Exchange-Rate Systems and Interest-Rate Behaviour: The Experience of Hong Kong and Singapore

The Currency Board System in Hong Kong and the monitoring band system in Singapore are important benchmarks for two different exchange-rate systems. In this paper we consider the implications of the two exchange-rate systems on the interest-rate behaviour of the two economies. We examine the domestic-US interest differentials under the two exchange-rate regimes during the Asian Financial Crisis as well as the pre- and post-crisis periods. Using a bivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity model, we also investigate whether there is any change in the correlation between the domestic and US interest rates due to the Asian Financial Crisis.

Light-Cone Distribution Amplitudes for Heavy-Quark Hadrons

We construct parametrizations of light-cone distribution amplitudes (LCDAs) for B-mesons and Lambda_b-baryons that obey various theoretical constraints, and which are simple to use in factorization theorems relevant for phenomenological applications in heavy-flavour physics. In particular, we find the eigenfunctions of the Lange-Neubert renormalization kernel, which allow for a systematic implementation of renormalization-group evolution effects for both B-meson and \Lambda_b-baryon decays. We also present a new strategy to construct LCDA models from momentum-space projectors, which can be used to implement Wandzura-Wilczek--like relations, and which allow for a comparison with theoretical approaches that go beyond the collinear limit for the light-quark momenta in energetic heavy-hadron decays.Comment: 39 pages, 11 figure

Inert-states of spin-5 and spin-6 Bose-Einstein condensates

In this paper we consider spinor Bose-Einstein condensates with spin f=5 and f=6 in the presence and absence of external magnetic field at the mean field level. We calculate all of so-called inert-states of these systems. Inert-states are very unique class of stationary states because they remain stationary while Hamiltonian parameters change. Their existence comes from Michel's theorem. For illustration of symmetry properties of the inert-states we use method that allows classification of the systems as a polyhedron with 2f vertices proposed by R. Barnett et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 180412 (2006).Comment: 19 pages, 4 figure

A frailty model for detecting number of faults in a system

A frailty model for failure data is proposed to estimate the total number of faults in a system. The Littlewood model and Jelinski-Moranda are the two particular cases of the proposed formulation. The two-stage estimating procedure, a conditional likelihood and a Horvitz-Thompson estimator, is found to be efficient. Simulation studies are given to assess the performance of the estimator. Two examples are also presented.published_or_final_versio

Validation of the Chinese version of the Reynolds' suicidal ideation questionnaire: psychometric properties and its short version

BACKGROUND: This study aims to validate the Chinese version of the Reynolds' Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) in a Chinese society and explore a convenient short version. METHODS: A sample of 711 cases was derived from two territory-wide surveys of Hong Kong adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years old. RESULTS: The SIQ and the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior (SIQ-JR) demonstrated good reliability and concurrent validity among Hong Kong adolescents. However, the factor structure for both SIQ and SIQ-JR appeared to be unclear. A four-item short form of the SIQ-JR, namely, SIQ-JR-4, was proposed. CONCLUSION: The SIQ-JR-4 is an ideal substitute of the SIQ/SIQ-JR for future quick assessment of suicidal ideation in Chinese young adolescents

Thin Films of 3He -- Implications on the Identification of 3 He -A

Recently the identification of 3He-A with the axial state has been questioned. It is suggested that the A-phase can actually be in the axiplanar state. We point out in the present paper that experiments in a film geometry may be useful to distinguish the above two possibilities. In particular a second order phase transition between an axial and an axiplanar state would occur as a function of thickness or temperature.Comment: 3 pages, no figures latex- revtex aps accepted by J. of Low Temperature Physic