Effects of Innovations on Margins of International Trade: Evidence with Firm Level Data of Selected South Asian Countries

In an increasingly globalized world, firms and countries are continuously striving for export competitiveness to increase their export shares in international markets. This study investigates the effects of different types of innovations on extensive and intensive margins of exports by using data of manufacturing firms operating in four South Asian countries. We use the probit, and fractional response model as estimation techniques. The results of the study reveal that process, management, and marketing innovations have positive and statistically significant effects on both extensive and intensive margins of exports. These results suggest that South Asian countries should facilitate firms to engage in innovative activities which provide a sustainable, competitive advantage for firms in international market

Effects of Innovations on Margins of International Trade: Evidence with Firm Level Data of Selected South Asian Countries

In an increasingly globalized world, firms and countries are continuously striving for export competitiveness to increase their export shares in international markets. This study investigates the effects of different types of innovations on extensive and intensive margins of exports by using data of manufacturing firms operating in four South Asian countries. We use the probit, and fractional response model as estimation techniques. The results of the study reveal that process, management, and marketing innovations have positive and statistically significant effects on both extensive and intensive margins of exports. These results suggest that South Asian countries should facilitate firms to engage in innovative activities which provide a sustainable, competitive advantage for firms in international market

ICT, FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN BRICS COUNTRIES

The development and transformation of advanced technologies are considered vital for maintaining competitive economic growth and to have treasure and capacity of more efficient energy in the region. This has attracted many researchers and policy makers to explore the impact of ICT and other digital technologies to check their contribution in the country’s economic growth and sustainability. In lieu of these connections, the study aims to explore the impact of ICT and financial development on economic growth of BRICS countries. We analyzed the data of these countries from 2000 to 2018. The data was checked for the penal protocol procedures and hypothesis were tasted using Quantile Regression. The outcomes of the study revealed that all dimensions of ICT i.e. ICT-Tel, ICT-Mob and ICT-Net have positive significant effect of the GDP of BRICS countries. The results also highlight the impact of financial development on economic growth and reported positive significant impact of financial development on the economic growth of this region. The results are expected to be very meaningful for the relevant regulatory bodies and specially the economic think tank of these countries. &nbsp

ROLE OF SPORTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SELECTED MOOD PROFILE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ATHLETES HAVING DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHIC ATTRIBUTES

Background: Role of sports in the development of mood states or association between sports participation and different mood state is a topic debate for decades (Vitale, La Torre, Baldassarre, Piacentini, & Bonato, 2017). The main purpose of the study was role of sports in the development of selected mood profile: a comparative study of athletes having different demographic attributes. The hypotheses of the study were there is significant gender wise difference of athletes in selected mood profile, there is significant coaching style wise difference of athletes in selected mood profile, there is significant playing environment wise difference of athletes in selected mood profile and there is significant individual vs. team sports difference in selected mood profile of athletes. Methods: Total 1430 elite athletes were entertained using available sampling technique. Modified version of profile of mood states (POMs) was used as an instrument. Results: The researcher found that female score significantly better than male athletes in tension, depression anger, fatigue and confusion but not in vigor as well as athletes having supportive coach score better in total mood disturbance than athletes having controlling coach. Conclusions: The researcher concluded that the athlete who practicing in hot environment score better in total mood disturbance than athletes who played in cool environment. As well as the athletes from individual sports score better in total mood disturbance than team sports participant. The researcher recommended that the athletes should get special attention from the coach with special reference to psychological management of the athletes. The athletes should participate in individual sports to avoid tension depression and other psychological problems.  Â

ROLE OF SPORTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SELECTED MOOD PROFILE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ATHLETES HAVING DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHIC ATTRIBUTES

Background: Role of sports in the development of mood states or association between sports participation and different mood state is a topic debate for decades (Vitale, La Torre, Baldassarre, Piacentini, & Bonato, 2017). The main purpose of the study was role of sports in the development of selected mood profile: a comparative study of athletes having different demographic attributes. The hypotheses of the study were there is significant gender wise difference of athletes in selected mood profile, there is significant coaching style wise difference of athletes in selected mood profile, there is significant playing environment wise difference of athletes in selected mood profile and there is significant individual vs. team sports difference in selected mood profile of athletes. Methods: Total 1430 elite athletes were entertained using available sampling technique. Modified version of profile of mood states (POMs) was used as an instrument. Results: The researcher found that female score significantly better than male athletes in tension, depression anger, fatigue and confusion but not in vigor as well as athletes having supportive coach score better in total mood disturbance than athletes having controlling coach. Conclusions: The researcher concluded that the athlete who practicing in hot environment score better in total mood disturbance than athletes who played in cool environment. As well as the athletes from individual sports score better in total mood disturbance than team sports participant. The researcher recommended that the athletes should get special attention from the coach with special reference to psychological management of the athletes. The athletes should participate in individual sports to avoid tension depression and other psychological problems.  

Effects of Dengue Incidence on Socio-Economic Status of Patient’s Family: A Comparative Analysis of Multan and Lahore City (Pakistan).

Pakistan is one of the victimized countries where the eruption of Dengue fever has been brazed out like several other countries around the globe. Dengue belongs to the family Flaviviridae (one of the families of mosquitoes) and it resembles with Yellow Fever virus and Hepatitis C virus (HCV). This research paper illustrates the effects of Dengue incidence on socio-economic status of the Dengue victims family by exploring the assorted effects related to socio-economic conditions and behavioral amendments of the Dengue patients in Punjab province (Pakistan). A sample of 200 Dengue victims was identified by using Multistage sampling technique from the selected regions of Multan and Lahore city. Interview schedule was used as a tool for data collection process for evaluating the responses of the Dengue victims. It was inferred from this research that the socio-economic status of the people of Punjab was disturbed due to Dengue incidence. Afterward the researcher made a comparison between the socio-economic status of the people of Lahore and Multan city. Subsequently the researcher instituted that the socio-economic status of the people of Lahore city was disturbed drastically as compared to the people of Multan city. The researcher put forwarded that government should ensure community involvement and timely management in removing mosquitoes breeding sites. In addition to this elimination of mosquitoes in Dengue outbreak areas by using premium quality insecticides can also eradicate various dilemmas related with eruption of Dengue fever. Keywords: Dengue fever, Socio-economic status, Behavioral changes, Timely management, Dengue victims, Insecticides and Community involvement

Cycling vs Running – An in-depth analysis

This short letter to the editor provides ideas about exercises that improves cardiovascular fitness

Lipid Profiles and Its Association with Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia in Nulliparous Pregnant Women

Objectives: To access the lipid profiles and its association with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in nulliparous pregnant women. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 234 nulliparous pregnant women with gestation period of  > 20 weeks and aged 15-45 years, from March to October 2014, in Institute of Basic Medical Sciences (IBMS), Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar, Pakistan with cooperation from gynecology and obstetrics departments of three tertiary-care hospitals of Peshawar & Khyber Medical College, Peshawar,  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Subjects were assigned to three groups i.e., group A, group B and group C. For performing biochemical assays and lipid profiling, through ELISA, blood samples were collected from already subjects both with the disease and the controls. Results: Both subjects having pre-eclampsia and eclampsia showed significant elevated levels (p < 0.001) for low density lipoproteins cholesterols (LDL-c), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-c and LDL-c/HDL-c ratio. But TC of pre-eclampsia subjects were found significantly elevated (p < 0.001) in relation to controls. LDL-c/HDL-c and TC/HDL-c also revealed an elevated significant change (p < 0.001) both for pre-eclamptic and eclamptic subjects. On the other hand, only TG/HDL-c in pre-eclamptic patients was found significantly higher (p<0.004) when compared to control group.  Conclusion: Serum lipid levels were observed higher in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia patients hence an early assessment is necessary to prevent complications in such patients