Unit roots and structural breaks: new knowledge for the ASEAN macroeconomic time series model / Tan Yan Ling … [et al.]

The purpose of this study is to carry out a comprehensive examination of the univariate statistical properties in ASEAN macroeconomic time series from 1960 to 2010 using a battery of endogenous break ADF-type unit root tests. Our empirical findings show that number of rejections of a unit root null is relatively higher when considering structural breaks than without breaks in the models. Most index and rate variables can be treated as trend-stationary processes in Indonesia and Malaysia particularly. However, macroeconomic time series under US Dollar and Local currency terms have an opposite findings. As in ZA models, the US Dollar terms denomination series are more favorable of trendstationary processes. Alternatively, the series under Local Currency terms tend to reject the null hypothesis of a unit root for all ASEAN countries except Thailand in LP models. Hence, the shocks to macroeconomic time series are temporary, these series will return to their long run trend rate of growth. Moreover, the break points are closely associated with global economic events such as the first oil shock of 1973-1975, the second oil shock in 1979-1980, the commodity crisis in 1985-1986 and the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998. To this extent, if the shocks to series are transitory, then the macroeconomic stabilization policies may not be over-implemented in ASEAN countries particularly for index and rate variables in Indonesia and Malaysia. The policy authorities may use the historical information to forecast future movements in macroeconomic time series. Lastly, our findings also shed light on the importance of considering exchange rate fluctuations in the process of trendstationary and random walk processes

Hubungan dinamik antara inflasi kemeruapan inflasi dan pertumbuhan output: Bukti empirikal di Malaysia

Purpose – The main purpose of this study was to analyse the dynamic relationship between inflation, inflation uncertainty and output growth in Malaysia for the period 1980 to 2004. Design/Methodology/Approach – The EGARCH model was used to estimate the infl ation uncertainty and the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) technique, which includes the Granger causality test, was employed in the investigation of dynamic relationships between these variables. Findings – There was significant evidence on the existence of one way positive relationships between inflation and inflation uncertainty in Malaysia. Further investigation showed that a high inflation level tends to have a negative effect on output growth. However, there was no significant evidence on the relationship between inflation uncertainty and output growth. Originality/Value – This paper explores the time varying volatility of inflation in Malaysia and investigates the dynamic relationship between inflation, inflation uncertainty, and output growth

Application of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy in treating common psychiatric disorders: study protocol for a scoping review

Introduction Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a well-known intervention for treating borderline personality disorder, and has been increasingly adapted for other disorders. Standard DBT consists of four treatment modes, delivered over a year. Adaptations to DBT include changes to modes of delivery, treatment length, and skills modules taught to clients, or incorporating interventions from other evidence-based therapies. There is a need to synthesise existing evidence on DBT so that stakeholders-clinicians, researchers and policymakers-can understand how it has been provided for various psychiatric conditions, and whether it has been effective. Methods and analysis This study proposes a scoping review conducted according to Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) procedures, to map and summarise the literature on DBT interventions for treating a range of psychiatric concerns. Electronic databases (ie, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, EBSCOhost and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses), conference proceedings and the US National Institutes of Health Ongoing Trial Register will be searched for intervention studies that involve a control or comparison group, and that report quantitative data on pre/post-measures for psychiatric symptom severity. The initial search was conducted on 18 September 2020, and data charting has not commenced. An update will be performed in September 2022, pending this protocol's publication. Data charting will collect individual studies' characteristics, methodology and reported findings. Outcomes will be reported by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for Scoping Reviews. Ethics and dissemination No ethical approval is required for this study. The goal of dissemination is to keep DBT stakeholders abreast on latest updates in clinical applications of DBT. Findings from this research are intended to inform a more specific topic of study (eg, a meta-analysis), to further aid in the development of DBT interventions for psychiatric populations

On the relationship between inflation rate and inflation uncertainty: an application of the GARCH family models

The main objective of this paper is to explore the varying volatility dynamic of inflation rate in Malaysia for the period from January 1980 to December 2004. The GARCH, GARCH-Mean, EGARCH and EGARCH-Mean models are used to capture the stochastic variation and asymmetries in the economic instruments. Results show that the EGARCH model gives better estimates of sub-periods volatility. Further analysis using Granger causality test show that there is sufficient empirical evidence that higher inflation rate level will result in higher future inflation uncertainty and higher level of inflation uncertainty will lead to lower future inflation rate

Recovery of histidine-tagged nucleocapsid protein of Newcastle disease virus using immobilised metal affinity chromatography

An immobilised metal affinity packed bed adsorption chromatography (IMA-PBAC) for the purification of recombinant nucleocapsid protein (NP) of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) directly from clarified feedstock was developed. The XK 16/20 (i.d. = 16 mm) was used as a packed bed column and Streamline chelating adsorbent immobilised with Ni2+ ion was used as IMA adsorbent. This purification method has resulted in a 59% adsorption and 5.6% recovery of NP protein. Adsorbed NP proteins were successfully recovered using a two-step elution protocol which employed elution buffer 1 containing 50 mM imidazole to eliminate contaminating proteins and elution buffer 2 containing 350 mM imidazole to recover the NP protein at pH 8 with flow velocity of 10 cm h−1. About 70% of the adsorbed NP protein was eluted. The purity of the recovered NP protein was about 70% and the volume of processing fluid was reduced by a factor of 4. The antigenic features of purified NP proteins were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis

Purification of recombinant nucleocapsid protein of Newcastle disease virus from unclarified feedstock using expanded bed adsorption chromatography

In the present work, a single-step purification of recombinant nucleocapsid protein (NP) of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) directly from unclarified feedstock using an expanded bed adsorption chromatography (EBAC) was developed. Streamline 25 column (ID = 25 mm) was used as a contactor and Streamline chelating adsorbent immobilized with Ni2+ ion was used as affinity adsorbent. The dynamic binding capacity of Ni2+-loaded Streamline chelating adsorbent for the NP protein in unclarified feedstock was found to be 2.94 mg ml−1 adsorbent at a superficial velocity of 200 cm h−1. The direct purification of NP protein from unclarified feedstock using expanded bed adsorption has resulted in a 31% adsorption and 9.6% recovery of NP protein. The purity of the NP protein recovered was about 70% and the volume of processing fluid was reduced by a factor of 10. The results of the present study show that the IMA-EBAC developed could be used to combine the clarification, concentration and initial purification steps into a single-step operation

Assessment of phytochemical content, polyphenolic composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Leguminosae medicinal plants in Peninsular Malaysia

Background: Many medicinal plants from Leguminosae family can be found easily in Malaysia. These plants have been used as traditional medicines by local ethnic groups, where they are prepared as decoction, pastes for wound infections, and some have been eaten as salad. This paper focused on the assessment of antioxidant potential, antibacterial activity and classes of phytochemicals of nine plants from the Leguminosae family. Methods: Acacia auriculiformis, Bauhinia kockiana, Bauhinia purpurea, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Calliandra tergemina, Cassia surattensis, Leucaena leucocephala, Peltophorum pterocarpum, and Samanea saman were extracted with aqueous methanol and dichloromethane:methanol mixture to test for antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The Folin-Ciocalteu assay was conducted to quantify the total phenolic content and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to determine the free radical quenching capacity. Antibacterial activity was assessed using disc diffusion (Kirby-Bauer) assay. Screening for major classes of phytochemical was done using standard chemical tests. Results: B. kockiana flowers and C. pulcherrima leaves contained high total phenolic content (TPC) and strong DPPH radical scavenging ability with TPC of 8280 ± 498 mg GAE/100 g, IC50 of 27.0 ± 5.0 μg/mL and TPC of 5030 ± 602 mg GAE/100 g, IC50 of 50.0 ± 5.0 μg/mL respectively. Positive correlation was observed between TPC and free radical scavenging ability. Most extracts showed antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacteria at 1 mg, while none showed activity against Gram negative bacteria at the same dose. All extracts (except Samanea saman flower) showed antibacterial activity against two strains of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with MID values ranging between 100 μg/disc and 500 μg/disc. Conclusion: The potential source of antioxidant and antibacterial agents, especially for MRSA infection treatments were found in B. kockiana, C. pulcherrima, C. tergemina and P. pterocarpum. These preliminary results would be a guide in the selection of potential candidates for further pharmacological study and in search of new drug candidate in treating MRSA infections

Stock Returns and Inflation: a Bibliometric Analysis

Purpose:  The challenging economic climate and increasing inflationary pressures have made it necessary to re-evaluate inflation research and its impact on the stock market. The purpose of this study is to use bibliometric analysis to review scholarly writing on stock returns and inflation from 1975 to 2022.   Design/methodology/approach:  This study analyses bibliometric markers such as the number of citations, authors, journals, and institutions using the Web of Science database to discover publishing patterns and illustrate commonalities.   Findings:  The study indicates that the volatility domain has gained more attention, therefore there is a necessity for future research to model predictive accuracy to match the rising volatility and uncertainty environment. Due to the expanding energy theme from bibliographic coupling analysis and the oil-related macroeconomic factors cluster from author keyword co-occurrence analysis, the study revealed a research gap that underlines the need for a green and sustainable stock market.   Research, Practical & Social implications: The study suggests a need for future research to increase academic collaboration and to contribute toward the development of theoretical and empirical literature.   Originality/value:   The results revealed that it is vital to revise the current theory to integrate theoretical implications in light of the volatile market conditions and rising inflation rate