Market integration of wheat in Pakistan

Understanding market integration in developing countries is an important issue in current research. This study is an attempt to analyze wheat market integration in Pakistan. Previous research on the subject has attempted at analyzing market integration in Pakistan's south and north Punjab regions, mainly relying on co-integration only and not considering advanced dynamic models and transaction costs to analyze the degree of integration. Therefore, this study is a first attempt to analyze the extent of market integration in the whole country using a dynamic model. Monthly wholesale price data of five regional markets from January 1988 to April 2011 are used for this study. Price series were tested for stationarity with the Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test and it was found that all prices are integrated of order one, commonly written as I(1). Co-integration was also identified in all price series pairs using Johansen's co-integration test. The Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) was then applied to the data to analyze the extent of market integration. As a result, it was found that the adjustment to shocks or disequilibrium was higher for the Lahore and Rawalpindi markets as compared to the Hyderabad and Peshawar markets. It might be because of the high consumption, low production and developed infrastructure in these regions. Adjustment coefficients were significant for most of the market pairs. The Threshold Vector Error Correction Model (TVECM) with a band of non-adjustment was applied to incorporate transaction costs, without relying on observations for these costs, which were not available for the study. It was found that linear ECMs or VECMs provide misleading results as compared to TVECMs. Short-run adjustments in the TVECM model provide mixed results depending on regimes as well as markets. Strong adjustments were found in the upper regime, which shows that when price differences are above the second threshold markets tend to adjust significantly

Evaluation of Eleven Macro and Micro Elements Present in Various Hybrids of Millet (Pennisetum glaucum, or P. Americanum)

Maize and Millet Research Institute (MMRI) situated in Yousuf wala, District Sahiwal, Punjab, Pakistan was selected to grow nine different hybrids/cultivars of millet for study to comprehend the variable concentration of macro, micro and trace and toxic elements in their grains. Wet digestion method was used for the preparation of samples and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer for analysis of eleven major and minor elements. High values of macro-elements i.e. sodium and potassium was found in ICMP-451 and magnesium in ICMP-53506. The high value of essential micro-elements i.e.zinc (50mg/kg), manganese (8mg/kg), and copper (8mg/kg) was calculated in ICMP-53506, Bullo-94-1, and ICMP-83720 respectively. In case of trace and toxic micro-elements, high concentration of nickel, cobalt, chromium and cadmium was found in O.B.V, Bullo-7704, ICMP-83401, and ICMP-83720 in the edible part of millet plants (grains) cultivars respectively

Prevalence and morphotaxonomic characteristics of nematode, Contracaecum travassosi (Gutierrez, 1943) from bird jungle babbler, Turdoides striata

The research study was conducted on the helminth parasite of bird Jungle babbler, Turdoides striata from district Naushahro Feroze, Sindh during, 2015-16. The total (n= 110) specimens were collected from (n= 48) birds that belonged to the genus; Contracaecum Railliet and Henry, (1912), were recovered from the anterior, median and posterior part of large intestine but mostly most of the helminth were found in terminal part of the large intestine of the host. Present specimens were observed in diverse form its congress, but having morphologically closely resemblance with Contracaecum travassosi, Gutierrez, 1943 which consists medium sized body. Prominent buccal capsule is along with developed inter labia but oesophagus was observed cylindrical and simple without bulb. Spicules were un-equals and they do not contain gubernaculum. Longitudinal sucker with a chitinous rim and vulva located at the little distance from the anterior region. Surrounding the tail region ten pairs of caudal papillae of which six pairs were postclocal, three pairs were Preclocal and one pair was paraclocal with tail pointed posteriorly. Female eggs had elliptical position and nearly rounded. The infections rate of parasites were found high during the hot summer season in the month of July when compared with contrast season (winter, cold season) specially with December and January. Such type of research study for the purpose to find out the helminth burden in the host Jungle babbler (Turdoides striata) was carried out first time. Therefore; it is suggested that, the lot of passeriformes birds contain variety of helminth parasites in their internal tract and organs, so it is strict need to carry out the systematic study of the parasite that logged the burden to their host birds

HPLC Determination of α-keto Acids in Human Serum and Urine after Derivatization with 4-Nitro-1,2-phenylenediamine

The determination of α-keto acids has clinical importance, because these are intermediates in a number of biochemical processes. This work reports the development of an HPLC procedure for the analysis α-keto acids in blood and urine samples after derivatization with 4-nitro-1,2-phenylenediamine (NPD). Nine α-keto acids: glyoxylic acid (GA), pyruvic acid (PYR), 2-oxobutyric acid (KB), 3-methyl-2-oxobutyric acid (MKBA), 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid (K3MVA), 2-oxoglutaric acid (KG), 4-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid (K4MVA), 2-oxohexanoic acid (KHA) and phenylpyruvic acid (PPY) were derivatized with (NPD) at pH 3 and separated on a Zorbax 300 SB-C18 HPLC column (4.6x150mm id) and photodiode array detection at 255 nm. The isocratic elution was performed with methanol: water: acetonitrile (42: 56:2, v/ v/ v) with a flow rate 0.9 mL/min. The keto acids separated within 14 min. The method was repeatable with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.1-2.9% for each of the α-keto acids. The limits of detection and quantitation were obtained within the range 0.05-0.26 µg/ mL and 0.15-0.8 µg/ mL respectively. The method was applied for determination of α-keto acids from a pharmaceutical preparation, human serum and urine samples of healthy volunteers and diabetic patients. The results were further confirmed by standard addition technique. The method is rapid and simple and is suitable for the separation and determination of α-keto acids from clinical samples

Sub-Lethal Effects of Methoxyfenozide On Development and Fecundity of Tobacco Cutworm, Spodoptera Litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) On Cauliflower

The mortality and sub-lethal effects were determined on development of surviving of S. litura on Insect growth regulator, Methoxyfenozide 240 SC (Dose: 1680, 1440, 1200, 960 and 720 ppm, were dissolved in water and each treatment was replicated 3 times. The results indicated that the copulation time, fecundity and fertility decreased when compared with control (distilled water). The maximum mortality observed on dose one after one week and minimum on dose five after 24 hours with the maximum larval weight reduction on dose one and dose three after 24 hours. The longest larval and pupal period, short adult longevity, maximum pupal weight reduction, longest duration of life-cycle, shortest copulation time, minimum fecundity and minimum fertility of eggs were recorded in dose one and highest in dose five. It is concluded that the methoxyfenozide (IGR) effective by their sub-lethal concentrations however, most preference can be given to which caused highly sub-lethal effects on the reproduction and biology of S. litura under laboratory conditions

Morhphotaxanomic Characteristics of Dragonfly, Lesser Emperor, Anax parthenope (Selys, 1839) (Odonata: Aeshnidae) at Region Sukkur, Sindh

Odonates are ecologically important as both predators and prey. Their larvae constitute a natural biological control over mosquito larvae and thus help to control several epidemic diseases like malaria, dengue, filaria etc. In this study; the Dragonfly, Anax parthenope (♂:♀) has been identified for the first time at region Sukkur, Sindh - Pakistan. The study was mainly emphasized on morphological differences between male and female specimen. Both male and female specimens were having some same but mostly different characteristics. Like both male and female had large green compound eyes touching dorsally, head was found hypognathous, thorax dark green with visible thoraxic segments, male had slightly larger than female wings, bigger in size and more colorful. Which was very rare in insects, fore and hind wings were not similar, forewing narrow and elongated whereas; the hind wings were broad basally, distal part of the wing was yellowish, abdomen was black dorsally and ventrally but found greenish from lateral side. It was concluded that there was a lot of potential to explore Odonata fauna of this region. The climate and topography of this area along with lot of natural pastures and aquatic bodies support dragonflies’ life and biology. However, due to rapid increase in urbanization, suitable habitats of odonata were disappearing at an alarming rate. Thus, only single specie was found. Further surveys and necessary conservation measures were also adopted, therefore, suggested as need of the day to utilize it, in right direction after knowing its species complex

Inequities in Antenatal Care, and Individual and Environmental Determinants of Utilization at National and Sub-national Level in Pakistan: A Multilevel Analysis

Background: Nationally representative surveys are vital for gauging progress in health and planning health services. However, often marred with inadequate analysis to provide any guidance to health policy and planning. Most recent Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) 2012-2013 is an inclusive nationally representative investigation. Nonetheless, its published report offers limited evidence regarding antenatal care (ANC). Furthermore, after 18th constitutional amendment, policies are principally made at provincial level in Pakistan; therefore, it is imperative to have contextual evidence at sub-national level to feed programs and policies.Methods: We analysed 7142 women with a recent birth, to assess the individual and environmental determinants of ANC, adapting Andersen\u27s model of healthcare utilization, by multilevel analysis. Separate models of determinants were developed for the national level and five provinces using survey command in Stata version 12.1.Results: Besides that the recommended ANC coverage (≥4 visits) is low in Pakistan (36%), gross inequities exist predominantly across provinces (12% to 82%). Small differences exist between urban and rural localities. Education, health literacy and socio-economic status of women were strong predictors, while communities with high concentration of literate women very strongly predict ANC use (odds ratio [OR] = 12). Determinants of ANC vary at national and at sub-national level. For example, women\u27s education had no influence on ANC utilization in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Baluchistan (BC) provinces. Notably, husband\u27s education was significantly associated with ANC utilization in KPK only. Significant positive interaction exists between urban areas and larger provinces (Punjab, Sindh, and KPK). Also, very strong positive interaction occurs when women have secondary or particularly higher level of education and living in urban areas or larger provinces.Conclusion: This study highlights conspicuous contextual differences which determine maternal care at national and sub-national level. It identified contextual factors which are important for planning maternal health services between and within provinces. High positive interaction for ANC utilization between women education, urban areas and larger provinces highlights the inequities which need to be addressed. It also identified factors at the community level (cluster) which relates to overall context and influence individual behavior and highlights the diminishing urban-rural gap in service utilization in Pakistan

Effect of English Language Competency on the Job Satisfaction and Motivation of Teacher Educators: A Narrative Analysis

This research study was designed to explore the English language competency of teacher educators and its effect on their job satisfaction and motivation in order to maintain their position at their departments of Education at Universities of Sindh province of Pakistan. As, languages are generally taught and assessed in terms of four skills such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Where listening and reading are known as receptive skills while speaking and writing as productive skills, which are directly concerned and connected with the cognitive development of the teachers  educators and its proper utilization to become satisfied and motivated faculty members. The data was collected and analysed through narrative analysis technique, the qualitative research design and method. The findings of this article would be found suitable, reliable, strong resource and a rich addition in to the existing literature, which provides a suitable insight to all stakeholders to understand the real position and phenomenon of language competency and its effects