A complementary test for ADF test with an application to the exchange rates returns

This study shows that augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test failed to detect covariance nonstationary series. Supportive of Ahamada (2004), this study finds that the cumulative sums of squares procedure in Inclán and Tiao (1994) is useful to complement the ADF test. As illustration, the ADF test indicates that there is no unit root in the returns of Japanese yen/US dollar, British pound/ US dollar and Swiss franc/US. However, the complementary test reveals that each of these returns contains heterogeneous variance. To sum, it can be concluded that these exchange rate returns are covariance nonstationary although there is no unit root.cumulative sums of squares; covariance nonstationary; exchange rate returns

Forecasting performance of Logistic STAR exchange rate model: The original and reparameterised versions

Exponential Smooth Transition Autoregressive (ESTAR) model is widely adopted in the exchange rate study as its symmetrical distribution matches that of the symmetrical exchange rate adjustment behaviour. In contrast, another specification of STAR model, namely the LSTAR (logistic STAR) model is discarded by most researchers in priori in their exchange rate modeling exercises due to its undesired property of being asymmetry. This study is the first of its kind in examining the validity of this hypothesis that the ESTAR exchange rate model is superior to LSTAR exchange rate model on the basis of forecasting accuracy. Based on the experience of the adjustment process of two nominal exchange rates, we find that the hypothesis is merely theoretical since we fail to provide consistent empirical evidence in favour of the null hypothesis. This warrants us that we need not be too pessimistic on the usage of LSTAR model in exchange rate study. In our effort to rekindle the usage of LSTAR model, we further reparameterized the original version into the so-called absolute version, which has symmetrical distribution properties, in accordance with the well-known symmetrical adjustment process of exchange rate. The resulting ALSTAR model has proven to be a more promising model in the sense that it has improved significantly from its original version as well as the ESTAR model, which has thus far been deemed the most appropriate nonlinear exchange rate model.LSTAR; ESTAR; forecasting accuracy; nonlinear; exchange rate

Meningkatkan Prestasi Carta Kawalan Reja Untuk Mengawal Data Berautokorelasi

Masalah autokorelasi wujud dalam kebanyakan industri pengeluaran pada hari ini. Untuk mengatasi masalah autokorelasi tersebut, banyak kaedah telah dicadangkan oleh penulis-penulis berkenaan seperti Montgomery dan Mastrangelo (1991), Runger dan Willemain (1995), Atienza, Tang dan Ang (2002) dan penulis yang lain. Kaedah yang biasa dicadangkan ialah menggunakan kaedah dua langkah yang melibatkan penggunaan model siri masa. The autocorrelation problem exists m most manufacturing industries today. To overcome the autocorrelation problem, numerous methods have been suggested by the relevant authors such as Montgomery and Mastrangelo (1991), Runger and Willemain (1995), Atienza, Tang and Ang (2002) and other authors. A common method that has been suggested is to use a two-step method which involves the use of a time series mode

Design of the micro hydro power reservoir at kpg semulong ulu

With development of Malaysia, electricity demand increase due to people at the rural area increased awareness for having electricity supply is important in improving their life quality. Exploitation of the considerable potential for hydro power generation recourses from the potential stream where can easily find near to the kampong is an attractive prospect will be a sources for generate power supply. The objective of this project is to design reservoir for replace the existing micro hydro power reservoir at Kpg. Semulong Ulu based on the data finding from the project site. This report present the data finding at the micro hydro system and the proposed design of the reservoir as solution for construct a sustainable and less environment impact reservoir for the villagers. Discussions on the design of the each type propose n reservoir designs are done for recommend the most suitable design for replace the existing reservoir

A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study On The Efficacy Of Bifidobacterium Longum BB536 In Reducing Symptoms Of Respiratory And Gastrointestinal Diseases Among Young Children

Probiotics have been extensively used and may be effective in alleviating symptoms and reducing the occurrences of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases, but their efficacy remains controversial due to strain and host dependency. Children who are attending day care centres have 1.5 to 3.0 times higher risk of getting respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases than those who are not attending day care centres. This randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial which was carried out for a period of 10 months was aimed to evaluate the effects of oral administration of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 in preventing acute diarrhea and/or respiratory-related diseases among young children in Malaysia

ANDROID-BASED MENU APPLICATION FOR CONSUMERS AND MICROENTERPRISES USING GOOGLE PLACES API AND CLICKSTREAM ANALYTICS

Nowadays, mobile applications are growing very rapidly. It is very convenient as most people own a smartphone and stay connected to the Internet all the time. Many mobile applications have been developed to solve daily problems. Therefore, the purpose of this proposed application is to offer a simple marketing tool for microenterprise owners in marketing their products and provide features which consumers can search and view menus at their place before going out. By having this app, it is hoped that it can fill in the gap of current existing solutions to help consumers and microenterprise owners to deal with their shopping and marketing

Assessing the Competitiveness of Malaysia and Indonesia Palm Oil Related Industry

This study aims to examine the comparative advantage of palm oil related products in Malaysia and Indonesia using the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) approach introduced by Balassa (1989). Our findings based on 20 related palm oil products show the following. Firstly, the RCA indexes for these products in both countries are unstable during the analytical period. Secondly, Malaysia is more competitive than Indonesia in most of the downstream palm oil related industries such as S3-42229, S3-42249, S3- 43122, S3-51217, S3-51222 and S3-55419. Thirdly, in some industrial activities, both countries show that the development of certain palm oil industrial products are consistent with the product life cycle (PLC) theory. They are mainly upstream industrial products such as the S3-08138, S3-42221, S3- 42231, S3-42239, and S3-42241 commodities. As the biggest producers of palm oil, both countries should put more emphasis on downstream industrial products--which are of higher value-added--taking the benefit of their comparative advantage in upstream industries

Effectiveness of Online Training for Rural Entrepreneurs During a Global Pandemic

The ability of rural entrepreneurs to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic greatly depends on their knowledge of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to support online business. In this study, online surveys were conducted to assess the readiness and acceptance of rural entrepreneurs in adopting to the pandemic using the available technologies. Data collected were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics using ANOVA. Online training modules were designed based on their specific needs. Although participants indicated that their frequency and skills of using the electronic devices or applications had generally increased or improved after the training, the increment was not statistically significant (α=0.05). This indicated that while the participants, to some extent, benefited from the online training provided, there has not been a significant impact on them

Participation in Physical Activity and Physical Education in School Among Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia After Intensive Chemotherapy

Background: Low physical activity (PA) level has been reported among survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The present study was performed to determine the level of participation in general PA and physical education in school (PES) among children with ALL who completed intensive chemotherapy and identify possible barriers that influence adherence to PA and PES.Methods: A cross-sectional, single-center study was conducted over 1 year in a tertiary pediatric hematology and oncology referral center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A total of 47 children with ALL aged 7–18 years old who were off-treatment and attended school on a regular basis were recruited. A modified structured questionnaire adapted from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, Division of Adolescent and School Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was used to assess the children's level of PA and PES participation.Results: Among the 47 children will ALL included herein, 11 (23.4%) were physically active for at least 60 min a day for 5 days or more, following CDC recommendations. The median duration from completion of intensive chemotherapy was 4.95 years (25th, 3.29; 75th, 7.95). Younger age at study entry (median, 8.7 years old vs. 12.2 years old) and younger age at diagnosis (median, 2.9 years old vs. 4.3 years old) were significantly associated with higher PA level. Almost all children (45/47, 95.7%) participated in PES. Barriers to non-participation in PES mainly included exhaustion or fear of injury.Conclusions: Majority of the children with ALL included herein had low levels of daily PA after intensive chemotherapy. Nonetheless, their participation in PES was encouraging. PA should thus be promoted during and after cessation of ALL treatment to prevent long-term health risks and improve overall quality of life

Students’ perspective on simulation-based learning for undergraduate paediatrics module

The emergence of COVID-19 has greatly disrupted most areas of student lives and medical students are perhaps among those who have been greatly affected, especially in their clinical training. Due to restrictions, bedside teachings and interactions between students and patients were limited, consequently reducing their clinical experience. Thus, simulation-based learning has been incorporated into the Year 4 undergraduate paediatric rotation using various methods such as paediatric mannequin simulators and simulated patients as well as online simulated case discussions. A total of 91 Year 4 undergraduate medical students who participated in this simulation-based teaching and learning method answered a quick survey at the end of their semester to evaluate their acceptance on these newly introduced methods. The students accepted online simulation-based case discussion and role-play using simulated patients as effective teaching and learning methods. However, they ultimately expressed that direct encounter with patients remained the best modality to learn examination skills in paediatric posting. Although simulation-based learning cannot fully replace bedside teaching, it can be incorporated into the undergraduate medical curriculum to complement each other, especially in unprecedented times like this