“New visions of control over the environment really shook the way political orders were created on both sides of the border after Partition” – David Gilmartin

At the LSE Pakistan Summit 2017 David Gilmartin gave a talk on ‘The Indus and its Peoples’. Afterwards, Sonali Campion asked him to elaborate on some of the themes raised, from the division of the river basin during Partition and the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, to the inter- and intra-national tensions that have played out since 1947. Part 2 of Dr Gohel’s analysis, on the challenges posed by Haqqani Network and the ISIS-affiliated Wilayat Khorasan and the geo-strategic agendas of Afghanistan’s neighbours, is available here

The national impact of regional policy : demand-side policy simulation with labour market constraints in a two-region computable general equilibrium model

UK governments generally advocate regional policy as a means of reducing regional disparities and stimulating national growth. However, there is limited comprehension regarding the effects of regional policy on non-target economies. This paper examines the system-wide effects on the Scottish and rest of UK (RUK) economies of an increase in Scottish traded sector exports to the rest of the world. The research is carried out in an inter-regional Computable General Equilibrium framework of the Scottish and RUK economies, under alternative hypotheses regarding wage determination and inter-regional migratory behaviour. The findings suggest that regional policy can have significant national spillover effects, even when the target region is small relative to the RUK. Furthermore, the configuration of the labour market is important in determining the post-shock adjustment path of both economies. In particular, while Scottish economy results are sensitive to alternative versions of how regional labour markets function, RUK region effects prove to be even more so

Regional Policy Spillovers: The National Impact of Demand-Side Policy in an Interregional Model of the UK Economy

UK regional policy has been advocated as a means of reducing regional disparities and stimulating national growth. However, there is limited understanding of the interregional and national effects of such a policy. This paper uses an interregional computable general equilibrium model to identify the national impact of a policy-induced regional demand shock under alternative labour market closures. Our simulation results suggest that regional policy operating solely on the demand side has significant national impacts. Furthermore, the effects on the non-target region are particularly sensitive to the treatment of the regional labour market.regional CGE modelling, migration, regional development policy

Long Days Enhance Recognition Memory and Increase Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 in the Hippocampus

Light improves cognitive function in humans; however, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying positive effects of light remain unclear. One obstacle is that most rodent models have employed lighting conditions that cause cognitive deficits rather than improvements. Here we have developed a mouse model where light improves cognitive function, which provides insight into mechanisms underlying positive effects of light. To increase light exposure without eliminating daily rhythms, we exposed mice to either a standard photoperiod or a long day photoperiod. Long days enhanced long-term recognition memory, and this effect was abolished by loss of the photopigment melanopsin. Further, long days markedly altered hippocampal clock function and elevated transcription of Insulin-like Growth Factor2 (Igf2). Up-regulation of Igf2 occurred in tandem with suppression of its transcriptional repressor Wilm’s tumor1. Consistent with molecular de-repression of Igf2, IGF2 expression was increased in the hippocampus before and after memory training. Lastly, long days occluded IGF2-induced improvements in recognition memory. Collectively, these results suggest that light changes hippocampal clock function to alter memory, highlighting novel mechanisms that may contribute to the positive effects of light. Furthermore, this study provides insight into how the circadian clock can regulate hippocampus-dependent learning by controlling molecular processes required for memory consolidation

Constitutional Right to Speedy Trial - Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 1100

Commonwealth\u27s failure to monitor court dates constitutes failure of due diligence. Commonwealth v Browne, 526 Pa 83, 584 A2d 902 (1990)

Oakleaf: an S locus-linked mutation of Primula vulgaris that affects leaf and flower development

•In Primula vulgaris outcrossing is promoted through reciprocal herkogamy with insect-mediated cross-pollination between pin and thrum form flowers. Development of heteromorphic flowers is coordinated by genes at the S locus. To underpin construction of a genetic map facilitating isolation of these S locus genes, we have characterised Oakleaf, a novel S locus-linked mutant phenotype. •We combine phenotypic observation of flower and leaf development, with classical genetic analysis and next-generation sequencing to address the molecular basis of Oakleaf. •Oakleaf is a dominant mutation that affects both leaf and flower development; plants produce distinctive lobed leaves, with occasional ectopic meristems on the veins. This phenotype is reminiscent of overexpression of Class I KNOX-homeodomain transcription factors. We describe the structure and expression of all eight P. vulgaris PvKNOX genes in both wild-type and Oakleaf plants, and present comparative transcriptome analysis of leaves and flowers from Oakleaf and wild-type plants. •Oakleaf provides a new phenotypic marker for genetic analysis of the Primula S locus. We show that none of the Class I PvKNOX genes are strongly upregulated in Oakleaf leaves and flowers, and identify cohorts of 507 upregulated and 314 downregulated genes in the Oakleaf mutant

‘It Takes Two Hands to Clap’: How Gaddi Shepherds in the Indian Himalayas Negotiate Access to Grazing

This article examines the effects of state intervention on the workings of informal institutions that coordinate the communal use and management of natural resources. Specifically it focuses on the case of the nomadic Gaddi shepherds and official attempts to regulate their access to grazing pastures in the Indian Himalayas. It is often predicted that the increased presence of the modern state critically undermines locally appropriate and community-based resource management arrangements. Drawing on the work of Pauline Peters and Francis Cleaver, I identify key instances of socially embedded ‘common’ management institutions and explain the evolution of these arrangements through dynamic interactions between individuals, communities and the agents of the state. Through describing the ‘living space’ of Gaddi shepherds across the annual cycle of nomadic migration with their flocks I explore the ways in which they have been able to creatively reinterpret external interventions, and suggest how contemporary arrangements for accessing pasture at different moments of the annual cycle involve complex combinations of the formal and the informal, the ‘traditional’ and the ‘modern’

Scaling up family planning in Zambia—Part 2: The cost of scaling up family planning services

This costing study is Part 2 of a broader implementation research study designed to establish the feasibility of integrating successful interventions and lessons from the Scaling Up Family Planning (SUFP) project into Zambia’s health system at the conclusion of the project, and to contribute to the global learning on scaling up family planning services. The main contribution of the costing study was to examine the cost implications in determining the scope and pace of scale up. Challenges experienced during the project reportedly included lack of equipment and limited space in some facilities, government staff shortages, and irregular access to supplies of oral contraceptives and condoms at the community level. Sustainability of interventions after the end of the project was a major concern, with doubts over the ability of the government to cover the costs of outreach, supply chain, and community-based distribution (CBD) support costs that have been covered by the project. Finally, finding solutions to high CBD attrition rates was identified as a key challenge. The report details lessons learned from this project and makes recommendations, including further research that would be beneficial both for the country and globally