Faisal

Validity of F-H hypothesis in small isolated island economy: an application of the combined cointegration approach*

Abstract This study aims to investigate the Feldstein-Horioka hypothesis for North Cyprus using ARDL bounds test for cointegration for period 1983–2012. The robustness of the ARDL was done by the newly developed Bayer-Hanck (2013) combined cointegration test. The empirical results revealed that both savings and investments are cointegrated, while the findings from the long-run and short-run analysis validate the F-H hypothesis suggesting, that North Cyprus have closed-economy in which domestic investments are related to domestic savings. Furthermore, investment converges to its long-run equilibrium position by 43.95% speed of adjustments using channel of savings. Finally, the result of Granger causality under the framework of ECM suggests that savings cause investment in short-run, long-run and both joint short-run and long-run causality.

Linear and non-linear impact of Internet usage and financial deepening on electricity consumption for Turkey: empirical evidence from asymmetric causality

This study investigates the relationship between Internet usage, financial development, economic growth, capital and electricity consumption using quarterly data from 1993Q1 to 2014Q4. The integration order of the series is analysed using the structural break unit root test. The ARDL bounds test for cointegration in addition to the Bayer–Hanck (2013) combined cointegration test is applied to analyse the existence of cointegration among the variables. The study found strong evidence of a long-run relationship between the variables. The long-run results under the ARDL framework confirm the existence of an inverted U-shaped relationship between financial development and electricity consumption, not only in the long-run, but also in the short-run. The study also confirms the existence of a U-shaped relationship between Internet usage and electricity consumption; however, the effect is insignificant. Additionally, the influence of trade, capital and economic growth is examined in both the long run and short run (ARDL-ECM). Finally, the results of asymmetric causality suggest a positive shock in electricity consumption that has a positive causal impact on Internet usage. The authors recommend that the Turkish Government should direct financial institutions to moderate the investment in the ICT sector by advancing credits at lower cost for purchasing energy-efficient technologies. In doing so, the Turkish Government can increase productivity in order to achieve sustainable growth, while simultaneously reducing emissions to improve environmental quality.

Cancer incidence and mortality are associated with human development index and health setups in Africa

BACKGROUND This study aimed to analyse the correlation between cancer incidence and mortality and the Human Development Index (HDI) in Africa. Furthermore, to analyse the variations in cancer Mortality to Incidence Ratio (MIR) based on health care systems in African countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cancer incidence and mortality data for 53 countries were obtained from GLOBOCAN database. Country-wise data on National-HDI were obtained from Human Development Report 2015. Health System Attainment (HSA) data were acquired from World Health Report 2000. The parametric data were analysed by Pearson-correlation and Linear-regression analysis for the effect of HDI and HSA on MIR in African Countries. One-way ANOVA was used to test the differences of MIR in each HDI group. All analyses were performed in SPSS version 20. RESULTS An inverse correlation was revealed by cancer MIR with both HDI (r=-0.897, p<0.001) and HSA (r=-0.750, p<0.001). A significantly low MIR was reported from high HDI countries compared to medium and low HDI countries by one-way ANOVA analysis (p<0.001). Linear regression analysis also reported a negative effect of MIR with both HDI (adjusted R2=0 0.801, β=-0.897, p<0.001) and HSA (adjusted R2=0.554, β=-0.750, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Based on their HDIs, different African countries has different health system attainments, which is the cause of variations in MIR in these countries. To control their cancer burden, these low and medium HDI countries should focus on improvement of their economic status and policies making, regarding the provision of better health systems to the masses.

Practice of consanguinity and attitudes towards risk in the Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan.

This study aimed to investigate the frequency of consanguineous marriages and level of understanding of consanguinity-associated genetic risks in the Pashtun population, Pakistan. Information was gathered using a detailed questionnaire completed by 1500 individuals of both sexes over the 11-month period between April 2015 and February 2016. The mean inbreeding coefficient of the respondents was calculated and a five-point response scale was used to assess their understanding of consanguinity risks. The frequency of consanguineous marriages in the Pashtun population was found to be 58.3%, with a mean inbreeding coefficient of 0.0259. Marriage between second cousins was found to be the dominant marriage type. Level of education was found to be negatively related to the incidence of consanguineous marriage (p<0.001), and higher consanguinity was reported among the rural than the urban population (p<0.001). Participants in the ≥25-year age group, those with a higher level of education and those residing in urban areas exhibited a significantly higher understanding of consanguinity risks. The overall prevalence of consanguinity in the Pashtun population is high, demonstrating the need for awareness of its risks in the target population. The timely dissemination of information on potential health-related risks and the introduction of genetic counselling in the region would benefit both the individuals concerned and the community in general.