42 research outputs found
Topological Lattice Actions
We consider lattice field theories with topological actions, which are
invariant against small deformations of the fields. Some of these actions have
infinite barriers separating different topological sectors. Topological actions
do not have the correct classical continuum limit and they cannot be treated
using perturbation theory, but they still yield the correct quantum continuum
limit. To show this, we present analytic studies of the 1-d O(2) and O(3)
model, as well as Monte Carlo simulations of the 2-d O(3) model using
topological lattice actions. Some topological actions obey and others violate a
lattice Schwarz inequality between the action and the topological charge Q.
Irrespective of this, in the 2-d O(3) model the topological susceptibility
\chi_t = \l/V is logarithmically divergent in the continuum limit.
Still, at non-zero distance the correlator of the topological charge density
has a finite continuum limit which is consistent with analytic predictions. Our
study shows explicitly that some classically important features of an action
are irrelevant for reaching the correct quantum continuum limit.Comment: 38 pages, 12 figure
Nuttalliella namaqua: A Living Fossil and Closest Relative to the Ancestral Tick Lineage: Implications for the Evolution of Blood-Feeding in Ticks
Ticks are monophyletic and composed of the hard (Ixodidae) and soft (Argasidae) tick families, as well as the Nuttalliellidae, a family with a single species, Nuttalliella namaqua. Significant biological differences in lifestyle strategies for hard and soft ticks suggest that various blood-feeding adaptations occurred after their divergence. The phylogenetic relationships between the tick families have not yet been resolved due to the lack of molecular data for N. namaqua. This tick possesses a pseudo-scutum and apical gnathostoma as observed for ixodids, has a leathery cuticle similar to argasids and has been considered the evolutionary missing link between the two families. Little knowledge exists with regard to its feeding biology or host preferences. Data on its biology and systematic relationship to the other tick families could therefore be crucial in understanding the evolution of blood-feeding behaviour in ticks. Live specimens were collected and blood meal analysis showed the presence of DNA for girdled lizards from the Cordylid family. Feeding of ticks on lizards showed that engorgement occurred rapidly, similar to argasids, but that blood meal concentration occurs via malpighian excretion of water. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S nuclear and 16S mitochondrial genes indicate that N. namaqua grouped basal to the main tick families. The data supports the monophyly of all tick families and suggests the evolution of argasid-like blood-feeding behaviour in the ancestral tick lineage. Based on the data and considerations from literature we propose an origin for ticks in the Karoo basin of Gondwanaland during the late Permian. The nuttalliellid family almost became extinct during the End Permian event, leaving N. namaqua as the closest living relative to the ancestral tick lineage and the evolutionary missing link between the tick families
Multi-criteria ranking of corporate distress prediction models: empirical evaluation and methodological contributions
YesAlthough many modelling and prediction frameworks for corporate bankruptcy
and distress have been proposed, the relative performance evaluation of prediction models
is criticised due to the assessment exercise using a single measure of one criterion at
a time, which leads to reporting conflicting results. Mousavi et al. (Int Rev Financ Anal
42:64â75, 2015) proposed an orientation-free super-efficiency DEA-based framework to
overcome this methodological issue. However, within a super-efficiency DEA framework,
the reference benchmark changes from one prediction model evaluation to another, which
in some contexts might be viewed as âunfairâ benchmarking. In this paper, we overcome
this issue by proposing a slacks-based context-dependent DEA (SBM-CDEA) framework
to evaluate competing distress prediction models. In addition, we propose a hybrid crossbenchmarking-
cross-efficiency framework as an alternative methodology for ranking DMUs
that are heterogeneous. Furthermore, using data on UK firms listed on London Stock
Exchange, we perform a comprehensive comparative analysis of the most popular corporate
distress prediction models; namely, statistical models, under both mono criterion and
multiple criteria frameworks considering several performance measures. Also, we propose
new statistical models using macroeconomic indicators as drivers of distress