lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation with significant increase in total polyphenol and flavonoid content in tomato. Further, it increased Fe2+/Fe3+ chelating activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity compared to other treatments. The results thus suggest an augmented elicitation of natural antioxidant properties in tomato treated with EGTHB-SMS, resulting in a higher radical scavenging activity, that is highly desirable for human health. In addition, the use of SMS to enhance the nutritional value of tomato fruits becomes an environment friendly approach in sustainable crop production
On The Design and Characteristics of a Sub-Optimal Observer for Boeing-747
No full textLPV (Linear Parameter Varying) system is an important class of system, as it covers many physical systems. In the existing design theory related to control system, the major part is related to linear and non-linear systems. However, the LPV system is getting prominence and hence is an attractive area of research. Control issues linked with LPV systems are an emerging area of modern research. To investigate the control of this predominant class, the idea of observer design has been carried out in this article. In this paper, an observer based on RKF (Routine KalmanFiltering) scheme and LQR (Linear Quadratic Regulator) is employed for a set of linear parameter variations. The state and gain matrices are scheduled using an interpolation method, which is linear according to each parameter and is expected to be non-linear globally. For stability of observer, bound on rate of parameter variation is imposed. For simulation purpose, a real life case study of Boeing-747 is adopted. The proposed scheme is implemented for the stated LPV system. All the associated states of the system are examined with and without observer. Results obtained in this work show better performance as manifested by errors. Error in measurement is much reduced by employing this scheme. Short-listed features are presented in this paper to comprehend the performance of observer
Trade Liberalisation Could Improve Producers Profitability in Agriculture: A Case of Basmati Rice.
No full textThis peace of research has been conducted, as part of PhD
research of the first author, with the objectives to (i) identify
various protection policies and interventions exercised in Basmati rice
economy in Pakistan (ii) estimate welfare effects associated with
existing protection policies and (iii) to estimate implications of WTO’s
trade liberalisation in domestic economy and foreign markets. The
quantitative analysis of data reveals that Basmati rice crop hanged
about ‘price tax-cum-export tax’ regime during the study period. Welfare
analysis of such policy interventions estimated higher losses to
producers (Pak Rs 657.95 million per year) than gains to consumers (Rs
448.76 million per year) during pre-WTO period. The same trend continued
during post-WTO period but producers’ losses were comparatively smaller
i.e., 649.48 million per year. In case of free trade, simulation results
demonstrate greater gains to producers than losses to consumers. If
world market was liberalised, supplementary gains in the range of Rs
276.65 million to Rs 451.60 million per year during earlier and Rs
333.45 million to Rs 637.40 million per year during the later period
would have occurred at domestic level. In light of analytical results,
the following recommendations are made. (i) Government needs to curtail
interventions in Basmati rice economy. (ii) Besides, improving the pace
of trade liberalisation at domestic level, Pakistan should pursue with
other members in WTO’s negotiations for early implementation of WTO’s
trade liberalisation on international level. (iii) Government of
Pakistan should gear up its efforts as facilitator of trade in
accordance with WTO agreements and increase investment in areas of
research, development, and out-reach. JEL classification: Q17, Q18, Q28
Keywords: Basmati Rice, Government Intervention, Welfare Effect, Trade
Liberalisation, WTO
