An Econometric Analysis of India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement

This paper investigates whether the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISLFTA) has had trade creation or trade diversion effects on the rest of the World. The method used resembles the one used by Romalis (2005) to study NAFTA. In order to use the variations in tariff at the product level, we use six digit HS classification of products. We construct seven panel data sets for the period 1996 to 2006. We use the commodity and time variation in the tariff preferences allowed under ISLFTA, to identify its effect on sourcing of different products from ‘control country’ to ISLFTA region. Using fixed effects model we find that the ISLFTA has been minimally trade creating for control countries.Free trade agreement, tariffs, trade creation

Preferential Tariff Formation -- The Case of the European Union

In this paper, we address the impact of multilateral trade liberalisation (MTL) on the preferential tariffs granted by the EU, who is one of the top traders as well as biggest contributors to MTL. We empirically address two important questions. First, if the MFN tariff for a product is higher, does it lead to a higher or lower preferential tariff? Second, the EU being a large trading partner in such agreements, does reciprocity matter for giving meaningful preferential access? For a given MFN tariff, we model the preferential tariff with a simple linear functional form. We draw three important conclusions. First, the products that are highly protected do not get high preferential access even at the regional level. Second, reciprocity plays only a limited role in granting better preferential access. Third, GSP preferences matters when the EU negotiates with the developed partners but it does not matter when it negotiates with the developing partners.MFN tariffs, preferential tariffs, reciprocity, GSP

Statistical Methods for Detection and Mitigation of the Effect of Different Types of Cyber-Attacks and Inconsistencies in Electrical Design Parameters in a Real World Distribution System

In the present grid real time control systems are the energy management systems and distribution management systems that utilize measurements from real-time units (RTUs) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). The SCADA systems are designed to operate on isolated, private networks without even basic security features which are now being migrated to modern IP-based communications providing near real time information from measuring and controlling units. To function brain (SCADA) properly heart (RTUs) should provide necessary response thereby creating a coupling which makes SCADA systems as targets for cyber-attacks to cripple either part of the electric transmission grid or fully shut down (create blackout) the grid. Cyber-security research for a distribution grid is a topic yet to be addressed. To date firewalls and classic signature-based intrusion detection systems have provided access control and awareness of suspicious network traffic but typically have not offered any real-time detection and defense solutions for electric distribution grids.;This thesis work not only addresses the cyber security modeling, detection and prevention but also addresses model inconsistencies for effectively utilizing and controlling distribution management systems. Inconsistencies in the electrical design parameters of the distribution network or cyber-attack conditions may result in failing of the automated operations or distribution state estimation process which might lead the system to a catastrophic condition or give erroneous solutions for the probable problems. This research work also develops a robust and reliable voltage controller based on Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) to maintain the voltage profile in a smart distribution system under cyber-attacks and model inconsistencies. The developed cyber-attack detection and mitigation algorithms have been tested on IEEE 13 node and 600+ node real American electric distribution systems modeled in Electric Power Research Institute\u27s (EPRI) OpenDSS software

Fair CRISP-DM: Embedding Fairness in Machine Learning (ML) Development Life Cycle

With rapid adoption of machine learning (ML) technologies, the organizations are constantly exploring for efficient processes to develop such technologies. Cross-industry standard process for data mining (CRISP-DM) provides an industry and technology independent model for organizing ML projects’ development. However, the model lacks fairness concerns related to ML technologies. To address this important theoretical and practical gap in the literature, we propose a new model – Fair CRISP-DM which categorizes and presents the relevant fairness challenges in each phase of project development. We contribute to the literature on ML development and fairness. Specifically, ML researchers and practitioners can adopt our model to check and mitigate fairness concerns in each phase of ML project development

EFFECT OF ACETONE SOLUBLE AND ACETONE INSOLUBLE FRACTIONS OF ALLIUM CEPA ON SOME ANIMAL MODELS OF ASTHMA

Current Asthma therapy lack satisfactory effect due to various adverse effects, hence patients are moving to Ayurveda. Researchers conducted studies in last decades on plants mentioned in Ayurveda used for asthama has shown Anti-asthamic, Anti-histaminic and Anti-allergic activity. Present study is conducted to study the anti-asthmatic activity of acetone soluble and insoluble extract of Allium cepa. In this process dried peels of Allium cepa were immersed in 95% ethanol for 48hr and the extract obtained was further fractionated with anhydrous acetone to get acetone soluble (ASF) and acetone insoluble (AIF) fractions. Effect of the fractions was studied on isolated goat tracheal chain suspended in Kreb’s solution and percentage contractile response was measured. Albino Swiss mice (22-25g) of either sex were subjected to milk- induced leucocytosis and eosinophilia to study adaptogenic and anti-allergic activity respectively. Effects of both the extracts were also studied on clonidine-induced catalepsy and clonidine induced mast cell degranulation in mice as a measure of central and peripheral mast cell stabilization respectively. Wistar rats (150-180g) were used to study effect of fractions on passive paw anaphylaxis to study immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity

Entanglement on linked boundaries in Chern-Simons theory with generic gauge groups

We study the entanglement for a state on linked torus boundaries in $3d$ Chern-Simons theory with a generic gauge group and present the asymptotic bounds of R\'enyi entropy at two different limits: (i) large Chern-Simons coupling $k$, and (ii) large rank $r$ of the gauge group. These results show that the R\'enyi entropies cannot diverge faster than $\ln k$ and $\ln r$, respectively. We focus on torus links $T(2,2n)$ with topological linking number $n$. The R\'enyi entropy for these links shows a periodic structure in $n$ and vanishes whenever $n = 0 \text{ (mod } \textsf{p})$, where the integer $\textsf{p}$ is a function of coupling $k$ and rank $r$. We highlight that the refined Chern-Simons link invariants can remove such a periodic structure in $n$.Comment: 31 pages, 5 figure

Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with central quadriceps tendon bone (CQTB) graft: An outcome study in fifty Indian patients

Background: Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using biologic autografts is the current gold standard in the management of symptomatic ACL tears. The commonly used BPTB (Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone) and quadrupled hamstring tendon grafts have their own disadvantages. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of CQTB (Central Quadriceps Tendon Bearing) graft as an autograft for ACL reconstruction in relieving instability in ACL deficient knees.Methods: 50 patients (45males; 5 females) with symptomatic ACL laxity, who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using the CQTB graft were followed up for 1 year. The functional improvement was analyzed by comparing the pre-operative Lysholm scores with those at 03 months, 06 months and 12 months post operatively. The objective improvement was analyzed comparing the Anterior Drawer and Lachman test grades pre-operatively and after 1 year follow up. The mean length of the graft and the post-operative morbidity were also noted.Results: The average Lysholm scores improved from a pre-operative value of 44.34 to 78.98,87.86 and 91.58 at 03months,06 months and 1 year respectively. (p<0.05; ANOVA). The number of patients with Grade I, II and III laxities on Anterior Drawer test improved from 01, 36 and 12 respectively to 43, 06 and 01 respectively 1 year after surgery (p<0.05; paired t test). The number of patients with Grade I, II and III laxities on Lachman test reduced from 1, 34 and 15 y to 39, 10 and 01 respectively. The average thickness of graft harvested was 9.21mm.Conclusions: CQTB autograft is a viable option along with other available autografts in its ability to reconstruct native ACL, without any hazards and additional complications

Kvercetin potpomaže akaricidnu aktivnost ivermektina u slučaju svinja prirodno oboljelih od sarkoptoze

Sarcoptic mange triggers continuous oxidative onslaughts, resulting in severe oxidative stress in pigs and, to date, no antioxidant has been evaluated for the treatment of naturally infested pigs. This randomized clinical trial aimed to assess the ameliorative potential of the antioxidant quercetin (QR) when integrated with ivermectin (IVM) in the treatment of sarcoptic mange in pigs. The control group (T0 , n=10) consisted of healthy subjects. The first treatment group (T1 , n=10) consisted of infested pigs receiving the standard treatment (subcutaneous IVM only) while the second treatment group (T2 , n=10) consisted of infested pigs receiving integrated treatment (subcutaneous IVM plus oral QR). On day 0, the circulating malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly higher and superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and antioxidative minerals (zinc, copper, iron) were lower in all infested pigs compared to the healthy subjects. On day 14 post-treatment, maximum recovery was observed in the MDA, SOD, GSH, CAT, TAC, zinc, copper and iron in group T2 and the results returned to normal earlier in group T2 than in T1 . Likewise, more significant improvements in parasitological cure rate, scratching index and skin score were recorded after treatment in group T2 than group T1 . These results suggest the greater effectiveness of IVM plus QR than IVM alone against sarcoptic mange, and quercetin may be recommended as an ancillary therapy with IVM to negate severe oxidative stress, improve post-therapy convalescence and produce a speedy recovery in pigs.Sarkoptoza u svinja pokreće poremećaje koji rezultiraju teškim oksidacijskim stresom za koji još uvijek nije otkriven antioksidans kojim bi se prirodno infestirane svinje tretirale. Cilj je ovog randomiziranog kliničkog istraživanja bio procijeniti antioksidacijski potencijal kvercetina (QR) u kombinaciji s ivermektinom (IVM) u liječenju sarkoptoze u svinja. U kontrolnoj su skupini (T0 , n=10) bile zdrave jedinke. U prvoj su pokusnoj skupini (T1 , n = 10) infestirane svinje dobile standardnu terapiju (samo IVM primijenjen supkutano), dok su infestirane svinje u drugoj pokusnoj skupini (T2 , n = 10) primile integriranu terapiju (supkutano IVM i oralno QR). Nulti dan cirkulacijski je malondialdehid (MDA) bio znakovito veći, dok su superoksidna dismutaza (SOD), reducirani glutation (GSH), katalaza (CAT), ukupan anitoksidacijski kapacitet (TAC) i antioksidacijski minerali (cink, bakar i željezo) bili smanjeni u infestiranih svinja u usporedbi sa zdravim jedinkama. Četrnaesti dan poslije liječenja uočen je maksimalan oporavak u pogledu pokazatelja MDA, SOD, GSH, CAT, TAC, cinka, bakra i željeza u skupini T2 te njihov raniji povratak na uobičajene vrijednosti u skupini T2 u odnosu na skupinu T1. Osim toga, u skupini T2 u odnosu na skupinu T1 zapaženo je znakovito poboljšanje u stopi izliječenosti parazitoze, indeksu grebenja i bodovanju promjena na koži. Ovi rezultati upućuju na veću učinkovitost IVM-a u kombinaciji s QR-om nego IVM-a upotrijebljenog kao samostalna terapija sarkoptoze u svinja. Zaključuje se da bi kvercetin mogao biti dodatna terapija uz IVM kako bi se poništili teški učinci oksidacijskog stresa, poboljšala poslijeterapijska rekonvalescencija i ubrzao oporavak svinja