RETHINKING INDUSTRIAL POLICY

Despite the hold of the neoliberal orthodoxy on policy making in developing countries, industrial policy remains important for the promotion of industrial development. However, the context for the design of industrial policy has profoundly changed as a result of new rules governing international trade, the rise of global value chains and marketing networks, and other aspects of globalization. Traditionally, the case for industrial policy has been framed in terms of “market failures” but the paper argues that that is not a sufficient basis. After addressing the traditional points of criticism, an attempt is made to outline the “domains” of industrial policy in the current circumstances, especially for industrially lagging countries. As country contexts differ widely there are no satisfactory blueprints for policy making that countries can readily adopt. As in production decisions, considerable ingenuity and innovation is needed in designing policies. This is all the more necessary as the WTO rules have become increasingly stringent and the rise of international trading networks has created new barriers for young firms to enter the world market. These developments have changed the context but not the importance of policy in industrial development. The paper identifies areas where government intervention is needed and can still make a positive difference.

GLOBALIZATION, NEOLOBERALISM AND LABOUR

The paper discusses the issue of globalization from the perspective of employment and labour. It argues that it is the ideological basis of policy prescriptions advanced in support of globalization, rather than the increasing global interdependence, that is the real source of controversy and anxiety over globalization. The paper discusses the impact of the neoliberal policies on economic growth, employment, and income distribution, and examines the issue of labour market rigidities from the perspective of industrial as well as developing countries. It argues that developing countries face conflicting pressures: the new liberal policies prescribe liberalization of labour markets, while the organized labour in the industrial countries is pushing for higher labour standards in developing countries. The paper concludes with a section containing ideas on how the process of globalization may be humanized, so that the gains from the growth in incomes and trade are more widely shared within as well as across countries in an increasingly interdependent world.

COMMODITIES UNDER NEOLIBERALISM: THE CASE OF COCOA

The paper examines the case of cocoa as an illustration of the problems faced by primary commodity producers. The impact of market liberalization in cocoa producing countries as well as consuming industrial countries on the cocoa price and cocoa farmers is examined. The paper shows that the market liberalization cannot be held responsible for such improvements in productive efficiency as occurred over time, which was one of the two stated goals of these measure. Nor is there convincing evidence that the producer’s share in the export price increased, which was the other goal. A serious consequence of the preoccupation with market liberalization, however, was that it diverted attention from the main concerns of cocoa producers, viz., the market volatility, low prices, and the declining producers’ share in the value chain. The paper then goes on to explore the kinds of action that might be considered to address these issues. It makes a case for filling the institutional vacuum that has been created as a result of the abolition of state marketing authorities in several cocoa producing countries. The paper attempts to show that the conditions are favourable for cocoa producers to coordinate their production policies in order to maintain satisfactory cocoa prices, which is needed to arrest the erosion of incomes of cocoa producers.

Phylogenetic analysis of coat protein gene of CYDV-RPV strain from Wheat

Background: Keeping in view the potential damage caused by viruses to production of different crops and possible ‘directed damages’ by manipulated viral attack in/across border collectively make phylogenetic analysis of any attacking viral specie important. Cereal yellow dwarf viruses (CYDV) are highly important viruses in wheat causing significant yield loss.Methods: Double antibody sandwich ELISA and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect and confirm the polerovirus i.e. CYDV-rhopalosiphum padi virus (RPV), and unassigned viruses (SGV, RMV) in Punjab and NWFP provinces. The PCR products were inserted into a pGEM®-T easy vector, which then transformed in JM-107 cells of Escherichia coli. Recombinant plasmids were sequenced. Nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences were aligned, analyzed and compared with other RPV isolates of the family. The nucleotide sequence data were used to make a phylogenetic tree.Results: Sequencing of 600 bp of coat protein gene confirmed the presence of CYDV-RPV strain. Pakistani isolate has close phylogenetic relationship with RPV-Mexcio and RPV-Yolo (USA). They had 99.95% similarity with RPV-Pakistan. The RPV-Aus, RPV-IR, and RPV-Cal (USA) had 99.94% identities with RPV-Pakistan.Conclusion: This work led to a conclusion that there is very low genetic diversity in RPV-Pakistan. Now it is in our future interest to clarify the identity of RPV-PK with more sequencing. The current study may help scientists to formulate appropriate management strategies against CYDV-RPV

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ABSTRAC

Seed-borne mycoflora of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and their impact on seed germination

The incidence and frequency of fungi on safflower seed with their role in seed germination was investigated. Three samples each of five safflower cultivars/lines were collected from National Oil Development Programme (NODP), NARC Islamabad. Eleven different fungal species belonging to seven genera i.e., Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Curvularia, Fusarium, Helminthosporium and Rhizopus were observed. The incidence and frequency of these fungi varied with cultivar and lines with maximum fungal prevalence in Thori-78 (7.7) and minimum in Dholka Sindh (5.4). Maximum germination was noticed on Dholka Sindh (85%) with least fungal incidence (23%) and minimum seed germination was observed on Thori-78 (60%) with higher fungal incidence (55%)

Molecular confirmation of Bdv2 gene in wheat germplasm and its field based assessment for resistance against barely yellow dwarf viruses

Background: Barley yellow dwarf in wheat is an important viral disease among wheat cultivating areas of the world. It is gradually progressing as a major threat to wheat crop in Pakistan due to availability of favorable environmental conditions. The use of resistant cultivar is environmentally safest method for disease control so, it is necessary to develop resistant cultivars before epidemic outbreaks.Methods: The most commonly used wheat variety Inqilab91 was crossed with BYDV / CYDVresistant variety TC14. F1 generation obtained from the P1 cross was then allowed to self-cross. 61 plants were selected from F2 generation onTHE BASIS OF disease tolerance or susceptibility and only tolerant plants were included for further experiments in the study. The presence of BDV2 among F2 generation was confirmed by sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers in 6 (91, 96, 110, 119, 121 and 131) out of 61 genotypes which were then backcrossed with recurrent parent. Advance analysis regarding the presence of resistance source among the selected F2 generation was carried out using ELISA. Moreover, appearance of symptoms, agronomic values for different parameters, green house and field responses were also kept under consideration to characterize and confirm the presence of BDV2 among plants.Results: Results indicated that majority of F2 segregating population showed less yellowing, low viral titer and good agronomic values. ELISA value, glasshouse and field analysis showed that seven genotypes (30, 81, 89, 91,101,110 and 121) were resistant, and twenty-four genotypes were found moderately resistant. Tolerance was detected in genotypes 31, 47, 48, 50, 52, 56, 57, 60, 61, 94, 103, 106, 113, 115, 127, 140 and 413.Conclusion: Wheat lines containing Bdv2 genes showed resistance in both field and glasshouse. These wheat germplasm could be used as a source of resistance in CDRP-NARC for the further development of resistant wheat varieties against BYDV / CYDV

Treatment Outcome of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Treated As Outpatient in a Tertiary Care Center

INTRODUCTION: Community-based out-patient treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) is relatively new concept with reported successful outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the treatment outcomes of HIV negative multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) patients treated as outpatient at a tertiary care center in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: A retrospective observational study of 53 consecutive, culture proven HIV negative MDR TB patients (resistant at least to both Isoniazid (H) and Rifampin(R) treated at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi between August 1999 and March 2007. Data were collected on predesigned performa regarding patient’s demography, clinical features, radiological findings, drug sensitivity, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 53 HIV negative patients (27 males), with mean age of 37±15 years (range 15-76 years), received treatment as outpatient for culture proven MDR TB. 51 patients (96.2%) had pulmonary while 3 patients (5.6%) had extra-pulmonary TB. History of exposure to tuberculosis patients was found in 36 (67.9%) patients. Treatment regimen with 2nd line drugs was decided on individual basis according to DST on sputum culture results. The mean duration of treatment was 18 months. Successful outcome was seen in 25 patients (47.2%), 25 patients (47.2%) were loss to follow up and defaulted while 3 (5.6%) patients remain smear positive at the end of treatment. Success rate was 89 .2% in those who completed the treatment. CONCLUSION: Community-based out-patient treatment strategy is both feasible and safe for the treatment of MDR-TB patients in resource limited country like Pakistan and this strategy should be integrated into the routine approach to treatment of MDR-TB patients in the country where the expertise are available. High default rate is this strategy is the main challenge which should be addressed

Isolation and biochemical characterizations of the bacteria (Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae) associated with red stripe disease of sugarcane

Studies on Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae, associated with red stripe disease of sugarcane was conducted in the Department of Plant Pathology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi during 2009 to 2010, in collaboration with Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute (SSRI), Jhang, Pakistan. Red stripe of sugarcane were recently observed on promising clones of sugarcane planted in autumn 2009 at Ashaba Research Farm of SSRI. Bacteria were isolated from diseased plants. These isolates yielded off white convex colonies on potato dextrose agar (PDA) media at 29°C with 1.7 to 1.9 mm diameter and were yellow on yeast extract dextrose chalk agar (YDC) media at 27°C with 1.8 to 2.0 mm diameter. The bacteria were rod shape measuring 0.5 to 0.6 × 1.4 to 1.6 μm on PDA and 0.6 to 0.7 × 1.5 to 1.7 μm on YDC. Bacterial culture was stored at different temperature levels for 150 days. Reisolation of bacterial culture which was stored at 4°C showed best result on YDC at 27°C after 150 days, whereas it showed positive result after 120 days on PDA at 29°C. Bacteria were gram negative, citrate utilization was positive, oxidase was negative, catalase was positive and urease was negative. Morphological appearance and biochemical characterizations identified the bacteria as A. avenae subsp. Avenae. In vitro screening for the efficacy of various antibiotics to inhibit the growth of A. avenae subsp. avenae on YDC media showed that ampicillin and vancomycin were most effective. Artificial inoculation on sugarcane against red stripe disease was observed. Observations were made upto six weeks for disease development. Out of 27 varieties, 16 were found resistant, four moderately resistant, five moderately susceptible and two susceptible.Key words: Sugarcane, yeast extract dextrose chalk agar (YDC), potato dextrose agar (PDA), Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae, biochemical characterization, antibiotics

Effect of TiB2 on the Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Marine Grade Aluminum Alloy 5052: An Experimental Investigation

Aluminum Alloy 5052 is one of the excellent corrosion resistant alloys among the Aluminum 5000 series alloys. Despite the favourable corrosion resistance, it exhibits low resistance to wear and perform poorly in various tribological applications.This study attempts to investigate the impact of TiB2 reinforcement on the mechanical and tribological properties of Aluminum Alloy 5052 matrix alloy, fabricated using the stir casting technique. Composites with varying weight percentages (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 wt. %)of TiB2 were prepared. Vicker's hardness testing was conducted to assess the effect of TiB2 content on composite hardness.Hardness of composites increased from 65.5 to 85.16 HV in tandem with the TiB2 content depicting a rise of about 30 %. Tribological properties were studied through dry sliding wear tests using a pin-on-disc tribometer, with varying loads (10 N and 50 N)and sliding speeds (1 m/s and 3 m/s). The results demonstrate that the addition of TiB2 significantly improves the wear resistance of the composites,being optimum in composite with 5 wt. % of TiB2. A maximum increase of about 36 % in wear resistance was observed at high load and high-speed conditions corresponding to 5 wt. % TiB2 concentration. FESEM analysis revealed distinct wear modes and the role of TiB2 in changing the wear mechanism from abrasion to delamination. This study underscores the pivotal role of TiB2 in enhancing the mechanical and tribological properties of Aluminum Alloy5052, expanding its application scope, particularly in lightweight engineering applications in general and marine in particular