An empirical analysis of sustainability of trade deficit: Evidence from Sri Lanka

In this paper, the long-run relationship between Sri Lanka exports and imports during the period 1950 to 2006 is examined using unit root tests and co-integration techniques that allow for an endogenously determined structural break. The results failed to support the existence of a long-run equilibrium between exports and imports in Sri Lanka. This finding questions the effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s current long-term macroeconomic policies and suggests that Sri Lanka is in violation of its international budget constraint

A comparative evaluation of I-gel and laryngeal mask airway supreme in laparoscopic surgeries: a randomized comparative study

Background: Supraglottic airway device results in less hemodynamic responses during laparoscopic surgery but supraglottic airway device to be used should have higher oropharyngeal seal pressure than peak pressure for effective ventilation as laparoscopic surgery also leads to higher airway pressure. In this study the efficiency of the I-gel with SLMA is compared in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgeries.Methods: Sixty patients were randomized in to two groups, group A where I-gel was considered for airway management and group B where LMA Supreme was the device chosen for airway management.Results: Oropharyngeal seal pressure was significantly lower in group A than group B, 5 minutes after insertion of airway device it was 24.90±3.03 cm H2O and 27.30±3.41 cm H2O in group A and group B, respectively and 5 minutes after creation of pneumoperitoneum it was 25.53±3.17 cm H2O and 27.57±3.36 cm H2O in group A and group B, respectively. There was significant difference in the difference between inspiratory and expiratory tidal volume between the groups at all the time periods being higher in group A than group B. Hemodynamics were comparable between the two groups. Time taken to insert the airway device and Ryle’s tube insertion was significantly lesser in group B in comparison to group A. The percentage of complications was higher in group A than group B with no significant (p>0.05) association.Conclusions: Both the I-gel and SLMA devices can be used safely in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in non-obese patients. But in SLMA group oropharyngeal seal pressure was higher with lesser leak volume in comparison to I-gel group

Do External Shocks Have a Permanent or a Transitory Effect on Thailand\u27s Tourism Industry?

Given the number and the frequency of external shocks encountered by Thailand in the last two decades, this study identifies the number and the location of the breaks and tests to determine whether the breaks have a transitory or a permanent effect on international tourist arrivals to Thailand for its top 10 source countries using both univariate and panel unit root tests with structural breaks. The findings suggest that break dates coincide with the Asian financial crisis, the September 11 attack, and the SARS and the bird flu outbreaks. The univariate unit root tests with structural breaks reject the null hypothesis of a nonstationarity in tourist arrivals from all countries. Furthermore, panel unit root tests with one and two structural breaks also reject the joint null hypothesis of a nonstationarity. These findings imply that external shocks have only a transitory effect on tourist arrivals and Thailand\u27s tourism sector will return to its long-run equilibrium path

Validation of Ponseti method for clubfoot deformity correction

Background: Idiopathic Congenital Talipes Equino-Varus (CTEV) is a complex deformity of foot that is difficult to treat. The goal of treatment is to gain a functional, pain free, plantigrade foot, with good mobility and without callosities. Currently, the most accepted and popular method is the Ponseti method which allows correction of all components of CTEV by manipulation and serial casting without any major surgical intervention. This prospective study was done in a tertiary care centre to statistically assess the efficacy of Ponseti method.Methods: We treated 150 children (210 feet) with idiopathic clubfoot deformity, using Ponseti technique. The severity of foot deformities were assessed by Pirani scoring system and were also recorded clinically, radiologically and podographically. The changes in the mean Catterall-Pirani scores at different follow ups were evaluated statistically.Results: The mean number of casts that were applied to obtain correction was 7.86 (range 5 to 11 casts). Percutaneous tendoachilles tenotomy was done in 70% of feet. All children were given foot abduction orthosis after the correction. The results were graded according to Ponseti and Smoley criteria. Good results were obtained in 83% of feet, acceptable results in 7% of feet and poor results in 10% of cases. Statistically significant correction was achieved in manipulation and casting stage which was maintained during bracing phase. The recurrences of the deformity were primarily due to poor compliance in the use of orthosis in post correction phase.Conclusion: The Ponseti method of correction is a safe and effective treatment for congenital idiopathic clubfoot and radically decreases the need for extensive corrective surgery. Non-compliance with orthotics is the main factor causing relapse of the deformity.

Effect of Erector Spinae Block and PECS Block on Quality of Recovery and Analgesia After Modified Radical Mastectomy: A randomised controlled study

Objectives: Postoperative pain after modified radical mastectomy ranges from moderate to severe. Pectoralis block in comparison to Erector Spinae block have been found better in reducing pain scores and reducing consumption of rescue analgesic in postoperative period. This study aimed to compare the effect of Erector Spinae block and Pectoralis block on quality of recovery after Modified Radical Mastectomy using QoR-40 score. Methods: After general anaesthesia, patients were given block according to computer generated randomization. Group-I-Pectoralis block including PEC I AND PEC II(PECS), Group-II-Erector spinae block(ESP) and Group III-Control Group (No intervention). Quality of recovery (QoR-40) score was observed on morning of surgery and at 24 hrs. Time to rescue analgesia and total consumption of rescue analgesia in first 24 hrs. were also observed. Results: In the postoperative period at 24 hrs. Global QoR-40 scores were 183.64±6.36 in PECS group, 179.68± 6.38 in ESP group and 171.37±6.88 in control group. (p<0.0001) But, there was no statistically significant difference between QoR score of PECS & ESP group patients(p=0.0551). The total requirement of rescue analgesic was significantly lesser in PECS group (137.28±31.46 mg) in comparison to ESP Group(189.46±42.98mg) and control group (229.57±46.80 mg). (p<0.0001). Time to first rescue analgesia was significantly higher in PECS group (6.53±2.78 hrs) in comparison to ESP (4.05±2.91 hrs) and control group (2.15±1.51 hrs). (p<0.0001) Conclusion: Both Erector Spinae block and Pectoralis block are effective for improving QoR score and reducing consumption of rescue analgesic after modified radical mastectomy. Keywords: breast surgery, cancer, postoperative recovery, postoperative pai

A Multivariate Analysis of Savings, Investment and Growth in India

This paper considers per worker household, private corporate and public sector savings and investment, foreign capital inflows and economic growth for India in a multivariate setting for the period 1950-2001. The analysis, uses FIML to estimate the long run cointegrating equilibriums and short run Granger causing dynamics for the non-stationary time series data, which includes endogenously detected structural breaks in 1989 and 1993, consistent with the recent period of financial reforms in India. The estimates do not support the commonly accepted Solow and endogenous models of economic growth. The popular view that increases in savings are a necessary condition for economic growth is supported with the detected strong direct links from per worker household and private corporate savings to output in the long run and sectoral per worker savings to investment links in both the short and long run. This implies the need to encourage savings, which is being realised with the estimated significantly higher growth rates in household and private corporate per worker savings during deregulation in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, the link from investment to output is missing. Despite extensive analysis, per worker private corporate and household sector investment are not found to affect output in the short run or long run as required by the Solow and endogenous growth models. Indeed household investment, being the largest sector for gross domestic capital formation, does not appear to have any influence on other variables. Per worker public investment is found to adversely affect output per worker in the short and long run, contradicting Barro’s hypothesis of the benefits of the public provision of capital. These findings, plus the estimated reductions in the rates of growth in sectoral per worker investment during the 1990s, are worrying. The lack of empirical validation of commonly accepted growth theories is problematic for policy formulation and further research on the role of investment in the post-reform Indian economy is required

Savings, investment, foreign inflows and economic growth of the Indian economy 1950-2002

There is a large research literature on the roles of domestic savings and investment in promoting long run economic growth. This paper attempts to identiy the major interdependencies between savings, investment, foreign capital flows and real output for India since independence. An endogenous growth model of an open economy, with government, is adapted to specify the complicated theoretical interrelationships between sectors of a growing economy. The time series of real household, private corporate and public savings; private and public investment; foreign capital inflows and GDP are tested for stationary under structural change. Empirical estimation of the possible long run and short run relationships are conducted using Johansen\u27s FIML cointegration techniques, which are appropriate for simultaneous systems. Granger causality techniques are then conducted to identify significant links between the sectors. The estimates indicate that there are complicated relationships between the variables in aggregate and at the sectoral level. The evidence clearly shows that it is not only domestic savings which are driving the Indian economy. Private and public investment and foreign capital flows are as important. However their significant interdependencies do not lead to a strong collective influence on real GDP. These findings have important implications for the formulation of appropriate policies relating to budget deficits, household