Role of Economic Policies in Achieving MDGs in the Asia-Pacific Region: Challenges, Gaps and Area of Interventions

This paper tries to examine the role of various economic policy measures that are unveiled in the Asia Pacific region to achieve the MDGs. In do so, in the first stage, the paper tries to bring out the extent of achievement of MDGs in the region. Further, it attempts to fix the bench marks for each macro policy variable in relation to MDG achievement. In the second stage, it undertakes the gap analysis to see the extent of distance between ‘on-track’ and ‘off-track’ countries and emphasis prioritisation of policies in the region. The study concludes that Asia Pacific as a whole are close to the bench mark countries in terms of fiscal and trade policies. But there is a lot more that needs to be done in the financial and stabilisation policies. Further, the study concludes that there is a need to emphasis more on the financial and macroeconomic reforms that helps in domestic resource mobilisation and also in the growth process that are necessary for achieving development goals in time.MDGs, Asia-Pacific, Gap Analysis,

Role of Economic Policies in Achieving MDGs in the Asia-Pacific Region: Challenges, Gaps and Area of Interventions

This paper tries to examine the role of various economic policy measures that are unveiled in the Asia Pacific region to achieve the MDGs. In do so, in the first stage, the paper tries to bring out the extent of achievement of MDGs in the region. Further, it attempts to fix the bench marks for each macro policy variable in relation to MDG achievement. In the second stage, it undertakes the gap analysis to see the extent of distance between ‘on-track’ and ‘off-track’ countries and emphasis prioritisation of policies in the region. The study concludes that Asia Pacific as a whole are close to the bench mark countries in terms of fiscal and trade policies. But there is a lot more that needs to be done in the financial and stabilisation policies. Further, the study concludes that there is a need to emphasis more on the financial and macroeconomic reforms that helps in domestic resource mobilisation and also in the growth process that are necessary for achieving development goals in time

Role of Economic Policies in Achieving MDGs in the Asia-Pacific Region: Challenges, Gaps and Area of Interventions

This paper tries to examine the role of various economic policy measures that are unveiled in the Asia Pacific region to achieve the MDGs. In do so, in the first stage, the paper tries to bring out the extent of achievement of MDGs in the region. Further, it attempts to fix the bench marks for each macro policy variable in relation to MDG achievement. In the second stage, it undertakes the gap analysis to see the extent of distance between ‘on-track’ and ‘off-track’ countries and emphasis prioritisation of policies in the region. The study concludes that Asia Pacific as a whole are close to the bench mark countries in terms of fiscal and trade policies. But there is a lot more that needs to be done in the financial and stabilisation policies. Further, the study concludes that there is a need to emphasis more on the financial and macroeconomic reforms that helps in domestic resource mobilisation and also in the growth process that are necessary for achieving development goals in time

Development of Self-Assembling Mixed Protein Micelles with Temperature-Modulated Avidities

Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are polypentapeptides that undergo hydrophobic collapse and aggregation above a specific transition temperature, Tt. ELP diblocks sharing a common “core” block (I60) but varying “outer” blocks (A80, P40) were designed, where Tt,I \u3c Tt,A \u3c Tt,P. The formation of ~55 nm diameter mixed micelles from these ELP diblocks was verified using dynamic light scattering (DLS), multiangle light scattering (MALS) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). To confer affinity to the blood circulating protein fibrinogen, a fibrinogen-binding tetrapeptide sequence (GPRP) was fused to A80-I60, while P40-I60 was fused to a non-binding control (GPSP). The self-assembling, peptide-displaying, mixed micelles exhibit temperature-modulated avidities for immobilized and soluble fibrinogen at 32 °C and 42 °C. In this initial proof-of-concept design, the engineered mixed micelles were shown to disengage fibrinogen at elevated temperatures. The modular nature of this system can be used for developing in vivo depot systems that will only be triggered to release in situ upon specific stimuli

Structure, morphology and dynamics of crown ether-based polyrotaxanes

Ph.D.H.W. Beckha

Solid-state NMR investigation of structure and dynamics of polyrotaxanes

M.S.H.W. Beckha

Extracting Physical Events from Digital Chatter for Covid-19

By June 3, 2021, the US experienced over 33 million total cases of Covid-19, surpassing 592,000 deaths. In response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised masking, social distancing and avoiding mass gatherings. In this work, we seek to automatically identify physical mass gathering events including dates and locations from digital chatter, i.e., social media data. We also study spread and sentiment associated with such large gathering events, finding a moderate negative correlation between large public gatherings, overall sentiment, and reported Covid-19 case numbers post event

Using Supercritical Fluid Technology as a Green Alternative During the Preparation of Drug Delivery Systems

Micro- and nano-carrier formulations have been developed as drug delivery systems for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that suffer from poor physico-chemical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic properties. Encapsulating the APIs in such systems can help improve their stability by protecting them from harsh conditions such as light, oxygen, temperature, pH, enzymes, and others. Consequently, the API’s dissolution rate and bioavailability are tremendously improved. Conventional techniques used in the production of these drug carrier formulations have several drawbacks, including thermal and chemical stability of the APIs, excessive use of organic solvents, high residual solvent levels, difficult particle size control and distributions, drug loading-related challenges, and time and energy consumption. This review illustrates how supercritical fluid (SCF) technologies can be superior in controlling the morphology of API particles and in the production of drug carriers due to SCF’s non-toxic, inert, economical, and environmentally friendly properties. The SCF’s advantages, benefits, and various preparation methods are discussed. Drug carrier formulations discussed in this review include microparticles, nanoparticles, polymeric membranes, aerogels, microporous foams, solid lipid nanoparticles, and liposomes