The Long-run and Short-run Impact of Exchange Rate Devaluation on Pakistan's Trade Performance

In estimating trade elasticities for Pakistan, most previous researchers have employed non-stationary data and OLS or 2SLS techniques. In this paper we use Johansen’s cointegration methodology to re-investigate the long-run trade elasticities and existence of the Marshall-Lerner condition. Using quarterly data, the trade performance with Pakistan’s ten major trading partners is empirically tested. Moreover, we also investigate the short-run exchange rate dynamics by constructing an error-corrrection model to trace the j-curve.

Bilateral J-Curves between Pakistan and Her Trading Partners

Earlier studies that investigated the J-Curve phenomenon for Pakistan employed aggregate trade data. These studies suffered from the “aggregation bias” problem. In order to overcome this constraint, this paper tests the effects of real exchange rate depreciation in the Pakistani Rupee on the bilateral trade balance between Pakistan and her 12 respective trade partners. These countries, together, account for almost half of Pakistan’s total trade. In order to differentiate between the long-run equilibrium and short-run disequilibrium dynamics, and also to deal with non-stationary data, the ARDL approach is used. The results do not provide any support for the standard J-curve phenomenon.J-Curve, Trade Balance, Marshall-Lerner Condition

Bilateral J-Curves between Pakistan and Her Trading Partners

Earlier studies that investigated the J-Curve phenomenon for Pakistan employed aggregate trade data. These studies suffered from the aggregation bias problem. In order to overcome this constraint, this paper tests the effects of real exchange rate depreciation in the Pakistani Rupee on the bilateral trade balance between Pakistan and her 12 respective trade partners. These countries, together, account for almost half of Pakistans total trade. In order to differentiate between the long-run equilibrium and short-run disequilibrium dynamics, and also to deal with non-stationary data, the ARDL approach isused. The results do not provide any support for the standard J-curve phenomenon.J-Curve, Trade Balance, Marshall-Lerner Condition

The Long-run and Short-run Impact of Exchange Rate Devaluation on Pakistan’s Trade Performance

In estimating trade elasticities for Pakistan, most previous researchers have employed non-stationary data and OLS or 2SLS techniques. In this paper we use Johansen’s cointegration methodology to re-investigate the long-run trade elasticities and existence of the Marshall-Lerner condition. Using quarterly data, the trade performance with Pakistan’s ten major trading partners is empirically tested. Moreover, we also investigate the short-run exchange rate dynamics by constructing an error-corrrection model to trace the j-curve

Dynamism in the Gender Wage Gap: Evidence from Pakistan

One of the main caveats of Pakistan’s economic development history is the persistence of gender inequality with respect to almost all socioeconomic indicators. For instance, Pakistan ranks 66, out of 75 countries, with respect to the Gender Empowerment Measure (Human Development Report, 2006) with a GEM value of 0.377, largely a manifestation of very low estimated female to male earned income ratio, which is a depressing 0.29. GEM and other labour force statistics confirm the gender gap in labour force participation. One of the possible explanations of this gender gap is gender discrimination in the labour market, particularly in wages. Evidence with respect to gender discrimination in Pakistan’s labour market is welldocumented. Siddique, et al. (2006), Nasir and Nazli (2000), Siddique, et al. (1998) and Ashraf and Ashraf (1993) all confirm that men earn higher wages than women even after controlling for measurable characteristics affecting their productivity. These studies, however, analyse the gender wage gap by comparing the mean male/female wage. Studies which compare the gender wage gap at different points along the wage distribution are not available for Pakistan

Province-wise Growth Patterns in Human Capital Accumulation

It is apparent from various labour force surveys that during the past 20 years Pakistan’s employed labour force has become more “educated”. For instance, according to the Labour Force Survey 1982-83, 28 percent of the employed labour force had attained formal education.12 In comparison, the literate employed labour force in 1999- 2000 is estimated at 46 percent, while the formally educated is 43 percent. However, the pattern of growth in educated labour force is not uniform in all four provinces of the country. A closer look at disaggregated provincial level data reflects the disparity in employed labour force in the four provinces: Punjab, Sind, NWFP, and Baluchistan

Lactate Dehydrogenase Like Crystallin: A Potentially Protective Shield for Indian Spiny-Tailed Lizard (Uromastyx hardwickii) Lens Against Environmental Stress?

Taxon specific lens crystallins in vertebrates are either similar or identical with various metabolic enzymes. These bifunctional crystallins serve as structural protein in lens along with their catalytic role. In the present study, we have partially purified and characterized lens crystallin from Indian spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx hardwickii). We have found lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in lens indicating presence of an enzyme crystallin with dual functions. Taxon specific lens crystallins are product of gene sharing or gene duplication phenomenon where a pre-existing enzyme is recruited as lens crystallin in addition to structural role. In lens, same gene adopts refractive role in lens without modification or loss of pre-existing function during gene sharing phenomenon. Apart from conventional role of structural protein, LDH activity containing crystallin in U. hardwickii lens is likely to have adaptive characteristics to offer protection against toxic effects of oxidative stress and ultraviolet light, hence justifying its recruitment. Taxon specific crystallins may serve as good models to understand structure-function relationship of these proteins

Prenatal Diagnosis of Maternal Serum from Mothers Carrying β-thalassemic Fetus

Background Current study focused on discovering protein biomarkers from the maternal serum of β-thalassemic trait mothers carrying the normal fetus and β-thalassemic major fetus. Method Serum samples from β-thalassemic trait mothers carrying major (N=5) and normal fetuses (N=5) were studied. IVS1-5 thalassemia mutation was common among β-thalassemic trait mothers who were carrying homozygous β-thalassemic fetus (IVS1-5/ IVS1-5 mutation) or normal fetus (no mutation). We employed two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometric analysis to explore differentially expressed maternal serum proteins from thalassemia carrier couples having the same β-thalassemia mutation. Western blotting was performed for one of the identified proteins to validate our data. Results Ten proteins were identified in maternal serum of β-thalassemic trait mothers carrying the β-thalassemic major fetus and normal fetus. Among these, Serotransferrin, Haptoglobin, Alpha-1 anti-trypsin (A1AT), Apo-lipoprotein A1, and Fibrinogen-beta chain were found to be up-regulated in mothers carrying major fetuses and are known to be associated with pregnancy-related disorders. The expression of A1AT was validated through western blotting. Conclusion Proteins identified in the current study from maternal serum are reported to contribute to hereditary disorders. We suggest that these can serve as putative screening markers for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis in β-thalassemic pregnancies

Mechanistic insights into strigolactone biosynthesis, signaling and regulation during plant growth and development

Strigolactones (SLs) constitute a group of carotenoid-derived phytohormones with butenolide moieties. These hormones are involved in various functions, including regulation of secondary growth, shoot branching and hypocotyl elongation, and stimulation of seed germination. SLs also control hyphal branching of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, and mediate responses to both abiotic and biotic cues. Most of these functions stem from the interplay of SLs with other hormones, enabling plants to appropriately respond to changing environmental conditions. This dynamic interplay provides opportunities for phytohormones to modulate and augment one another. In this article, we review our current mechanistic understanding of SL biosynthesis, receptors and signaling. We also highlight recent advances regarding the interaction of SLs with other hormones during developmental processes and stress conditions