Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationThe study estimates economic growth in eight selected East Asian countries using two growth models from two competing schools of thought. The first model is the Post-Keynesian model (Balance-of-Payment Constrained growth model). In this model, demand variables from export and capital inflows determine the limit of economic growth in the long run. The study uses prior estimates income elasticity of demand for import and export using a two-stage least square technique to eliminate the endogeniety problem then it calculates the predicted growth by the definition of the Balance-of-Payment Constrained growth model. The second model is the neoclassical model developed from Solow growth model focusing on the supply side variables determining economic growth. The study relaxes the assumption of exogenous technology and makes it endogenous of capital inflows. Two predicted output growth series from two models are obtained for each country and for the balanced panel data for the whole region. The performance of each model is evaluated by two methods: the discrimination approach and the discerning approach. The study found that the output growth series defined by the augmented Solow growth model can better explain the actual growth than the output growth series from the Balance-of-Payment Constrained Model. In addition, the study hypothesized that financial structure is one of the important factors that these two models omitted. A set of financial variables representing a different part of the financial structure is used for explaining the error series from both growth models. The results show that the selected financial variables can better explain the error from the Post-Keynesian model than the error from the neoclassical growth model

Morphological and chemical characterization of mineral concretions in the freshwater bivalve Anodonta cygnea (Unionidae)

The freshwater mussel Anodonta cygnea is commonly used as a model organism for biomineralization studies, its peculiar morphofunctional properties also make it an excellent environmental biomonitor. The first detailed on the calcareous concretions from gill and mantle tissue, as well as fluids of the freshwater bivalve A. cygnea, supported by histological, scanning, spectrometry, and spectroscopy analyses. Through these analyses, the morphology, structure, and chemical characterization of these biomineral concretions were accomplished. The concretions represent a high percentage of the dry weight of these organisms. In gill tissue, it can reach up to 50% of dry weight prior to reproductive maturity. Analysis of elemental composition of the tissue concretions showed the presence of calcium and phosphate, as main components, associated with other residual elements like iron, manganese, magnesium, and zinc. Concretions are arranged in concentric alternated layers of organic and inorganic matrix. The shape and size of the concretions vary substantially, from very small, less than 1 µm diameter with very regular round structure, found mainly in the mantle tissue, to more than 50 µm length with irregular globular clusters, found predominantly in the gills. The microstructural organization is of a hydroxyapatite polymorphism in the mantle, in contrast to the gills, which exhibit irregular structure and carbonated hydroxyapatite polymorphism. These differences are supported by higher contents of dinitrogen pentoxide, magnesium, and iron in the mantle concretions, but higher contents of manganese and zinc in the gills. Furthermore, the results indicate that the mineral concretion formation in A. cygnea is a hemocytes reaction to particle or toxic invasions. A second relevant role, concerns the close involvement of these microspherules on the adult and larval shell calcification

Tourism-Led Growth Hypothesis and Foreign Direct Investment in ASEAN

This study tests the relationships of visitor spending, foreign direct investment in the tourism sector, and the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the period of 1988 to 2011 to prove the tourism-led growth hypothesis. The results of panel regression show that tourism-led growth hypothesis is valid for the ASEAN countries. Factors determining the GDP per capita in these countries are visitor spending, foreign investment and government consumption in tourism sector, human capital and trade openness. The results from this study suggest that the governments of the ASEAN countries are able to have effective growth policies by encouraging foreign direct investment in the tourism sector and improving their human capital. Therefore, ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) which will strengthen and facilitate investment cooperation and human capital developments in the tourism sector among ASEAN countries will have a significant benefit to economic growth in the region. </jats:p

Double Dualism, Economic Growth Slowdown, and Falling Income Inequality in Thailand

Thailand has experienced a decline in income inequality coupled with unimpressive economic growth since the end of the 1997/98 Asian financial crisis. This paper uses the structuralist approach to understand how these concurrent economic phenomena have become deeply intertwined. We argue that this intertwining results from Thailand’s economic structure, manifesting two types of dualism: (i) the dualism of the formal–informal sectors and (ii) the dualism of the dynamic–stagnant sectors. A decline in the informal sector in recent years coincides with a decrease in income inequality. Further, the second type of dualism between the dynamic and stagnant sectors has emerged since 2000. The stagnant sectors’ employment share has grown faster than that of the dynamic sectors, resulting in a slowdown in economic growth and less inequality. The decline of the informal sector and the rise of the stagnant sectors are the primary engines weighing down economic growth and reducing income inequality in Thailand

Development of Enzymes and In Vitro

The work focuses on development of digestive enzymes (amylase, total protease, trypsin, and chymotrypsin) and activity ratio of trypsin to chymotrypsin (T/C ratio) for digestive efficiency and growth, in blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) during metamorphosis and molting. Specific activities of all enzyme parameters studied were associated with growth during metamorphosis, while only those of trypsin and T/C ratio were associated during molting cycle where trypsin and chymotrypsin specific activities associated with consumption rate with especially high levels during late intermolt and early premolt stages. About 50% increased weight gain was observed with at least double increased T/C ratio at the end of molting period, compared to the stages prior to molting. Growth of carapace would be more significant after finishing molting. Carapace width gain and T/C ratio were highest at the first crab stage. Studies of in vitro protein digestibility of different feed raw materials indicated that Artemia, Rotifer, and Moina are the best for larval stages. Otherwise, the use of shrimp feed and Artemia flake could be the alternatives. Incorporating of cassava meal into the feed formula for early adult stage (juvenile) could be an advantage. The proteins from animals are more beneficial for adult crab culture than the proteins from plants and bacteria. The digestible quality of dietary protein is very important during larval stages, while the protein level of diet is more important during adult stages with fully developed digestive enzymes

Effect of dietary supplementation of minerals premix on growth performances and return in red tilapia (Oreochromis nilloticus x Oreochromis mossambicus)

Tilapia is a popular fish for consumers and aquaculture in every part of Thailand. This study was conducted to determine the level of mineral supplementation in the diet for the growth of red tilapia fingerlings, which gave the lower fish production cost. The fingerlings with an initial average weight of 3.1 ± 0.48 g and a length of 2.5±0.24 cm were raised in 3 m3 concrete tank with 1.5 m3 of water volume at 20 fish/m2 stocking density. Fish were fed with pellets diet (28 % crude protein), which contained different levels of mineral supplements (0 (control), 20 and 40 g/Kg) in triplicate replications. The experiment was conducted within 80 days. The results showed that fish fed with diet3 had better average daily weight gain (ADG) and food conversion ratio (FCR) than diet2 and diet1 significantly (P&lt;0.05). The ADG and FCR of fish fed with diet3 showed 0.70 ± 0.02, 1.72 ± 0.02 respectively, but there was a non-significant difference in survival rate from all treatments (P&gt;0.05), and the fish production cost of diet 3 is lower than those in diet1 and diet2. Thus, this experiment concluded that minerals supplementation at the level 40 g/kg diet were suitable for tilapia aquaculture.</jats:p