Global Macroeconomic Performance: A Comparative Study Based on Composite Scores

This paper proposes a composite indicator designed to summarise in a single statistic a variety of different facets of macroeconomic performance and assesses relative performances of countries with respect to six macroeconomic variables, viz., the growth rate of real GDP, real per capita GDP, unemployment rate, fiscal balance, rate of inflation, and current account balance. An appropriate mathematical model to aggregate these variables to form composite scores has been implemented by adopting the MCDM (Multiple Criteria Decision Making) technique of TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution). This allows a parsimonious representation of a variety of different facets of macroeconomic performance and its inter-temporal comparison across countries. The distinctive features of the indicator relate to the domains covered, the normalisation methodology and the weights used for aggregation. Some existing indices like the Okun index and the Calmfors index turn out to be special cases of our proposed index. The data comprising a wide spectrum of countries and spanning the pre- and post- crisis years allow us to capture the effect of the recent global financial and economic crisis on the overall macroeconomic performance of countries relative to others. Not only do the relative performance scores show tremendous variability during the post-crisis years, but the measures of disarray are also at their highest, despite there being overall stability in the country rankings in terms of indicators, which are traditionally relied on, like GDP growth or per-capita GDP. A single graphical plot easily identifies countries that have performed consistently over time, and those whose overall macroeconomic performances have deteriorated sharply relative to others during the post-crisis years

Effects of Market Reforms and External Shocks on Indian Stock Indices: Evidence on Structural Breaks and Weak-Form Efficiency

This study explores stock market efficiency in India after allowing for potential structural changes induced by reforms processes and/or external shocks. The endogenous determination of structural break dates, using mostly Clemente, Montanes, & Reyes (1998) (CMR) methodology, allows us to identify important events in this respect. External shocks such as occasional stock market scams, policy and political regime changes, oil price shocks and the effect of global market meltdowns have caused abrupt or one time changes in the series mean (additive outlier model), while the reforms processes stand out to be the single most important cause for the gradual shifts in the level of stock indices (innovation outlier model). This underlines the importance of institution building and the domestic policy stance in countering external shocks

Potential of Multi constellation Global Navigation Satellite System in Indian Missile Test Range Applications

In this paper, the potentials of using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) techniques in the complex calibration procedure of the tracking sensors for missile test range applications have been presented. The frequently used tracking sensors in test range applications are- electro-optical tracking stations (EOTS) and tracking radars. Over the years, the EOTS are used as the reference for bias estimation of the radars. With the introduction of GPS in test range applications, especially the DGPS, the reference for bias estimation got shifted to DGPS from the EOTS. However, the achievable position solution accuracy is limited to the order of a few meters for DGPS, EOTS, and Radars. With the evolution of Multi-constellation GNSS and carrier-phase based measurement techniques in satellite navigation, achievable position solution accuracies may be improved to sub-meter level. New navigation techniques like real time kinematic (RTK) and precise point positioning have the potentials for use in the calibration procedures of the missile test ranges to the accuracies of centimeter-level. Moreover, because of the availability of a large number of navigation signals over the Indian region, multi-constellation GNSS receivers can enhance signal availability, reliability, and accuracies during the calibration of missile test ranges. Currently available compact, low-cost GNSS modules also offer the possibilities of using these for cost-effective, networked RTK for dynamic calibration of test ranges reducing cost and resource requirements

Phytochemical, antioxidant and in-vitro anti-inflammatory studies of peels of sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) have shown a promising natural cure against antibiotic resistant bacteria and opportunistic fungus

Background- Multidrug-resistance has become an emerging health concern worldwide mostly in the immune-compromised patients. This indicates the need to search for alternative methods of controlling antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Ethono-medicinal data indicated sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), a widely consumed vegetable as a potent remedy in inflammatory and infectious diseases. The present study evaluated the phytochemical, antioxidant and anti-bacterial action of the ethanolic extract of Ipomoea batatas peels against some drug-resistant pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and anti-fungal action against Aspergilus niger responsible for most of the infections leading to the treatment failure. There is inflammation induced disorders like cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, etc. where the peels of Ipomoea batatas have very much potent anti-inflammatory activity. Methods- The peels of sweet potato were authenticated and macerated ethanolic extract was used for the Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, in-vitro anti-inflammatory studies were performed. The antifungal activity was studied against Aspergilus niger and antimicrobial action was evaluated against two most commonly found resistant strains like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Results- The phytochemical analysis the ethanolic extract of the peels of Ipomoea batatas has shown the presence of alkaloid, glycoside, phenol and tannin. Antioxidant activity in terms of total phenolic & total flavonoid contents has shown a significantly good value, less than 50µg/ml. The anti-bacterial activity against two antibiotic resistant bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureous were prominently good with the MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) 25 mg/ml and for the fungal strain Aspergilus niger, the MIC was 50 mg/ml. The various in-vitro anti-inflammatory studies like heat induced haemolysis, protein denaturation study etc. have proved that the sweet potato leaves have potent anti-inflammatory activity with an IC50 value less than 400 µg/ml. Conclusion- The present study indicated the ethanolic extract of Ipomoea batatas peel can be beneficial to develop a cost-effective natural source of antimicrobial agent against drug resistant pathogen and also source of cure for various inflammation induced disorders. Further study will lead to a sustainable source in pharmaceutical industries also helpful to maintain an eco-friendly environment

Differential cross section measurements for the production of a W boson in association with jets in proton–proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Measurements are reported of differential cross sections for the production of a W boson, which decays into a muon and a neutrino, in association with jets, as a function of several variables, including the transverse momenta (pT) and pseudorapidities of the four leading jets, the scalar sum of jet transverse momenta (HT), and the difference in azimuthal angle between the directions of each jet and the muon. The data sample of pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV was collected with the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb[superscript −1]. The measured cross sections are compared to predictions from Monte Carlo generators, MadGraph + pythia and sherpa, and to next-to-leading-order calculations from BlackHat + sherpa. The differential cross sections are found to be in agreement with the predictions, apart from the pT distributions of the leading jets at high pT values, the distributions of the HT at high-HT and low jet multiplicity, and the distribution of the difference in azimuthal angle between the leading jet and the muon at low values.United States. Dept. of EnergyNational Science Foundation (U.S.)Alfred P. Sloan Foundatio

Juxtaposing BTE and ATE – on the role of the European insurance industry in funding civil litigation

One of the ways in which legal services are financed, and indeed shaped, is through private insurance arrangement. Two contrasting types of legal expenses insurance contracts (LEI) seem to dominate in Europe: before the event (BTE) and after the event (ATE) legal expenses insurance. Notwithstanding institutional differences between different legal systems, BTE and ATE insurance arrangements may be instrumental if government policy is geared towards strengthening a market-oriented system of financing access to justice for individuals and business. At the same time, emphasizing the role of a private industry as a keeper of the gates to justice raises issues of accountability and transparency, not readily reconcilable with demands of competition. Moreover, multiple actors (clients, lawyers, courts, insurers) are involved, causing behavioural dynamics which are not easily predicted or influenced. Against this background, this paper looks into BTE and ATE arrangements by analysing the particularities of BTE and ATE arrangements currently available in some European jurisdictions and by painting a picture of their respective markets and legal contexts. This allows for some reflection on the performance of BTE and ATE providers as both financiers and keepers. Two issues emerge from the analysis that are worthy of some further reflection. Firstly, there is the problematic long-term sustainability of some ATE products. Secondly, the challenges faced by policymakers that would like to nudge consumers into voluntarily taking out BTE LEI

Penilaian Kinerja Keuangan Koperasi di Kabupaten Pelalawan

This paper describe development and financial performance of cooperative in District Pelalawan among 2007 - 2008. Studies on primary and secondary cooperative in 12 sub-districts. Method in this stady use performance measuring of productivity, efficiency, growth, liquidity, and solvability of cooperative. Productivity of cooperative in Pelalawan was highly but efficiency still low. Profit and income were highly, even liquidity of cooperative very high, and solvability was good

Search for stop and higgsino production using diphoton Higgs boson decays

Results are presented of a search for a "natural" supersymmetry scenario with gauge mediated symmetry breaking. It is assumed that only the supersymmetric partners of the top-quark (stop) and the Higgs boson (higgsino) are accessible. Events are examined in which there are two photons forming a Higgs boson candidate, and at least two b-quark jets. In 19.7 inverse femtobarns of proton-proton collision data at sqrt(s) = 8 TeV, recorded in the CMS experiment, no evidence of a signal is found and lower limits at the 95% confidence level are set, excluding the stop mass below 360 to 410 GeV, depending on the higgsino mass

Impacts of the Tropical Pacific/Indian Oceans on the Seasonal Cycle of the West African Monsoon

The current consensus is that drought has developed in the Sahel during the second half of the twentieth century as a result of remote effects of oceanic anomalies amplified by local land–atmosphere interactions. This paper focuses on the impacts of oceanic anomalies upon West African climate and specifically aims to identify those from SST anomalies in the Pacific/Indian Oceans during spring and summer seasons, when they were significant. Idealized sensitivity experiments are performed with four atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs). The prescribed SST patterns used in the AGCMs are based on the leading mode of covariability between SST anomalies over the Pacific/Indian Oceans and summer rainfall over West Africa. The results show that such oceanic anomalies in the Pacific/Indian Ocean lead to a northward shift of an anomalous dry belt from the Gulf of Guinea to the Sahel as the season advances. In the Sahel, the magnitude of rainfall anomalies is comparable to that obtained by other authors using SST anomalies confined to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. The mechanism connecting the Pacific/Indian SST anomalies with West African rainfall has a strong seasonal cycle. In spring (May and June), anomalous subsidence develops over both the Maritime Continent and the equatorial Atlantic in response to the enhanced equatorial heating. Precipitation increases over continental West Africa in association with stronger zonal convergence of moisture. In addition, precipitation decreases over the Gulf of Guinea. During the monsoon peak (July and August), the SST anomalies move westward over the equatorial Pacific and the two regions where subsidence occurred earlier in the seasons merge over West Africa. The monsoon weakens and rainfall decreases over the Sahel, especially in August.Peer reviewe

Severe early onset preeclampsia: short and long term clinical, psychosocial and biochemical aspects

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific disorder commonly defined as de novo hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks gestational age. It occurs in approximately 3-5% of pregnancies and it is still a major cause of both foetal and maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide1. As extensive research has not yet elucidated the aetiology of preeclampsia, there are no rational preventive or therapeutic interventions available. The only rational treatment is delivery, which benefits the mother but is not in the interest of the foetus, if remote from term. Early onset preeclampsia (<32 weeks’ gestational age) occurs in less than 1% of pregnancies. It is, however often associated with maternal morbidity as the risk of progression to severe maternal disease is inversely related with gestational age at onset2. Resulting prematurity is therefore the main cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in patients with severe preeclampsia3. Although the discussion is ongoing, perinatal survival is suggested to be increased in patients with preterm preeclampsia by expectant, non-interventional management. This temporising treatment option to lengthen pregnancy includes the use of antihypertensive medication to control hypertension, magnesium sulphate to prevent eclampsia and corticosteroids to enhance foetal lung maturity4. With optimal maternal haemodynamic status and reassuring foetal condition this results on average in an extension of 2 weeks. Prolongation of these pregnancies is a great challenge for clinicians to balance between potential maternal risks on one the eve hand and possible foetal benefits on the other. Clinical controversies regarding prolongation of preterm preeclamptic pregnancies still exist – also taking into account that preeclampsia is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the Netherlands5 - a debate which is even more pronounced in very preterm pregnancies with questionable foetal viability6-9. Do maternal risks of prolongation of these very early pregnancies outweigh the chances of neonatal survival? Counselling of women with very early onset preeclampsia not only comprises of knowledge of the outcome of those particular pregnancies, but also knowledge of outcomes of future pregnancies of these women is of major clinical importance. This thesis opens with a review of the literature on identifiable risk factors of preeclampsia