Effect of single-value response styles on latent factor model convergence and measures of fit

This research examines the effects of single-value response style contamination on measures of model fit and model convergence issues. A simulation study examines the effects resulting from percentage of contamination, number of manifest, number of reverse coded items, magnitude of standardized factor loadings, response scale granularity, and sample size. Initial results indicate that sample size, scale granularity, factor loadings and number of manifest items had little to no effect on measures of fit. Both percent contamination and number of reverse coded items had a large effect on measures of fit. Measures of fit were more readily effected by percent contamination in models with higher standardized factor loadings. Model convergence issues were most strongly related to percent contamination and factor loadings

Random contamination and select response styles affecting measures of fit and reliability in factor analysis

This research examines the effects of nonattending response pattern contamination and select response style patterns on measures of model fit (CFI) and internal reliability (Cronbach's α). A simulation study examines the effects resulting from percentage of contamination, number of manifest items measured and sample size. Initial results indicate that sample size very mildly affects CFI but does not influence α. Percent contamination decreases both CFI and α in a nearly linear fashion over a limited range of contamination. Finally, whereas an increase in the number of manifest items increases resilience to random contamination for α, the opposite was observed for CFI. An increase in the number of manifest items resulted in larger decreases in CFI. Implications are briefly discussed

Second-order SM approach to SISO time-delay system output tracking

A fully linearizable single-input-single-output relative-degree n system with an output time delay is considered in this paper. Using the approach of Pade approximation, system center approach, and second-order sliding-mode (SM) control, we have obtained good output tracking results. The Smith predictor is used to compensate the difference between the actual delayed output and its approximation. A second-order supertwisting SM observer observes the disturbance in the plant. A nonlinear example is studied to show the effect of this methodology

Phase Retrieval by Linear Algebra

The null vector method, based on a simple linear algebraic concept, is proposed as a solution to the phase retrieval problem. In the case with complex Gaussian random measurement matrices, a non-asymptotic error bound is derived, yielding an asymptotic regime of accurate approximation comparable to that for the spectral vector method

Does market structure matter on banks' profitability and stability? Emerging versus advanced economies

We investigate the effects of market power, banking and bank-environment activities on profitability and stability (risk and returns) for a total of 1929 banks in 40 emerging and advanced economies over the sample period of 1999-2008. The model developed in this paper incorporates the traditional structure-conduct-performance (SCP) and the relative-market-power (RMP) hypotheses with the view to assessing the extent to which the bank performance can be attributed to non-competitive market conditions and pricing behaviour. The key findings are as follows; i) a greater market power leads to higher bank performance being biased toward the RMP hypothesis in advanced economies; ii) more concentrated banking systems in advanced economies may be more vulnerable to financial instability; iii) Neither of the hypotheses seems to be supported for the returns in the emerging banking sector; and iv) higher interest rate spreads increase profitability and stability for both types of economies, however, for emerging banks this seems to be one of the key elements to increase their profitability raising concerns on economies. Other interesting findings include that off-balance-sheet activities appear to present banks with a trade-off between risk and returns in advanced economies, and the effects of bank age, bank ownership status and regulation on risk and returns, depend on market power

On length spectrum metrics and weak metrics on Teichmüller spaces of surfaces with boundary

We define and study metrics and weak metrics on the Teichmüller space of a surface of topologically finite type with boundary. These metrics and weak metrics are associated to the hyperbolic length spectrum of simple closed curves and of properly embedded arcs in the surface. We give a comparison between the defined metrics on regions of Teichmüller space which we call $\varepsilon_0$-relative $\epsilon$-thick parts} for $\epsilon >0$ and $\varepsilon_0\geq \epsilon>0$

Virtual Compton Scattering from the Proton and the Properties of Nucleon Excited States

We calculate the $N^*$ contributions to the generalized polarizabilities of the proton in virtual Compton scattering. The following nucleon excitations are included: $N^*(1535)$, $N^*(1650)$, $N^*(1520)$, $N^*(1700)$, $\Delta(1232)$, $\Delta^*(1620)$ and $\Delta^*(1700)$. The relationship between nucleon structure parameters, $N^*$ properties and the generalized polarizabilities of the proton is illustrated.Comment: 13 pages of text (Latex) plus 4 figures (as uuencoded Z-compressed .tar file created by csh script uufiles

Water resources planning for rivers draining into Mobile Bay. Part 2: Non-conservative species transport models

Total coliform group bacteria were selected to expand the mathematical modeling capabilities of the hydrodynamic and salinity models to understand their relationship to commercial fishing ventures within bay waters and to gain a clear insight into the effect that rivers draining into the bay have on water quality conditions. Parametric observations revealed that temperature factors and river flow rate have a pronounced effect on the concentration profiles, while wind conditions showed only slight effects. An examination of coliform group loading concentrations at constant river flow rates and temperature shows these loading changes have an appreciable influence on total coliform distribution within Mobile Bay