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Consistent estimation techniques need to be implemented to obtain robust empirical outcomes which help policymakers formulating public policies. Therefore, we implement the least squares (LS) and the high breakdown robust least trimmed squares (LTS) regression techniques, while using econometric regression model based on a growth equation for the two countries, namely, India and Pakistan. We used secondary annual time series data which covers a long period of 41 years. The adequacy of the time series econometric model was checked through cointegration analysis and found that there is no spurious regression. Classical and robust procedures were employed for the estimation of the parameters. The empirical results reveal that the overall fit of the model improves in case of LTS technique, while the significance of the predictors changes significantly in cases of both countries due to the removal of outliers from the data. Thus, empirical findings exhibit that the results, obtained through LTS, are better than LS techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sclerotinia rot, caused by the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a devastating disease on oilseed rape and mustard worldwide. While the focus to effectively control yield losses from Sclerotinia has been on locating stem resistance, resistance to leaf and to early (cotyledon) stage resistance to this pathogen are also important, both not only limiting additional plant damage, but also inoculum build up and spread onto stems. Three Brassica napus breeding populations developed in India, C2 (NC-8 × RQ-001-NCA-8 NC2-7), C5 (cv. Charlton × RQ-001-NCA-8 NC2-7) and C6 (cv. Charlton × NC4-5), were screened for cotyledon resistance (based on lesion diameter) under controlled environmental conditions to investigate the inheritance of disease resistance. Each population consisted of parents (P1 and P2), F1, F2, BC1P1 and BC2P2, except for population C5 which lacked BC1P1. Moderate broad sense heritability of 0.42, 0.31 and 0.49 for cotyledon resistance was found in populations C2, C5 and C6, respectively, and there was mostly non-additive genetic control of resistance. Analyses of generation means and variances indicated that the additive-dominance model was adequate to explain genetics of cotyledon resistance in population C2. There was heterosis for susceptibility (i.e., larger lesion diameter). The dominance × dominance digenic epistasis explained genetic control in population C6, with heterosis towards resistance (i.e., smaller lesion diameter). This information is critical for breeding for resistance to this important pathogen in Australia, India and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the S-2 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, or INS Arihant, completed in 2009 by India as part of the Advanced Technology Vessel project of the Indian Navy. The impact of this nuclear weapons delivery system on the Indian Ocean region, and especially Pakistan, is discussed, as are the nuclear policies of India and Pakistan, and Pakistan's options for responding to India's seaborne capability. Options for the Pakistani Navy to deploy nuclear weapons at sea are discussed in particular.