The Export Growth of Pakistan: A Decomposition Analysis

The Constant Market Share Analysis of export growth is used here to capture the world trade effect, the commodity composition effect, the market distribution effect and the competitiveness effect for the periods: 1984-85–1988-89 and 1988-89–1992-93. The results show that Pakistan has maintained her export share in the world market. The market distribution and competitiveness of Pakistani exports have improved significantly between the two periods under study. However, the concentration of Pakistani exports into traditional commodities, whose world demand remained sluggish, has offset the positive contribution of effective market distribution and improved competitive strengths to a large extent. A restructuring of exports (from traditional to non-traditional), an increase in the variety of exports, search for new fast growing markets and an improvement in the economic and political environment are suggested to enhance the export growth of Pakistan in future.

Microemulsions formation, stability and their characterisations

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This thesis is concerned with aspects of the surface and colloid chemistry of various microemulsion systems stabilised by pure nonionic surfactants and alcohol as well as mixtures of nonionic and anionic surfactants. Phase equilibria and interfacial characteristics of the systems are studied with a view to their potential usefulness for enhanced oil recovery, in which salinity and temperature are important parameters. The equilibrium microemulsion phases are scanned at different temperatures and salinities and thus interfacial boundaries can be determined and optimum salinity scans can be performed accurately using a modified spectrophotometer. Several analytical techniques (e.g., high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, mass spectrometry, viscometry, electrical conductivity, photon correlation spectroscopy, UV-spectrophotometry, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, surface and interfacial tension techniques) have been used to characterise and understand the microchemistry of the microemulsion systems. Ultra-low interfacial tensions (>0.1 µN/m) can be achieved in the microemulsion systems. Surfactant transfer between phases, and phase inversion of micro emulsions are shown to occur around the condition which produces minimum interfacial tension. Adsorption of the surfactants from aqueous and nonaqueous solutions has been investigated and the results show that the extent of adsorption can be reduced significantly in the presence of alcohols (co-solvent). The extent of adsorption increases with increasing temperature and salinity; however, it decreases with an increase in the hydrophilic head group of the surfactant. Adsorption of nonionic surfactants on quartz from the nonaqueous solution (decane) is much greater than from aqueous solution. In microemulsion applications, droplet combustion of w/o microemulsions is also studied for different surfaces (i.e. silica, oxidised Fecralloy and catalyst coated Fecralloy) in the temperature range of 313-573K. Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are formed as intermediate combustion products. Thus the microemulsion combustion can lead to new oxygenate products. The w/o microemulsion route is used to synthesize colloidal silica of controlled particle size and morphology. The particle size can be varied by changing the molar ratio of water to TEOS using a water pH of 10.5.EE

Military Expenditures and Economic Growth in Pakistan

This paper explores the impacts of defence expenditures on economic growth and other major economic variables in the Pakistan economy over the period 1972-1995. The results of Granger-causality tests show that there is bi-directional feedback between the defence burden and GDP growth. We test four different single equation models that are widely used in the defence literature. In these frameworks we generally find the defence burden to be negatively related to GDP growth. Finally, we specify a three-equation model which explains GDP growth, average propensity to save, and the defence ratio. In single equation estimations of the savings ratio and the defence burden, we uncover some interesting relationships. The savings ratio is affected positively by the defence ratio, and negatively by the inflation rate. The Pakistani defence burden is impacted negatively by the Indian defence burden and positively by the government budget. When all three equations are estimated as a system to account for feedback and covariance between these equations, these effects are diminished and go down in statistical significance.

The Export Growth of Pakistan: A Decomposition Analysis

The Constant Market Share Analysis of export growth is used here to capture the world trade effect, the commodity composition effect, the market distribution effect and the competitiveness effect for the periods: 1984-85–1988-89 and 1988-89–1992-93. The results show that Pakistan has maintained her export share in the world market. The market distribution and competitiveness of Pakistani exports have improved significantly between the two periods under study. However, the concentration of Pakistani exports into traditional commodities, whose world demand remained sluggish, has offset the positive contribution of effective market distribution and improved competitive strengths to a large extent. A restructuring of exports (from traditional to non-traditional), an increase in the variety of exports, search for new fast growing markets and an improvement in the economic and political environment are suggested to enhance the export growth of Pakistan in future

Military Expenditures and Economic Growth in Pakistan

This paper explores the impacts of defence expenditures on economic growth and other major economic variables in the Pakistan economy over the period 1972-1995. The results of Granger-causality tests show that there is bi-directional feedback between the defence burden and GDP growth. We test four different single equation models that are widely used in the defence literature. In these frameworks we generally find the defence burden to be negatively related to GDP growth. Finally, we specify a three-equation model which explains GDP growth, average propensity to save, and the defence ratio. In single equation estimations of the savings ratio and the defence burden, we uncover some interesting relationships. The savings ratio is affected positively by the defence ratio, and negatively by the inflation rate. The Pakistani defence burden is impacted negatively by the Indian defence burden and positively by the government budget. When all three equations are estimated as a system to account for feedback and covariance between these equations, these effects are diminished and go down in statistical significance

Neurotoxicity of fluoride in ethanol fed rats: Role of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and neurotransmitters

14-22Prolonged exposure to fluoride or alcohol affects brain. However, the understanding about their interactions and neurotoxicity following co-exposures is still poor. The present study was designed to assess oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunctions, acetylchonlineterase (AChE) activity, neurotransmitter levels and morphological alterations in brain of fluoride or/and ethanol fed rats. Six and eighteen month old animals received sodium fluoride (NaF, 25 mg/kg) and 30% ethanol (EtOH, 1 mL/kg) individually and in combination for 90 days. Brain showed elevation in oxidative stress with age and NaF/EtOH treatment. There was increased lipid peroxidation; decreased glutathione, total and protein thiol content; along with declined activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase under these conditions. Mitochondrial functions were impaired significantly with age and NaF/EtOH treatment. The activities of NADH dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase along with mitochondrial respiration rate were decreased whereas the levels of nitric oxide and citrulline were increased in treated animals. Administration of NaF/EtOH showed altered neurotransmitter levels and increased AChE activity in brain. The levels of dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine were decreased while 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and homovanillic acid were increased significantly. Histological examination showed morphological alterations in treated animals compared to controls. Interestingly, the observed effects were more pronounced in rats co-exposed to NaF and EtOH. It is concluded that neurotoxic effects of fluoride are age dependent and further amplified by alcohol co-administration. These effects are mediated through elevated oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunctions and impaired neurotransmitter functions