Imported intermediary inputs, R&D and Firm's Productivity: Evidence from Indian Manufacturing

This paper examines dynamic as well as static effects of imported intermediary inputs and inhouse R&D on productivity growth using firm-level panel data for Indian technology-intensive manufacturing industries for the period 2000-2009. For this purpose, the present study adopts two empirical frameworks: production function and growth accounting method. Although we do have some comprehensible evidence to conclude that imported inputs have positive and significant impact on the productivity of firms, but the overall findings are rather mixed. Specifically, the results from the production function framework suggest that impact of imported intermediary goods on output is reasonably sizable. Surprisingly, however, the role of R&D activities under this framework is found to be insignificant across industries in various estimation specifications. On the other hand, the analysis based on the growth accounting model some yields positive results, which suggest that TFP of firms are closely linked with import and R&D activities. Firms that engage in these activities have 8% to 12% higher TFP than other firms across the industries. However, labor productivity is found to be insulated from these activities. --imported intermediary,R&D,Firms' productivity

R&D and productivity in the Indian pharmaceutical firms

Recent researches for developing countries suggest knowledge generating activates is no silver bullet for productivity growth. In this context, this paper examines the impact of R&D activities on firms’ performance for the Indian pharmaceutical industry by utilizing the data of the post reform period (1994-2006). The empirical analysis is performed in two stages. In first stage, we examine the relative productivity performance of R&D vis-à-vis non- R&D. Subsequently, we construct two empirical frameworks, namely, growth accounting and production function. Results of analysis indicate that R&D firms have productivity edge over non- R&D firms. Regression results based on the growth accounting framework suggest that R&D intensity has a positive and significant effect (15%) on TFP. The results also confirm that the performance of foreign firms operating in the industry is more sensitive towards R&D than the local firms. Furthermore, the estimation results of the production function approach indicate that the output elasticity to R&D capital varies from 10% to 13%. Therefore, we support the argument that ‘manna from heaven’ impact is large and significant.Productivity; R&D; Indian Pharmaceutical

Gravitational form factors and angular momentum densities in light-front quark-diquark model

We investigate the gravitational form factors (GFFs) and the longitudinal momentum densities ($p^+$ densities) for proton in a light-front quark-diquark model. The light-front wave functions are constructed from the soft-wall AdS/QCD prediction. The contributions from both the scalar and the axial vector diquarks are considered here. The results are compared with the consequences of a parametrization of nucleon generalized parton distributions (GPDs) in the light of recent MRST measurements of parton distribution functions (PDFs) and a soft-wall AdS/QCD model. The spatial distribution of angular momentum for up and down quarks inside the nucleon has been presented. At the density level, we illustrate different definitions of angular momentum explicitly for an up and down quark in the light-front quark-diquark model inspired by AdS/QCD.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures; version to appear in EPJ

Estimating Infrastructural Investment Needs for India

This paper attempts to systemically project the demand and fund requirements of the Indian infrastructure sector up to 2013. In the infrastructure sector transportation (rail, port, air and road), electricity and telecommunication sectors are covered in this study. Our analysis is performed in three stages. In the first stage, long run linkage between infrastructure variables and income are established by applying cointegration method. Subsequently, infrastructure demand functions are estimated by using Dynamic OLS (DOLS) technique. In the second stage, by using the estimated infrastructure elasticity to income of variables and IMF’s projected income data, we project the sector-wise demand and funding requirement. In the final stage, we put forward some suggestions for reforms in infrastructure financing, so the projected demand in the country would be achieved. The results of the analysis indicates that in important sectors like electricity and port, the government(the Planning Commission) has seriously underestimated the future demand, while in air transport sector, the demand seems to be overestimated. Only in telecommunication sector, the projections of this study are at par with their projections. Overall, we find that the government has at least 7% underestimated the infrastructure needs. Based on these results, we propose for initiation of a set of reforms in existing financing pattern of infrastructure in the countryInfrastructure projection, DOLS, India

Vitamin D levels in patients with bronchial asthma

Background: Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases. In India, bronchial asthma has 66% frequency of reported exacerbations. Vitamin D has action on pro-inflammatory mediators and smooth muscle function and proliferation, which has direct relevance for lung function in asthma.Methods: The cross sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Government Medical College Jammu for 10 months from January 2018-August 2018. 50 Patients of 18-60 years with diagnosis of bronchial asthma on the basis of clinical and radiological signs were included, while age matched 50 controls years free from any disease and morbidity were included and assessed for vitamin D levels.Results: The mean serum vitamin D level was significantly low at 26.13±4.91 ng/ml in patients, while 39.67±4.03 ng/ml was the mean vitamin D level of controls. The vitamin D levels of mild and moderate (persistent) asthma patients was seen lower than those of the controls.Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in patients during exacerbations of bronchial asthma. It is also associated with lower lung functions and increased number of exacerbations. Thus improving vitamin D status may be effective in the prevention and treatment of bronchial asthma and exacerbations

Total Factor Productivity and Technical Efficiency of Indian Manufacturing: The Role of Infrastructure and Information & Communication Technology

Drawing on a recent dataset of the Indian manufacturing industry for 1994 to 2008, this paper shows for eight sectors that core infrastructure and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) matter for Total Factor Productivity (TFP) and Technical Efficiency (TE).In the analysis, we use a range of advanced estimation techniques to overcome problems of non-stationary, omitted variables, endogeneity and reverse causality (such as System-GMM, panel cointegration and FMOLS). Estimation results suggest that the impact of core infrastructure is rather strong on TFP and TE (elasticity of 0.32 and 0.17 respectively), while the effect of ICT appears slightly smaller (0.12 and 0.08, respectively). This finding is of particular importance in the Indian context of infrastructure bottlenecks. It strongly supports the idea that a lack of infrastructure can hamper growth in developing countries. Our results also reveal that the impact of infrastructure and ICT varies among the industries. Interestingly, Transport Equipments, Metal & Metal Products and Textile, which are sectors relatively more exposed to foreign competition, are also found to be more sensitive to infrastructure endowment. This result can be extended to the Chemical industry for TE. This finding implies that improving core and ICT infrastructure would proportionally benefit more to these sectors, which could play a leading role in the competitiveness and the industrial growth of the Indian economy.infrastructure;Manufacturing Industry;India;Information and Communication Technology;total factor productivity;Technical efficiency

Total Factor Productivity and Technical Efficiency of Indian Manufacturing: The Role of Infrastructure and Information & Communication Technology

Drawing on a recent dataset of the Indian manufacturing industry for 1994 to 2008, this paper shows for eight sectors that core infrastructure and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) matter for Total Factor Productivity (TFP) and Technical Efficiency (TE).In the analysis, we use a range of advanced estimation techniques to overcome problems of non-stationary, omitted variables, endogeneity and reverse causality (such as System-GMM, panel cointegration and FMOLS). Estimation results suggest that the impact of core infrastructure is rather strong on TFP and TE (elasticity of 0.32 and 0.17 respectively), while the effect of ICT appears slightly smaller (0.12 and 0.08, respectively). This finding is of particular importance in the Indian context of infrastructure bottlenecks. It strongly supports the idea that a lack of infrastructure can hamper growth in developing countries. Our results also reveal that the impact of infrastructure and ICT varies among the industries. Interestingly, Transport Equipments, Metal & Metal Products and Textile, which are sectors relatively more exposed to foreign competition, are also found to be more sensitive to infrastructure endowment. This result can be extended to the Chemical industry for TE. This finding implies that improving core and ICT infrastructure would proportionally benefit more to these sectors, which could play a leading role in the competitiveness and the industrial growth of the Indian economy.infrastructure, Manufacturing Industry, India, Information and Communication Technology, total factor productivity, Technical efficiency

Anemia among women of reproductive age: a cross sectional study in Sub district hospital, Akhnoor

Background: Anemia in pregnancy can increase the risk of having a pre-term delivery/babies, which may further lead to low birth weight and sometimes death. Anemia is more prevalent in Asia, with half of the all-anemic women living in Indian subcontinent itself. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of anemia among women in the reproductive age group (15-49) in a rural population set up of Akhnoor.Methods: A population based cross-sectional study was conducted in Sub district hospital, Akhnoor, Jammu, J and K, India, over a period of 6 months from September 2020 to February 2021, on a total of 320 women in the reproductive age group of 15 to 49 years.Results: A total prevalence of 59.06% was found with highest among pregnant females. Out of this total anemic patient 59.78% (113/189) were mild anemic, and 40.22% (76/189) were either moderately anemic or severe. High prevalence of anemia was seen among illiterate women (68.89%). Prevalence was also significantly associated to excessive/ scanty menstruation. Besides, menstrual cycle more than 35 days and less than 21 days were found to be at higher risk of anemia (60.53% and 83.33%). Underweight women were also found at higher risk of anemia (69.52%). Only 88 out of 320 women studied had completed the course of IFA tablets.Conclusions: Several socio-demographic, menstrual, dietary, environmental, and behavioral factors were associated with anemia. Women of reproductive age should be motivated to include food fortification or iron supplementations in their diet

Association between vitamin B12 and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a case control study in Katra Jammu

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common chronic liver disease in developed countries and obesity contributing maximum to the disease load. A reduction in the energy content of diet, alone, may not prevent NAFLD, nor could alleviate it. Recent studies are bringing to light the association, importance and role of dietary vitamins and liver fat accumulation. Vitamin B12 is involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body. It is a cofactor in DNA synthesis and in both fatty acid and amino acid metabolism. Still, the influence of vitamin B12 deficiency on NAFLD has not been studied much.Methods: A case control observational study was conducted in the department of medicine, community health center, Katra during the period of August 2018 to July 2019. The study was conducted on 150 NAFLD patients and 50 aged and gender-matched healthy controls. Patients showing ethanol consumption, liver cirrhosis, DM, pancreatitis, renal failure or cancer were excluded.Results: Patients and controls almost matched in all clinical examinations like fever, jaundice, nausea, but vitamin B12 levels were significantly low among cases and stood at 377.60±181.43 pg/ml as against 548.28±285.70 for controls, but still remained within the reference range. Vitamin D levels were also found to be lower among cases. B12 deficiency is extremely common in India with an estimated prevalence of 47% and more males tend to have NAFLD than females.Conclusions: For better management of the disease, vitamin B12 levels should be assessed in all NAFLD patients