Digital Commons Network^™

Search For High Frequency Gravitational-Wave Bursts In The First Calendar Year Of Ligo's Fifth Science Run, Benjamin P. Abbott, Marco Cavaglia, For Full List Of Authors, See Publisher's Website.

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

We present an all-sky search for gravitational waves in the frequency range 1 to 6 kHz during the first calendar year of LIGO's fifth science run. This is the first untriggered LIGO burst analysis to be conducted above 3 kHz. We discuss the unique properties of interferometric data in this regime. 161.3 days of triple-coincident data were analyzed. No gravitational events above threshold were observed and a frequentist upper limit of 5.4 year^-1 on the rate of strong gravitational-wave bursts was placed at a 90% confidence level. Implications for specific theoretical models of gravitational-wave emission are also discussed.

Correlated Two-Photon Emission By Transitions Of Dirac-Volkov States In Intense Laser Fields: Qed Predictions, Erik Lotstedt, Ulrich D. Jentschura

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

In an intense laser field, an electron may decay by emitting a pair of photons. The two photons emitted during the process, which can be interpreted as a laser-dressed double Compton scattering, remain entangled in a quantifiable way: namely, the so-called concurrence of the photon polarizations gives a gauge-invariant measure of the correlation of the hard gamma rays. We calculate the differential rate and concurrence for a backscattering setup of the electron and photon beam, employing Volkov states and propagators for the electron lines, thus accounting nonperturbatively for the electron-laser interaction. The nonperturbative results are shown to differ significantly compared …

Analysis Of Angular Dependence Of Strong-Field Tunneling Ionization For Co₂, Song-Feng Zhao, Cheng Jin, Anh-Thu Le, T. F. Jiang, C. D. Lin

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

We analyzed the discrepancy of the angular dependence of strong-field ionization for CO₂ among the different theoretical calculations and experiments. Using a more accurate ground-state wave function of CO₂ in the asymptotic region, we showed that the accuracy in the earlier tunneling ionization theory of Tong et al. [Phys. Rev. A 66, 033402 (2002)] is much improved. We also concluded that the angular dependence deduced from the experiment of Pavicic [Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 243001 (2007)] appears to be too narrowly distributed.

Continuous Steel Production And Apparatus, Kent D. Peaslee, Jörg Peter, D. G. C. Robertson, Brian G. Thomas, Lifeng Zhang

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A process for continuous refining of steel via multiple distinct reaction vessels for melting, oxidation, reduction, and refining for delivery of steel continuously to, for example, a tundish of a continuous caster system, and associated apparatus.

Nuclear Form Factor, Validity Of The Equivalent Photon Approximation And Coulomb Corrections To Muon Pair Production In Photon-Nucleus And Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions, Ulrich D. Jentschura, V. G. Serbo

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

We study in detail the influence of the nuclear form factor both on the Born cross section and on the Coulomb corrections to the photo-production of muon pairs off heavy nuclei (γ Z→μ + μ - Z) and in heavy-ion collisions (ZZ→ZZ μ + μ -). Our findings indicate a number of issues which have not been sufficiently described as yet in the literature: (i) the use of a realistic form factor, based on the Fermi charge distribution for the nucleus, is absolutely indispensable for reliable theoretical predictions; (ii) we checked quantitatively that the equivalent photon approximation has a very …

Trade, Growth And Increasing Returns To Infrastructure: The Role Of The Sophisticated Monopolist, Ashok S. Guha, Brishti Guha

Research Collection School Of Economics

Equilibrium in international trade with increasing returns in infrastructure depends on whether the infrastructure provider is “naïve” or sophisticated. A monopolist produces infrastructure under decreasing cost using fixed equipment. Unlike similar work, we derive a unique closed-economy equilibrium. In a small open economy, with “naïve” infrastructure provider(s), multiple equilibria obtain. The industrial export potential of the economy depends on unexhausted economies of scale, and equilibria are possible where manufactures are exported despite an autarky price higher than the world price. With a sophisticated infrastructure provider, even an open economy has a unique equilibrium, which, at least as long as economies …

Bias In The Estimation Of The Mean Reversion Parameter In Continuous Time Models, Jun Yu

Research Collection School Of Economics

It is well known that for continuous time models with a linear drift standard estimation methods yield biased estimators for the mean reversion parameter both in nite discrete samples and in large in-…ll samples. In this paper, we obtain two expressions to approximate the bias of the least squares/maximum likelihood estimator of the mean reversion parameter in the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process with a known long run mean when discretely sampled data are available. The first expression mimics the bias formula of Marriott and Pope (1954) for the discrete time model. Simulations show that this expression does not work satisfactorily when the …

Dating The Timeline Of Financial Bubbles During The Subprime Crisis, Peter C. B. Phillips, Jun Yu

Research Collection School Of Economics

A new recursive regression methodology is introduced to analyze the bubble characteristics of various financial time series during the subprime crisis. The methods modify a technique proposed in Phillips, Wu, and Yu (2011) and provide a technology for identifying bubble behavior with consistent dating of their origination and collapse. The tests serve as an early warning diagnostic of bubble activity and a new procedure is introduced for testing bubble migration across markets. Three relevant financial series are investigated, including a financial asset price (a house price index), a commodity price (the crude oil price), and one bond price (the spread …

Bayesian Analysis Of Structural Credit Risk Models With Microstructure Noises, Shirley J. Huang, Jun Yu

Research Collection School Of Economics

In this paper a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique is developed for the Bayesian analysis of structural credit risk models with microstructure noises. The technique is based on the general Bayesian approach with posterior computations performed by Gibbs sampling. Simulations from the Markov chain, whose stationary distribution converges to the posterior distribution, enable exact ¯nite sample inferences of model parameters. The exact inferences can easily be extended to latent state variables and any nonlinear transformation of state variables and parameters, facilitating practical credit risk applications. In addition, the comparison of alternative models can be based on deviance information criterion …

Explosive Behavior In The 1990s Nasdaq: When Did Exuberance Escalate Asset Values?, Peter C. B. Phillips, Yangru Wu, Jun Yu

Research Collection School Of Economics

A recursive test procedure is suggested that provides a mechanism for testing explosive behavior, date-stamping the origination and collapse of economic exuberance, and providing valid confidence intervals for explosive growth rates. The method involves the recursive implementation of a right-side unit root test and a sup test, both of which are easy to use in practical applications, and some new limit theory for mildly explosive processes. The test procedure is shown to have discriminatory power in detecting periodically collapsing bubbles, thereby overcoming a weakness in earlier applications of unit root tests for economic bubbles. Some asymptotic properties of the Evans …

Stimulated Maximum Likelihood Estimation Of Continuous Time Stochastic Volatility Models, Tore Selland Kleppe, Jun Yu, Hans J. Skaug

Research Collection School Of Economics

In this paper we develop and implement a method for maximum simulated likelihood estimation of the continuous time stochastic volatility model with the constant elasticity of volatility. The approach do not require observations on option prices nor volatility. To integrate out latent volatility from the joint density of return and volatility, a modified efficient importance sampling technique is used after the continuous time model is approximated using the Euler-Maruyama scheme. The Monte Carlo studies show that the method works well and the empirical applications illustrate usefulness of the method. Empirical results provide strong evidence against the Heston model.

Econometric Analysis Of Continuous Time Models: A Survey Of Peter Philip’S Work And Some New Results, Jun Yu

Research Collection School Of Economics

Econometric analysis of continuous time models has drawn the attention of Peter Phillips for nearly 40 years, resulting in many important publications by him. In these publications he has dealt with a wide range of continuous time models and econometric problems, from univariate equations to systems of equations, from asymptotic theory to nite sample issues, from parametric models to nonparametric models, from identication problems to estimation and inference problems, from stationary models to nonstationary and nearly nonstationary models. This paper provides an overview of Peter Phillips' contributions in the continuous time econometrics literature. We review the problems that have been …

Forecasting Realized Volatility Using A Nonnegative Semiparametric Model, Daniel P. A. Preve, Anders Eriksson, Jun Yu

Research Collection School Of Economics

This paper introduces a parsimonious and yet flexible nonnegative semiparametric model to forecast volatility. The new model extends the linear nonnegative autoregressive model of Barndorff-Nielsen and Shephard (2001) and Nielsen and Shephard (2003) by way of a Box-Cox transformation. It is semiparametric in the sense that the dependency structure and the distributional form of its error component are left unspecified. The statistical properties of the model are discussed and a novel estimation method is proposed. Its out-of-sample performance is evaluated against a number of standard methods, using data on S&P 500 monthly realized volatilities. The competing models include the exponential …

Transformation Of The Urban Rail Sector Through Ppp, Sock-Yong Phang

Research Collection School Of Economics

The recent proliferation of Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects in numerous cities has transformed the urban rail sector. The enthusiasm for PPPs can be explained by improved understanding of efficiency gains and risks of bundling and unbundling tasks as well as availability and lower cost of private sector finance. The four main PPP approaches identified are: (i) development of new systems through DBFOs (Design- Build-Finance-Operate); (ii) concessioning of rail and subway services; (iii) sale of stateowned operators through share issue privatisation; and (iv) PPPs for infrastructure maintenance and upgrading. This paper examines examples of successes and failures to better understand …

The Effectiveness Of Acceptances Communicated By Electronic Means, Or – Does The Postal Acceptance Rule Apply To Email, Eliza Mik

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

The ‘traditional’ classi?cation into ‘instantaneous’ and ‘non-instantaneous’ methods of communication must be abandoned. As all Internet transmissions are instantaneous, the choice between the principle of receipt and the postal exception must be based on other criteria. The focus must be shifted from communication devices to the characteristics of the communication process. The latter resembles either dealings face-to-face or dealings at a distance. This simple division should remain the basis for all analyses. Instantaneity and control are two of many characteristics of face-to-face dealings and are not the only factors to be taken into account when making the choice between the …

Economic Transition And Growth, Peter C. B. Phillips, Donggyu Sul

Research Collection School Of Economics

Some extensions of neoclassical growth models are discussed that allow for cross-section heterogeneity among economies and evolution in rates of technological progress over time. The models offer a spectrum of transitional behavior among economies that includes convergence to a common steady-state path as well as various forms of transitional divergence and convergence. Mechanisms for modeling such transitions, measuring them econometrically, assessing group behavior and selecting subgroups are developed in the paper. Some econometric issues with the commonly used augmented Solow regressions are pointed out, including problems of endogeneity and omitted variable bias which arise under conditions of transitional heterogeneity. Alternative …

Why Did Universities Precede Primary Schools? A Political Economy Model Of Educational Change, Fali Huang

Research Collection School Of Economics

Universities were first established in Europe around the twelfth century, while primary schools did not appear until the nineteenth. This paper accounts for this phenomenon using a political economy model of educational change on who are educated (the elite or the masses) and what is taught (general or specific/vocational education). A key assumption is that general education is more effective than specific education in enhancing one’s skills in a broad range of tasks, including political rent-seeking. Its findings suggest that specific education for the masses is compatible with the elite rule, while mass general education is not, which refines the …

The Luxury Casino Hotel Dynamic Price Strategy Practices For The Fit Customer Segment, Lei Chen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This research paper compares room rate luxury casino hotel pricing pattern between the periods of 4/1/2009 to 6/30/2009). A good price strategy can help a hotel optimize both price and demand. The price strategy is also the only way a hotel can offset its demand in advance. Price strategy experienced several revolutions after the hotel industry adopted the Revenue management (RM) price strategy from the airline industry, which has changed it profoundly in the past decades. The RM price strategy is, more than ever before, a fundamental influence on RM practice. This is not only because of its financial point …

Hits And Myths Of Cross Battery Assessment, T. L. Stephens, Jessica A. Rueter

Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

The increased use of the cross-battery approach has resulted in the misunderstanding and misuse of this research-based tool. The purpose of this article is to provide practitioners with a more pointed approach in conducting cross-battery assessments, while highlighting the common pitfalls. Additionally, the authors provide suggestions for appropriate use of this assessment process.

Thoughts Of Suicidality And Self-Harm In Middle Childhood: Relationship With Child Maltreatment And Maternal Substance Abuse And Depression, Tara K. Cossel, Natasha Elkovitch, David J. Hansen

Department of Psychology: Presentations

Child maltreatment victims are at increased risk for a multitude of symptoms, including: internalizing problems (e.g., depression, anxiety), behavior problems (e.g., aggression) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (Paolucci, Genuis, & Violato, 2001). Not all maltreated children present with the same outcomes, and research consistently demonstrates child abuse does not have an inevitable pattern or a unified presentation of symptoms. Some youth may be asymptomatic following abuse; others display a myriad of symptoms at varying levels of severity (Kendall-Tackett, Williams, & Finkelhor, 1993). A small percentage of this group becomes suicidal.

Recent studies have presented accumulating evidence that suicidality and self-harm warrant …

Coaxial Cable Sensors And Sensing Instrument For Crack Detection In Bridge Structures -- Phase I: Field Qualification/Validation Planning, Genda Chen, Fujian Tang, Zhi Zhou

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The objectives of this study are to pre-test analyze a decommissioned RC bridge that is selected in consultation with New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), and design and plan the field tests of the bridge for the performance qualification and validation of distributed crack sensors and a fast Electrical Time Domain Reflectometry (ETDR) instrument to their full potential. The scope of work includes: (a) Selection of a decommissioned bridge, (b) Pre-test analysis of the select bridge structure to evaluate its progressive damage and determine the locations for sensor deployment, (c) Design and planning of field tests of the select …

Particle Swarm Optimization Tuned Flatness-Based Generator Excitation Controller, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy, E. C. Anene, U. O. Aliyu

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An optimal transient controller for a synchronous generator in a multi-machine power system is designed using the concept of flatness-based feedback linearization in this paper. The computation of the flat output and corresponding controller for reduced order model of the synchronous generator is presented. The required feedback gains used to close the linearization loop is optimized using particle swarm optimization for maximum damping. Typical results obtained for transient disturbances on a two-area, four-generator power system equipped with the proposed controller on one generator and conventional power system stabilizers on the remaining generators are presented. The effectiveness of the flatness-based controller …

Lung Cancer Stem Cells Research. Clues From Ontogeny, Yu Xu, Yi-De Hu

Saudi Medical Journal

Cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis provides us with a new approach to the understanding of carcinogenesis, therapeutics, and prevention strategies. In recent years, the origin and biological characteristics of CSC were widely studied in solid tumors; it is astonishing to find out the delicate relevancy between CSC and committed progenitors evolved from embryonic stem cells (ESC) during organ development. In this review, we propose that some key molecular signal pathways during lung development are crucial for abnormal self-renewal and differentiation of lung cancer stem cell as well as try to elaborate the lung CSCs from the point view of ontogeny.

Coping With Visceral Leishmaniasis In Turkey, H±Seyin Cakan, Mehmet Y. Iscan, Vecdet Oz, Mustafa Aslan, Tuncay M. Karayel, Ismail Cakir, Huseyin B. Uner

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Task Control Signals In Pediatric Tourette Syndrome Show Evidence Of Immature And Anomalous Functional Activity, Jessica A. Church, Kristin K. Wenger, Nico U.F. Dosenbach, Francis M. Miezin, Steven E. Petersen, Bradley L. Schlaggar

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

The Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement: High Standard Or Missed Opportunity?, Shuchao Henry Gao

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

When the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (P4 Agreement) was signed in 2005, it was hailed as a “high-standard” agreement that could serve as a model within the Asia-Pacific region and attract other countries in the region to join as members. This claim seems to have received support from recent events, such as the launch of the accession negotiation by the US and the expression of interests from Australia, Peru and Vietnam.

This article provides a critical analysis on whether the P4 Agreement is a “high-standard” agreement as its members have claimed. In the view of the author, the P4 …

A Sea Of Confusion: The Shipowner's Limitation Of Liability Act As An Independent Basis For Admiralty Jurisdiction, Amie L. Medley

Michigan Law Review

The Shipowner's Limitation of Liability Act of 1851 allowed the owner of a vessel to limit his liability in the case of an accident to the value of the vessel and its cargo if he could show he had no knowledge of or participation in the negligent act that resulted in the loss. In 1911, the Supreme Court decided Richardson v. Harmon, a case which was interpreted for several decades to hold that the Limitation Act formed an independent basis for admiralty jurisdiction. In a 1990 case, the Supreme Court stated in a footnote that it would not reach …

Making Amends: Amending The Icsid Convention To Reconcile Competing Interests In International Investment Law, Kate M. Supnik

Duke Law Journal

Globalization has increased international investment activity, but no unified legal framework governs international investments. After several attempts to establish a multilateral investment framework, prospective parties remain unable to reach a consensus on a viable system to address investor and state rights. Developed, capital-exporting states wish to protect their citizens' investments, whereas developing states simultaneously seek to attract investments and maintain regulatory autonomy. In the absence of a comprehensive agreement, bilateral investment treaties serve as the primary legal instruments setting forth the terms of cross-border investments. These treaties often grant private investors the right to file claims before the International Centre …

Negotiation And Mediation In 3d: Completing The Models For Practice And Education, Jill Howieson, Nadja Alexander

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Reflecting on two major conferences held in September 2009 at the LEADR conference, Kongress, and the 36th Australian Legal Convention around the same time, it appears that ADR in Australia might be going ‘back to the future’. Discussion of the 1970s concept of the ‘multi-door courthouse’ as a model for Australian courts in the 21st century and an acknowledgment of the enduring essence of the 1980s interest-based negotiation model at both conferences, created a curious sense of déjà vu — and raised the question: where do we go from here?

In Re Sigma Finance Corporation (In Administrative Receivership) And In Re The Insolvency Act 1986 [2009] Uksc 2 (29 Oct 09): Commentary, Chao-Hung Christopher Chen

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

The case of Sigma Finance Corp was about the priority of payment under a Security Trust Deed for a structured investment vehicle (SIV). In essence, the key issue in the case was about whether debts due within the ‘realisation period’ after the occurrence of an ‘enforcement event’ should be paid ahead of other shortterm creditors.