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This research was aimed to study and analyze the impact of the shocks of the agricultural net terms of trade (NBTT) on agricultural product (AP) in Iraq during the period (1990 – 2021), which are among the shocks affecting the agricultural sector and foreign trade, the research used quantitative approaches in estimating the levels of impact, including VAR model, variance decomposition analysis (VDA) and impulse response function (IRF). The results showed that VDA of AP was weak in respect of agricultural NBTT and vice versa. While IRF of NBTT was negative in respect of Ap, and the same result was for IRF of AP. The study recommended the need to consider strategies to support smallholder farmers, such as providing access to credit, soft loans, technical assistance and markets for their products, in addition of support the technological advancements for their role in shaping the relationship between agricultural trade and agricultural production.

The study was undertaken to estimate the genetic parameters, direct and correlated responses for the test day and lactation milk yield in Frieswal cattle. Data on 9,955 daily milk yield records of 973 Frieswal cows calved during 2005 to 2014 at Ambala and Meerut dairy farms were utilized. The variance components, heritability estimates, genetic and phenotypic correlations for all the 11 traits were estimated simultaneously by fitting multi-trait animal model using the Wombat program of Meyer (2006) with contemporary groups as fixed effect, the additive genetic random effects, linear and quadratic regressions of covariate age at first calving and linear regression of covariate first lactation length. The expected genetic gain (DG), correlated response (CR) in cumulative 305-day yield and vice versa and the relative efficiency (RE %) of selection based on different test day yields were estimated. The results revealed lower additive genetic variance and heritability estimates for different test days and cumulative 305-day yield. The genetic correlations between the test days up to 225 and cumulative 305-days were higher which indicated the positive relationship between these traits. The higher correlated responses in cumulative 305- day yield estimated through the selection for TD135, TD165 and TD45, in that order indicated that early selection of sires using test day records would be efficient in genetic improvement for lactational milk yield in Frieswal breed of cattle.

In this paper voltage stability is analysed based not only on the voltage deviations from the nominal values but also on the number of limit violating buses and severity of voltage limit violations. The expression of the actual state of the system as a numerical index like severity, aids the system operator in taking better security related decisions at control centres both during a period of contingency and also at a highly stressed operating condition. In contrary to conventional N – 1 contingency analysis, Northern Electric Reliability Council (NERC) recommends N – 2 line contingency analysis. The decision of the system operator to overcome the present contingency state of the system must blend harmoniously with the stability of the system. Hence the work presents a novel N – 2 contingency analysis based on the continuous severity function of the system. The study is performed on 4005 possible combinations of N – 2 contingency states for the practical Indian Utility 62 bus system. Static VAr Compensator is used to improve voltage profile during line contingencies. A multi- objective optimization with the objective of minimizing the voltage deviation and also the number of limit violating bus with optimal location and optimal sizing of SVC is achieved by Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm.

A multicentre, cross-sectional study was carried out in six centres across Canada to establish a national standard for pulmonary function tests using healthy, lifetime nonsmokers, with each centre aiming to test 10 men and 10 women from each decade from 20 to 80 years of age. Data from each centre were used to derive prediction equations for each centre, and pooled data from all centres (total: 327 women and 300 men) were used to derive Canadian predicted equations. The predictive models were compared with three widely used published models for selected tests. It was found that, in general, the equations modelled for each centre could be replaced by the models obtained when pooling all data (Canadian model). Comparisons with the published references showed good agreement and similar slopes for most tests. The results suggest that pulmonary function test results obtained from different centres in Canada were comparable and that standards currently used remain valid for Canadian Caucasians.

Introduction Currently, there are no guidelines for the management of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) from an Indian perspective. There is a lack of consensus on the utility of treatment options in firstline (1L) and second-line (2L) settings, especially in cisplatin- and platinum-unfit mUC patient subgroups. Objective This articles aims to develop evidence-based practical consensus recommendations for the management of mUC in Indian settings. Methods Modified Delphi consensus methodology was considered to arrive at a consensus. An expert scientific committee of 15 medical oncologists from India constituted the panel. Twelve clinically relevant questions were grouped into five categories for presentation and discussion: (1) cisplatin and platinum ineligibility criteria; (2) programmed death ligand 1 and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) testing in mUC patients; (3) treatment options in 1L settings; (4) role of switch maintenance; and (5) treatment options in 2L. Statements that reached high (- 80%) and moderate (60-79%) levels of consensus in the first round (electronic survey) did not undergo the second Delphi round. The questions that received a low level of consensus (< 60%) were discussed during the virtual meeting. Results Renal impairment (creatinine clearance [CrCl]<60mL/min) and New York Heart Association class 3 heart failure are important assessment criteria for determining cisplatin ineligibility. Patients are unfit for any platinum-based chemotherapy in case of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status> 3 or severe renal impairment (CrCl<30 mL/min). Gemcitabine and platinum with cisplatin over carboplatin were preferred in 1L settings. In patients unfit for cisplatin-based regimens, carboplatin-gemcitabine chemotherapy was preferred over immunotherapy (atezolizumab or pembrolizumab). Selected patients who are platinum ineligible may be considered for immunotherapy. Post-induction chemotherapy, those who do not progress may be strongly considered for avelumab maintenance. Experts recommended erdafitinib in FGFR-positive mUC patients in 2L settings. In FGFR-negative patients, immunotherapy (pembrolizumab, nivolumab, or avelumab)may be preferred over chemotherapy (paclitaxel, docetaxel, or vinflunine). Enfortumab vedotin and sacituzumab govitecan may be considered for further lines of therapy. Conclusion Expert panel consensus will offer expert guidance to oncologists/clinicians on the management of mUC in Indian settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]