Properties of microwave-assisted spray dried pineapple juice powder

There is considerable interest and research into the intensification of processing methods that offer better product quality and energy efficiency at reduced costs and better yield. Microwave-assisted spray drying is one such potential process. Microwaves were integrated into the spray drying process of juice feeds in a laboratory scale spray drier to produce dried powder. The juice feeds comprise pineapple-maltodextrin mixtures that were spray dried in a concurrent air flow using microwave frequencies of 915 MHz and 2450 MHz and an inlet air temperature range of 105 oC – 130 oC and. The powder yield using the different microwave frequencies were analyzed for moisture content, bulk density and solubility. The differences in the dried powder yield was negligible while observed differences in the measured powder properties for the microwave frequencies used varied from 2% to 5% for similar inlet drying air conditions

Zoning of groundwater level using innovative trend analysis: Case study at Rechna Doab, Pakistan

Groundwater plays a pivotal role in the economy from several country due to the scarcity of surface freshwater. In Pakistan it is the second largest water source which is used for irrigation, drinking and domestic uses. To monitor the groundwater availability and variation in country, the trend needs to be observed over time period; therefore, a study was conducted at Rechna Doab (Punjab province, Pakistan) to analyze the groundwater level trends over (period 2006-2019) using innovative trend analysis (ITA). 134 tube wells data was collected from Punjab Irrigation Department in pre-monsoon (June) and post-monsoon seasons (October), which were subsequently segregated at tehsils. In ITA, the data was divided in two equal parts and arranged in ascending order, first half (2006-2012) placed on the horizontal axis (X-axis) and second half (2013-2019) placed on the vertical axis (Y-axis) in a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. After distribution of data, the points which are above the triage line show positive trend (increasing trend), similarly the data points which are scattered below the trend line represent negative trend (decreasing trend), while the data points which are scattered at the 1:1 line indicates  no trend. For both seasons (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon), the results of the groundwater level trends for tehsil (representing point in each tehsil) were spatially interpolated using interpolation method of the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW). A division with three classes was adopted, namely: low, moderate, and high-water levels. For pre-monsoon season it was observed that 32% groundwater wells were showing no trend, 62% with decreasing trend, and 7% with increasing trend. For post-monsoon season, 43% groundwater wells were showing no trend, 50% with decreasing trend, and 7% with increasing trend.Groundwater plays a pivotal role in the economy from several country due to the scarcity of surface freshwater. In Pakistan it is the second largest water source which is used for irrigation, drinking and domestic uses. To monitor the groundwater availability and variation in country, the trend needs to be observed over time period; therefore, a study was conducted at Rechna Doab (Punjab province, Pakistan) to analyze the groundwater level trends over (period 2006-2019) using innovative trend analysis (ITA). 134 tube wells data was collected from Punjab Irrigation Department in pre-monsoon (June) and post-monsoon seasons (October), which were subsequently segregated at tehsils. In ITA, the data was divided in two equal parts and arranged in ascending order, first half (2006-2012) placed on the horizontal axis (X-axis) and second half (2013-2019) placed on the vertical axis (Y-axis) in a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. After distribution of data, the points which are above the triage line show positive trend (increasing trend), similarly the data points which are scattered below the trend line represent negative trend (decreasing trend), while the data points which are scattered at the 1:1 line indicates  no trend. For both seasons (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon), the results of the groundwater level trends for tehsil (representing point in each tehsil) were spatially interpolated using interpolation method of the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW). A division with three classes was adopted, namely: low, moderate, and high-water levels. For pre-monsoon season it was observed that 32% groundwater wells were showing no trend, 62% with decreasing trend, and 7% with increasing trend. For post-monsoon season, 43% groundwater wells were showing no trend, 50% with decreasing trend, and 7% with increasing trend

FACTORS DETERMINING CUSTOMERS’ ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION TOWARDS ISLAMIC BANKING PRACTICES IN MALAKAND DIVISION

Islamic banking, being an integral component of Islamic financial system, gained an exceptional popularity over the last three decades. The higher rate of growth of Islamic banking has proved it as a best alternative to Riba based banking. Like the other industries; in Islamic banking industry, customers are the most integral part of the organization strategies. Various authors endured to examine the perception and attitude of customers from one aspect or another. It is evident form the literature that the determining factors of attitude and perceptions are varying from country to country. Keeping in view the phenomenon under question, the basic objective of this study is to examine the factors determining customers’ attitude and perception towards Islamic banking practices in Malakand division. Previous studies focused on the urban areas and big cities of Pakistan, Malakand division is selected as study region as majority of the population lives in rural areas of the country. Three districts of Dir (lower), Malakand and Swat are selected as sample for data collection. Data is collected through survey questionnaires from 300 customers of Islamic banking branches operating in the study region. Questionnaire is adapted from previous studies. Correlation, and Regression are used for analysis the data.Results of the study show that all five variables have significant positive relationship with customers’ attitude. However, awareness and Shariah compliance show a negative relationship with perceptions of customers. Furthermore, Religiosity is the most dominant determinant of the customers’ attitude and perception, followed by bank image & reputation and social Influence. Customers give lesser importance to Shariah compliance and awareness as determinant of their attitude and perception towards Islamic banking practices.The results of the study are expected to benefit the banking industry in general and bankers in specific. The bankers would be able to attract more and more customers by focusing on the key determinants. The results assist the policy makers in designing, revision and implementation of the policies to satisfy the needs of the customers of the region.  The study is also beneficial to the society at large, as more and easy investment and financing facilities would be available to them. Furthermore, due to awareness and information to the bankers and customers; more and more job or business opportunities would be available to the local community and thus unemployment would be eliminated

FACTORS DETERMINING CUSTOMERS’ ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION TOWARDS ISLAMIC BANKING PRACTICES IN MALAKAND DIVISION

Islamic banking, being an integral component of Islamic financial system, gained an exceptional popularity over the last three decades. The higher rate of growth of Islamic banking has proved it as a best alternative to Riba based banking. Like the other industries; in Islamic banking industry, customers are the most integral part of the organization strategies. Various authors endured to examine the perception and attitude of customers from one aspect or another. It is evident form the literature that the determining factors of attitude and perceptions are varying from country to country. Keeping in view the phenomenon under question, the basic objective of this study is to examine the factors determining customers’ attitude and perception towards Islamic banking practices in Malakand division. Previous studies focused on the urban areas and big cities of Pakistan, Malakand division is selected as study region as majority of the population lives in rural areas of the country. Three districts of Dir (lower), Malakand and Swat are selected as sample for data collection. Data is collected through survey questionnaires from 300 customers of Islamic banking branches operating in the study region. Questionnaire is adapted from previous studies. Correlation, and Regression are used for analysis the data.Results of the study show that all five variables have significant positive relationship with customers’ attitude. However, awareness and Shariah compliance show a negative relationship with perceptions of customers. Furthermore, Religiosity is the most dominant determinant of the customers’ attitude and perception, followed by bank image & reputation and social Influence. Customers give lesser importance to Shariah compliance and awareness as determinant of their attitude and perception towards Islamic banking practices.The results of the study are expected to benefit the banking industry in general and bankers in specific. The bankers would be able to attract more and more customers by focusing on the key determinants. The results assist the policy makers in designing, revision and implementation of the policies to satisfy the needs of the customers of the region.  The study is also beneficial to the society at large, as more and easy investment and financing facilities would be available to them. Furthermore, due to awareness and information to the bankers and customers; more and more job or business opportunities would be available to the local community and thus unemployment would be eliminated

Numerical estimation of moisture content in spray dried juice powder

The moisture contents of powders is an important parameter that affects the quality and commercial value of spray dried products. The utility of predicted moisture content values from two droplet drying models were compared with experimental data for spray dried pineapple juice, using the Ranz-Marshal and its modified variants for the heat and mass transfer correlations. The droplet Diffusion model, using the Zhifu correlation, gave estimates with errors of about 8 at 165 °C, 9 at 171 °C, 26 at 179 °C and 2 at 185 °C. The Ranz-Marshal correlation also gave comparable results with this model while results using the Downing and modified Ranz-Marshall correlations widely diverged. The Energy balance model predicted completely dried juice particles, and short drying times, in contrast to the experimental data. The small error sizes of the Diffusion model improves on the wide error sizes of an earlier process model, making is useful as a first approximation choice, for spray drier design and simulation, especially for juices under comparable operating conditions

Research methods in economics to evaluate the role of energy efficiency and financial inclusion in achieving China’s carbon neutrality target

In the recent literature, energy efficiency got the attention of scholars due to its discouraging impact on CO2 emissions, which is considered the most prevalent greenhouse gas that human activities produce. Data reports that China is the leading CO2 emitting country across the globe, and still the environmental degradation is in progress. Thus, the current paper empirically investigates the impact of energy efficiency (ENEF), financial inclusion (FD), GDP, export diversification (EXD), and human capital index (HCI) on the environmental degradation of China over the period from 1988 to 2018. This study uses various time-series tests to empirically investigate the determinant of CO2 emissions, including normality tests, unit root tests, and combined cointegration tests. Besides, the long-run coefficients are analyzed via the fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS), dynamic OLS (DOLS), and the Canonical Cointegrating Regression (CCR) estimators. The empirical findings reveal that all the variables are cointegrated in the long run. However, the coefficient estimate shows that ENEF and HCI significantly promote environmental sustainability. While GDP, FD, and EXD significantly promote environmental degradation by enhancing the CO2 level in the atmosphere. This study recommends practical policy implications based on the empirical findings: energy-efficient products and energy sources could be promoted

The financial analysis of nitrogen fertilizers and planting systems and its implications on maize agribusiness: Evidence from Peshawar, Pakistan

Maize is one of the staple foods that supply the world's food demand. The research aims to determine financial analysis of nitrogen fertilizers and planting systems and its implications on maize agribusiness. The research was conducted in experimental design with a split-plot arrangement comprising four replications. Maize plant density as a system treatment was allocated to main plots (65,000; 75,000; and 85,000 plant per ha). Integrated nitrogen was assigned to sub-plots: control; 0% yard manure (YM) + 100% urea; 100% YM + 0% urea; 50% YM + 50% urea; 75% YM + 25% urea; and 25% YM + 75% urea. Data were recorded on plant harvest, harvest index, and R/C ratio. The result showed that integrated N of 50% Farm Yard Manure + 50% urea in 85,000 plant per ha resulted in a higher harvest index of 31.5% and the highest R/C ratio of 6.2 and enhanced yield of 4,219 kg per ha. This yield almost meets the government's expectations. Total cost was 36,961 PKR, total income was 227,941 PKR, and economic net return reached 190,980 PKR. The government can support the maize crops farmers to activate decomposition household's waste to be organic fertilizer in their house and provide the place for decomposition activity in the crops field to fulfill production government target, food security, and environmental health.JEL Classification:  Q01; Q12; Q1

WHY DO CUSTOMERS PATRONIZE ISLAMIC BANKING IN MALAKAND DIVISION, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Banks plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of a country. Like in other parts of the world, Pakistan has dual banking environment with intense competition. Knowing the key triggers of patronage factors is utmost important. The aim of the study is to identify the key factors contributing towards Islamic banking patronage factors in Malakand division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. 280 customers of full-fledged Islamic banking or conventional banking with Islamic window were selected for the study. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaire designed based on the previous studies. Five pints likert scale range from very important to not important was used. Descriptive statistics and Friedman’s test were used to identify the factors associated with Islamic bank selection and their degree of importance. The results of the study revealed both religious and non-religious factors are considered by customers before opting for Islamic banking. Among the variable religiosity was most important predictor of Islamic banking, followed by friendly and cooperative staff, shariah compliant products, ATM facilities and referral by friends and family. However, banking hours cost of financing and return on investment were given less preference by customers.Results of the study are expected to benefit the bank officials at large as most of the population lives in rural areas of Pakistan. According to Pakistan bureau of statistics, 67% of population of Pakistan consists of rural while, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 83.1% accounts for rural population. Furthermore, the government authorities could also get more fruitful results by focusing on the factors identified in the study before devising any strategies for rural areas.Key Words: Riba, Islamic Banking, Religiosity, Shariah Compliance, Patronage, Non-Religious Factor

Mengapa Petani menjadi Pekerja Industri Rumahan di Pedesaan?

Fenomena petani meninggalkan lahan dan beralih profesi menjadi pekerja di industri rumahan kian marak seiring bermunculannya industri rumahan yang tumbuh di pedesaan. Penelitian ini bermaksud untuk mengetahui penyebab petani memutuskan untuk menjadi pekerja industri rumahan di Kabupaten Tasikmalaya. Penelitian menggunakan rumus Slovin dalam penentuan jumlah sampel dan analisis regresi linier berganda untuk mengukur variabel pekerja industri rumahan dan variabel yang diduga kuat menjadi penyebabnya yaitu usia, pendidikan, kepemilikan lahan, pendapatan, kosmopolitan, tanggungan keluarga, lingkungan ekonomi dan kebijakan pemerintah. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan penyebab menjadi pekerja industri rumahan adalah kombinasi antara ketiadaan lahan yang dimiliki, usia produktif dengan jumlah tanggungan keluarga 2–3 orang menyebabkan terlibat utang. Kecuali kosmopolitan yang tidak menjadi masalah. Disarankan kebijakan pemerintah untuk menjadikan industri rumahan berbasis hasil pertanian untuk menjaga keberlangsungan pertanian dan keragaman pangan Indonesia. Semua sektor berada dalam keseimbangan