Multiscale Spillover Transmission in Chinas Investment Preferences Using Dynamic Stochastic Volatility Framework

This paper aims to understand how volatility spreads in the financial system and affects security markets and financial crises. The researchers introduced a new approach using a multivariate stochastic volatility model with dynamic correlation and maximum overlap discrete wavelet. The approach can distinguish investment types and describe nonlinear volatility dynamics. Empirical analysis showed significant volatility spillovers between financial time series at different wavelet scales. Short-term investments had higher volatility spillovers than long-term investments, suggesting an interactive relationship between retail investors and long-term institutions and a shift from technology operations to value simulation

Structural and gas-sensing properties of CuO–CuxFe3−xO4 nanostructured thin films

Nanocrystalline CuO–CuxFe3−xO4 thin films were developed using a radio-frequency sputtering method followed by a thermal oxidation process. Thin films were deposited applying two very different conditions by varying the argon pressure and the target-to-substrate distance. Structural, microstructural and gas-sensing characteristics were performed using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GXRD), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrical measurements. Their sensing properties were examined using hydrogen gas in dry synthetic air. The shortest response and recovery times were observed between 280 and 300 °C independently of the deposition conditions

Kesan program promosi terhadap aktiviti eksport syarikat kecil dan sederhana di Malaysia: satu pendekatan ekonometrik

Kerajaan memainkan peranan penting dalam membantu aktiviti eksport terutama dalam kalangan syarikat kecil dan sederhana (SKS) melalui penganjuran program promosi eksport (PPE) yang komprehensif. Bagaimanapun, kajian lepas mendapati program promosi eksport di kebanyakan negara membangun mempunyai pelbagai kekangan sehingga gagal mencapai objektif penganjurannya. Tujuan kajian ini dijalankan adalah untuk menilai kesan PPE terhadap aktiviti eksport dalam kalangan SKS di Malaysia. Model penilaian ini dibentuk berdasarkan teori tingkah laku terancang (Theory of Planned Behavior) menggunakan tiga instrumen iaitu kesedaran, persepsi keberkesanan dan kekerapan penggunaan; serta hubungannya terhadap kecenderungan meneruskan aktiviti eksport. Penilaian telah dibuat terhadap empat program: kursus/latihan, misi/pameran perdagangan antarabangsa, bantuan kewangan dan insentif cukai, dianalisa menggunakan kaedah ekonometrik regresi dua peringkat. Keputusan mendapati bahawa kesedaran dan persepsi keberkesanan telah meningkatkan kekerapan penggunaan semua PPE, tetapi hanya kekerapan penyertaan dalam program kursus/latihan dan misi/pameran perdagangan antarabangsa sahaja yang menggalakkan SKS meneruskan pengeksportan. Sebaliknya, bantuan kewangan dan insentif cukai tidak memberi kesan signifikan kepada pengeksport

Malignancy in oral lichen planus: a review of a group from the Malaysian population

The objective of this study was to determine the socio-demography (age, race and gender) of a group of Malaysian patients who were diagnosed as suffering from oral lichen planus (OLP). The occurrence of malignancy was also investigated. A total of 77 clinical and biopsy records of patients with OLP were studied. Females were affected more than males, with the female to male ratio being 2:1. Middle-aged Indian and Chinese females tend to be affected by OLP when compared with the rest of the population. Only 19 patients returned for further follow-up. One adult Indian female with a six-year history of lichenoid reaction showed the presence of malignancy. This record was migrated from the OpenDepot repository service in June, 2017 before shutting down

User friendly system for the visually impaired in learning Al-Quran

This study presents a method to enable the visually impaired Muslim to learn and read the Al-Quran using Braille Display with software help. The system reads the database which contains all verses of Al-Quran and user will need to select the verse and ayah to read. Besides that, this system can be used in a class to teach visually impaired students to learn Al-Quran. Every word or character typed by the instructor in the main Braille Panel will be transmitted to the sub Braille Panel that is connected to the main Braille Panel. The selected verse of Al-Quran and ayah will also generate an index before being transmitted to the Braille Panel. The index will be transmitted to the Braille Display for people to touch and read the display. A user friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) will be used to fulfill the ergonomics for the visually impaired user's physical capabilities. Several approaches are used to design and implement the interface for the visually impaired like speech or sound output and Braille display. The Braille codes can be displayed using the Braille panel. The design interface and structure of the system for the visually impaired users in learning Al-Quran is presented

Bayesian multivariant fine mapping using the Laplace prior

Currently, the only effect size prior that is routinely implemented in a Bayesian fine-mapping multi-single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis is the Gaussian prior. Here, we show how the Laplace prior can be deployed in Bayesian multi-SNP fine mapping studies. We compare the ranking performance of the posterior inclusion probability (PIP) using a Laplace prior with the ranking performance of the corresponding Gaussian prior and FINEMAP. Our results indicate that, for the simulation scenarios we consider here, the Laplace prior can lead to higher PIPs than either the Gaussian prior or FINEMAP, particularly for moderately sized fine-mapping studies. The Laplace prior also appears to have better worst-case scenario properties. We reanalyse the iCOGS case–control data from the CASP8 region on Chromosome 2. Even though this study has a total sample size of nearly 90,000 individuals, there are still some differences in the top few ranked SNPs if the Laplace prior is used rather than the Gaussian prior. R code to implement the Laplace (and Gaussian) prior is available at https://github.com/Kevin-walters/lapmapr

Effect of Penalty Function Parameter in Objective Function of System Identification

The evaluation of an objective function for a particular model allows one to determine the optimality of a model structure with the aim of selecting an adequate model in system identification. Recently, an objective function was introduced that, besides evaluating predictive accuracy, includes a logarithmic penalty function to achieve a suitable balance between the former model’s characteristics and model parsimony. However, the parameter value in the penalty function was made arbitrarily. This paper presents a study on the effect of the penalty function parameter in model structure selection in system identification on a number of simulated models. The search was done using genetic algorithms. A representation of the sensitivity of the penalty function parameter value in model structure selection is given, along with a proposed mathematical function that defines it. A recommendation is made regarding how a suitable penalty function parameter value can be determined

Excitation of surface plasmons in thin noble metallic film of copper, silver and gold paper

The formation of surface plasmons in a different type of noble metallic film was successfully simulated using MATLAB program software. The thicknesses of copper, silver and gold metal films were varied between 20 nm to 80 nm. The narrowness and depth of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) curves were observed to determine the excitation of surface plasmons. The simulation results indicate that the maximum excitation of surface plasmons can be achieved by using silver thin film with thicknesses of 50 nm at the minimum reflectivity of 0.0038 a.u and full width at half maximum value of 0.2592°. The silver film that produces a deeper and sharper SPR curve has potential in the development of a low cost and high sensitivity of SPR sensing device

Ultrasonic transducer tuning using wafer bonding method

This study demonstrates the wafer bonding method for performance tuning of piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer (pMUT) from on-the-shelf piezoelectric disc (PZT). Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Epoxy were studied as adhesive materials. A thick bonding layer was deposited using the spin coating technique. Wafer bonding was carried out at room temperature to simulate in-situ pMUT repairing scenario. Bonding integrity is analyzed using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) images, while electrical characterization of pMUT is carried out using impedance analysis. Fabricated pMUTs have been calibrated using the pulse-echo technique in a freshwater tank. This study found that PDMS at the minimum thickness of 28 µm is preferably compatible for in-situ wafer bonding of pMUT compared to the Epoxy. PDMS has significantly reduced device impedance at 62.4 % reduction compared to 58.9 % reduction for Epoxy. Both pMUTs were able to transmit and receive short acoustic ping with the calibrated speed of sound of 1333.3 m/s. PDMS has successfully contributed to a broader operating frequency between 30 – 150 kHz for transmission and 75 – 140 kHz for the reception