Will the leading firm continue to dominate the market in the Taiwan notebook industry?

This study investigates whether the market share leader in the notebook industry in Taiwan is likely to maintain its dominant position. Market share data are used to investigate the intensity of competitiveness in the industry, and data on the gap in market shares are employed to elucidate the dominance of the leading firm in Taiwan's notebook industry during the 1998-2004 period. The newly developed Panel SURADF tests advanced by Breuer et al. [Misleading inferences from panel unit root tests with an illustration from purchasing power parity, Rev. Int. Econ. 9 (3) (2001) 482-493] are employed to determine whether the market share gap is stationary or not. Unlike other panel-based unit root tests which are joint tests of a unit root for all members of a panel and are incapable of determining the mix of I(0) and I(1) series in a panel setting, the Panel SURADF tests have the advantage of being able to investigate a separate unit root null hypothesis for each individual panel member and are, therefore, able to identify how many and which series in a panel are stationary processes. The empirical results from several panel-based unit root tests substantiate that the market shares of the firms studied here are non-stationary, indicating that Taiwan's notebook industry is highly competitive; however, Breuer et al.'s [12] Panel SURADF tests unequivocally show that only Compal is stationary with respect to market share gap. In terms of sales volume, Compal is the second largest firm in the notebook industry in Taiwan, and the results indicate that it alone has the opportunity to become the market share leader in the notebook industry.     

Are per capita incomes of MENA countries converging or diverging?

This study considers the issue of income convergence among the MENA (Middle East and North African) countries by using real per capita incomes over the period 1950-2006. We employed (Kapetanios et al. 2003) [21] unit root test by incorporating an additive constant and a trend component as Chong et al. (2008) [20] did in their study and found most of the MENA countries diverging during the sample period.     

The impact of GARCH on asymmetric unit root tests

Using Monte Carlo simulation, threshold autoregressive (TAR) and momentum-threshold autoregressive (MTAR) asymmetric unit root tests are examined in the presence of generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH). It is shown that TAR and MTAR unit root tests exhibit greater size distortion than the original (implicitly symmetric) Dickey–Fuller unit root test when applied to series exhibiting GARCH. Importantly, it is found that the use of consistent-threshold estimation increases the oversizing of the resulting asymmetric unit root test whether based upon the TAR or the MTAR model. The extent of oversizing of all tests considered is shown to be positively dependent upon the size of the volatility parameter of the GARCH model. The relevance of the simulation analysis conducted is supported by GARCH modelling of the term structure of US interest rates. The results of the current analysis indicate that if GARCH behaviour is suspected in economic or financial data, practitioners should interpret the results of asymmetric unit root tests with care to avoid drawing a spurious inference of stationarity. The paper concludes by suggesting future areas of research prompted by the present findings.     

Azimuthal sound localization using coincidence of timing across frequency on a robotic platform

An algorithm for localizing a sound source with two microphones is introduced and used in real-time situations. This algorithm is inspired by biological computation of interaural time difference as occurring in the barn owl and is a modification of the algorithm proposed by Liu et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 110, 3218-3231 (2001)] in that it creates a three-dimensional map of coincidence location. This eliminates localization artifacts found during tests with the original algorithm. The source direction is found by determining the azimuth at which the minimum of the response in an azimuth-frequency matrix occurs. The system was tested with a pan-tilt unit in real-time in an office environment with signal types ranging from broadband noise to pure tones. Both open loop (pan-tilt unit stationary) and closed loop experiments (pan-tilt unit moving) were conducted. In real world situations, the algorithm performed well for all signal types except pure tones. Subsequent room simulations showed that localization accuracy decreases with decreasing direct-to-reverberant ratio.     

Rupture energy of a pendular liquid bridge

We propose a simple expression for the rupture energy of a pendular liquid bridge between two spheres, taking into account capillary and viscous (lubrication) forces. In the case of capillary forces only, the results are in accordance with curve fitting expressions proposed by Simons et al. [2] and Willett et al. [5]. We performed accurate measurements of the force exerted by liquid bridges between two spheres. Experimental results are found to be close to theoretical values. A reasonable agreement is also found in the presence of viscous forces. Finally, for small bridge volumes, the rupture criterion given by Lian et al. [10] is modified, taking into account additional viscous effects. Received 18 September 2000 and Received in final form 10 June 2001     

Parameter identification of chaos system based on unknown parameter observer

Parameter identification of chaos system based on unknown parameter observer is discussed generally. Based on the work of Guan et al. [X.P. Guan, H.P. Peng, L.X. Li, et al., Acta Phys. Sinica 50 (2001) 26], the design of unknown parameter observer is improved. The application of the improved approach is extended greatly. The works in some literatures [X.P. Guan, H.P. Peng, L.X. Li, et al., Acta Phys. Sinica 50 (2001) 26; J.H. Lü, S.C. Zhang, Phys. Lett. A 286 (2001) 148; X.Q. Wu, J.A. Lu, Chaos Solitons Fractals 18 (2003) 721; J. Liu, S.H. Chen, J. Xie, Chaos Solitons Fractals 19 (2004) 533] are only the special cases of our Corollaries 1 and 2. Some observers for Lü system and a new chaos system are designed to test our improved method, and simulations results demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the improved approach.     

Continuous Time Open Quantum Random Walks and Non-Markovian Lindblad Master Equations

A new type of quantum random walks, called Open Quantum Random Walks, has been developed and studied in Attal et al. (Open quantum random walks, preprint) and (Central limit theorems for open quantum random walks, preprint). In this article we present a natural continuous time extension of these Open Quantum Random Walks. This continuous time version is obtained by taking a continuous time limit of the discrete time Open Quantum Random Walks. This approximation procedure is based on some adaptation of Repeated Quantum Interactions Theory (Attal and Pautrat in Annales Henri Poincaré Physique Théorique 7:59–104, 2006) coupled with the use of correlated projectors (Breuer in Phys Rev A 75:022103, 2007). The limit evolutions obtained this way give rise to a particular type of quantum master equations. These equations appeared originally in the non-Markovian generalization of the Lindblad theory (Breuer in Phys Rev A 75:022103, 2007). We also investigate the continuous time limits of the quantum trajectories associated with Open Quantum Random Walks. We show that the limit evolutions in this context are described by jump stochastic differential equations. Finally we present a physical example which can be described in terms of Open Quantum Random Walks and their associated continuous time limits.     

Extra interference effects in SEXAFS

Following the analysis of Abraham et al., Phys. Rev. B18 (1978) 6702, we have derived the consequences for SEXAFS of treating the photoexcitation and the decay (Auger or fluorescence) as a one-step process. The detected current is not simply proportional to the absorption cross section. The two cases of extra-atomic and intra-atomic interferences are studied and shown to give non-negligible contributions to the amplitude of the oscillations of the current with the photon frequency. A correct study of the coordination number of an atom should thus take them into account.     

The importance of cochlear processing for the formation of auditory brainstem and frequency following responses

A model for the generation of auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and frequency following responses (FFRs) is presented. The model is based on the concept introduced by Goldstein and Kiang [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 30, 107-114 (1958)] that evoked potentials recorded at remote electrodes can theoretically be given by convolution of an elementary unit waveform (unitary response) with the instantaneous discharge rate function for the corresponding unit. In the present study, the nonlinear computational auditory-nerve model recently developed by Heinz et al. [ARLO 2(3), 91-96 (2001)] was used to calculate the instantaneous discharge rate ri(t) for fibers i in the frequency range from 0.1 and 10 kHz. The summed activity across frequency was convolved with a unitary response which is assumed to reflect contributions from different cell populations within the auditory brainstem, recorded at a given pair of electrodes on the scalp. Predicted potential patterns are compared with experimental data for a number of stimulus and level conditions. Clicks, chirps as defined in Dau et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 107, 1530-1540 (2000)], long-duration stimuli comprising the chirp, as well as tones and slowly varying tonal sweeps were considered. The results demonstrate the importance of considering the effects of the basilar-membrane traveling wave and auditory-nerve processing for the formation of ABR and FFR. Specifically, the results support the hypothesis that the FFR to low-frequency tones represents synchronized activity mainly stemming from mid- and high-frequency units at more basal sites, and not from units tuned to frequencies around the signal frequency.     

A quasi-classical trajectory study of the Cl + H<Subscript>2</Subscript> (D<Subscript>2</Subscript>) reaction on a new BW3 potential energy surface

Molecular reaction dynamics of Cl + H₂ (D₂) has been studied on the latest analytical potential energy surface called BW3 using the Monte Carlo quasi-classical trajectory method. Excitation functions, differential cross sections and angular distributions of HCl and DCl products have been calculated. The excitation functions of the Cl (²P_3/2) + n-H₂ and Cl(²P_3/2) + n-D₂ reactions are also studied. The results are compared with those of quasi-classical trajectory [M. Alagia et al.: Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2 (2000); F. J. Aoiz et al.: J. Phys. Chem. 100 (1996)], quantum mechanical (QM) calculations [F. J. Aoiz et al.:J. Chem. Phys. 115 (2001)] and experimental data [S. H. Lee et al.: J. Chem. Phys. 110 (1999); F. Dong et al.: J. Chem. Phys. 115 (2001)]. Discussions are given to some new results.     

Ear-canal acoustic admittance and reflectance measurements in human neonates. II. Predictions of middle-ear in dysfunction and sensorineural hearing loss

This report describes relationships between middle-ear measurements of acoustic admittance and energy reflectance (YR) and measurements of hearing status using visual reinforcement audiometry in a neonatal hearing-screening population. Analyses were performed on 2638 ears in which combined measurements were obtained [Norton et al., Ear Hear. 21, 348-356 (2000)]. The measurements included distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE), transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), and auditory brainstem responses (ABR). Models to predict hearing status using DPOAEs, TEOAEs, or ABRs were each improved by the addition of the YR factors as interactions, in which factors were calculated using factor loadings from Keefe et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 113, 389-406 (2003)]. This result suggests that information on middle-ear status improves the ability to predict hearing status. The YR factors were used to construct a middle-ear dysfunction test on 1027 normal-hearing ears in which DPOAE and TEOAE responses were either both present or both absent, the latter condition being viewed as indicative of middle-ear dysfunction. The middle-ear dysfunction test classified these ears with a nonparametric area (A) under the relative operating characteristic curve of A = 0.86, and classified normal-hearing ears that failed two-stage hearing-screening tests with areas A = 0.84 for DPOAE/ABR, and A = 0.81 for TEOAE/ABR tests. The middle-ear dysfunction test adequately generalized to a new sample population (A = 0.82).     

Model-independent analysis of muon g(mu) - 2

We consider possible physics beyond the standard model that could account for the large recently reported [Muon g-2 Collaboration, H. N. Brown et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 2227 (2001)] effect in g(mu)-2. If the underlying theory can be treated perturbatively, then the only possibilities are models that contain particles that yield "direct" contributions, e.g., supersymmetric models, models with unexpectedly light leptoquarks, or with a rather exotic heavy vector boson. If the underlying theory involves strong interactions, as in technicolor models, then the discrepancy could be accounted for by a variety of mechanisms.     

Searching threshold effects in the interest rate: An application to Turkey case

This paper investigates the behaviour of interest rates in Turkey using a two-regime TAR model with an autoregressive unit root. This method recently developed by Caner and Hansen [Threshold autoregression with a unit roots, Econometrica 69 (6) (2001) 1555–1596] allows to simultaneously consider non-stationarity and non-linearity. Our finding indicates that the interest rate is a non-linear series and is characterized by a unit root process over the period 1990:1–2006:5.     

Spin-ordering quantum transitions of superconductors in a magnetic field

We argue that recent neutron scattering measurements by Lake et al. [Science 291, 1759 (2001)] of the spin excitation spectrum of La(2-delta)Sr(delta)CuO4 in a magnetic field can be understood in terms of proximity to a phase with co-existing superconductivity and spin density wave order. We present a general theory for such quantum transitions, and argue that their low energy spin fluctuations are controlled by a singular correction from the superflow kinetic energy, acting in the region outside the vortex cores. We propose numerous experimental tests of our theory.     

On Rumour Propagation Among Sceptics

Journal of Statistical Physics - Junior et al. (J Appl Probab 48:624–636, 2011) studied a model to understand the spread of a rumour. Their model consists of individuals situated at the...     

Solitons at the critical density of negative ions in multicomponentplasmas

The derivation of solitary waves in generalized multicomponent plasmas shows that the negative ion introduces a critical density at which the characteristics of the solitons are studied. The soliton's behavior derived using the Korteweg-deVries (KdV) equation at the critical density shows that the nonlinearity of the wave vanishes. Thus the mode of study is augmented through a modified KdV equation. Using a higher-order equation involving quadratic and cubic nonlinearities, the transition of the KdV equation to a modified KdV equation along with the conservation of the Sagdeev potential, which is not affected by the negative ions, is studied in detail. The results are compared with experimental observations, especially those made by Y. Nakamura et al. (J. Plasma Phys., vol.33, p.237-48, 1985)     

Mass of a lattice polaron from an extended Holstein model using the Yukawa potential

Renormalization of the mass of an electron is studied within the framework of the Extended Holstein model at strong coupling regime and nonadiabatic limit. In order to take into account an effect of screening of an electron-phonon interaction on a polaron it is assumed that the electron-phonon interaction potential has the Yukawa form and screening of the electron-phonon interaction is due to the presence of other electrons in a lattice. The forces are derived from the Yukawa type electron-phonon interaction potential. It is emphasized that the early considered screened force of (Kornilovitch (1998), Spencer et al. (2005), Hague et al. (2006), Hague and Kornilovitch (2009)) Refs. [7], [18], [19] and [22] is a particular case of the force deduced from the Yukawa potential and is approximately valid at large screening radiuses compared to the distances under consideration. The Extended Holstein polaron with the Yukawa type potential is found to be a more mobile than polaron studied in early works at the same screening regime.     

A Generalized Information-Theoretic Approach for Bounding the Number of Independent Sets in Bipartite Graphs

This paper studies the problem of upper bounding the number of independent sets in a graph, expressed in terms of its degree distribution. For bipartite regular graphs, Kahn (2001) established a tight upper bound using an information-theoretic approach, and he also conjectured an upper bound for general graphs. His conjectured bound was recently proved by Sah et al. (2019), using different techniques not involving information theory. The main contribution of this work is the extension of Kahn’s information-theoretic proof technique to handle irregular bipartite graphs. In particular, when the bipartite graph is regular on one side, but may be irregular on the other, the extended entropy-based proof technique yields the same bound as was conjectured by Kahn (2001) and proved by Sah et al. (2019).     

Whistle variability in South Atlantic spinner dolphins from the Fernando de Noronha archipelago off Brazil

A series of quali- and quantitative analyses were conducted to evaluate the variability of spinner dolphin whistles from the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago off Brazil. Nine variables were extracted from each whistle contour, and the whistle contours shapes were classified into the seven categories described in Driscoll (1995). The analysis showed mean beginning and ending frequencies values of 10.78 and 12.74 kHz, respectively. On average, whistle duration was relatively short, with mean values around 0.495 s (N=702). Comparative analyses were also conducted to investigate the relationship between the obtained results and those presented in previous studies. When comparing averages, the results of the study of Oswald et al.(2003) in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) presented less significant differences in relation to this study; only whistle duration differed significantly between both works. The results of multivariate classification tests also pointed TEP population as the closest related to the population studied here. The similarities between such disjunct populations might be attributed to a more recent isolation event (the closing of the Panama Isthmus) than the divergence that has driven North and South Atlantic populations apart.     

Binaural processing model based on contralateral inhibition. III. Dependence on temporal parameters

This paper and two accompanying papers [Breebaart et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 110, 1074-1088 (2001); 110, 1089-1104 (2001)] describe a computational model for the signal processing of the binaural auditory system. The model consists of several stages of monaural and binaural preprocessing combined with an optimal detector. Simulations of binaural masking experiments were performed as a function of temporal stimulus parameters and compared to psychophysical data adapted from literature. For this purpose, the model was used as an artificial observer in a three-interval, forced-choice procedure. All model parameters were kept constant for all simulations. Model predictions were obtained as a function of the interaural correlation of a masking noise and as a function of both masker and signal duration. Furthermore, maskers with a time-varying interaural correlation were used. Predictions were also obtained for stimuli with time-varying interaural time or intensity differences. Finally, binaural forward-masking conditions were simulated. The results show that the combination of a temporal integrator followed by an optimal detector in the time domain can account for all conditions that were tested, except for those using periodically varying interaural time differences (ITDs) and those measuring interaural correlation just-noticeable differences (jnd's) as a function of bandwidth.