Application of Pad\'{e} interpolation to stationary state problems

If the small and large coupling behavior of a physical system can be computed perturbatively and expressed respectively as power series in a coupling parameter $g$ and $1/g$, a Pad\'{e} approximant embracing the two series can interpolate between these two limits and provide an accurate estimate of the system's behavior in the generally intractable intermediate coupling regime. The methodology and validity of this approach are illustrated by considering several stationary state problems in quantum mechanics.Comment: RevTeX4, 7 pages (including 7 tables); v4 typos correcte

Gauge Independence and Chiral Symmetry Breaking in a Strong Magnetic Field

The gauge independence of the dynamical fermion mass generated through chiral symmetry breaking in QED in a strong, constant external magnetic field is critically examined. We present a (first, to the best of our knowledge) consistent truncation of the Schwinger-Dyson equations in the lowest Landau level approximation. We demonstrate that the dynamical fermion mass, obtained as the solution of the truncated Schwinger-Dyson equations evaluated on the fermion mass shell, is manifestly gauge independent.Comment: 10 pages, 1 eps figure, version to appear in Annals of Physic

Comparing two financial crises: the case of Hong Kong real estate markets

Hong Kong is no stranger to bubbles or crisis. During the Asian Financial Crisis(AFC), the Hong Kong housing price index drops more than 50% in less than a year. The same market then experiences the Internet Bubble, the SARS attack, and recently the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). This paper attempts to provide some “stylized facts” of the real estate markets and the macroeconomy, and follow the event-study methodology to examine whether the markets behave differently in the AFC and GFC, and discuss the possible linkage to the change in government policies (“learning effect”) and the flow of Chinese consumers and investors to Hong Kong (“China factor”).regime switching, structural change, small open economy, bounded rationality, banking policy

The Radon Monitoring System in Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment

We developed a highly sensitive, reliable and portable automatic system (H$^{3}$) to monitor the radon concentration of the underground experimental halls of the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment. H$^{3}$ is able to measure radon concentration with a statistical error less than 10\% in a 1-hour measurement of dehumidified air (R.H. 5\% at 25$^{\circ}$C) with radon concentration as low as 50 Bq/m$^{3}$. This is achieved by using a large radon progeny collection chamber, semiconductor $\alpha$-particle detector with high energy resolution, improved electronics and software. The integrated radon monitoring system is highly customizable to operate in different run modes at scheduled times and can be controlled remotely to sample radon in ambient air or in water from the water pools where the antineutrino detectors are being housed. The radon monitoring system has been running in the three experimental halls of the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment since November 2013

Modeling the IDV emissions of the BL Lac Objects with a Langevin type stochastic differential equation

In this paper, we introduce a simplified model for explaining the observations of the optical intraday variability (IDV) of the BL Lac Objects. We assume that the source of the IDV are the stochastic oscillations of an accretion disk around a supermassive black hole. The Stochastic Fluctuations on the vertical direction of the accretion disk are described by using a Langevin type equation with a damping term and a random, white noise type force. Furthermore, the preliminary numerical simulation results are presented, which are based on the numerical analysis of the Langevin stochastic differential equation.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in J. Astrophys. Ast

Is the Convergence of Accounting Standards Good for Stock Markets?

This paper examines the impact of the convergence of Hong Kong Accounting Standard 40 (HKAS 40) with the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) on the stock prices of firms in the property industry. Using a sample of 22111 firm-day observations, we show that the new standard has a negative impact on the stock performance of these firms.Hong Kong Accounting Standard 40, Event Window, Stock Return.