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This study aims to examine the impacts of climate change (CC), measured average annual rainfall, average annual temperature and carbon dioxide (CO₂e) on cereal production (CPD) in Bangladesh by using the annual dataset from 1988–2014, with the incorporation of cereal cropped area (CCA), financial development (FD), energy consumption (EC) and rural labor force as important determinants of CPD.

This study used an auto-regressive distributive lag (ARDL) model and several econometric approaches to validate the long- and short-term cointegration and the causality directions, respectively, of the scrutinized variables.

Results of the bounds testing approach confirmed the stable long-term connections among the underlying variables. The estimates of the ARDL model indicated that rainfall improves CPD in the short-and long-term. However, CO₂e has a significantly negative impact on CPD both in the short-and long-term. Results further showed that temperature has an adverse effect on CPD in the short-term. Among other determinants, CCA, FD and EC have significantly positive impacts on CPD in both cases. The outcomes of Granger causality indicated that a significant two-way causal association is running from all variables to CPD except temperature and rainfall. The connection between CPD and temperature is unidirectional, showing that CPD is influenced by temperature. All other variables also have a valid and significant causal link among each other. Additionally, the findings of variance decomposition suggest that results are robust, and all these factors have a significant influence on CPD in Bangladesh.

These findings have important policy implications for Bangladesh and other developing countries. For instance, introduce improved cereal crop varieties, increase CCA and familiarizes agricultural credits through formal institutions on relaxed conditions and on low-interest rates could reduce the CPD’s vulnerability to climate shocks.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first attempt to examine the short- and long-term impacts of CC on CPD in Bangladesh over 1988–2014. The authors used various econometrics techniques, including the ARDL approach, the Granger causality test based on the vector error correction model framework and the variance decomposition method.

COVID-19 generated extensive fear and anxiety across the globe. This study aims to explore the psychological dynamics of students during COVID-19 lockdown, its impact and students’ management strategies.

This paper collected data from 891 students in Islamabad (Pakistan) using an online survey consisting of the generalized anxiety disorder scale and items on academic variables. After measuring the anxiety levels, this paper interviewed 20 students diagnosed with severe anxiety. The objective was to seek a deeper understanding of the impact of COVID-19 and students’ management.

This paper found students with different anxiety levels. Most students had no anxiety; however, 8.2% of students had severe anxiety. These students reported psychological, social and physical problems during the interview. The students shared their activities and avoidance behavior to manage their anxiety levels.

The study helped in understanding the psychological dynamics during the pandemic and students’ management strategies. Some students express their inability to cope with their problems. This paper recommends the intervention of clinical practitioners, policymakers and researchers to work for the mental health of such students.

This study aims to examine the impact of macroeconomic fundamentals on exchange rates of selected South Asian economies during 1981-2013.

The authors have used two econometric approaches to the data. For the pooled sample, estimated generalized least square (EGLS) and the two-stage least square method are applied. For the panel data, the authors have used the panel generalized method of moments and ordinary least squares (OLS) methods.

The results suggest that macroeconomic factors have a significant impact on exchange rates. The robust findings highlight that improvements in domestic economic and political systems are crucial for a successful exchange rate policy.

The existing literature on exchange rate fundamentals have either focused on exchange rates and international trade or investigated the relationship for the developed economies. Covering a period of more than three decades, and using both pooled and panel estimations, our study is unique in terms of its focus on the South Asian economies.

This study aims to examine the effects of climate change and agricultural technologies on crop production in Vietnam for the period 1990–2018.

Several econometric techniques – such as the augmented Dickey–Fuller, Phillips–Perron, the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds test, variance decomposition method (VDM) and impulse response function (IRF) are used for the empirical analysis.

The results of the ARDL bounds test confirm the significant dynamic relationship among the variables under consideration, with a significance level of 1%. The primary findings indicate that the average annual temperature exerts a negative influence on crop yield, both in the short term and in the long term. The utilization of fertilizer has been found to augment crop productivity, whereas the application of pesticides has demonstrated the potential to raise crop production in the short term. Moreover, both the expansion of cultivated land and the utilization of energy resources have played significant roles in enhancing agricultural output across both in the short term and in the long term. Furthermore, the robustness outcomes also validate the statistical importance of the factors examined in the context of Vietnam.

This study provides persuasive evidence for policymakers to emphasize advancements in intensive agriculture as a means to mitigate the impacts of climate change. In the research, the authors use average annual temperature as a surrogate measure for climate change, while using fertilizer and pesticide usage as surrogate indicators for agricultural technologies. Future research can concentrate on the impact of ICT, climate change (specifically pertaining to maximum temperature, minimum temperature and precipitation), and agricultural technological improvements that have an impact on cereal production.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine how climate change and technology effect crop output in Vietnam from 1990 to 2018. Various econometrics tools, such as ARDL modeling, VDM and IRF, are used for estimation.

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that are influential on outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). A sample of four Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries is compared with dominant Asian economies during 1981-2013.

The authors used time series data for analysis. An econometric model using ordinary least squares, with a series of complementary tests, was estimated for every country to determine the variables affecting OFDI.

The results depict that exchange rates, income and human capital affect the OFDI of most of the countries in the sample. For comparatively advanced and dominant economies (i.e. China, Japan, South Korea and India), openness is the most influential variable, whereas income levels and exchange rates are dominant factors in case of ASEAN economies. Overall, different types of endowments have a different impact for every country.

Previous studies have primarily examined advanced countries’ OFDI. This work adds to the literature by focusing on ASEAN economies and by making a comparison with the dominant Asian economies. Furthermore, the validity and stability of the model is tested with a series of specification tests. In this way, this work is a useful source of information for every stakeholder.

This study aims to examine the effects of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) on the home country exports for selected ASEAN countries during 1981-2013.

The authors have used OLS regression based on the unit root analysis, correlation technique and a series of specification tests applied to annual time series data.

The results reveal that the complementary effects of OFDI on exports of the home country outweigh the substitution effects for four ASEAN countries. Furthermore, trade openness, currency fluctuations and inward foreign direct investment (FDI) are also important factors for progressive home country exports.

This study provides a thorough analysis of the links between OFDI and exports of the home country on a macro level. With a data set of more than three decades from the ASEAN region, this study is the first attempt of its kind to analyze the relationship of these two variables on the aggregate level.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of multiple functions of sunflower seeds including their nutritional and nutraceutical benefits.

The literature review is of the chemical composition of sunflower seeds, their health benefits and their utilization in different products.

“We are what we eat.” All living creatures need to take in nutrients to live. Nutrients provide energy for processes in the body and can promote growth, maintenance and repair. The classes of nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Sunflower seeds are a good source of all these nutrients. Plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, oil crops and whole grains contain many components that are beneficial to human health. Research supports that some of these foods, as part of an overall healthful diet, have the potential to delay the onset of many age‐related diseases.

Currently available information on sunflower seeds is insufficient. These observations have led to continuing research aimed at identifying specific bioactive components in foods, such as antioxidants, which may be responsible for improving and maintaining health. Antioxidants are present in foods as vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and polyphenols.

This review is unique in its comprehensive nature. This article will reflect the role of sunflower seeds as nutritional and nutraceutical package.

The purpose of this report is to outline selected presentations of the national seminar based on the theme “open access movement – initiatives, promotion and impact” organized by department of Library and Information Science, University of Kashmir held during 23‐25 October 2008 at Srinagar and narrates scenic beauty of Kashmir.

Conference report.

Many case studies and presentations were made about applications of OA software and the OA publishing model to overcome barriers and promote scholarly communication with special reference to Asia. These are included in this report.

Based on discussion during the seminar and personal interaction the author had with the participants, this report is a useful summary of open access related activities which is a topic of interest to managers of organizations, teachers and educators, librarians, open access protagonists and members of information provider communities. Some new ideas/study reports that have not been placed the traditional literature are introduced in the discussion.

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the cost-effective and environmentally sustainable operation of thermal power systems to allocate optimum active power generation resultant for a feasible solution in diverse load patterns using the grey wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm.

The economic dispatch problem is formulated as a bi-objective optimization subjected to several operational and practical constraints. A normalized price penalty factor approach is used to convert these objectives into a single one. The GWO algorithm is adopted as an optimization tool in which the exploration and exploitation process in search space is carried through encircling, hunting and attacking.

A linear interpolated price penalty model is developed based on simple analytical geometry equations that perfectly blend two non-commensurable objectives. The desired GWO algorithm reports a new optimum thermal generation schedule for a feasible solution for different operational strategies. These are better than the earlier reports regarding solution quality.

The proposed method seems to be a promising optimization tool for the utilities, thereby modifying their operating strategies to generate electricity at minimum energy cost and pollution levels. Thus, a strategic balance is derived among economic development, energy cost and environmental sustainability.

A single optimization tool is used in both quadratic and non-convex cost characteristics thermal modal. The GWO algorithm has discovered the best, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable generation dispatch.

Pakistan has experienced financial liberalization with rapid ups and downs in economic growth due to domestic issues during the last 2 decades. Motivated by inconclusive and conflicting time-driven findings about the performance of the business groups, this study examines the performance of business groups in Pakistan for a relatively long period from 2003 to 2018.

The study uses 3,821 firm-year observations from non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). For the estimation, pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) with industry- and year fixed effects and two-step system generalized methods of moments (GMM) are used.

The study finds that group-affiliated firms outperform independent firms in accounting performance, while underperform in market performance. The outperformance is mainly driven by medium-sized business groups, while underperformance is driven by small and large business groups. Further, the study documents that the underperformance in terms of market performance of firms affiliated with small and large groups is greater before the economic downturn, while outperformance in terms of the accounting measure of firms affiliated with medium-sized groups is greater during the economic downturn. These findings support our time-driven concerns. Overall, the authors' findings are consistent with institutional and transaction cost theories.

Business groups are important channels to reduce market inefficiencies. Business groups may enhance the affiliated firms' resources and resistance capacity through active utilization of the internal capital market, specifically when market conditions are not ideal for affiliates. However, effective utilization of internal capital markets depends on group size. Therefore, investors should deliberate on the size of business groups and diversification within business groups.

The authors extend the literature by providing fresh evidence related to the performance of business groups in the Pakistani context while accounting for the role of the size of business groups.