The Role of Non-Parity Fundamentals in Exchange Rate Determination: Australia and the Asia Pacific Region

This paper extends the literature by looking at the contribution of non-parity variables after extracting the impact of parity variables on exchange rates of Australia and the Asia Pacific countries. Exchange rates are examined using high- and low-frequency multi-country panel time series data for a group of trade-related nations in the Asia Pacific, including Japan. Our findings suggest that exchange rate is affected by growth rate, and trade and capital flows: other less significant variables include sovereign debt; balance of payments; money supply; and trade openness. It also confirms that interest rate has significant effect on exchange rates while price effect is not significant in short run regressions. These key findings are robust across different time intervals, thus showing new findings on the exchange rate dynamics consistent with theories.

Validation of the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation (CISS)

Introduction: There is an appealing need to have a validated Bahasa Malaysia (BM) questionnaire that is able to gauge stress coping styles among Malaysian population. A culturally accepted questionnaire will generate further research in the aspect of stress coping patterns in the Malaysia population. Objective: To translate the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) questionnaire into BM and to determine the construct validity, reliability and other psychometric properties of the translated BM version of the English CISS 48-item. Method: Two parallel forward and backward translations were done in BM in accordance to guideline and its validation was determined by using confirmatory factor analysis among 200 Malaysian subjects. Results: The BM CISS had very good Cronbach’s alpha values, 0.91, 0.89 and 0.85 respectively for Task-, Emotional- and Avoidance-oriented. The overall Cronbach’s alpha was 0.91. It also had good factor loading for most of its items where 44 items out of 48 had Confirmatory Factor Analysis values of more than 4.0. Conclusions: BM CISS had been adequately and correctly translated into Bahasa Malaysia with high psychometric properties. Minimal readjustment may be required in a few of its items to obtain excellent results

Effect of mixing on enzymatic liquefaction of sago starch

The effect of mixing as a function of agitation speed and impeller diameter on the rate and degree of enzymatic liquefaction of sago starch was carried out using a stirred tank reactor with a single Rushton turbine impeller. The performance of the reactor as a mixing device was first examined using different concentrations of carboxymethylcellulose, which exhibited pseudoplastic behaviour similar to that of the solution during the sago starch liquefaction process. A correlation between mixing time (tm) and Reynolds number (Re) in the form of tm = bRec is presented; the constants for the correlation depended on viscosity of the fluid. For the two ratios of impeller diameter (Di) to tank diameter (Dt) used, 0.407 and 0.542, agitation speed gave significant influence on both overall rate and degree of liquefaction of sago starch. Mixing time (tm) was independent of impeller diameter used, and correlated well with the overall rate of liquefaction (P) (calculated as the reducing sugar produced divided by time of liquefaction) and expressed as P = 1.95tm-0.362

Microstructural evaluation of Bi-Ag and Bi-Sb lead-free high-temperature solder candidates on copper substrate with multiple reflow number

An impetus has been provided towards the development of lead-free solders by worldwide environmental legislation that banned the use of lead in solders due to the lead toxicity. This study focus on Bi-Ag and Bi-Sb solder alloys, in compositions from 1.5 to 5 wt % Ag and Sb. The effects of Ag and Sb amount, and reflow number on the microstructure and morphology of solder bulk were analysed by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray. Based on the results, the grain boundary grooving was observed in all samples except Bi-5Sb in all three reflows. Metallurgical and chemical reaction between interface and solders were found in Bi-5Sb solder alloys in different reflow numbers which lead to appearance of Cu3Sb intermetallic compound layer at the interface. Reflow numbers had a significant effect on the size of Cu-rich phase. Also it was observed that, with increasing reflow number Bi-Cu phase found in Bi-2.5Sb solder dissolves into the solder bulk

Interfacial reaction of Bi–Ag and Bi–Sb solders on copper substrate with multiple reflow number

Owing to the toxicity of lead, much effort has been put in studies on lead-free solders after environmental legislations prohibited the use of lead in these parts worldwide. Here, Bi–Ag and Bi–Sb alternative solder alloys containing 1·5–5 wt-% Ag and Sb were investigated. The effect of the reflow number and weight percentage of Ag and Sb on the surface properties of solders and interfacial reactions between the solder bulk and the Cu substrate were analysed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray. The results show that by increasing the reflow number and wt-% of Ag and Sb in the solder bulk, the thickness of the mechanical grain boundary grooving is increased. However, the thickness of the Cu3Sb intermetallic compound layer at the interface of Bi–5Sb decreased by increasing the reflow number. Moreover, our findings show that the amount of Ag and Sb in solder alloys and the reflow number have different behaviours on the wettability properties. By increasing the reflow number, the wetting angle decreased in Bi–Ag solder alloys, whereas it increased in Bi–Sb solder alloys

A new multiobjective tiki-taka algorithm for optimization of assembly line balancing

Purpose: This study aims to propose a new multiobjective optimization metaheuristic based on the tiki-taka algorithm (TTA). The proposed multiobjective TTA (MOTTA) was implemented for a simple assembly line balancing type E (SALB-E), which aimed to minimize the cycle time and workstation number simultaneously. Design/methodology/approach: TTA is a new metaheuristic inspired by the tiki-taka playing style in a football match. The TTA is previously designed for a single-objective optimization, but this study extends TTA into a multiobjective optimization. The MOTTA mimics the short passing and player movement in tiki-taka to control the game. The algorithm also utilizes unsuccessful ball pass and multiple key players to enhance the exploration. MOTTA was tested against popular CEC09 benchmark functions. Findings: The computational experiments indicated that MOTTA had better results in 82% of the cases from the CEC09 benchmark functions. In addition, MOTTA successfully found 83.3% of the Pareto optimal solution in the SALB-E optimization and showed tremendous performance in the spread and distribution indicators, which were associated with the multiple key players in the algorithm. Originality/value: MOTTA exploits the information from all players to move to a new position. The algorithm makes all solution candidates have contributions to the algorithm convergence

Improvement in Opto-Electrical Properties of GaN MSM Photodetector by Contact Work-Function Selection

Overall , this work evaluates the role of different metal contacts in improving electrical properties of GaN MSM (metal-semiconductor-metal) photodetector. The metal contacts were investigated in this work are AI , In, Pt. ITO and ZnO. Prior to the metalization , GaN layer was deposited on m-plane sapphire (AI203) substrate using electron beam (e-beam) evaporator, followed by ammonia annealing treatment to improve 111 -V stoichiometric balance. Subsequently , a metal mask consisting of two terminals, each with 3 inter-digitized fingers was aligned over -9 mm2 of the GaN samples. Contacts on each MSM photodetector were deposited by either RF/DC sputtering. Next each GaN MSM photodetector were annealed at 400 °C for 10 minutes in ambient air to diffuse the metal contact layer into th e GaN layer. The bes t spectral response of th e GaN MSM was observed at -360 nm GaN MSM photodetector with Pt contact shows a Schottky IV curve due to the large contact work -function . On the other hand. ohmic IV curve was observed on the remain ing GaN MSM photodetector IV measurement under dark and illuminated conditions shows a gain of -34 times between bias voltage or 1.5 V to 5.0 V. Responsivity measurement under pulsing UV light illumination was conducted to investigate the rise and fall time for each GaN MSM photodetector

Factors associated with low birthweight in term pregnancies: A matched case-control study from rural Pakistan

Low birthweight (LBW) remains a significant public health problem in Pakistan and further understanding of factors associated with LBW is required. We conducted a hospital-based matched case control study to identify risk factors associated with LBW in a rural district of Pakistan. We found that illiteracy (AOR: 2.68; 95% CI: 1.59 - 4.38), nulliparity (AOR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.26-2.44), having a previous miscarriage/abortion (AOR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.06-2.35), having \u3c 2 antenatal care (ANC) visits during last pregnancy (AOR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.34-2.88), seeking ANC in third trimester (AOR: 3.62; 95% CI : 2.14-5.03), non-use of iron folic acid during last pregnancy (AOR: 2.72; 95% CI: 1.75-3.17), having hypertension during last pregnancy (AOR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.13-2.20), being anemic (AOR: 2.67; 95% CI: 1.65-5.24) and having postpartum weight o

Pilot study on depression among secondary school students in Selangor

A cross sectional descriptive study of 2048 subjects was conducted to determine the prevalence of depression and factors influencing depression among students in secondary school from urban and rural areas in the state of Selangor. Malaysia. The children's depression inventory (COl) developed by Maria Kovacs was used in this study. Students who participated in this study come from two urban schools and three rural schools. It was found that in the yield for scores for five factors were 9.2% have negative mood. 5% have interpersonal problems. 8.3% have ineffectiveness. 9.8% have anhedonia and 10.6% have negative self esteem. Following the interpretive guidelines for the T-scores. it was found that 10.3% of the students were much above average in the depression scale. This study also found that: 1% of students were smoking. 1.6% of students were gum sniffling. 0.9% took drugs. 4.1 % took alcohol and 9.9% took things from other people. Females were more depressed than males. The Chinese students were more depressed compared to Indian students. Students whose parents had no formal education or had only primary education were more depressed than students whose parents had secondary. college or university education. Depression increased with increasing number of siblings. Depression contributed to the habit of drug abuse. gum sniffing and stealing but not to smoking and alcohol abuse. Suicidal tendencies were more likely among the depressed students. It is imperative that not only caregivers but also teachers have to be equipped with the knowledge. attitude and skills to assist secondary school children cope with their emotions. handle conflicts and manage stress early so that a more productive society will develop in the future