Attributing a probability to the shape of a probability density

We discuss properties of two methods for ascribing probabilities to the shape of a probability distribution. One is based on the idea of counting the number of modes of a bootstrap version of a standard kernel density estimator. We argue that the simplest form of that method suffers from the same difficulties that inhibit level accuracy of Silverman's bandwidth-based test for modality: the conditional distribution of the bootstrap form of a density estimator is not a good approximation to the actual distribution of the estimator. This difficulty is less pronounced if the density estimator is oversmoothed, but the problem of selecting the extent of oversmoothing is inherently difficult. It is shown that the optimal bandwidth, in the sense of producing optimally high sensitivity, depends on the widths of putative bumps in the unknown density and is exactly as difficult to determine as those bumps are to detect. We also develop a second approach to ascribing a probability to shape, using Muller and Sawitzki's notion of excess mass. In contrast to the context just discussed, it is shown that the bootstrap distribution of empirical excess mass is a relatively good approximation to its true distribution. This leads to empirical approximations to the likelihoods of different levels of ``modal sharpness,'' or ``delineation,'' of modes of a density. The technique is illustrated numerically.Comment: Published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/009053604000000607 in the Annals of Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aos/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Exploring the Element of Positive Relationships via Facebook

Positive relationship has opened a new area for scholars to research on human relationships. In positive relationships, elements that can enhance and maintain the positivity of relationships are essentials. This paper aims to review one of the element of positive relationships in the Facebook. Other researchers working in the area of positive relationships have focused on the subject within offline context such as parent-child, teacher-student, couple and friendship relationships. Limited research in positive relationships has been conducted within online context. Yet, it is very important as the advancement of technology in 21th century has changed the method of communication from more offline to more online. Online interactions are important because they have their own rules, language and etiquette. Therefore the elements of offline positive relationships cannot be directly applicable to online world. This paper reviews support as one of the element for positive relationships via Facebook

Underpricing of New Issues Listed on the Second Board of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange During 1989 to 1994

This paper studies the underpricing of Initial Public Offerings ("IPOs") listed on the Second Board of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange ("KLSE") during 1 989 to 1 994. The results show that the average return, based on the difference between the first day closing price and the offer price, is approximately 65%. However, the returns after the first day up-to the first month of listing normally decline, even though there are not significantly difference from the returns received on the first day of listing. During the third month of listing, the underpricing becomes larger and this continues up-to the third year, where the average underpricing is 251 %. It is clear from this study that the new issues are mostly underpriced. In this study, the relationships between level of underpricing and other variables like underwriters and auditors involved in the IPOs, the size of public issues and the nature of business of the listing company are also studied

Kinetic Study of an Aerobic Digestion With Biomass Retention by Ultrafiltration Membranes

In this study, a 50 litre laboratory-scaled membrane anaerobic system (MAS ) combining ultrafiltration (UF) membrane with anaerobic reactor was used to treat palm oil mill effluent (POME) at ambient temperature. Six steady states were attained as part of a kinetic study. The results of steady state 4 (SS4) was adversely affected by a long shutdown due to pump leakage. The results of the five remaining steady states were successfully fitted, above 96%, by Monod, Contois, and Chen and Hashimoto models. Contois Model appeared to be the best at 99.7%. The microbial kinetic constants are Y=0.83gVS S/gCOD and b=0.15 day·I. Minimum solids retention time, ecmin obtained from the three simulation models range from 6-14.3days. Maximum total gas yield was measured at 0.621 litre/g COD at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 5.0 kgCOD/m3/d.%CH4 composition decreases from 75.7% at OLR of 1.8kgCOD/m3/d, to 62.3% at OLR of 6.0 kgCOD/m3/d. The percentages of COD removal were achieved between 99.0%-88.9% over a range of mixed liquor suspended solids of 10, 033-22, 175 mg/I. The final hydraulic and solids retention time, e and e have been reduced to 8.3_c days and 12.5 days, respectively during SS6. Under scanning electron microscope (SEM), the effective pores of the membrane was found to be pores larger than 0.1f-Lm. Layers of fibrous growth on the membrane surface increase separation efficiency. More efficient and frequent cleaning is required to inhibit membrane fouling and increase permeate flux. Overall, this study indicated that MAS is capable of treating higher OLR when Өc is maintained above 20 days

The Relationship Between Ethnic Diversity And Innovation At Manufacturing X (Malaysia)

Salah satu faktor terpenting untuk kejayaan and perkembangan organisasi adalah kapasiti untuk menjadi inovatif. Kebelakangan ini, jurang inovasi di Manufacturing X (Malaysia) semakin dirasai dengan penurunan kuantiti dan kualiti idea-idea inovatif dari para pekerjanya. The capacity to be innovative has been underlined as one of the most important factors for organizational survival and growth. At Manufacturing X (Malaysia), innovation gap is profound as measured by the reducing quantity and quality of innovative ideas submitted by employees over the past few years

Scripture and Its Readers: Readings of Israel’s Story in Nehemiah 9:6 – 37, Ezekiel 20:5 – 31 and Acts 7:2 – 60

How may a reader who wishes to read the Christian Bible as scripture well today be formed; and how may interpretations of scripture inform such concern? The present work is an exploration of this under-considered question in the field of contemporary biblical scholarship via sustained exegetical engagement with three biblical texts, namely Nehemiah 9:6 – 37, Ezekiel 20:5 – 32 and Acts 7:2 – 60, which offer three different inner-canonical readings of scripture in the form of three distinctive recitals of Israel’s story. The purpose is to consider how these retellings read scriptural traditions in relation to the wider context of the Christian canon; and to reflect on their enduring and formative significance as scripture for readers seeking to appropriate the scripture faithfully today. Chapter one will indicate that the concern of the present work is not a recent one, but rather one that is integral to a Christian practice of reading scripture. This chapter will also consider how such a concern once under-explored in biblical scholarship is now receiving some renewed attention in the field of theological interpretation of scripture. An overview of selected works pertaining to such concern will be considered in chapter two as a means to set a context for articulating the approach and rationale of the present work. In chapters three through to five, each chapter will be devoted to each of the three biblical texts, Nehemiah 9:6 – 37, Ezekiel 20:5 – 31 and Acts 7:2 – 60, to consider how scriptural traditions are interpreted in these three texts in relation to the wider context of the Christian canon. The next step is to reflect on the implications of these three biblical texts as Christian scripture for readers seeking to interpret scripture faithfully today. For such concern, the three texts will be considered individually at the end of chapters three, four and five respectively and then in concert in chapter six

Effect of medium-chain triglycerides on piglets in three farms in Selangor and Penang, Malaysia

The aims of this study were to evaluate effect of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) between treatment and control groups on growth performance, mortality rate and fecal coliform count in piglets. In addition, the effect of MCT on weaning body weight was evaluated. This study was separated into Phase I and Phase II. In phase I, 18 litters were selected from three farms in Selangor and Penang. Piglets in each litter was equally divided into control group and treatment group where only treatment group piglets were fed twice with 2 ml MCT on Day 1. Body weight was taken on day one, three, five and seven. Phase II involved 12 litters from a farm. The same procedure as in phase I was done, except the body weight was taken on day one, fourteen and twenty eight. MCT treatment group piglets were found to have higher growth performance and lower mortality rate thAn control group piglets. No difference in fecal coliform count was observed between treatment and control group. MCT showed more prominent effect on growth performance during weaning period of the piglets. In conclusion, MCT supplementation had positive effect on the growth performance of piglets as a result of increased body weight and average daily gain. Besides, MCT were able to reduce mortality in piglets in all the farms

Highly Efficient Midinfrared On-Chip Electrical Generation of Graphene Plasmons by Inelastic Electron Tunneling Excitation

Inelastic electron tunneling provides a low-energy pathway for the excitation of surface plasmons and light emission. We theoretically investigate tunnel junctions based on metals and graphene. We show that graphene is potentially a highly efficient material for tunneling excitation of plasmons because of its narrow plasmon linewidths, strong emission, and large tunability in the midinfrared wavelength regime. Compared to gold and silver, the enhancement can be up to 10 times for similar wavelengths and up to 5 orders at their respective plasmon operating wavelengths. Tunneling excitation of graphene plasmons promises an efficient technology for on-chip electrical generation and manipulation of plasmons for graphene-based optoelectronics and nanophotonic integrated circuits.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure