Improving Wheat Productivity in Pakistan: Econometric Analysis Using Panel Data from Chaj in the Upper Indus Basin

Abstract

Increasing water scarcity, degradation of land and water resources, continuing low agricultural productivity, and increasing populations are posing the largest ever challenges for development of agricultural economies in many developing countries including Pakistan. Using panel data from irrigated settings in Chaj sub-basin of the Indus basin in Pakistani Punjab, we attempt to: (a) analyze the causes of low productivity; (b) disentangle factors (both land, water and other factors) contributing to productivity variations; and (c) identify limits and opportunities for narrowing productivity gaps and increasing overall wheat production, with a view to enhance food security for the poor. The results of the study indicate that locational inequities in distribution of canal water, use of groundwater of varying quality, differences in use of seed varieties, and other inputs lead to significant variations in wheat productivity. Key implications are that large gains in wheat productivity are possible by (a) improving the production environment at the tail-end through integrated water management practices; (b) adjusting the mix of canal and groundwater use; and (c) using technological interventions to improve the adoption of modern wheat varieties and dissemination of knowledge on planting dates and timings and application rates of inputs, especially water and fertilizer. Not only such interventions are economically, financially, and environmentally desirable, they are also pro-poor. What is needed is a strong political will and commitment.     

A kinetic flux-vector splitting method for the shallow water magnetohydrodynamics

A kinetic flux-vector splitting (KFVS) scheme for the shallow water magnetohydrodynamic (SWMHD) equations in one- and two-space dimensions is formulated and applied. These equations model the dynamics of a thin layer of nearly incompressible and electrically conducting fluids for which the evolution is nearly two-dimensional with magnetic equilibrium in the third direction. The proposed numerical scheme is based on the direct splitting of macroscopic flux functions of the SWMHD equations. In two-space dimensions the scheme is derived in a usual dimensionally split manner; that is, the formulae for the fluxes can be used along each coordinate direction. The high-order resolution of the scheme is achieved by using a MUSCL-type initial reconstruction and Runge-Kutta time stepping method. Both one- and two-dimensional test computations are presented. For validation, the results of KFVS scheme are compared with those obtained from the space-time conservation element and solution element (CE/SE) method. The accuracy, efficiency and simplicity of the KFVS scheme demonstrate its potential in modeling SWMHD equations.     

A new hybrid approach for the solution of nonconvex economic dispatch problem with valve-point effects

Economic dispatch (ED) generally formulated as convex problem using optimization techniques by approximating generator input/output characteristic curves of monotonically increasing nature results in an inaccurate dispatch. The genetic algorithm has previously been used for the solution of problem for economic dispatch but takes longer time to converge to near optimal results. The hybrid approach is one of the methodologies used to fine tune the near optimal results produced by GA. This paper proposes new hybrid approach to solve the ED problem by using the valve-point effect. The approach we propose combines the genetic algorithm (GA) with active power optimization (APO) based on the Newton's second order approach (NSO). The genetic algorithm acts as a global optimizer giving near optimal generation schedule, which becomes the input for generation buses in APO algorithm. This algorithm acting as local search technique dispatching the generated active power of units for minimization of cost and gives optimum generation schedule. Three machines 6-bus, IEEE 5-machines 14-bus, and IEEE 6-mchines 30-bus systems have been tested for validation of our approach. Results of the proposed scheme compared with results obtained from GA alone give significant improvements in the generation cost showing the promise of the proposed approach.     

Trace-Rare-Gas Optical Emission Spectroscopy of Nitrogen Plasma Generated at a Frequency of 13.56 MHz

Optical emission spectroscopic measurement of trace rare gas is carried out to determine the density of nitrogen (N) atom, in a nitrogen plasma, as a function of filling pressure and RF power applied. 2% of argon, used as an actinometer, is mixed with nitrogen. In order to normalize the changes in the excitation cross section and electron energy distribution function at different operational conditions, the Ar-I emission line at 419.83 nm is used, which is of nearly the same excitation efficiency coefficients as that of the nitrogen emission line at 493.51 nm. It is observed that the emission intensity of the selected argon and atomic nitrogen lines increases with both pressure and RF power, as does the nitrogen atomic density.     

Wavelet-based Burst Event Detection and Localization in Water Distribution Systems

In this paper we present techniques for detecting and locating transient pipe burst events in water distribution systems. The proposed method uses multiscale wavelet analysis of high rate pressure data recorded to detect transient events. Both wavelet coefficients and Lipschitz exponents provide additional information about the nature of the signal feature detected and can be used for feature classification. A local search method is proposed to estimate accurately the arrival time of the pressure transient associated with a pipe burst event. We also propose a graph-based localization algorithm which uses the arrival times of the pressure transient at different measurement points within the water distribution system to determine the actual location (or source) of the pipe burst. The detection and localization performance of these algorithms is validated through leak-off experiments performed on the WaterWiSe@SG wireless sensor network test bed, deployed on the drinking water distribution system in Singapore. Based on these experiments, the average localization error is 37.5 m. We also present a systematic analysis of the sources of localization error and show that even with significant errors in wave speed estimation and time synchronization the localization error is around 56 m.     

基于非线性降维多项式逻辑斯蒂回归的图像/非图像数据的分类与识别

在面向大规模复杂数据的模式分类和识别问题中,绝大多数的分类器都遇到了维数灾难这一棘手的问题.在进行高维数据分类之前,基于监督流形学习的非线性降维方法可提供一种有效的解决方法.利用多项式逻辑斯蒂回归方法进行分类预测,并结合基于非线性降维的非监督流形学习方法解决图像以及非图像数据的分类问题,因而形成了一种新的分类识别方法.大量的实验测试和比较分析验证了本文所提方法的优越性.     

基于非线性降维多项式逻辑斯蒂回归的图像/非图像数据的分类与识别(英文)

在面向大规模复杂数据的模式分类和识别问题中,绝大多数的分类器都遇到了维数灾难这一棘手的问题.在进行高维数据分类之前,基于监督流形学习的非线性降维方法可提供一种有效的解决方法.利用多项式逻辑斯蒂回归方法进行分类预测,并结合基于非线性降维的非监督流形学习方法解决图像以及非图像数据的分类问题,因而形成了一种新的分类识别方法.大量的实验测试和比较分析验证了本文所提方法的优越性.     

PLGA 50:50 nanoparticles of paclitaxel: Development, in vitro anti-tumor activity in BT-549 cells and in vivo evaluation

Clinical administration of paclitaxel is hindered due to its poor solubility, which necessitates the formulation of novel drug delivery systems to deliver such extreme hydrophobic drug. To formulate nanoparticles which makes suitable to deliver hydrophobic drugs effectively (intravenous) with desired pharmacokinetic profile for breast cancer treatment; in this context in vitro cytotoxic activity was evaluated using BT-549 cell line. PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation technique and evaluated for physicochemical parameters, in vitro anti-tumor activity and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats. Particle size obtained in optimized formulation was <200?nm. Encapsulation efficiency was higher at polymer-to-drug ratio of 20:1. In vitro drug release exhibited biphasic pattern with initial burst release followed by slow and continuous release (15?days). In vitro anti-tumor activity of optimized formulation inhibited cell growth for a period of 168?h against BT-549 cells. AUC_(0???) and t _1/2 were found to be higher for nanoparticles with low clearance rate.