Finance, Trade and Economic Growth in Thirteen Asian Developing Countries

The main purpose of this study is to empirically assess the impact of financial deepening, export and investment, on economic growth in thirteen Asian developing economies. To achieve that end, the bivariate relationship between economic growth and three macroeconomic variables are tested through these bivariate models, namely: finance-led, export-led and investment-led. To address the mis-specification problem inherent in the bivariate studies, a multivariate V AR framework is then utilised to investigate the long-run relationships among these four variables. Annual data is used in the analysis covering the period from as early as 1950 to 1996. The Asian countries selected included Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The empirical evidence obtained from this study suggest the following: for the bivariate studies, results from the finance-led model suggest a bi-directional relationship between financial deepening and economic growth in South Korea,Taiwan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. For Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, India and Myanmar, the evidence supported the "demand following" hypothesis. For the exportled model, causality results on export-led growth versus growth-led export are mixed and, in some cases, contradictory. When investment-led model is utilised, there exhibit one-way Granger causal relationship from investment to growth for South Korea and Thailand whereas the reverse relationship is shown in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. The feedback relationship is found in the case of Taiwan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Under the multivariate V AR framework, long-run relationships between the investigated variables are identified in a cointegrating framework, suggesting the increasing degree of interdependence of these three macroeconomic variables with economic growth. Overall result has purported the significance of open economy structure, and outward looking trade policies in stimulating the economic growth of many developing economies. Hence, the continuation of open-door economic policies in developing economies is warranted, and integrating these economies more closely to the international economies

PRODUCTION OF METAL-BASED IMPLANTS FOR CYRO-FACIAL INJURIES (BLUEPRINTS)

The main objective of this project is to propose a design for a progressive die for the production of metal based implants for Cyro-facial injuries. The bulk of the work would be to produce the detailed design drawings or blueprints for each progressive die components and to suggest the appropriate process plans for the fabrication of the respective progressive die components. The main concentration is put in producing the blueprint~ of a progressive die to produce the I-shaped metal implants. Throughout the first semester, literature reviews are done to gain knowledge about the working principle of the progressive die and how to design the various die components needed in the progressive die. Other than that, literature reviews are also done to gain information about the minimum tolerances, clearances and angular relief that need to be applied to each die components to ensure the quality of the progressive die and also the metal implants that will be produced by the progressive die. The basic step in producing a progressive die is to produce the blank layout. There are many ways in laying out the scrap strip. However, for this particular project, the blanks are laid out by adopting the narrow-run, one-pass layout. To optimize the usage of the material strip while ensuring the quality of the produced implants, minimum bridge allowances are applied between blanks and between blanks and edges of the strip. After calculation, the blanking force needed to cut the blank from the strip is 33707.52 N and since the press capacities are usua:lly in tons, a press of more than 3. 789 tons should be chosen to produce this particular metal implants. Other than that, it is also found that, a total of 63 metal implants can be produced from a 1 m material strip. On the other hand, in designing the die components, care had been taken in assigning the correct clearances, angular relief, allowances and tolerances for each part of the die components. This is to ensure the success of the particular progressive die. In general, the material selected for the implants are titanium and stainless steel strips while for the die components, are tool steels, mild steel and cast steel. The main processes involved for fabricating the die components are Wire EDM and milling

Self-employment in Scotland : trends and its implications for productivity

Self-employment in Scotland has grown significantly in recent years, faster than in many other countries. It has accounted for almost half of overall employment growth over the past decade and over 80% of the growth in the number of businesses in Scotland. Self-employment in Scotland, however, accounts for just over 1 in 10 jobs, lower than in many other countries. This paper outlines recent trends in the growth in self-employment in Scotland, summarises the likely reasons, highlights the characteristics of the self-employed and considers the implications for productivity and economic growth. It notes that productivity levels of self-employed businesses are significantly lower than larger businesses, as are earnings of the self-employed vis-à-vis employees. The fast growth in the number of low productivity, self-employed businesses in Scotland may, in part, explain Scotland’s overall mediocre productivity performance

Scotland’s international export performance : some recent evidence

This paper outlines the latest data and evidence on Scotland’s export performance and highlights key changes over the past decade. Exporting, for the purposes of this paper, is defined as sales to overseas markets. Scotland’s international exports have changed significantly over the past 10 years. The overall nominal value of international sales has grown since 2005 but the number of exporting businesses has declined, with the result that Scotland’s exports are increasingly reliant on the performance of fewer firms. The sectoral composition of Scottish exports has also changed significantly: in manufacturing, the main change has been from electronics to food & drink and chemicals. Additionally, the overall contribution of Services exports, such as financial and business services, has been important. Developed economies, particularly the EU and US, are Scotland’s largest export markets with emerging economies beginning to comprise a larger proportion of Scottish exports, albeit from a low base. A key factor in raising Scottish exports from current levels will be to increase the number of exporting businesses. Evidence suggests only a very small number of non-exporting businesses (3%) plan to start exporting. However, for example, if Scotland had an export rate similar to that of the UK there would be an additional 2,500 exporting businesses

Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah Matematika dengan Model Pembelajaran Matematika Bahasa Inggris (Mating) di Sekolah Dasar

ABSTRAK Model pembelajaran “Mating†adalah model pembelajaran Matematika-Bahasa Inggris yang menggunakan sintaks model pembelajaran RME. Pembelajaran ini dapat meningkatkan kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematika dan Bahasa Inggris siswa. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode penelitian dan pengembangan (R&D) model Borg and Gall. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa terdapat peningkatan kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematika siswa di Sekolah Dasar perbatasan Entikong (Indonesia-Malaysia) setelah menerapkan model pembelajaran “Matingâ€. Adapun hasil uji coba kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematika dan kemampuan Bahasa Inggris siswa setelah proses pembelajaran dengan menggunakan model pembelajaran “Mating†pada kelompok kecil mengalami peningkatan sebesar 30%, sedangkan pada uji coba kelompok besar tersebut meningkat sebesar 51,785%. Sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa kemampuan pemecahan masalah Matematika dan Bahasa Inggris siswa kelas III SDN No.12 Entikong dapat ditingkatkan dengan penerapan model pembelajaran “Matingâ€.  ABSTRACT Mating learning model is a learning model of Mathematic and English used RME learning model syntax. This learning can increase the ability of Mathematic problem solving and English. The research used a research and development method (R&D) by Borg and Gall method. The result of this research shows that there is an increase of the problem solving and Mathematic-English ability of elementary student in border area-Entikong (Indonesia-Malaysia) after applying this “Mating†method. While, trial test result of Mathematic problem solving and English in a small group after applying this method increases to 30%, whereas, the trial test result in a big group increases to 51,785%. So that, it concludes that the ability of Mathematic problem solving and English in the third grade student of public elementary school number 12 Entikong can be developed by learning model “Matingâ€

PRODUCTION OF METAL-BASED IMPLANTS FOR CYRO-FACIAL INJURIES (BLUEPRINTS)

The main objective of this project is to propose a design for a progressive die for the production of metal based implants for Cyro-facial injuries. The bulk of the work would be to produce the detailed design drawings or blueprints for each progressive die components and to suggest the appropriate process plans for the fabrication of the respective progressive die components. The main concentration is put in producing the blueprint~ of a progressive die to produce the I-shaped metal implants. Throughout the first semester, literature reviews are done to gain knowledge about the working principle of the progressive die and how to design the various die components needed in the progressive die. Other than that, literature reviews are also done to gain information about the minimum tolerances, clearances and angular relief that need to be applied to each die components to ensure the quality of the progressive die and also the metal implants that will be produced by the progressive die. The basic step in producing a progressive die is to produce the blank layout. There are many ways in laying out the scrap strip. However, for this particular project, the blanks are laid out by adopting the narrow-run, one-pass layout. To optimize the usage of the material strip while ensuring the quality of the produced implants, minimum bridge allowances are applied between blanks and between blanks and edges of the strip. After calculation, the blanking force needed to cut the blank from the strip is 33707.52 N and since the press capacities are usua:lly in tons, a press of more than 3. 789 tons should be chosen to produce this particular metal implants. Other than that, it is also found that, a total of 63 metal implants can be produced from a 1 m material strip. On the other hand, in designing the die components, care had been taken in assigning the correct clearances, angular relief, allowances and tolerances for each part of the die components. This is to ensure the success of the particular progressive die. In general, the material selected for the implants are titanium and stainless steel strips while for the die components, are tool steels, mild steel and cast steel. The main processes involved for fabricating the die components are Wire EDM and milling

The DQA₂ locus of the ovine major histocompatibility complex : characterisation, polymorphism and associations with footrot

Footrot is one of the most economically important diseases affecting the sheep industry in New Zealand. Losses in production from the disease and expenditure on treatment have been estimated to cost the New Zealand agricultural industry up to 100 million dollars per annum. None of the treatment options currently available are completely effective in reducing the economic impact of the disease, and are undesirable because of the possible impact on consumer health and the environment. One option that has not been fully investigated is the possibility of controlling footrot by exploiting natural variation in resistance. Variation in natural resistance to footrot is genetically derived. A number of heritable factors may be involved, and many of these interact with the environment to affect disease status. This implies that genetic markers for footrot resistance may exist, allowing the selection of superior animals. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is central to the immune response. Research has shown that genetic variation within this region is associated with natural resistance to footrot. Genes within the MHC may be able to act as a genetic marker to enable the selection of animals that are naturally more resistant to footrot. In this study association between variation within the ovine class II DQA₂ gene and resistance to footrot was investigated in four different flocks from three different sheep breeds; Awassi, Corriedale and Merino. Half-sib progeny were typed at the DQA₂ locus using TaqI RFLP and Southern hybridisation typing. The animals were subjected to a footrot challenge, and their condition subsequently recorded to investigate associations between the inherited DQA₂ haplotype and footrot status. Within the Awassi flock, the D and C alleles associated with resistance (P ≤ 0.05), while the L allele associated with susceptibility (P ≤ 0.05). No significant associations were observed within the Corriedale flock, a result attributed to the challenge, where drought conditions led to poor disease transmission, and unreliable disease classification. Two new banding patterns were observed in the Merinos, and were tentatively defined as alleles Q and R. In the two Merino flocks, the G and C alleles were observed to significantly associate with resistance (P ≤ 0.05), while the E allele associated with susceptibility (P ≤ 0.05). The data from the four flocks were pooled, which enabled twelve DQA₂ alleles (B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, and N), to be ranked in terms of their relative footrot susceptibility or resistance. The G allele appeared to be most strongly associated with resistance (P ≤ 0.01), whilst the I allele appeared to be most strongly associated with susceptibility (P ≤ 0.01). Additional variation was detected at the ovine DQA₂ locus by cloning and sequencing a number of DQA₂ alleles, with sub-division of the G, C and F alleles into G1, G2, C1, C2, C3, F1 and F2. A total of fourteen different DQA₂ sequences were obtained. Alignment of all the sequences revealed that the E, G2 and H allelic sequences were conserved across different breeds. Sequences obtained from the F allele did however, show breed-specific differences, with two F allele sequences being identified. F1 came from a mixed breed, which was a Coopworth x Perendale cross, while F2 came from a Romney. In addition, the sequence data provided evidence of a DQA₂ duplication in some sheep, with the G 1 allele sharing closer homology to a putative bovine DQA₃gene, than with other ovine DQA₂ sequences. The putative DQA₃ gene appeared to associate with a DQA₁-null haplotype. Sequence analysis also suggested that DQA₂ alleles E and C2 may not be expressed because of the lack of a splice site at the end of exon 2. From the sequence information obtained the structure of the ovine DQA₂ antigen-binding groove could be predicted. This enabled the antigen-peptide binding ability of different alleles to be compared

Sectoral influences on Scotland's productivity performance

Productivity is an important driver of economic growth and a key determinant of wages and living standards. Scotland’s productivity performance is below a number of other economies, and the Scottish Government’s ambition is to match the performance of the top quartile of OECD countries. This paper considers the role that Scotland’s sectoral employment structure has played in recent productivity performance. The findings show that a majority of Scotland’s employment is in sectors that have below overall average productivity levels, and the employment levels in these sectors has increased in recent years. Conversely, employment has declined in a number of sectors that have above overall average productivity. Also, productivity levels in a number of large employing sectors have increased, but this has been offset to an extent by falling productivity in others. Sectoral employment and productivity trends have slowed the overall growth of productivity in Scotland. The paper then considers the implications for future forecast employment growth on productivity performance