bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Federal Enforcement of Pharmaceutical Fraud under the False Claims Act, 2006–2022
Authors: Bendicksen Liam , Kesselheim Aaron S. , Daval C. Joseph Ross
Published: October 2023

Context: The False Claims Act is the US federal government's primary tool for identifying and penalizing pharmaceutical fraud. The Department of Justice uses the False Claims Act to bring civil cases against drug manufacturers that allegedly obtain improper payment from federal programs.

Methods: The authors searched the Department of Justice website for press releases published between 2006 and 2022 that announced fraud actions brought against drug companies. They then used the World Health Organization's Anatomical Therapeutic Classification index to identify the classes of prescription drugs implicated in fraud actions.

Findings: During fiscal years 2006–2022, payments by six manufacturers amounted to more than 28% of total payments made as a result of federal False Claims Act actions. Nervous system and cardiovascular drugs were the classes of medications most commonly implicated in alleged fraud. Federal officials most frequently alleged that companies improperly promoted nervous system drugs and paid kickbacks to increase revenues from cardiovascular, antineoplastic and immunomodulating, and alimentary tract and metabolism drugs.

Conclusions: Despite frequent pharmaceutical fraud settlements and penalties, incidence of alleged fraud among drug companies remains high. Alternative methods for preventing and deterring fraud could help safeguard our health systems and promote public health, and policy makers should ensure that effective fraud enforcement complements preventive public health regulation.
Writing “INFINITYLOOPS”
Authors: Dai Thomas
Published: October 2023

Transmigration refers to movements made across, between, through, or beyond spatial, spiritual, and bodily boundaries—motions to which queer and trans studies scholars have long imputed important political and social valences. This essay tracks the many transmigrations of the silkworm Bombyx mori, the source of commercial silk, through an archive of literary and critical writings by W. G. Sebald, Jacques Derrida, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, and Jen Bervin. The author pays special attention to the trans-migration silkworms make through their own bodies, or metamorphosis, thus opening the way to a less anthropocentric account of transmigratory processes. This essay shows how silkworms and silk cross and recross the constructed lines dividing East and West, matter and language, natural and synthetic. In doing so, silkworms enter a broader collective of trans-migrating bodies in which certain bodies are granted free movement at the expense of other, often racialized, queer, or animal bodies. The author argues that the embodied, quotidian metamorphosis of the silkworm exemplifies an alternative mode of trans-migration that refuses transcendence and instead ties us, by silken threads, to the vicissitudes of the present moment.
Perioperative Low-Dose Aspirin Management for Planned Clipping Surgery: When, How Long, and With What Precautions?
Authors: Han Hyun Jin , Kim Junhyung , Jang Chang Ki , Kim Jung-Jae , Park Keun Young , Park Sang Kyu , Chung Joonho , Kim Yong Bae
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Perioperative low-dose aspirin (ASA) management for open craniotomy surgery lacked information. We analyze to establish the perioperative ASA strategy to minimize both hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications.

METHODS:

The investigators designed a multicenter retrospective study, which included patients scheduled to have clipping surgery for unruptured intracranial aneurysm. The incidence and risk factors were analyzed for postoperative hemorrhagic complications and major cardio- and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) within 1 month postoperation.

RESULTS:

This study included 503 long-term ASA users of 3654 patients at three tertiary centers. The incidence of hemorrhagic complications and MACCEs was 7.4% (37/503) and 8.8% (44/503), respectively. Older age (>70 years, odds ratio [OR]: 2.928, 95% CI [1.337-6.416]), multiple aneurysms operation (OR: 2.201, 95% CI [1.017-4.765]), large aneurysm (>10 mm, OR: 4.483, 95% CI [1.485-13.533]), and ASA continuation (OR: 2.604, 95% CI [1.222-5.545]) were independent risk factors for postoperative hemorrhagic complications. Intracranial hemorrhage was the only type of hemorrhagic complication that increased in the ASA continuation group (10.6% vs 2.9%, P = .001). Between the ASA continuation and discontinuation groups, the overall incidence of MACCEs was not significantly different (log-rank P = .8). In the subgroup analysis, ASA discontinuation significantly increased the risk of MACCEs in the secondary prevention group (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.580, 95% CI [1.015-6.580]).

CONCLUSION:

ASA continuation increased the risk of postoperative intracranial hemorrhage. Simultaneously, ASA discontinuation was the major risk factor for postoperative MACCEs in the high-risk group. Without evidence of intracranial hemorrhage, early ASA resumption was indicated (a total cessation duration <7-10 days) in the secondary prevention group.
KDM5-mediated activation of genes required for mitochondrial biology is necessary for viability in Drosophila
Authors: Rogers Michael F. , Marshall Owen J. , Secombe Julie
Published: October 2023

Histone-modifying proteins play important roles in the precise regulation of the transcriptional programs that coordinate development. KDM5 family proteins interact with chromatin through demethylation of H3K4me3 as well as demethylase-independent mechanisms that remain less understood. To gain fundamental insights into the transcriptional activities of KDM5 proteins, we examined the essential roles of the single Drosophila Kdm5 ortholog during development. KDM5 performs crucial functions in the larval neuroendocrine prothoracic gland, providing a model to study its role in regulating key gene expression programs. Integrating genome binding and transcriptomic data, we identify that KDM5 regulates the expression of genes required for the function and maintenance of mitochondria, and we find that loss of KDM5 causes morphological changes to mitochondria. This is key to the developmental functions of KDM5, as expression of the mitochondrial biogenesis transcription factor Ets97D, homolog of GABPα, is able to suppress the altered mitochondrial morphology as well as the lethality of Kdm5 null animals. Together, these data establish KDM5-mediated cellular functions that are important for normal development and could contribute to KDM5-linked disorders when dysregulated.
Case Report: Introduction of antibiotic releasing calcium sulfate bone void filler beads (Stimulan) for management of an infected cyst of the maxilla
Authors: Patil Sneha , Kambala Rajanikanth , Bhola Nitin , Vishnani Rozina
Published: October 2023

Radicular cysts are the most common odontogenic cyst arising from epithelial cell rests of Malassez in the periodontal ligament and proliferate peripherally as a result of inflammation caused by infection at the root apices. They slowly grow apically causing bone resorption and displacement of the adjacent teeth which radiographically is seen as a radiolucent unilocular lesion. Management of such bone defects can be done by using various bone graft substitutes such as autogenous, allografts, xenografts and alloplasts. Taking account of the benefits of using synthetic bone graft substitutes, the following case represents the successful management of a radicular cyst, which includes endodontic treatment and cyst enucleation, chemical cauterization followed by introduction of antibiotic (Vancomycin) releasing calcium sulfate filler beads into the defect.
Identification of high-performing antibodies for SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 1 (SMOC-1) for use in Western Blot and immunoprecipitation
Authors: Ayoubi Riham , González Bolívar Sara , Nicouleau Michael , Southern Kathleen , Laflamme Carl ,   NeuroSGC/YCharOS/EDDU collaborative group
Published: October 2023

SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 1, otherwise known as SMOC-1, is a secreted glycoprotein involved in various cell biological processes including cell-matrix interactions, osteoblast differentiation, embryonic development, and homeostasis. SMOC-1 was found to be elevated in asymptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patient cortex as well as being enriched in amyloid plaques and in AD patient cerebrospinal fluid, arguing for SMOC-1 as a promising biomarker for AD. Having access to high-quality SMOC-1 antibodies is crucial for the scientific community. In this study, we characterized seven SMOC-1 commercial antibodies for Western blot and immunoprecipitation, using a standardized experimental protocol based on comparing read-outs in knockout cell lines and isogenic parental controls. We identified  successful antibodies and encourage readers to use this report as a guide to select the most appropriate antibody for their specific needs.
V.V. Dokuchaev Soil Institute 2023
Authors: Ivanov Andrey , Kozlov Daniil , Bolotov Andrey , Duhanin Yuriy , Zhidkin Andrey , Aparin Boris , Belobrov Viktor , Fomin Dmitriy , Kiryushin Valeriy , Hitrov Nikolay , Lebedeva Marina , Rogova Ol'ga , Savin Igor' , Skvorcova Elena , Solov'ev Dmitriy , Suhacheva Elena
Published: October 2023

Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Federal Research Center "V. V. Dokuchaev Soil Institute" is the leading scientific center in Russia for research in the field of soil science, methodology of soil-agroecological monitoring, rational land use and soil reclamation. The publication presents basic information about the directions of scientific research, popular science activities, interaction with state authorities and subdivisions of the V.V. Dokuchaev Soil Institute.
Vitis Pedata Nanoformulation in the Management of Alloxan Induced Experimental Diabetes
Authors: Das Suvadra , Bhattacharya Joyeeta , Sur Srija , Chakraborty Subhasis , Lakshmi Aparna , Pramanik Tanay , Roy Partha
Published: October 2023

Vitis pedata is a woody climber of the Vitaceae family with a multitude of pharmacological effects like anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-nociceptive, anti-arthritic, anti-oxidant, astringent, and hemostatic qualities. The research targets to assess the anti-diabetic efficacy of Vitis pedata aqueous extract nanoformulation in alloxan-induced diabetes rats. Biocompatible polycationic polymer chitosan is used for nanoformulation development. The aqueous extract loaded chitosan nanoparticle formulation displayed a particle size of 186± 5.37 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.226 and zeta potential value of 23 ± 1.93 mV. The nanoformulations were assessed for its anti-diabetic properties in comparison to aqueous extracts for the first time by in- vivo methodologies. Several parameters like body weight, blood glucose level, blood and serum biomarkers, were examined. Changes in tissue histoarchitecture, liver glycogen content, oxidative stress response and antioxidant status were also studied. In diabetic rats, the nano-scale formulation significantly reduced blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance, lipid profiles, and serum biomarkers, comparable to the oral hypoglycemic medication glibenclamide. The restoration of antioxidant status and pancreatic histoarchitecture through by size assisted delivery may be related to the improved control of diabetes by the nanoformulation than the extract alone. The work marks the first report of Vitis pedata nanoformulation for diabetes management and can serve as a prelude for further preclinical/clinical evaluations.
A Comparative Study of Lung-protective Effects of Melatonin Versus Curcumin in Amiodarone Treated Adult Male Albino rats
Authors: Refaay Nehal E. , Halloull Noha M. , Amer Nehal A.
Published: October 2023

Amiodarone (AMR) is a very powerful and efficient anti-arrhythmic agent since it outperforms other treatments in preventing and treating ventricular and supraventricular dysrhythmias. Melatonin is produced by a variety of organs, including the pineal gland. It has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin provides a variety of different health benefits and has been demonstrated to have considerable antioxidant action. The purpose of this study was to look into and evaluate the preventive benefits of melatonin and curcumin against AMR-induced lung damage.60 adult male albino rats were utilized in this study divided equally into 5 main groups: (control with no drugs, sham divided into 2 subgroups sham1 receiving 500Ug/kg body weight (BW) of melatonin and sham2 receiving 200 mg/kg BW of curcumin, AMR treated group receiving 40 mg/kg BW of AMR orally, AMR with melatonin group receiving500Ug/kg body weight (BW) of melatonin and40 mg/kg BW of AMR, and AMR with curcumin group receiving 200 mg/kg BW of curcumin and 40 mg/kg BW of AMR). this study was continued for 6 weeks. The lung tissue was processed for histopathological and biochemical evaluation at the end of the experiment and revealed significant elevations in inflammatory cytokine (il6) and oxidative parameters, lung alterations with fibrosis and marked cellular infiltration in the AMR-treated group. Yet treatment with melatonin and curcumin improved fibrosis detected by decreased area of positive TGF-β1 staining and lower number of stained macrophages by CD68 along with improving the antioxidant status of the tissue. Thus melatonin and curcumin had a protective effect over AMR-induced fibrosis.
Comparison Of Facies Estimation Using Support Vector Machine (SVM) And K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) Algorithm Based On Well Log Data
Authors: Prabowo Urip Nurwijayanto , Ferdiyan Akmal , Raharjo Sukmaji Anom , Sehah Sehah , Candra Arya Dwi
Published: October 2023

Facies classification is the process of identifying rock lithology based on indirect measurements such as well log measurements. The facies classified manually by experienced geologists, so it takes a long time and is less efficient. Machine learning applications in facies classification can increase the effectiveness and efficiency of geophysical interpretation on complex data. The purpose of this study is to examine the application of machine learning algorithms SVM and KNN in facies estimation. The results showed that the KNN algorithm is better at estimating facies than the SVM algorithm.
Urban Spatial Patterns in Banda Aceh City Using the Shannon's Entrophy Model
Authors: Murtadha Amir , Fadhly Noer , Rusdi Muhammad
Published: October 2023

The rapid development of the city of Banda Aceh occurred in general in the suburbs. The impact is the occurrence of propagation which is a complex urban phenomenon and difficult to measure. Policy makers need a simple method to control and evaluate urban spread. This study integrates the Shannon's Entropy model with remote sensing and GIS to analyze spreading patterns in each sub-district in Banda Aceh City based on two aspects of distance, namely the distance to the city center and the road network to describe urban spreading patterns. The application of the Shannon's Entropy method in Banda Aceh City in 2010-2020 can be seen in the Relative Entropy Matrix which shows that the linear propagation pattern (Quadrant C) is more dominant in Banda Raya District, Baiturrahman District, Kuta Raja District, Kuta Alam District, Lueng District Bata, and the District of Syiah Kuala. Whereas the spreading pattern of Meuraxa District and Jaya Baru District is in quadrant B, namely the elongated (Radial) type of propagation pattern, but in 2020 Jaya Baru District there has been a change in the propagation pattern, namely the linear propagation pattern. In the Ulee Kareng sub-district, there was a pattern of propagation changes in 2020 which was in quadrant D, namely the leapfrog development pattern from the previous year, namely 2010 and 2015 in quadrant C with a linear propagation pattern. The spreading pattern of Banda Aceh City tends to lead to the East. This is mostly caused by the shape of the land which is very suitable to be used as a built-up area
The Performance of Concentrically Braced Frames (CBF) in Chevron V Brace and Diagonal Configuration by Considering Various Frame Heights
Authors: Panjaitan Arief , Hasibuan Purwandy , Putra Rudiansyah , Afifuddin Mochammad , Haiqal Muhammad , Adian Fakhran , Naulia Dwi Putroe , Hazid Asraf
Published: October 2023

Concentrically Braced Frame (CBF) is a structural system with high stiffness, so it is recommended to be implemented in earthquake-hazard areas. The stiffness in CBF is contributed by its diagonal component, which is called bracing. Bracing reduces lateral deformation on the frame system because of the earthquake and prevents heavy damage or failure of the structure. So far, several studies have been conducted. However, the effect of the frame height and the bracing configuration on the CBF performance has not yet been clarified. This study analytically investigated several models of CBF in Chevron V Brace and Diagonal configurations. Those models were prepared with different frame heights. The analyses were conducted by employing the cyclic load and considering yield displacement control in each model. The observation was emphasized on the load-displacement hysteresis curve, from which the performance of each model can be revealed. Three parameters of performance are evaluated: strength, stiffness, and dissipation energy. The analysis discovered that the Diagonal CBF performed better than the Chevron V Brace CBF by presenting a larger and more stable hysteresis curve, which is addressed to better energy dissipation. It is also discovered that reducing the frame height is suggested to enhance the CBF performance due to the earthquake
Analysis Of Physical And Chemical Impact On The Krueng Montala River, Aceh Besar Regency: Sand And Stone Mining Activity Effect
Authors: Muhibuddin Muhibuddin , Gani Asri , Aulia M Prayogie , Arahman Nasrul
Published: October 2023

Rivers are important for human survival providing raw water for the community's clean water needs. Rivers also provide sand, gravel, and rocks commonly used for construction. However, improper exploitation of the river without considering environmental sustainability may cause future damage to it. The damage is usually caused by mining activities violating environmental regulations. The main point of this study is to evaluate the changes in the riverbank and riverbed of Krueng Montala river, Aceh, Indonesia, due to the mining activity around that place. The method used to analyze the changes was measuring the river's topographical contours at the end of mining activities and comparing the results with the initial licensing data based on the Mining License Number 540/DPMPTSP/414/IUP-OP/2020. The measured data was also compared to the Technical Recommendation Number SA.02.03/BWS1/1542 from the River Basin Office of Sumatera 1. Based on the technical recommendation, the sufficient excavation volume is 10,201.44 m3. The field data for lost and excavated materials at the research location was 40,861.4 m3, and the total riverbank material loss at the study location was 7,566.33 m3.
Adsorption of Phosphate from Aqueous Solution by Calcination of Silicified Coal: Kinetic and Isotherm Studies
Authors: Fandana Lisa , Abdullah Faisal , Muslim Abrar , Suhendrayatna Suhendrayatna , Meilina Hesti
Published: October 2023

Silicified coal (SC) consisting of SiO2 is promising raw material for adsorbent. The present study aimed to utilize the adsorbent of silicified coal bottom ash (SCBA) by calcination of the SC at the temperature of 600, 800 and 1000 oC for 1 hour. The FTIR result showed that the SCBA-600, SCBA-800 and SCBA-1000 had chemical functional groups such as the asymmetric Si-O-Si, the symmetric Si-O-Si and Si-O-Si bond rocking for adsorption of phosphate (PO43−) with the lowest percentage of transmittance of SCBA-1000. The adsorption test showed that a rapid adsorption occurred in the first 10-min of contact time, and it did not change significantly for the rest of contact time until reaching an equilibrium time of 30 min. The PO43− adsorption efficiency and capacity fluctuated over initial PO43− in solution in the range of 60.02–480.29 mg/L. The highest PO43− adsorption efficiency and capacity was at 480.29 mg/L, which was 95.49 % and 45.86 mg/g, respectively using the SCBA-1000. The adsorption kinetic fitted better to pseudo second-order kinetics model (average R2 = 0.999) with the adsorption capacity of 45.454, 45.662 and 45.872 for the SCBA_600, SCBA_800 and SCBA_1000, respectively, and the PO43− adsorption rate was 0.0007, 0.0008 and 0.001 g/mg.min, respectively. The adsorption isotherm followed Langmuir model (average R2 = 0.873) with the adsorption capacity being 2.357, 1.198 and 8.196 mg/g, respectively, and the pore volume being 0.0316, 0.0364 and 0.2103 L/mg, respectively
Simple Technology of Material Physics of Groundwater Conservation in Dealing with Climate Change in Disaster Areas of North Sumatra
Authors: Dayana Indri , Satria Habib , Muhammad Fauzi Muhammad , Rahwanto Adi , Rianna Martha
Published: October 2023

Water is a natural resource with a very important function for human life and advancing general welfare, so water is the basic capital and the main development factor. After the eruption in the Mount Sinabung area, the supply of healthy water was inadequate both in quantity and quality, even though the Karo Regency government made efforts to provide this healthy water. For this reason, appropriate technology is needed in post-eruption water treatment in Mount Sinabung to become healthy water and be used by the local community. This research aims to provide information about Groundwater Conservation Technology in Facing Climate Change in the Disaster Areas of North Sumatra. The method used is quantitative with a purposive sampling technique by selecting 6 wells from 348 wells around Mount Sinabung. Chemical parameters for sampling each - each 1 liter of water to be put in bottles previously cleaned and rinsed with distilled water first, then dried. Laboratory Tests then examined them. There is a simple technology in the form of a water filter made from a mixture of sand, activated carbon, and dried starfruit leaves, which can neutralize contamination of substances such as sulfur and others in the water to obtain healthy water suitable for people in the disaster area.
Public debt financing through political processes: a review essay of Olivier Blanchard’s Fiscal Policy under Low Interest Rates
Authors: Plante Jonathan W.
Published: October 2023

In his recent book Fiscal Policy under Low Interest Rates, Olivier Blanchard argues that when interest rates are low, policymakers can use public debt finance to increase the welfare of a nation. I argue that Blanchard’s model suffers from the “organismic theory of the State” and, as such, reaches dubious conclusions. At its core, an organismic model presumes that politicians can and do make transfers that maximize the welfare of all individuals. While this is, of course, plausible, an individualistic view states that whether government transfers increase welfare for all individuals depends on the political decision-making process of time and place. While some political processes redistribute funds equally, others redistribute unequally—that is, they increase welfare for some but decrease the welfare of others. Blanchard’s organismic model takes this fact for granted. I use the individualistic view to argue that even if interest rates are low, if a political process is one that redistributes unequally, transfers under public debt financing can result in or exacerbate income inequality. To illustrate this point, I show that in the US, increases in public debt financing have increased welfare for some individuals—the low- and upper-income quintiles—but have decreased it for others—the middle-income quintiles.
Public Spending, Governance, and Mortality Probability in the Indian Subnational: A Two-Level Random Intercept Analysis
Authors: Hazarika Bhabesh
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: One of the most fundamental yet unresolved health policy issues is whether public expenditure on healthcare leads to improved health outcomes. Given that health reflects one of the critical aspects of human capital, having implications for economic growth and other development goals, there has been enormous advocacy towards investing significantly in the health systems across the countries to improve the overall health status. However, the effect of public spending on health outcomes remains inconclusive. The present paper analyses the impact of public health spending on mortality probability, taking into account the role of governance while treating public spending as an endogenous variable. The study uses individual level data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) Round 5 and a few state-level characteristics. For estimation purpose, it uses a two-level mixed effect model to capture the benefit incidence of public spending on Individual mortality probability. The findings reveal that public spending has a significant but differential impact on mortality across the Indian States, whereas the quality of governance is found to be a mediator. Given a level of public spending, States with better government effectiveness and rule of law can translate public health spending more effectively in reducing mortality at the individual level. The study also found heterogeneous mortality status across gender, location of stay, wealth status, and age groups with a differential impact of public spending across gender, wealth, and age groups. The variation in average distance of mortality probability level in each state from the overall mean mortality probability indicates that the states are very different in terms of health challenges that they are facing. The policy options call for state-specific health interventions to reduce the mortality rather than one-size-fits-all health policies. There needs to more unconditional grants/transfers from the Union Government to the States so that states will be able to tailor policy responses to address the unique challenges faced by the respective states. At the same time, states need to adopt output-based conditions with greater flexibility to deliver services and greater accountability to improve transparency, governance quality, and implementation capacity.
The Determinants of Foreign-Direct-Investment (FDI) Inflows in Nigeria
Authors: Akinwalere Susan , Chang Kirk
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: Due to the importance of foreign direct investment (FDI), scholars are always keen to explore FDI determinants and analyze their implications. Nevertheless scholars have proposed mixed viewpoints of FDI and interpreted its determinants differently, which do not contribute to the knowledge advancement and amalgamation of FDI literatures. The current research, therefore, aims to advance the knowledge of FDI determinants in Nigeria through a new investigation on the key determinant factors affecting Nigeria's inward FDI. Data were collected from UNCTAD (1970-2014) and analyzed by auto-regressive distributed lag tests (ARDL). A comprehensive theory-based model was developed accounting for many variables, such as the interest rate, external debt, oil rents, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate, trade and exchange rate volatility. The analysis of FDI determinants in the Nigerian economy yielded reliable, robust, and economically meaningful results thereby offering an insight into the driving factors of inward FDI. Findings indicate that the interest rate, external debt, oil rents, and GDP growth are all important determinants, possessing a long-run effect on FDI. Different from the literature, however, trade and exchange rate volatility are barely important to FDI. Several policy implications flow from the findings. From a policy point of view, regarding the GDP growth rate, there should be concerted efforts to boost the performance of the non-oil sector in Nigeria through more investments in the agricultural and industrial sectors making the growth of the economy spread across other sectors and, in turn, encouraging inward FDI in such areas. Countries such as Nigeria, endowed with natural resources, should pursue policies targeted at full deregulation (privatisation) of their natural resource sector to better utilize the abundance of their natural resources thereby attracting additional FDI. Nigeria should also pursue better debt management practices. When debts are acquired, they should be targeted towards future consumption and longer-term investments. Most importantly, as an import-dependent economy, the Nigerian government should also formulate export-driven and appropriate fiscal policies that will stabilize Nigeria's trade relationship with other world economies. The Nigerian government should create the necessary environment that will regulate macroeconomic and specifically monetary policy (interest rate) which is essential for the attraction of FDI inflows into the economy. Finally, Nigeria should ensure that the quality of exportable commodities is improved to enhance international competitiveness.
Trade Implications on Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIS) Due to COVID-19 Pandemic and India China Altercation
Authors: Lodh Rishab , Dey Oindrila
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: India's pharmaceutical sector has been one of the largest manufacturers of generic drugs globally. During the pandemic, most countries were dependent on imports of generic drugs from India. However, India has been relying on resources from China for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) which are the raw material for preparing generic drugs. We considered, in our analysis, branded product groups of Paracetamol and Amoxicillin due to their extensive use in the treatment of COVID-19. From a thorough market analysis of both the drugs, we conclude that firms have a monopoly over their brands but compete within the same product group and operate in their respective market under varying prices within certain bandwidths which resembles the feature of monopolistic competitive market. We have introduced compensating function a la Helpman (1981) in the pharmaceutical goods market with the assumption that an 'ideal product' exists among the pharmaceutical goods. Given the framework, this paper explores a general equilibrium model set in a monopolistic competitive product market for branded drugs. We concluded through our propositions that expanding the pharmaceutical sector will increase the employment of unskilled labor under no capacity constraint. We will observe an increase in wages of unskilled labor only under full employment conditions wherein we would observe that the expansion of pharmaceutical good will increase wages in the unskilled labor market. However we obtain an intriguing result wherein we obtain that despite instances of limiting trade dependence on China through implementation of policies like 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'profit linked incentive schemes', yet to maintain the status quo in the global market for generic drugs, India's dependence on China would increase, owing to API imports due to the pandemic crisis. While India can grab the opportunity in the form of increased demand for pharmaceutical goods to increase the employment level of the economy but this improvement in welfare is also dependent on the degree of dependency of API India has on China. The Indian government has recognized the same through the incorporation of 'Covid-Suraksha' and PLI schemes to minimize import dependency, and accelerate the development of APIs and the production of indigenous drugs.
Patterns and Determinants of Households' Energy Choices for Cooking as Well as Their Implications for Poverty Eradication in Nigeria
Authors: Ozughalu Uche M.
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: Adequate access to environmentally-friendly energy sources is crucial for addressing the problems of environmental degradation and adverse climate change as well as other developmental challenges. The literature on the patterns and determinants of households' energy choices for cooking is very scanty. Essentially, the scanty literature, in general, did not adequately cater for household composition and economies of scale in household consumption as well as give adequate consideration to the impact of ownership of education/entertainment appliances and means of communication by households on households' energy choices for cooking. It is very important to utilize adult equivalence scales and estimate of economies of scales in household consumption in the analysis of household consumption in order to make such analysis highly robust. It is also very important to include ownership of education/entertainment appliances and means of communication in the analysis of households' energy choices for cooking because they (the appliances and means of communication) are expected to provide adequate awareness on the harmful effects of dirty energy sources and such awareness can influence households' energy choices. Furthermore, none of the studies in the scanty literature discussed the major implications for poverty eradication of the patterns and determinants of households' energy choices for cooking. This study adequately addressed the highlighted research gaps. The study analyzed the patterns and determinants of households' energy choices for cooking in Nigeria and discussed their implications for poverty eradication in the country using, among other things, descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression technique. The study was based on a nationally representative survey data, obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics. The study found that the patterns of households' energy choices for cooking in Nigeria exhibit the operation of energy ladder hypothesis. The study also found that increased educational level of household head, ownership of electric food preservation appliance by household and satisfactory housing condition are among the factors that increase the likelihoods of the uses of transition fuels and very clean energy sources as well as reduce the likelihood of the use of traditional biomass fuels. Adequate measures should therefore be put in place to sufficiently increase households' incomes and guarantee optimal access to environmentally-friendly energy sources for cooking in the country; this will pave the way for poverty eradication in the country.
Tobacco Prevalence and Economic Growth: Evidence from Low and Lower-Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Gamtessa Samuel F. , Guliani Harminder
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: The economic costs of tobacco use are substantial particularly in developing countries. While much has been written on healthcare costs from tobacco use related diseases, little is known on the macro-economic impacts of tobacco-related productivity loss. The objective of the current research is to understand the macroeconomic burden of tobacco use in developing countries. Using World Bank's development indicators database for 44 low-and lower-middle-income countries, most of which are African, this paper assesses the relationship between tobacco consumption and economic growth. Specifically, using the fixed effect regression approach, we examined whether tobacco prevalence affects long-run growth rate in the real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. We adopted an empirical framework from the growth literature by including the national tobacco prevalence rate as one of the determinants of long-run growth in the real GDP per capita. The tobacco prevalence rate varies across countries ranging from 5% in Ethiopia to almost 50% in Myanmar. The prevalence rate is much higher among males than females in almost all countries, with Myanmar males having above 70%. The regression results indicate the existence of a statistically significant negative relationship between the prevalence of tobacco and economic growth after controlling for other determinants of growth, including the initial level of GDP per capita, gross fixed capital formation, trade, resource revenues, institutional quality, a human capital indicator, and infrastructure capacity. A 1% increase in the total tobacco prevalence rate reduces the economic growth rate by almost 2%, all else equal. These findings are robust even after running separate models for male and female tobacco prevalence rates. The results on the other determinants of growth are consistent with the previous empirical studies on economic growth in the context of developing countries. The findings of this study provide additional support to the existing body of empirical economic research on the role of better health, as a form of human capital, in increasing economic output. Thus, actively targeting tobacco control interventions, both in and outside of the workplace, can likely improve workers' productivity and hence economic growth.
Some Recent Trends and Implications of Foreign Direct Investment in Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Tanbir Ahmed , Snigdha Nishat Tamanna
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: This study was carried out to evaluate the recent trends and implications of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh. Due to its cost-effective workforce, potential market, rapidly growing economy, advantageous geographical location, and other pertinent factors Bangladesh has become one of the most enticing developing countries for foreign direct investment (FDI). Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were used. The trends and implication of FDI was assessed through different variables such as Net FDI inflow in Bangladesh, FDI inflows as percentage of GDP of Bangladesh, sectoral FDI inflow in Bangladesh, net FDI inflows from top 10 countries and by sectors, net FDI flow by EPZ and non-EPZ areas, no. of employment by FDI, FDI inflow by components, GDP, export, import, balance of payment, foreign exchange rate, inflation and corporate tax rate, which were then analyzed using different statistical measures, such as growth percentage, trend equations, the square of the correlation coefficient and correlation matrix. Thirteen trend equations and R-squared were tested for different relevant variables of FDI. To estimate the implication of FDI in Bangladesh, seven hypotheses has also been tested. Among them, the trend values were positive for eleven variables. The square of correlation coefficient (R-squared) of most of the equations is more than 0.7, indicating well fitted trend equations. According to the results of this analysis, FDI has positive correlation between GDP growth, exports, imports, employment in EPZs, and exchange rates. However, there is a significant negative correlation between corporate tax rate and inflation rate. By introducing beneficial FDI policies, providing substantial investment incentives, streamlining pertinent regulations, minimizing bureaucratic procedures, and through better infrastructure Bangladesh must act swiftly to entice more foreign investors. Despite adopting lenient FDI regulations, the government musthave to ensure facilities like more export processing zones, easy access to IT facilities, maintaining stable foreign exchange rates, encourage FDI from leading nations, an attracting new foreign investment source. By implementing these policies into practice, Bangladesh can boost up economic growth and may attract more FDI. This study proves that there is room for FDI to increase in the future and supporting economic growth of Bangladesh.
Monetary Policy Shocks and Unemployment in Emerging Market Economies in Africa
Authors: Oke David Mautin , Muhammed Ismail Aremu
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: Unemployment remains a global challenge that requires additional ways of dealing with it. Therefore, the role of Reserve or Central Banks in reducing unemployment is of recent seeking more attention. This paper examines monetary policy shocks and unemployment nexus in the emerging market economies in Africa. The models of this study are designed within the panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) framework. The models majorly rely on the New Keynesian model. Given the nominal rigidities of the New Keynesian model, the monetary policy can therefore, serve as an important tool which can have a reasonable leverage on real variables. As claimed by Bernanke (2007) that the stance of monetary policy was appropriate to prevent deflation and high unemployment and as it has been empirically tested for developed economies, this paper provides a quantitative evaluation of an aspect of such statement in the context of emerging economies of Africa. We used annual data series on five emerging economies in Africa over the period 1991 to 2020, making 150 balanced panel data observations. The countries include, Egypt, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa. The selection was based on those African countries identified as emerging markets by various international bodies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), James O'Neill, Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE), S&P Global Ratings, EM Bond Index, Dow Jones, Russell, Columbia University and Cornell University. The findings of the study revealed that unemployment falls for at most four periods in response to contractionary monetary policy shocks while the response dissipates afterwards. Individually, unemployment rate in Mauritius and Nigeria rose in response to contractionary monetary policy shocks while in South Africa, Egypt and Morocco, it falls in response to contractionary monetary policy shocks. By and large, the results seem to show credence to the effectiveness of monetary policy in each country to achieve desired macroeconomic targets. The main implication of the results is that, expansionary monetary and fiscal policy undertaken by policymakers of emerging economies in Africa can enhance the labor market to recover from the downturns recently experienced in these economies.
Do Remittances Stimulate Economic Growth In Nepal? Evidence From ARDL Approach
Authors: Singh Pawan , Pradhan Kalandi Charan
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: Remittances from migrant workers are the major sources of financial inflows into the Nepalese economy. The World Bank's data of 2021 suggests that Nepal is one of the top ten recipients of remittances in terms of its share of GDP. Even though remittances make up a significant portion of foreign capital flows, the macroeconomic impact of these transfers on economic growth has not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, the aim of our study is to investigate the impact of remittances on the Nepalese economy for the period 1990 -2021 using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. The ARDL approach is applied to identify the long-term and short-term effects of worker remittances on the Nepalese economy. The model uses real GDP as a proxy for economic growth and uses workers' remittances as main explanatory variable along with gross fixed capital formation, trade openness, foreign aid, and human capital as the control variables. The findings of the bound test suggest that there is a long-run relationship between remittances and economic growth. Furthermore, it is also demonstrated that remittances, gross fixed capital formation and foreign aid have a positive effect on real GDP. While we found a negative effect of trade openness and human capital on real GDP in short run and long run dynamics. The positive influence of remittances appears to be very weak, as a significant portion of remittances to Nepal are used for private domestic consumption. Moreover, the negative contribution of imports to economic growth suggests that a larger portion of remittances is spent on daily consumption and consumer durable items such as television, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioning, and so on. Based on the analysis of the results, Nepal needs to develop an integrated policy to motivate migrants in intensity of saving and investment on multiple productive sectors rather spending on basic consumption. In doing so, such practice helps in channelising the remittances into economic growth through the multiplier effect. The transaction cost of remitting money is another challenging issue in Nepal. Therefore, policy measures must be focused on minimising transaction cost of remittances through the formal and organised channels.
Revisiting the Exchange Rate -Oil Price Nexus in Turbulent Period: What Can We Learn From Nigeria and South Africa During Covid-19?
Authors: Lawal-Arogundade Samod O. , Salami Lateef O.
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: The debate on the exchange rate–oil price nexus usually rests on the fact that oil price is quoted in US dollar (USD) and therefore, fluctuations in oil price may affect the exchange rate behavior of trading nations through the USD. However, it might be inaccurate to generalize the dynamic of the nexus for both net oil-exporting and net oil-importing economies particularly when exchange rates in these economies are running under floating regime. As a result, we revisit the dynamics of returns and volatility spillovers between exchange rates and oil prices in the turbulent period of COVID-19 from the perspective of the oil-exporting/oil-importing dichotomy, using the cases of Nigeria and South Africa. According to the results of the various pre-estimation tests, we find the VARMA-DCCGARCH model to be the best fit for modelling the interdependence of exchange rates and oil prices in the investigated economies. Empirically, \we show that regardless of the oil-exporting or oil-importing peculiarity of an economy, unanticipated events in exchange rates and oil prices in the current period have the potential to fuel volatility in their returns in the preceding period. Also, not only is the magnitude and direction of the spillovers different under the different waves of COVID-19 but also sensitive to whether an economy is oil-exporting or oil-importing. Thus, while South Africa and Nigeria are among the top 5 African countries with the highest incidences of COVID-19, the permanency or transitory dynamics of the shocks to exchange rates and oil prices during the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be sensitive to whether an economy is oil-exporting or oil-importing. It is in view of this, among other things, that we herein infer that while the immediate policy response to an exogenous shock such as COVID-19 may be global and general for all countries, as is the case with the lockdown initiative, the long-run efforts at recovering from the shock may require that the peculiarities of the individual economies be taken into consideration, as is obvious from the findings of this study.