Foreign Aid, FDI and Economic Growth in East European Countries

This paper examines the effectiveness of foreign aid and foreign direct investment in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The model includes the labor force, capital stock, foreign aid and foreign direct investment, and is estimated using pooled annual time series data from 1993 to 2002. Before carrying out the estimation, the time series properties of the data are diagnosed and an error-correction model is developed and estimated using a fixed-effects estimator. The results indicate that an increase in the stock of domestic capital and inflow of foreign direct investment are significant factors that positively affect economic growth in these countries. Foreign aid did not seem to have any significant effect on real GDP.

Importance of hierarchical interactions in concentrated protein systems

Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment of PhysicsJeremy D. SchmitProtein-protein interactions play important roles in signal transduction, chemical catal ysis, cell metabolism, membrane transport, muscle contraction and more. While many of these interactions can be understood as two-body interactions, other important properties can emerge when large numbers of molecules interact together. In this dissertation, we inves tigate three such systems. We find that a common characteristic in the emergent behavior is interactions occurring on multiple length and energy scales. Biomolecular condensates appear throughout the cell serving a wide variety of functions. Many condensates form by interactions between multivalent proteins, which produce phase separated networks with liquidlike properties. We use a model system of poly-SUMO and poly-SIM proteins in which the basic unit of assembly is a zipperlike filament due to the interaction of alternating poly-SUMO and poly-SIM molecules. These filaments have defects of unsatisfied bonds that allow crosslinking for both the formation of a 3D network and the recruitment of additional molecules, called clients. We observe a nonmonotonic client binding response that can be tuned independently by the client valence and binding energy. These results show how the interactions within liquid states can be disordered yet still contain structural features that provide functionality to the condensate. The nucleolus is a large membrane-less organelle in the nucleus which is responsible for the assembly of ribosomes. We have developed models to understand how interactions among major proteins assist pre-ribosomal assembly and proper rRNA folding in the nucleolus. The first of these models describes the electrostatic interaction between two major nucleolar proteins (NPM1 and SURF6-N) as a driving force for the phase separation in the nucleolus. The second model describes the role of NPM1 as a chaperone in the rRNA folding process. We have developed analytic, numerical, and computational methods which confirm that NPM1 lowers the zipper barrier to unzip misfolded rRNA. Protein aggregation is a major problem in drug formulation for the pharmaceutical in dustry. Antibody molecules form elongated complexes due the interaction between their do mains. These complexes entangle with each other causing a sharp rise in viscosity of solution. To reduce the production cost, we need to predict the viscous behavior of molecules in the early stages of drug development. We develop a method to use dilute solution measurements to predict the antibody viscosity. We translate the strength of self-association measured by dilute solution experiments (ACSINS, DLS) into the binding affinity of molecules. A theo retical model based on entanglement physics predicts viscosity from these binding affinities. Predictions are in good agreement with the test set of molecules with a few outliers. Using the theoretical model, we predict the physical mechanism of these outliers, and we have proposed solutions to account for these mechanisms in a refined method

Another Look at Devaluation and the Trade Balance in China

This paper estimates the effect of Chinese Yuan devaluation on the trade balance of China.  For that a regression equation is developed in which domestic income, foreign income, domestic money supply, foreign money supply and real effective exchange rate are used as explanatory variable with trade balance as the dependent variable. In order to test the J-curve phenomenon the lagged values of exchange rata are also included.  Quarterly time series data from 1999 to 2016 are used.  Before estimating the model the time series properties of the data are diagnosed and an error correction model is developed and estimated.  The estimated results show that the contemporaneous effect of devaluation is positive, but the total effect is insignificant.  A J-curve pattern of adjustment of the trade balance is also detected

Foreign Aid, FDI and Economic Growth in East European Countries

This paper examines the effectiveness of foreign aid and foreign direct investment in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The model includes the labor force, capital stock, foreign aid and foreign direct investment, and is estimated using pooled annual time series data from 1993 to 2002. Before carrying out the estimation, the time series properties of the data are diagnosed and an error-correction model is developed and estimated using a fixed-effects estimator. The results indicate that an increase in the stock of domestic capital and inflow of foreign direct investment are significant factors that positively affect economic growth in these countries. Foreign aid did not seem to have any significant effect on real GDP

Exchange Rate Adjustment And Output In South-East Asia

This paper studies the effect of currency devaluation on aggregate output level in South- East Asian countries using panel data from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines for a period from 1980 to 2010. An empirical model that includes monetary, fiscal and exchange rate variables is developed. Two versions of the model, one with real exchange rate and another with nominal exchange rate and foreign-to-domestic price ratio are estimated. An error correction model is developed and the time series properties of the panel data are diagnosed before estimating the model. The estimated results suggest that currency devaluations are contractionary in the short run and the intermediate run and this contractionary effect comes from the change in nominal exchange rate and not from the change in foreign-to-domestic price ratio

Exchange Rate Adjustment And Output In SouthEast Asia

This paper studies the effect of currencydevaluation on aggregate output level in South- East Asian countries usingpanel data from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines for a periodfrom 1980 to 2010. An empirical modelthat includes monetary, fiscal and exchange rate variables is developed. Two versions of the model, one with realexchange rate and another with nominal exchange rate and foreign-to-domesticprice ratio are estimated. An errorcorrection model is developed and the time series properties of the panel dataare diagnosed before estimating the model.The estimated results suggest that currency devaluations are contractionaryin the short run and the intermediate run and this contractionary effect comesfrom the change in nominal exchange rate and not from the change in foreign-to-domesticprice ratio

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Overweight and Obesity in Reproductive Women of a Municipality in Western Nepal

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are major health-related problems causing an economic burden on societies around the world. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to determine the associated factors among reproductive women in a municipality in western Nepal. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was performed and data was collected by convenience sampling method including 353 women aged 15-45 years. Chi-Square test was used to assess the factors associated with overweight and obesity. The odds ratio was computed using binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 55% . Age (p < 0.001), education (p = 0.02), occupation (p = 0.012), marital status (p = 0.008), presence of chronic disease (p < 0.001), dietary pattern (p = 0.01), restaurant visit (p = 0.002) and stress (p = 0.003) were significant associated factors for overweight including obesity. The odds of being overweight or obesity was higher but not statistically significant in women aged 25-35 years (OR = 2.57 ; 95% CI: 0.89-7.4, p = 0.082), in married women (OR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.08-2.02), and in parous women (OR = 2.38; 95 % CI: 4.05-27.57). The odds of being overweight or obese were significantly higher in the respondents who had no chronic disease  (OR = 6.81, 95% CI: 2.10-10.16). Conclusion: We observed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in our sample. Age, education, occupation, marital status, presence of chronic disease, dietary pattern, restaurant visits, and stress were associated with overweight or obesity

Kinetic Characterization and Partial Purification of Peroxidase in Eucalyptus F1 Hybrids

A differential pattern of peroxidase (E.C. 1.1.11.7) has been observed in reciprocal F1 hybrids of Eucalyptus (FRI-4 and FRI-5) produced using parental combination of E. tereticornis and E. camaldulensis. The hybrids were characterized for the qualitative, kinetic parameters (total and specific activity, units, Km and Vmax) and partial purification of peroxidase. The qualitative study showed the presence of high molecular weight peroxidase isoforms i.e. 260 KD, 250 KD and 110KD bands. A strong maternal inheritance was observed for 260 KD loci in FRI-5. Kinetic characterization of peroxidase revealed that F1 genotypes had efficient peroxidase system over their parental combination resulting in 8 -10 times more heterotic vigour. The FRI-5 genotypes were found to be having efficient peroxidase system with lowest Km values (0.12mM-0.17mM) and higher Vmax values ranging from 0.07-0.14mM min-1mg prot-1. The study revealed the role of maternal inheritance and was found that better genotypes are produced when superior parents are used as seed parent. The results suggest the efficient use of peroxidase marker for the identification of the better genotypes in forest tree species. &nbsp

Quantitative Determination and Source Variation of Rutin in Fagopyrum Tataricum

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum sp.) is a traditional crop of Uttarakhand (India) known for its high Rutin content, a bioflavonoid with significant medicinal properties. This study explores the quantitative measurement of Rutin in various buckwheat varieties grown in different regions of Uttarakhand using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC). Twelve seed sources of Fagopyrum tataricum from the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, along with Fagopyrum esculentum seeds for comparison, were collected. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and carbohydrates, with methanolic extracts showing higher concentrations. TLC analysis was employed to determine the most effective solvent system for Rutin separation, leading to the identification of three samples with substantial Rutin content. HPTLC was then used for quantitative Rutin assessment, with a calibration curve established using standard Rutin solutions. The three selected samples, along with the standard, were applied to HPTLC plates, and the Rutin content was measured based on peak areas and peak heights. The sample collected from Joshimath, Uttarakhand, known as "JOG," exhibited the highest Rutin content. This study provides valuable insights into the phytochemical composition of buckwheat varieties in Uttarakhand, which can inform the development of high-quality functional foods. Rutin, a potent antioxidant with various health benefits, underscores the significance of buckwheat as a naturally occurring functional food source. The results contribute to understanding the Rutin-rich potential of buckwheat grown in Uttarakhand and its applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals. Further research in this field can promote the cultivation and utilization of buckwheat as a source of this valuable bioactive compound with numerous health benefits

Extensive soot compaction by cloud processing from laboratory and field observations

Soot particles form during combustion of carbonaceous materials and impact climate and air quality. When freshly emitted, they are typically fractal-like aggregates. After atmospheric aging, they can act as cloud condensation nuclei, and water condensation or evaporation restructure them to more compact aggregates, affecting their optical, aerodynamic, and surface properties. Here we survey the morphology of ambient soot particles from various locations and different environmental and aging conditions. We used electron microscopy and show extensive soot compaction after cloud processing. We further performed laboratory experiments to simulate atmospheric cloud processing under controlled conditions. We find that soot particles sampled after evaporating the cloud droplets, are significantly more compact than freshly emitted and interstitial soot, confirming that cloud processing, not just exposure to high humidity, compacts soot. Our findings have implications for how the radiative, surface, and aerodynamic properties, and the fate of soot particles are represented in numerical models