The Profitability of banks is a crucial factor for economic stability. Banks, as financial and service institutions, have a determinant role in cash and wealth flow of society; hence, they have a considerable position in economy. Considering global attempts in promoting the quality of supervision on banks and banks’ direction within financial health, it is vital to study the indicators of banking soundness and their effects on the efficiency of commercial banks. This study aims to evaluate the performance of commercial banks in Iran through an accurate method based on literature of CAMELS indicators. Accordingly, the effect of banking soundness indexes on the Profitability of commercial banks was assessed and evaluated during 2005-2014. For this purpose, Hansen Threshold panel regression approach (1999) was used and the obtained results indicate that capital adequacy at appropriate Threshold (above 10. 23%) has positive and significant effect on the Profitability of commercial banks in Iran while lower capital adequacy than 10. 23% Threshold has a negative and significant effect on the Profitability of banks. Also, the results imply a significant effect of other banking soundness criteria such as the quality of banks assets, management quality, quality of liquidity and sensitivity to market risk on the Profitability of studied banks.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of capital structure on the Profitability of companies in Southeast Asia based on Threshold panel regression approach. In this study, 1474 companies from three countries of Southeast Asia (including Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand) were investigated during the period of 2008-2017. In this research Hansen's Threshold regression model was employed and the effects of debt ratio on different Thresholds were studied, and two models were used to determine the optimal capital structure. In the first model, the relationship between independent variables (fixed assets, Profitability, current ratio, size, non-debt tax shield, company growth and inflation) and the structure of the firm was investigated and analyzed. The results showed that there was a positive and meaningful relationship between fixed assets and size of the company and the capital structure, while Profitability, current ratio, non-tax liability, company growth, and inflation showed negative relationship with the capital structure. In the second model, a Threshold regression model was used to examine whether the financial leverage had an impact on the value of the companies in the countries of Southeast Asia. It was found that the F statistic for the effects of a single Threshold with a F1 statistic was 161. 38 and p-value = 0. 000 is accepted at 95% confidence level. Furthermore, double Threshold effects with a F2 statistic of 36. 32 and p-value = 0. 000 obtained using bootstrap replication at 95% confidence level was significant, thus in the case of companies from Southeast Asia the existence two Thresholds was strongly confirmed. As a result, companies with a debt ratio in the one regime (DR1≤ 13%) have a significant effect on Profitability and have a working value of 0. 082, and companies with debt ratio in the two regime (DR2≤ 33%> 13%) have a significant effect on profits and have a greater impact on the company's Profitability than the one regime, with an effect of 0. 13. Finally, companies whose debt ratios are within the 3rd regime (33% DR3≥ ) there is a significant and negative effect on the Profitability of the company, which is approximately-0. 11.

We conducted this study in the Agogo Traditional Area of the Ashanti region of Ghana where there are numerous cases of conflicts between crop and animal farmers as a result of insufficient pasture for livestock, especially during the dry seasons. This has drawn the attention of various stakeholders in agriculture to the need for supplement feed through pasture establishment. The study examines farmers’ perception and the financial viability of pasture establishment for small ruminant production. The specific objectives of the study are as follow: to identify the cost and returns for the establishment of an acre of pasture, to assess the financial viability of pasture establishment on ‘cut and sell’ basis, to investigate farmers’ perception of pasture establishment for cattle production, to conduct a SWOT analysis of the establishment of pasture in Agogo. The study purports to analyze in detail, farmers' perceptions about the nature of the proposed 'Fodder Bank' policy and its likely effect on crop and livestock production, and whether the proposed policy could generate adequate monetary returns to induce its adoption at the farm level. The study seeks to provide evidence in support of SDG goals 2 (Zero hunger) and 12 (Responsible consumption and production) of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. To the authors' best of knowledge, this is envisage to provide valuable information to support policy initiatives intended to tackle the root cause of farmer-herder conflicts. The Asante Akim North Municipal is one of the 27 administrative Districts in the Ashanti Region. Its capital is Konongo- Odumasi. The population for this study comprises livestock and crop farmers in Agogo. Asante Akim North Municipal was purposively selected for the study because it is noted for its agrarian abilities and massive production of food in the Ashanti region. The multi stage sampling was employed in this study. At the first stage, Asante Agogo traditional area was selected purposively due to the fact that majority of the inhabitants engage in agricultural activities (GSS 2010). At the second stage, three communities in Agogo namely, Hwidiem, Ananekrom and Bebuso were selected purposively. At the third stage, quota sampling was used to obtain a specific number of farmers from each of the three communities to sum up to 150 respondents as shown in table. Simple random sampling technique was then used to engage the selected farmers in these communities. A sample size of 150 respondents were obtained using the Slovin’s formulae which is a scientific method of obtaining the sample size for a given population. Structured questionnaires consisting of open and close ended questions were used to gather primary data from respondents through face-to-face interviews. Interviews were conducted using the local dialect mostly to enhance communication and to clear all language barriers but English was used where the respondents could give accurate answers in English Language. Data per the questionnaires from respondents were concerning their perception of pasture establishment and the assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of pasture establishment. Secondary data was sought from books, journals, dissertations and the internet. Useful and relevant information on the appropriate materials and their costs for establishing pasture was also obtained from the Agogo MoFA office, and the KNUST Department of Animal Science. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, tables and means were used to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of respondents. It was revealed in the study that majority of crop farmers have had their crops destroyed by ruminants especially cattle at least once. Additionally, the study showed that pasture establishment is one way through which crop farms destruction by livestock can be prevented as about 99% of farmers responded in the affirmative. The results for the financial viability of the venture under the assumptions used gave relevant results with BCR of 1.18 and NPV of GHC 3,160. The Internal Rate Return of the venture is estimated at 40.1% and a Pay Back period of 2.61 years. Therefore, it will be economically prudent for investors to commit resources towards establishing pasture. The perception index for commercial, economic and financial concerns of pasture establishment was 3.7 which is skewed toward agree. The statement that had the highest positive perception index was about the fact that pasture establishment will increase the quality of meat. This implies that respondents perceive that the commercial, economic and financial results of pasture establishment will be positive. The perception index for the social category was 3.66. The statement with the highest positive assertion by respondents is the fact that pasture establishment will help control the movement of animals. The perception index of 3.66 which is skewed towards agree means that pasture establishment will attract the support from the community and also bring more benefits to the society. In the category of technical concerns of pasture establishment, the overall perception index for this category is 3.15, which means that the respondents perceive they have a fair technical know- how concerning pasture establishment even though the venture requires technical know-how. In the category of institutional concerns, support and involvement in pasture establishment, the statement with the highest perception index is that MoFA will support farmers with the necessary resources in its capacity. With reference to the chi-square test, the study can conclude that there is a significant relationship between the type of farmer and the perception that support can be drawn from farmer-based associations, and the perception that pasture establishment will increase livestock production as well as the general sales of farmers. Lastly, the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between the educational background of the farmer and the perception that it is not difficult to select planting materials for pasture establishment. Farmers in Asante Akim Agogo should adopt the establishment of pasture since it is financially viable. The establishment of pasture in Asante Akim Agogo should be encouraged since it has the potency to reduce the farmer - herder conflicts and ensure food security. For successful pasture establishment, technical know-how is essential.

Introduction: Cochlear dead zones are defined as areas where the inner hair cells have been destroyed.Thresholds on the audiograms show the integrity of those parts of the ear that are tested. Care must be taken in interpretating audiograms. Thanks to the advances in understanding of cochlear functions, it is now possible to spot false responses that come from dead zones of the cochlea. Recently, cochlear dead regions have been detected via TEN (Threshold Equalizing Noise) test in which ipsilateral broadband noise and Threshold shifting are used.Materials and Methods: A review of the literature on the subject of dead zones published from 1993 to 2003 was performed using Pubmed, Ebsco, Science Direct, Google Scholar Thieme ProQuest databases and library sources. key word: were "cochlear dead zone", "traveling wave", "ten (Threshold equalizing noise) test", "ipsilateral noise" and "real-ear measurement for hearing aids prescription".Conclusion: Hearing aids fitting process for patients with severe and sloping sensory neural hearing loss must be noted specially by amplifying active zone and avoiding amplification for dead region i.e., offering amplification to the transition frequencies that have better hearing than others, those among the fine regions and the dead zones. Dead zone detection may help in hearing aids fitting and fine tuning.

Purpose: To compare the sensitivity, specificity and validity of SITAfast (SiF) strategy with the standard full thershold (SFT) algorithm in the Humphrey field analyzer. Materials &Methods: As an observational case series, twenty glaucoma patients (37 eyes) who were referred to Emam Reza & Ghaem eye clinic, central field testing was performed with the central 30-2 program using SFT and SiF strategies. Both tests were carried out on four different days in a span of two weeks. Sensitivity, specificity, validity, time saved, and the extent of defect in SITA fast strategies were compared with those of SFT. Results: The sensitivity of SFT & SiF was 93.3%. Specificity of SFT & SiF was 71.4% & 57.4% respectively. The validity of SFT & SiF was 89.2% & 86.5% respectively. The mean time in SFT, SiF were 14.6 min & 5.45 min, respectively. Defects in gray scale was shallower in SiF (significant at P<1%, P<0.5%) but defects in the pattern deviation plots tended to be more in SITA fast strategy but there was no significant difference in statistics. Conclusion: SITA fast strategy has good sensitivity and is significantly faster as compared with the SFT algorithm. Test time is much shorter so common use of SiF is suggested. In children, old age patients and patients who has difficulty in concentration, SiF is superior to SFT.          

ABSTRACT Today, climate change and its obvious negative effects on ecosystems have caused concern. This research seeks to test whether vegetation changes are sensitive to climate shocks and also how the ecosystem recovery process is through this index. In this regard, by using the GEE platform, Java coding, GIS and statistical analysis, vegetation and Palmer indices were calculated and based on time series climate data, vegetation and climate changes were presented. The results of Palmer's drought index show that during the statistical period (1985-2020) the study area is facing drought or is moving towards drought. Also, the results indicate the longest period of drought in the region from 2013 to 2020. Totaly from 420 evaluated months, the NDVI index is below the change Threshold in 70 months. Among these, 31 months of the study period is below the acceptable Threshold in green and non-reservoir seasons, which is ecologically worrying. The distribution of the vegetation index based on hexagons in 1985 and 2005 had a normal and almost normal distribution; But in 2020, the graph deviated from the normal state and skewed towards the vegetation cover index under stress or even thin covers. According to the analysis of the indicators, it is predicted that the Gorgan region is on the border of such ecological developments and the historical ecosystem of the region is moving towards new ecosystems or being in a new equilibrium state with climatic conditions and human disturbances Extended Abstract Introduction Today, climate change and its obvious negative effects on terrestrial ecosystems have caused great concern to humans. These changes are effective on vegetation performance, plant distribution patterns, and have economic and environmental consequences. Therefore, it is important to know the behavioral pattern of vegetation changes against climate changes. Reviewing the studies of scientists in the world shows many researchers have used the NDVI index to study temporal and spatial changes in vegetation and its relationship with the climatic index of precipitation in different parts of the world. Studies have shown that NDVI follows precipitation with different time scales. Surveys showed that there are very few studies on determining the Threshold of changes in the vegetation cover index in the face of climate shocks. Determining these Thresholds can provide a suitable solution for evaluating the state of the ecosystem, the consequences of climate shocks and the reversibility or disturbance in the ecosystem. This study was conducted with the aim of improving our understanding of the dynamics of vegetation in the forest city of Gorgan during 1985-2020 against climatic stresses.   Methodology The current research is a comparative and monitoring research and seeks to test whether changes in vegetation cover are sensitive to climate shocks and also how the ecosystem recovery process is through this index. To achieve the gole, first, NDVI index was selected among the optimal vegetation indices and its calculation process was done as a time series in the GEE system. In parallel with those climate shocks, the main elements including temperature, precipitation and storm were calculated during the historical process of 35 years and the average and standard deviation statistical indicators were calculated for them and the trend of changes in the Thresholds was determined. The results of climate plots and climate changes show that in the years before 1985, 2005 and 2020, drastic changes have occurred in climatic elements and climatic factors. Therefore, these years can be considered as the periods when the climate shock happened.. Next, the region was divided into 436 hexagons and the NDVI index for each of the hexagons was calculated and modeled for the years 1985, 2005 and 2020 as selected years affected by climate shocks. In conclusion, to analyze the trend of changes in the time series of the vegetation index and compare the behavior of its changes with climatic indices, the Palmer index was calculated.   Results and discussion The results of climate change monitoring based on the Palmer index showed that during the statistical period the study area is facing drought in most years. The most severe climatic fluctuations and drought in the region were recorded in 2018 and in the months of October to December. The longest period of drought has also prevailed in the region from 2013 to 2020. During this period, rainfall, temperature and storm fluctuations have the most changes. The results of drought monitoring show that in 270 months, the region is facing climatic drought stress, 57 months of the study period, the region is facing severe and very severe drought stress. The results of the time series of the NDVI vegetation index showed that, out of the 420 evaluated months, 70 months of the year the NDVI index is below the change Threshold, 31 of which are in the green and non-accumulating seasons, the seasons when the vegetation is expected to be at its maximum. Placing below the acceptable range means crossing the ecological Thresholds and challenges the recovery and restoration of the ecosystem, also the ecological performance will be affected at this point. Based on the assessment of the Palmer index, from 2014 to 2019, the situation of the Palmer index is in the extreme drought range. Also, since 2015, i.e. with a one-year time delay, NDVI index has experienced the lower limit of the equilibrium Threshold of vegetation cover. These conditions are also valid for the years 2008, 2009, 2002 and 1997. In general, it can be said that the vegetation cover index is dependent on climatic changes and fluctuations and shows high sensitivity to changes. The important point in this section is that in the years when the NDVI index changes are at the lower limit of the Threshold, we witness the most climate shocks and temperature changes, the occurrence of severe storms and precipitation fluctuations. The distribution of the vegetation index based on hexagons in 1985 and 2005 have a normal distribution; but in 2020, the graph has deviated from the normal state and skewed towards the vegetation cover index under stress or even thin covers. The visual interpretation done on the vegetation cover index in 1985 confirms the condition of the vegetation cover in the southern and western limits of the region in a state with suitable dense and pasture vegetation and forest cover on the edges. However, in 2005 and 2020, this cover has been changed and mainly turned into agricultural land and poor rangeland. In such a way that in 2020, the situation of the region has revealed the critical state of vegetation. The vegetation cover index in the central areas of the city has also reached from a relatively favorable situation in 1985 to a critical situation with almost no dense and stress-free vegetation cover in 2020. The results of the present studies are consistent with the studies of Visentr Serrano et al. in 2013 and confirm the relationship between NDVI vegetation and climate change. In addition, the results of the studies are consistent with the studies of Alwesabi 2012, Xiai & Moody, 2005 and Yan et al. 2001. In such a way that the present study and the aforementioned studies all confirm the influence of the vegetation index on climate fluctuations and precipitation with a one-year time difference.       Conclusion In general, the Threshold is defined as a border with different conditions. After crossing the Thresholds, the stability and positioning of the NDVI in the equilibrium range is often difficult, and the ecosystem is constantly spending energy to restore itself or to position itself in a new stability state. The result of the mentioned disorders is the reduction of resilience and resistance in the region, which leads the ecosystem to alternative states or crossing the Threshold or being in a new equilibrium state. The results showed that the areas where green vegetation is concentrated and denser are less affected by climatic stresses and show more resilience. However, the areas that have become spots and islands due to destruction in the urban areas are more affected by climatic stress and destruction and show less tolerance against the destruction factors. The results help managers to focus their management plans for the preservation and maintenance of urban green spaces as well as forest and pasture ecotones on the edge of the city by knowing the Thresholds.   Funding There is no funding support.   Authors’ Contribution Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.   Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest.   Acknowledgments  We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.