A VAR Analysis of US and Japanese Effects on Malaysian Aggregate and Sectoral Output

The paper analyzes the relative influences of US, Japanese and domestic disturbances on domestic fluctuations for the case of Malaysia. Utilizing VAR framework and quarterly data from 1978 to 1999, we focus on their influences on aggregate fluctuations as well as on sectoral cycles. Our results suggest that aggregate and sectoral output fluctuations originate principally from domestic sources. However, the importance of the US and Japanese business cycles can not be ignored as they exert quite substantial influences on domestic output variability. Comparatively, the Japanese influences seem to be larger. However, from sectoral perspectives, there are disparities in the responses of sectoral output to US and Japanese disturbances. While some sectors are affected more by disturbances in Japan, other sectors seem to be more vulnerable to the US shocks. From a policy point of view, policy designs that ensure predictable domestic macroeconomic environment are most important and they need to be aligned more to those of Japan for curbing output variability. Which sectors should be given focus, however, depends crucially on the sources of disturbances.International Business Cycle Transmissions, Malaysia, Sectoral Output, VAR Analysis

Critical powder loading and the rheology of nanosized cemented carbide with titanium carbide as grain growth inhibitor for injection molding

The purpose of this paper is to determine the critical powder loading of WC-Co and to study the effect of TiC powder on the rheological behavior of MIM feedstock. WC-TiC-6Co metal powder was taken as raw material. 60% (mass fraction) palm stearin and 40% low density polyethylene were employed as binders to prepare injection feedstock. Three feedstocks were prepared at different TiC % loadings of 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 (by weight). A homogeneous metal powders is formed by using ball mill mixer and mixed together with binder system by using Brabender mixer. Based on the result obtained, it was concluded that feedstock with 0.75 wt. % TiC powder show a good pseudo-plastic behavior within acceptable ranges in MIM

Effect of beating process to soda anthraquinone pulp of oil palm male flower spikes fibre

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of beating process to the characteristics of pulp and paper produced from oil palm oil male flower spikes (OPMFS). OPMFS pulp was prepared according to chemical Soda-AQ pulping process. 60 gsm handsheet of oil palm male flower spikes paper were prepared from OPMFS pulp with four different beating times which are O revolution, 1000 revolutions, 2000 revolutions and 3000 revolutions. All physical and mechanical characteristics were investigated according to T APPi and MS ISO standards. The results show that overall physical and mechanical characteristics of POMPS paper were influenced and enhanced by beating process between O until 3000 revolutions. This research demonstrate some potential characteristics of palm oil male flower spikes (OPMFS) paper to be investigated as a newly explored non-wood based raw material for papermaking raw material for papermaking

Soda anthraquinone pulping of oil palm male flower spikes

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of beating process to the characteristics of pulp and paper produced from oil palm oil male flower spikes (OPMFS). OPMFS pulp was prepared according to chemical Soda-AQ pulping process. 60 gsm papersheet of oil palm male flower spiked were prepared from unbeaten and unbleached OPMFS Soda-AQ pulp. All optical, physical and mechanical characteristics were investigated according to TAPPI and MS ISO standards. OPMFS pulp recorded value of 6.42 s, 353 ml, 76.5 %, 36.7 % and 9.35 for drainage time, freeness, moisture content, screened yield percentage and Kappa number respectively..

Carbon mineralization by reaction with steel-making waste: A review

Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is taking the lead as a means for mitigating climate change. It is considered a crucial bridging technology, enabling carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from fossil fuels to be reduced while the energy transition to renewable sources is taking place. CCS includes a portfolio of technologies that can possibly capture vast amounts of CO 2 per year. Mineral carbonation is evolving as a possible candidate to sequester CO2 from medium-sized emissions point sources. It is the only recognized form of permanent CO 2 storage with no concerns regarding CO 2 leakage. It is based on the principles of natural rock weathering, where the CO 2 dissolved in rainwater reacts with alkaline rocks to form carbonate minerals. The active alkaline elements (Ca/Mg) are the fundamental reactants for mineral carbonation reaction. Although the reaction is thermodynamically favored, it takes place over a large time scale. The challenge of mineral carbonation is to offset this limitation by accelerating the carbonation reaction with minimal energy and feedstock consumption. Calcium and magnesium silicates are generally selected for carbonation due to their abundance in nature. Industrial waste residues emerge as an alternative source of carbonation minerals that have higher reactivity than natural minerals; they are also inexpensive and readily available in proximity to CO 2 emitters. In addition, the environmental stability of the industrial waste is often enhanced as they undergo carbonation. Recently, direct mineral carbonation has been investigated significantly due to its applicability to CO 2 capture and storage. This review outlines the main research work carried out over the last few years on direct mineral carbonation process utilizing steel-making waste, with emphasis on recent research achievements and potentials for future research

A Review: Durability of Fired Clay Brick Masonry Wall due to Salt Attack

This paper offers a review on durability of fired clay brick masonry wall due to salt attack. Durability of brick normally affected when an external masonry walls are exposed to aggressive environment. Masonry structures, when subjected to salt attack or exposed to aggressive environment during their service life may suffer degradation due to the formation of crystallization pressure as a result of the evaporation of soluble salt in clay masonry structures. The crystallization pressures produce normally higher than tensile stress of clay brick and sufficient to damage the masonry structures. The mechanism of salt attack must be prevented and addressed thoroughly in order to maintain the integrity and service life of masonry wall. Therefore, the summary of durability, factors, mechanism and main sources of salt attack on fired clay brick masonry walls are discussed

Optimization of injection molding parameters for WC-TaC-6Co

The main purpose of this paper is to optimize the injection moulding parameters of WC-Co with TaC as Grain Growth Inhibitor (GGI), through Design of Experiment – Taguchi Method. The selected responses that need to be controlled are shrinkage and warpage. The parameters that were taken into considerations were GGI percentage, injection temperature, injection pressure and injection speed. In this study, L9 (34) orthogonal array from Taguchi Method was chosen as experimental setup and the responses were analyzed using Minitab version 16. Best parameters combinations chosen are, GGI (0.8 wt. % and 1.2 wt. %), injection temperature (145°C), injection pressure (45% and 55%) and injection speed (40%) for minimal shrinkage and warpage. Based on these findings, it is concluded that by controlling the optimum parameter setting, best quality of desired product can be easily achieved and maintained throughout the process

The prediction of blood–tissue partitions, water–skin partitions and skin permeation for agrochemicals

YesBACKGROUND: There is considerable interest in the blood–tissue distribution of agrochemicals, and a number of researchershave developed experimental methods for in vitro distribution. These methods involve the determination of saline–blood andsaline–tissue partitions; not only are they indirect, but they do not yield the required in vivo distribution.RESULTS: The authors set out equations for gas–tissue and blood–tissue distribution, for partition from water into skin andfor permeation from water through human skin. Together with Abraham descriptors for the agrochemicals, these equationscan be used to predict values for all of these processes. The present predictions compare favourably with experimental in vivoblood–tissue distribution where available. The predictions require no more than simple arithmetic.CONCLUSIONS: The present method represents a much easier and much more economic way of estimating blood–tissuepartitions than the method that uses saline–blood and saline–tissue partitions. It has the added advantages of yielding therequired in vivo partitions and being easily extended to the prediction of partition of agrochemicals from water into skin andpermeation from water through skin