Development of A PCR - Cycle Sequencing System for Animal Mitochondrial DNA Analysis

A system for the study of sequence polymorphisms in animal mitochondrial DNA was developed. This system consists of two candidate markers which are mitochondrial cytochrome b and D-loop. Six novel primers were constructed for their amplifications by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The primers KY1 and KY2 amplified a 359-bp port ion of the cytochrome b gene from chicken, water buffalo, horse, goat and sheep. Primers UPM257 and UPM258 were used to synthesize a 1.4 Kb-fragment containing the complete chicken mi tochondrial D-loop. Primers LCH4-DO and LCH2-UP paired with primers UPM257 and UPM258 respectively to amplify a 355-bp 5' region and 395-bp 3' region of the D-loop. These primers were specific in their amplifications. The mitochondrial DNA could be amplified from heterogeneous or degraded DNA preparations, as well as directly from blood incubated in proteinase K thus bypassing lengthy DNA isolation steps.Only 5ul of blood was required for a l00-ul PCR. Fort he purification of PCR products, ethanol selective precipitation was found to be both efficient and economical. Despite its lower recovery compared to the Chroma Spin column, sufficient quantity of DNA could be obtained for subsequent sequencing

THE IMPLICATIONS OF EMERGENCE OF CHINA TOWARDS ASEAN-5: FDI-GDP PERSPECTIVE

The relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Gross Domestic Products (GDP) had become the centre piece of recent researches in identifying the short run and long run implications between the two variables. Using the hypotheses of FDI led GDP and GDP led FDI as theoretical framework, this study intends to analyze the implications of the rise of China towards the ASEAN-5 countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand from the perspective of FDI and GDP. The cointegration and vector error correlation estimate test results showed that there is a significant positive long run relationship between FDI of China and GDP of ASEAN-5. However, we failed to detect any short run causal relationship among the variables under study.Cointegration; Granger causality; FDI; ASEAN-5

THE IMPLICATIONS OF EMERGENCE OF CHINA TOWARDS ASEAN-5: FDI-GDP PERSPECTIVE

The relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Gross Domestic Products (GDP) had become the centre piece of recent researches in identifying the short run and long run implications between the two variables. Using the hypotheses of FDI led GDP and GDP led FDI as theoretical framework, this study intends to analyze the implications of the rise of China towards the ASEAN-5 countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand from the perspective of FDI and GDP. The cointegration and vector error correlation estimate test results showed that there is a significant positive long run relationship between FDI of China and GDP of ASEAN-5. However, we failed to detect any short run causal relationship among the variables under study.Foreign Direct Investment; Gross Domestic Product; ASEAN-5; China

Differential effects of calcium- and vitamin D-fortified milk with FOS-inulin compared to regular milk, on bone biomarkers in Chinese pre- and postmenopausal women

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of a high-calcium vitamin D-fortified milk with added FOS-inulin versus regular milk on serum parathyroid hormone, and bone turnover markers in premenopausal (Pre-M) and postmenopausal (PM) women over 12 weeks. METHODS: Premenopausal women (n = 136, mean age 41 (±5) years) and postmenopausal women [n = 121, mean age 59 (±4) years] were recruited, and each age group randomised into two groups to take two glasses per day of control = regular milk (500 mg calcium per day) or intervention (Int) = fortified milk (1000 mg calcium for pre-M women and 1200 mg calcium for PM women, 96 mg magnesium, 2.4 mg zinc, 15 µg vitamin D, 4 g FOS-inulin per day). At baseline, week 4 and week 12 serum minerals and bone biochemical markers were measured and bone density was measured at baseline. RESULTS: Mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) vitamin D3] levels among groups were between 49 and 65 nmol/L at baseline, and over the 12 weeks of supplementation, the fortified milk improved vitamin D status in both Int groups. CTx-1 and PINP reduced significantly in both Pre-M and PM groups over the 12 weeks, with the changes in CTx-1 being significantly different (P < 0.035) between PM control and PM Int groups at week 12. Parathyroid hormone levels were significantly reduced in all groups over time, except for control PM group where levels increased at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: The overall pattern of responses indicates that while both regular milk and fortified milk reduce bone resorption in young and older women, fortified milk is measurably more effective

Testing the Effectiveness of Monetary Policy in Malaysia Using Alternative Monetary Aggregation

The capability of monetary aggregates to generate stable link with fundamental economic indicators verifies the effectiveness of monetary targeting. However, traditional monetary aggregates have become flawed when financial reforms take place. As official monetary aggregates fail to maintain stable link with crucial economic indicators in Malaysia, monetary targeting has been substituted by interest rate targeting. Therefore, Divisia monetary aggregates, which are considered more superior than the simple sum counterparts are used in the investigation for the case of Malaysia. The findings imply that Divisia M2 money demand is stable and is capable to generate appropriate coefficients with correct signs for the variables included. Thus, Divisia money has shed new light on the usefulness of monetary targeting in formulating monetary policy in Malaysia.Divisia money; Money demand; Error-correction model

Testing Stationarity of Budgetary Position in Developing Countries

In this paper, we examine stationarity properties of data on budget deficits for a cluster of twenty-seven developing countries (D-27) for the period spanning 1970 to 2003. It has been argued in the literature that this statistical property correlates well with the economic property of sustainability of the budget deficit. The univariate unit root tests indicated a non-stationary process of I(1) with the exception of three countries. However, the non-stationary properties were rejected when the panel unit roots procedures were adopted. Since panel procedures provide greater power, the statistical evidence favors stationarity. This in turn suggests that budgets deficits in our sample of countries are sustainable, an important conclusion with many real world economic implications. The conflict between single country results and panel results suggests that univariate procedures may lead to the wrong conclusions.Budgetary Position, Stationarity, Sustainability, Government Intertemporal Budget Constraint

Volatility Co-movement of ASEAN-5 Equity Markets

Purpose – Economic cross-linkages and the increased co-movement of asset prices across international markets are important outcomes as the result of globalization. Hereby, the nature of international stock markets and the extent to which the 1997-1998 East Asian turmoil had affected the market relationship of five countries of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN-5) remain as probing questions. Design/methodology/approach – We resort to the standard time series econometrics analysis. These include the unit root, cointegration and the Granger causality tests. Hereby, further empirical analyzes is conducted upon two sub-periods of interest: (1) pre-crisis period from 1987:1 to 1997:7 and (2) post-crisis period from 1997:8 to 2007:12. This is to allow for possible transitional motion leading to and departing from the crisis. Findings – Using an array of econometrics analysis upon the stock price volatility series, we found partial market integration for the pre-crisis; whereas in the post-crisis, complete integration prevails. Hence, the financial meltdown in 1997 is said to be a contagion led crisis as markets integrate well off after the crisis than prior to it. Nonetheless, long run portfolio asset diversification benefits across the ASEAN-5 basin are reduced as markets are integrated in both the pre- and post-crisis. Originality/value – The paper is of value by showing to uncover the issue of interdependence of stock market integration focusing on the ASEAN-5 economies. The formation of the ASEAN Investment Area (AIA- 1998) parallel with the establishment of a developed ASEAN Index-Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) regional index is viable to foster deeper regional market convergence.ASEAN-5, Portfolio Diversification, Volatility co-movement

Revisiting Purchasing Power Parity for Central Asian Countries Using Threshold Cointegration Tests

This study finds evidence supportive of the Purchasing Power Parity for Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan using threshold cointegration tests. This finding suggests the existence of an asymmetry relationship between exchange rate and relative prices. The asymmetric relationship may be due to the heavily regulated price and exchange rate systems in these transition economies for the benefits of trade competiveness.Purchasing Power Parity, Asymmetry, Threshold Cointegration; Transition Economies, Central Asia

Fibre from pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seeds and rinds : physico-chemical properties, antioxidant capacity and application as bakery product ingredients.

Introduction: The aims of this study were to determine the proximate composition, functional properties and antioxidant activity of pumpkin seeds and rind. Besides, the effects of dietary fibre in pumpkin seeds and rinds on bread qualities and properties were evaluated. Methods: Formulations for bread substituted with 0%, 5% and 10% pumpkin seed and rind, respectively were produced. Sensory evaluation of the prepared bread samples for such attributes as appearance, aroma, flavour, texture and overall acceptability was undertaken. The physical properties of the bread samples, including dough expansion, loaf volume, crumb colour and bread texture, were determined. Proximate analysis and determination of antioxidant activity of the bread samples were also conducted. Results: Crude fibre of the pumpkin seeds and pumpkin rinds was high at 31.48% and 14.83%, respectively. The total phenolic compound (TPC) and DPPH radical scavenging activity for the pumpkin rinds were 38.60 mg GAE/ 100 g dry weight and 69.38%, respectively, which were higher than those of pumpkin seeds. A 5% level of pumpkin rind bread gave the best overall acceptability and sensory attributes, followed by 5% pumpkin seed bread. Total dietary fibre, total phenolic compound and DPPH radical scavenging activity in breads substituted with 5% pumpkin seed and 5% pumpkin rind flour were higher than the values in control bread. Conclusion: Pumpkin seeds and rinds can be used as dietary fibre sources in bakery

Domestic fuel price and economic sectors in Malaysia: a future of renewable energy?

This study empirically examines the relation between the domestic fuel prices with the ten disaggregated economic sectors in Malaysia with the spanning of data from 1990:Q1 to 2007:Q4. We found that only three sectors (agriculture, trade and other services sectors) are cointegrated with the fuel price and fuel price does Granger cause these sectors. Despite the evidence of non-cointegrated in most of the economic sectors, fuel price able to influence these sectors over a longer period. Policy recommendation from this study includes the utilization of the renewable energy (RE) as a strategic plan is the long-term solution due to the high dependency and increasing demand of energy. While energy prices have experienced some correction in response to signs of slower global growth, sufficient government enforcement and support need to be established to facilitate successful renewable energy implementation in Malaysia.Fuel price, Economic sector, Granger causality, Renewable Energy, Growth