Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Economic Growth in Pakistan

The paper examines the Impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth in Pakistan. The study has used data from 2000 to 2010 by using Two- Stage least squares method of simultaneous equations the results have been estimated. The results show that there exists a negative relationship between economic growth, proxies by gross domestic product (GDP) and foreign direct investment in Pakistan. Domestic investment, exports size and political stability were found to be very appropriate in locational choice of foreign direct investment in Pakistan. The enhancement of foreign direct investment in Pakistan government should ensure political stability and encourage more domestic investment and also make sure about trade globalization and foreign direct investments policies in today’s era for attracting more foreign direct investment in Pakistan. Keywords: FDI, GDP, Exports Growth and Domestic Investment

Влияние провокационной пробы с аллергеном на IgE+CD203c+ базофилы крови

ИММУНОГЛОБУЛИН EПРОВОКАЦИОННЫЕ ПРОБЫБАЗОФИЛЫСИНТЕТИЧЕСКИЕ ПЕПТИДЫАЛЛЕРГЕНЫПИЩЕВАЯ ГИПЕРСЕНСИБИЛИЗАЦИЯЛЕКАРСТВЕННАЯ ГИПЕРСЕНСИБИЛИЗАЦИЯИНСЕКТНАЯ АЛЛЕРГИЯРЕЦЕПТОРЫДИАГНОСТИК

Determining Force behind Value Premium : The Case of Financial Leverage and Operating Leverage

The determining force behind the value premium is the matter of debate among the researchers. Some are of the opinion that the financial distress risk determines value premium whereas other theorize that value premium is basically the compensation for operating leverage (investment activity risk). This research provides empirical evidence on this theoretical contradiction by investigating the relationships of financial leverage (FL) and operating leverage (OL) with stock returns, the book to market ratio (B/M), and systematic risk on non-financial sector firms trading at the Pakistan stock exchange (PSE). This research empirically finds significant and direct influence of operating leverage on stock returns, the book to market ratio, and systematic risk respectively. Overall findings provide support for the theoretical models which have a linked book to market effect with operating leverage. Thus, we conclude that investment activity risk seems to be the major factor that determines value premium.publishedVersio

An Insight into Different Strategies for Control and Prophylaxis of Fasciolosis: A Review

Fasciolosis is one of the important diseases of livestock and has zoonotic importance. Fasciolosis can cause huge economic losses due to decrease in milk and meat production, decreased feed conversion ratio, and cost of treatment. Treatment and prophylaxis strategies for Fasciola infection are formed based on epidemiological data. The control of Fasciola infection can be attained by treating the animals with active anthelmintics. The use of different combinations of anthelmintics with a possible rotation is more effective against immature as well as adult flukes. Control of the intermediate host (snail) is vital for the reduction of fasciolosis. Due to the rapid growth of snails, the eradication is quite difficult in waterlogged and marshy areas. The use of different grazing methods and treatment of grazing areas can also help to control fasciolosis. A variety of antigens generated by Fasciola spp. have been shown to protect against liver fluke infection. The crude antigens, excretory/secretory, and refined antigens and their combination can be used as prophylactic treatment for the control of fasciolosis. The use of any of the single or combination of these methods can be very effective for the control of fasciolosis

Biology of Spodoptera litura on natural and artificial diet under laboratory conditions

Armyworm, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) is one of the most economically significant insect pests in global agriculture. The current study was performed to study the biology of S. litura under laboratory conditions. In the current study, the biological parameters of pests i.e., egg, larva, pupa and adult along with the duration were determined. The mean incubation period of pests on cabbage, maize and artificial diet was 2.86±0.33, 3.09 ± 0.12 and 3.97±0.77 days, respectively. S. litura had five instars. The mean developmental period of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth larval instar on cabbage was 3.44±0.11, 2.09±0.12, 4.11±0.12, 3.00±0.20, 6.68±0.23 and 5.94±0.18 days, respectively while 2.81±0.77, 3.55±0.33, 3.64±0.45, 4.43±0.71, 6.55±0.21 and 5.98±0.19 days on the maize, respectively. The mean developmental periods were 3.85±0.54, 3.45±0.63, 3.67±0.67, 4.37±0.82, 6.55±0.23 and 5.30±0.38 days of first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth larval instars on artificial diet, respectively. The mean total life period of S. litura was 33.43±5.86 days on cabbage and 34.79±6.95 days on maize while 35.98±7.86 days on an artificial diet. The longest developmental period of S. litura was recorded on the artificial diet while the minimum was on cabbage. The mean developmental period of pupa was 7.50±0.71 days on cabbage, 9.87±0.94 days on maize and 11.63±0.99 days on an artificial diet. Females were short-lived as compared to males. The pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-ovipositional period of S. litura on cabbage were recorded as a minimum while maximum on an artificial diet. The maximum number of eggs laid by females with the highest hatchability on cabbage followed by maize and artificial diet. An artificial diet was not good for pest development and growth as compared to a natural diet i.e., cabbage and maize. The findings will provide basic information about food pests which help in pest management

Pixel frequency based railroad surface flaw detection using active infrared thermography for Structural Health Monitoring

Abstract With rapid increase in operation and development of high-speed trains, inspection of railroad surface flaws has become an important aspect for safe and reliable operation of rail network. Non-destructive testing using active infrared thermography has been useful in determining the structural health of different structures with additional benefit of robustness in overall inspection system. This study is based on detection of artificial surface flaws on an in-service railroad. Transverse and longitudinal flaws of various dimensions were machined on rough and smooth rail surface. The railroad surface was thermally stimulated to a temperature equivalent to practical conditions. Emitted radiations from rail surface were captured by an infrared camera to detect cracks. Results show a comparison between the surface flaws on rough and smooth rail surface. Subsequently, raw infrared images were post-processed by statistical image improvement to quantitatively analyse the results. Significant change in the frequency distribution of pixel intensity is observed as the flaw size and depth changes giving a clear quantification of crack topology. A comprehensive and inexpensive solution for damage diagnosis will be offered to railway authorities for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and NDT by the proposed framework

Epidemiology and Control of Congo Fever in Sacrificial Animals of Pakistan

The cases and deaths due to Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) [49] virus commonly known as Congo virus (fatality rate 15%) have been reported throughout Pakistan from the last five years especially during religious occasion, Eid-ul-Azha. The annual increase in death rates due to CCHF demonstrate the importance of awareness of Congo fever at academia as well as public level. The symptoms of Congo fever which appear one to nine days after tick bite, include sudden high fever, muscle aches, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, sore eyes, jaundice, mood swings, confusion, aggression, and sensitivity to light. The other signs include sore throat, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, hemorrhages, and bleeding from skin and large intestine. The Infection has been reported in many species of wild as well as domestic animals including hares, cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, mice and hedgehogs. At least 31 species of Hyalomma, Boophilus, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor (Ixodidae: hard ticks) act as vector of CCHF in which transovarial, transstadial and venereal transmission occurs. The virus attacks the immune system of the host and influences the immune cells. The Congo fever virus can be isolated from blood, plasma and many body tissues (kidneys, liver, spleen, lungs, brain and bone marrow). Mice inoculation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) can be used for detection of the infection. Furthermore, IgM and IgG antibodies against CCHFV can also be detected and quantified. Education of general public, tick control with acaricides, use of anti-CCHFV immunoglobulin, usage of approved repellents to prevent tick bites, wearing neutral-coloured garments, application of a permethrin spray to the clothing, avoiding tall grasses and shrubs, applying sunscreen, avoiding direct contact with the blood or tissues of animals are the factors for successful prevention of the infection

Impact of Russia–Ukraine conflict on Russian financial market: Evidence from TVP-VAR and quantile-VAR analysis

This study aims to analyze the repercussions of the Russia–Ukraine conflict on the Russian financial market, focusing on the main stock market and sectorial stock indices. High-frequency hourly data from September 12, 2021, to April 29, 2022, covering the period before and after the outbreak of conflict, is utilized for analysis. The empirical investigation employs the TVP-VAR and Quantile-VAR connectedness approaches. Our findings indicate a significant impact of the conflict on the Russian stock market, leading to increased market risk during the event period. Notably, certain sectors, including oil and gas, utilities, metals & mining, financials, consumer goods, and services exerted more influence on other sectors, while chemicals, transport, and telecoms were influenced by other sectors. These insights are crucial for comprehending the financial implications of the ongoing conflict on the local economy, providing valuable guidance to portfolio managers, investors, and policymakers in devising effective financial strategies

Direct and Indirect effect of Knowledge Management Practices on Firm Innovation via Knowledge Application

This study examines the relationship between knowledge management practices and firm innovation with the mediating effect of knowledge application. For the said purposes, data were collected from 140 firms that belong to the services sector. 600 questionnaires were distributed in the services sector by using the drop-off and pick up technique. The number of returned questionnaires was 545, but 45 questionnaires were rejected because they did not contain the required information. A simple random sampling technique is used for the data collection. The sampling technique followed the steps recommended for studies utilizing structural equational modeling (SEM). The data was entered into SPSS and AMOS for structural equation modeling. The empirical analysis shows that knowledge generation and knowledge diffusion have a significant positive effect on firm innovation while knowledge storage does not affect firm innovation. Moreover, knowledge application mediates the relationship between knowledge generation, knowledge storage, and firm innovation. While knowledge application does not play the mediation role between knowledge diffusion and innovation performance. Also, this study furnishes several future directions for academic scholars and participation. The limitations have also been discussed. Keywords:  Knowledge Management Practices; Knowledge Generation; Knowledge Application; Knowledge Storage; Knowledge Diffusion; Innovation Performance JEL Classifications: O31; O32 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/irmm.1019