Yield prediction model of summer groundnut based on spectral characteristics

Spectral characteristics were studied at pod development stage (75 DAS) in summer groundnut, at Pune, in western Maharashtra plain zone. A simple regression model (yield vs. vegetation index, R2= 0.94) and another multiple regression model (yield vs. B: R, G: R, NIR: R and VI, R2= 0.99) were developed to predict the yields of summer groundnut. The yield prediction model based on spectral ratios at pod development stage (75 DAS) is helpful in forecasting the yield of summer groundnut, one month in advance, in western Maharashtra plain zone.

Cryptocurrency and the Nigerian Economy

The development of cryptocurrency as a means of exchange without legal backing and invisibility of the identity of operators has posed peculiar challenges such as illicit financial flow and terrorism amongst others, to the country. This study, therefore, sought to examine the effect of cryptocurrency on the Nigerian economy. The study was hinged on social exchange theory. Secondary data were obtained from the CBN statistical bulletin and Global Financial Integrity Report for a period of six years from 2013 to 2018. The data were analyzed using a simple regression model. The result shows that R is 5.8% which means that there is a low positive relationship between cryptocurrency and the level of economic development in Nigeria. It further shows an adjusted R square of -24.6 which depicts that cryptocurrency has a low inverse effect on the level of economic development in Nigeria. In conclusion, the computed p-value of 0.913 which is higher than the set p-value of 0.05 shows that cryptocurrency does not have a significant effect on the level of economic development in Nigeria. Hence, it is recommended that, in order to sustain economic development from the activities of cryptocurrency in Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria needs to ensure that laws and mechanisms are put in place to adequately capture the activities of cryptocurrency in the country.

Predicting oncotype DX recurrence scores using locally available immunohistochemical markers: experience in a district general hospital

AimsOncotype DX testing is a reliable widely used gene assay to determine whether chemotherapy is of additional value in oestrogen receptor (ER) positive Human Epidermal Growth Factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative, node negative breast cancer, but the high cost of the test can be a barrier for optimal therapy guidance for a substantial proportion of eligible patients around the world. We aimed to determine whether the commonly available immunohistochemical markers Ki67 and progesterone receptor (PR) can predict Oncotype DX Recurrence Score (RS) scores in a district general hospital setting.MethodsThe Oncotype DX RS scores from 58 tumours were regressed against corrected Ki67 values in a simple regression model, and against ER-derived and PR-derived indices and corrected Ki67 values in a multiple model. Model portability was assessed using leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV).ResultsAll terms in both regression models were significantly associated with RS scores at the 5% significance level (p<0.001 for all parameters). The multiple model was a better fit to the data (adjusted R2=0.784), and performed better under LOOCV (root mean square error=7.26), suggesting good predictive capability and model portability.ConclusionsLocally available, cheaper alternatives to multigene assays to determine therapy in ER positive HER2 negative patients is of benefit both from patient management and financial perspectives. A model has been derived with high capability to predict RS scores accurately from linear combinations of predictive biomarkers in a district general hospital setting, which should show good properties when applied to other samples.

Empirical evaluation of structure-conduct-performance paradigm as applied to the Iranian Islamic banking system

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact of market structure and market share on the performance of the Islamic banks operating in the Iranian banking system based on the structure-conduct-performance (SCP) paradigm. Design/methodology/approach The Iranian Islamic banking system’s market structure is evaluated by using the econometrics method to test the validity of the traditional SCP paradigm. For this purpose, the authors estimate a simple regression model that is consisted of several independent variables, such as the market share, bank size, real gross domestic product, liquidity and Herfindahl-Hirschman index as a proxy variable for concentration and one dependent variable, namely, the profit as a proxy for performance. The panel data includes a data sample of 22 Islamic banks operating from 2006 to 2019. Data are extracted from the balance sheet of Islamic banks and the time-series database of the Central Bank of Iran and World Bank. Findings The study’s findings indicate that both concentration and market share have a positive impact on the performance of banks in the Iranian Islamic banking system. This result is contradicted with both traditional SCP and efficient structure hypotheses; however, it confirms the existence of oligopoly or cartel in the Iranian Islamic banking system that few banks try to gain the highest share of profit and maintain their market share by colluding with each other. This result is in contradiction with other research studies about the market structure in the Iranian banking system that claimed that banks in Iran operate under monopolistic competition. In addition, it shows that the privatization of some banks in Iran does not improve and help competition in the Iranian banking system. Originality/value This paper is a pioneer empirical study analyzing the market structure, concentration and collusion based on the SCP paradigm in Iranian Islamic banking. The results of the study support the existence of collusive behavior among the Islamic bank in Iran that is not aligned with Sharia. This study clearly shows the difference between ideal Islamic banking and Islamic banking in practice in Islamic countries. This clearly indicates that only prohibiting some operations like receiving interest, gambling and bearing excessive risk is not enough. In fact, the Islamic banking system should be based on the Sharia rule in all aspects and much more modification and study have to be done to achieve an appropriate Islamic banking system. These possible modifications to overcome the issues of cartel-like market structure and collusive behavior in the Iranian Islamic banking system include making the Iranian banking system more transparent, letting foreign banks enter the Iranian banking system and minimizing the government intervention in the Iranian banking system.

Customers’ Patronage, Earnings of Deposit Money Banks and Nigeria’s Shrinking Economy

This study investigates the extent to which customers’ patronage has affected, caused and associated with the earnings of deposit money banks in Nigeria in the present Covid-19 era. An ex-post-facto design was adopted leading to data sourced from annual reports and accounts of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria. A simple regression model was applied in gauging the effect of Customers’ patronage on Profit before Tax, Granger Causality Test determined whether Profit before Tax was caused by Customers’ Patronage while Correlational Analysis confirmed the relationship between the focal variables. Simple regression result reveals that an increase in Total Deposit will significantly increase Profit Before Tax (87%) in the banking industry. Correlation analysis, which is the anchor tool, shows that Total Deposit has a strong relationship with Profit Before Tax of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria. Lastly, Granger Causality Test reveals that Total Deposit Granger Causes Profit Before Tax in Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria. The findings imply that Total Deposit is a strong determinant of movements in the level of earnings of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria. It was observed that a greater percentage of customers, even as the economy shrinks into recession after recession, prefer keeping their money with the bank as deposits expecting to earn interest on the investment. The study recommends that banks should strive, through enhanced packages, to mobilize deposits in order to enhance their earnings.

Effect of covid-19 on financial markets: Evidence from Pakistan, India and Italy

The novel corona virus called as covid-19 spread worldwide affecting the health and economic status of countries all over the globe. The major aim of this study was to analyze the stock prices during the covid-19 pandemic. The sample of the study is taken from 15 May to 15 June 2020, stock prices as well as the covid-19 confirmed cases of three countries Pakistan, India and Italy. This study has both practical and theoretical implications. Investment behavior, efficient market hypothesis and the prediction of stock prices during the anticipated 2nd wave of covid-19 are some of the main points this study has covered. Further study is needed to examine pre, mid and post lockdown impact on stock prices. This study applied simple regression model to examine the impact of covid-19 on financial markets from 15 May to 15 June 2020 in Pakistan, India & Italy. The study findings were intriguing. The study findings indicate that there is positive significant relation among these variables (Positive cases and stock prices) on that period of time (15 May to 15 June 2020 in Pakistan, India & Italy). This research suggests that covid-19 confirmed positive cases had significant impact on financial markets during 15 May to 15 June 2020 on these three stock indices of Pakistan, India and Italy (KSE-100, SENSEX & FTSE Italia).

SARIMA – A Model for Forecasting Product order demand

Product analysis is the most important part for any working manufacturing. It provides the sales record of their currently manufactured product and also it helps to predict its performance in the future. For this analysis, a SARIMAX model has been used with Time series forecasting. This paper will explain the need of such model instead of using a simple regression model to predict the order demand. This study analyses and presents a forecasting model to predict an order demand for the Product over the time period. Demand in Product is a main component for planning all processes in supply chain, and therefore determining Product demand is a great interest for supply chain. Mean forecasting for product order demand was carried out using SARIMA model, by using the past data from the period of 2011 to 2017. The model with the least value of Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) was selected as the appropriate model for forecasting mean Error. Test for normality of residuals were performed to see the adequacy of the chosen model. SARIMA (1, 1, 1) (0, 1, 1) (12) was selected as the best model for mean product order demand forecast. The results obtained will prove that the model could be utilized to forecast the future demand in the Product manufacturing industry. These results will help the manufacturers for manufacturing reliable guidelines in making decisions. Keywords: ARIMA, AIC, S-ARIMA, Regression

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL PHYSIQUE ANXIETY ON EXERCISE PARTICIPATION AMONG THE NIGERIAN YOUTH

Good health is an essential aspect of human well-being and overall lifestyle. Attention must be given to actions capable of maintaining good health and well-being. Thus, participating in regular exercise is an integral aspect of health-promoting behavior. However, it is observed that despite the health benefits associated with exercise participation, most individuals still live a sedentary lifestyle, especially the youth. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the role of social physique anxiety (SPA) on exercise participation among Nigerian youth. One hundred and twenty-eight youths randomly selected from tertiary institutions in Kogi State, Nigeria, participated in the study. The participants completed a self-report measure assessing SPA and participation in exercise. A simple regression model was adopted to test the primary assumption of the study. The result of the investigation revealed a positive interaction between SPA and physical activity. Thus, the study concludes that social physique anxiety is an essential determinant of exercise participation among the youth.

HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOR AS A PREDICTOR OF ADOLESCENTS SECURITY CONSCIOUSNESS

Nigeria is witnessing a disturbing rise of violence occasioned by religious, political, economic, cultural, and social motives. The incidence of violent crimes has created an unimaginable insecurity situation in the country, and the trend is increasing daily. Violent insecurity ranges from kidnapping, rape, armed robbery, terrorism, banditry, and assassinations. Meanwhile, the citizens, especially the younger ones, are caught in the center of these violent situations as they are either used to commit crimes or fall victims of violent crimes. Thus, the primary purpose of this study was to examine health-seeking behavior as a factor that could predict security consciousness among adolescents. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. Two hundred samples randomly pooled from public tertiary institutions in Kogi State, Nigeria, participated in the study. The participants completed self-report measures of security consciousness questionnaire and health-seeking behavior scale. A simple regression model established a statistically significant association between HSB and security consciousness among adolescents. The study concludes that health-seeking behavior is an essential determinant of security consciousness. The practical implication of the study is discussed.

Sales Territory Design and Salesforce Performance in the Detergent Manufacturing Companies: The Actual Kenyan Context

This paper focuses on determining the influence of sales territory design on salesforce performance in the detergent manufacturing companies in Kenya. Detergents play a critical role in our everyday lives by ensuring hygiene at our personal level, in our homes, in schools, institutions, and hospitals. Detergents have gained a lot of prominence since the onset of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) disease in 2019, as it has been proved that they play an important role in curtailing the transmission of the COVID-19 disease. The Salesforce plays an important role in organizations as they are the ones who in most cases interact with customers, provide information about their organization and products, provide prices, demonstrate how products are used, train customers, provide after sales service, and resolve any issues that may arise. The study was anchored on Expectancy Theory, Resource Based Theory, Equity Theory, and Agency Theory. The study adopted positivism philosophy and used a descriptive cross sectional design. The unit of analysis was the sales people in the detergent manufacturing companies in Kenya who are members of Kenya Association of Manufacturers as per list obtained from KAM in December 2018. The study used primary data which was collected by administering semi-structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed using a combination of both descriptive and inferential statics to describe the manifestations of the variables in the data collected, simple regression model was used to test the significance of the influence of sales territory design (independent variable) on the salesforce performance (dependent variable). Fischer distribution test (F-test) was used to test the significance of the independent variable and the overall model. The p-value for the F-statistic was used to determine the robustness of the model. This was done at 95% confidence level (p<0.05). The study found a strong relationship between sales territory design and salesforce performance. This depicts that sales territory design is critical in determining salesforce performance in detergent manufacturing companies in Kenya.