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Egyptian Journal of Agronomy http://agro.journals.ekb.eg/ Review 20T HE WATER stress harshly influences the plant growth and development with considerable reductions in plant growth and biomass accumulates. It declines the number of bolls per plant, bolls weight, and seed cotton (Gossypium spp.) yield. Fiber length, fiber strength, seed index and boll weight are reduced dynamically. The relative leaf water contents, transpiration rate and leaf water potential are decreased while leaf and canopy temperature is increased under water stress conditions. Limited water availability restricts the total uptake of nutrients, thus deprecating their concentration in the plant tissues. The major effects of water stress on the plants are lowered photosynthesis stimulated by reduced leaf expansion, early leaf senescence, deteriorated photosynthetic machinery and reduction in food production.The Plant accomplishes escape from moisture stress by shortening its growing season which results in a reduction in yield. The plants cut down their water spending under water stress conditions by dercreasing the number and area of leaves to minimize the yield losses. The growth and development of tolerant genotypes are relatively fast because of retention of more moisture from soil earlier. Genes are induced by water stress, categorized into regulatory and functional genes; from them, functional genes produce functional proteins, whereas regulatory genes product regulatory proteins like transcriptional factors, they control a cluster of genes by regulating the expression of different targeted genes in their promoter region through specific binding of it with cis-acting elements. The development of stress-tolerant cotton varieties based on the stability of yield and yield components under water stress conditions should be the prime focus of breeders.

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Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to investigate the Cyfenter Development Partnership action research programme primarily aimed at under-represented entrepreneurs in Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government and the EQUAL initiative of the European Social Fund support the programme with the objective of informing and developing inclusive policies, strategies and practices within mainstream enterprise support. Design/methodology/approach -The methodology used to identify the needs of underrepresented groups when establishing a business and barriers to the start-up process has been action research, which combines both information gathering and facilitation of change.Findings -The research data indicate that all under-represented groups face similar challenges and issues and many experiences are not exclusive to any one particular group. Financial risk, lack of collateral and self-finance were significant issues for the under-represented groups.Research limitations/implications -Although the overall response rate of 12 per cent for the telephone and postal surveys was low, it was felt that the responses were sufficient for the study to proceed as further qualitative data gathering was undertaken. Practical implications -Through the empowerment of excluded entrepreneurs, to express and suggest potential solutions, it is expected that policies and practices can be leveraged where enterprise support can become more relevant and appropriate for all. It is also expected that this will lead a greater number of under-represented entrepreneurs to access mainstream enterprise support. Originality/value -A key objective of the programme is to create and facilitate a platform for direct communication between under-represented groups, policy makers and enterprise support provision, within a solutions-oriented context. Keywords Entrepreneurs, Self-employed workers, Empowerment, Action research, Wales Paper type Case study . . . to create a greater number of sustainable start up businesses in Wales with potential for further growth, particularly by under represented groups in society, such as women, the young, Welsh language speakers, ethnic minorities and retired workers (p. 35).

In this digital era, the innovative performance of any industry is vital.  The main objective of this research is to investigate the effect of technological, organizational and customer competencies on the innovative performance of the IT industry (Software Houses) in Pakistan.  Organizational Management Competency of 287 responses was collected through a questionnaire from Software houses of Pakistan. The Smart PLS has used to analyze the data and draw the results. Technological, organizational and customer competencies found their positive and significant relationship with the innovative performance of software houses in Pakistan. Moreover, the mediating role of R&D is found between organizational management competency, customer competency, and innovative performance. However, the findings of the current study suggest that software houses should focus on the allocations of their resources to enhance their technology capabilities, which allow them to remain flexible in business conditions that are always shifting.

To determine diagnostic accuracy of spot urine protein to creatinine ratio (PCR) for estimation of significant proteinuria in patients of preeclampsia based on 24-hour urine protein. METHODS: This cross-sectional validation study was conducted at Gynae B unit, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from July 2014 to December 2014. Out of 253 patients, 222 women were finally enrolled as per inclusion and exclusion criteria by using non-probability convenient sampling technique. After taking proper history and calculating period of gestation, blood pressure was measured using standard sphygmomanometer while urinary protein by urine dipsticks. Following standard protocol, urine was collected for 24 hours followed by spot midstream urine. Samples were analyzed for urine protein and creatinine. 24 hours urinary protein level ≥300 mg/day and spot urine PCR was ≥3 mg/mmol was considered significant proteinuria. SPSS v 16.0 was used a statistical instrument. RESULTS: Out of 222 patients with preeclampsia, 24-hours urinary protein level estimation was ≥300 mg/day in 179 (80.6%) cases and <300 mg/day in 43 (19.4%) cases. Spot urine PCR was ≥3 mg/mmol in 175 (78.8%) cases and <3 mg/mmol in 47 (21.2%) cases. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy of spot urine PCR against 24-hours urinary protein level estimation was 95.5%, 90.6%, 97.7% 82.9% and 94.5% respectively. CONCLUSION: In our study, spot urinary protein/ creatinine ratio shows a high sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV (at a cut off value >0.3 mg/mmol). This test can be regarded as a reliable investigation among pre-eclamptic patients.