558,585 research outputs found
The fine structure of asset returns: an empirical investigation
We investigate the importance of diffusion and jumps in a new model for asset returns. In contrast to standard models, we allow for jump components displaying finite or infinite activity and variation. Empirical investigations of time series indicate that index dynamics are devoid of a diffusion component, which may be present in the dynamics of individual stocks. This leads to the conjecture, confirmed on options data, that the risk-neutral process should be free of a diffusion component. We conclude that the statistical and risk-neutral processes for equity prices are pure jump processes of infinite activity and finite variation
Quenching of Star Formation
In the last decade we have seen an enormous increase in the size and quality
of spectroscopic galaxy surveys, both at low and high redshift. New statistical
techniques to analyse large portions of galaxy spectra are now finding favour
over traditional index based methods. Here we will review a new robust and
iterative Principal Component Analysis (PCA) algorithm, which solves several
common issues with classic PCA. Application to the 4000AA break region of
galaxies in the VIMOS VLT Deep Survey (VVDS) and Sloan Digital Sky Survey
(SDSS) gives new high signal-to-noise ratio spectral indices easily
interpretable in terms of recent star formation history. In particular, we
identify a sample of post-starburst galaxies at z~0.7 and z~0.07. We quantify
for the first time the importance of post-starburst galaxies, consistent with
being descendants of gas-rich major mergers, for building the red sequence.
Finally, we present a comparison with new low and high redshift "mock
spectroscopic surveys" derived from a Millennium Run semi-analytic model.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. Conference proceedings in "Classification and
Discovery in Large Astronomical Surveys", 2008, C.A.L. Bailer-Jones (ed.
Control of Disturbing Loads in Residential and Commercial Buildings via Geometric Algebra
Many definitions have been formulated to represent nonactive power for distorted voltages and currents in electronic and electrical systems. Unfortunately, no single universally suitable representation has been accepted as a prototype for this power component. This paper defines a nonactive power multivector from the most advanced multivectorial power theory based on the geometric algebra (GA). The new concept can have more importance on harmonic loads compensation, identification, and metering, between other applications. Likewise, this paper is concerned with a pioneering method for the compensation of disturbing loads. In this way, we propose a multivectorial relative quality index associated with the power multivector. It can be assumed as a new index for power quality evaluation, harmonic sources detection, and power factor improvement in residential and commercial buildings. The proposed method consists of a single-point strategy based of a comparison among different relative quality index multivectors, which may be measured at the different loads on the same metering point. The comparison can give pieces of information with magnitude, direction, and sense on the presence of disturbing loads. A numerical example is used to illustrate the clear capabilities of the suggested approach
Culture portability from origin to destination country: The gender division of domestic work among migrants in Italy
Background: The relative importance of a cultural component in the gender division of unpaid labour is still debated. Objective: Drawing on the epidemiological approach to the study of culture, we investigate the cultural component of gender inequality by examining whether gender asymmetries in housework and childcare in families with a migrant background relate to gender equity in the country of origin. Methods: Through multilevel models based on microlevel data (Istat SCIF survey), we examine the extent to which the division of household labour between immigrant partners living in Italy relates to gender equity in their origin country, proxied by the Global Gender Gap Index. We further analyse the changing importance of gender equity in the country of origin at different lengths of stay in the destination country. Conclusions: Immigrants from more (less) gender-equal countries display greater (lower) equality in the division of routine housework and childcare activities. However, gender equity in the origin country loses its importance for couples living in the destination country for a longer time. These findings point to a significant contribution of culture of origin to gender inequality in the intra-couple division of unpaid labour. Yet nonnegligible differences exist between specific housework and childcare tasks and depending on the time spent in the hosting country. Contribution: Our study contributes to the literature on gender inequalities by providing new evidence on the relationship between culture of origin and the division of specific housework and childcare tasks in families with a migrant background
The continuous rise of bulges out of galactic disks
(abridged) This study revolves around dmB, a new distance- and
extinction-independent measure of the contribution by stellar populations older
than 9 Gyr to the mean r-band surface brightness of the bulge component in 135
late-type galaxies (LTGs) from the CALIFA survey, spanning a range of 2.6 dex
and 3 dex in total and bulge stellar mass (M*T~10^(8.9-11.5) M_solar and
M*B~10^(8.3-11.3) M_solar, respectively). The main insight from this study is
that LTG bulges form a continuous sequence of increasing dmB with increasing
M*T, M*B, stellar mass surface density S* and mass-weighted age and
metallicity: high-dmB bulges are the oldest, densest and most massive ones, and
vice versa. Furthermore, we find that the bulge-to-disk age and metallicity
contrast, as well as the bulge-to-disk mass ratio increase with M*T, raising
from, respectively, ~0 Gyr, 0 dex and 0.25 to ~3 Gyr, ~0.3 dex and 0.67 across
the mass range covered by our sample. Whereas gas excitation in lower-mass
bulges is invariably dominated by star formation (SF), LINER- and
Seyfert-specific emission-line ratios were exclusively documented in high-mass,
high-S* bulges. The continuity both in the properties of LTG bulges themselves
and in their age and metallicity contrast to their parent disks suggests that
these components evolve alongside in a concurrent process that leads to a
continuum of physical and evolutionary characteristics. Our results are
consistent with a picture where bulge growth in LTGs is driven by a
superposition of quick-early and slow-secular processes, the relative
importance of which increases with M*T. These processes, which presumably
combine in situ SF in the bulge and inward migration of material from the disk,
are expected to lead to a non-homologous radial growth of S* and a trend for an
increasing Sersic index with increasing galaxy mass.Comment: 24 pages, accepted for publication in A&
Assessing the transport development of the European Union countries
In their previous publication, the authors proposed to assess the transport development of any territory (but mainly the territories of the world’s countries) according to the following three components: transportization level of a territory, transport internationalization level of a territory and quality of transport in a territory. The authors assessed three components of the transport development of a territory each separately, including them in further empirical analysis. In the course of the authors’ empirical research, it became necessary to improve the methodology for assessing the transport development of a territory. The purpose of this study is to develop a single tool for measuring the transport development of a territory – an index – and to test it on the example of the European Union countries. Methods used in the study: monographic method, logical analysis and synthesis of the conceptual essence of the phenomenon ‘transport development of a territory’, index method – a quantitative technique for assessing the transport development of a territory based on the minimum and maximum values. The information base of the study is the data of the Global Competitiveness Report, as well as data from GlobalEconomy.com and the World Factbook for the EU countries. As a result of the study, the authors developed a new Territory Transport Development Index (TTDI), which includes not three, but four components: transportization level of a territory, transport internationalization level of a territory, quality of the transport infrastructure in a territory, efficiency of the transport services in a territory. These four components of the Index developed by the authors differ from the previously proposed components of the transport development of a territory. This difference is determined by the results of study carried out by researchers of the Riga Technical University (RTU), which confirm the importance of transport infrastructure in the use of a territory’s resources, as well as the results of other comparative studies on the transport infrastructure of the EU countries. Thus, the third component (quality of transport in a territory) was divided into two separate components: quality of the transport infrastructure in a territory and efficiency of the transport services in a territory, including additional indicators in the first of them. The authors tested the new Index by assessing the European Union countries and comparing them both in general transport development and separately in its different aspectspublishersversionPeer reviewe
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