Statistical properties of volatility in fractal dimension and probability distribution among six stock markets - USA, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong

This study examines the statistical properties of volatility. Fractal dimension, probability distribution and two-point volatility correlation are used to measure and compare volatility among six different markets for the 12-year period from Jan. 1 1990 to Dec. 31 2001. New York market is found to be the strongest among the six in terms of market efficiency. Moreover, the Tokyo and Singapore markets are found to be very similar in fractal dimension and probability distribution, but different in their resistance to volatility : Tokyo has a higher ability to dissipate volatility. This phenomenon implies that the Tokyo market is more efficient than the Singapore market. The Hong Kong market is similar to the Singapore market in its ability to dissipate volatility. Meanwhile, the Taiwanese and Korean markets are the two most volatile markets among the six. Notably, the Taiwanese market is weaker than the Korean market in dissipating volatility.Volatility, fractal dimension, probability distribution.

Laser Cooling of 85Rb Atoms to the Recoil Temperature Limit

We demonstrate the laser cooling of 85Rb atoms in a two-dimensional optical lattice. We follow the two-step degenerate Raman sideband cooling scheme [Kerman et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 439 (2000)], where a fast cooling of atoms to an auxiliary state is followed by a slow cooling to a dark state. This method has the advantage of independent control of the heating rate and cooling rate from the optical pumping beam. We operate the lattice at a Lamb-Dicke parameter eta=0.45 and show the cooling of spin-polarized 85Rb atoms to the recoil temperature in both dimension within 2.4 ms with the aid of adiabatic cooling

Foufou: using multimedia to promote a new product and establish a brand identity online

One night, my friend and I went to a night market in Taiwan and we were amazed by the great variety of adorable and interesting merchandise items, such as: puppets, stationery, t-shirts, and gadgets that were imprinted with Mashimaro, a Korean fictional character. Mashimaro has becaome incredibly popular in Asian countries, with it coming to force mainly through the Internet. In Japan, most popular cartoon characters, including Doraemon, Pokemon, and Hello Kitty, are introduced and established rapport with the people because of a bombardment of cartoons and advertisements on television. As these cartoon characters become more popular, merchandising begins. They have experienced outstanding business achievement by using television as a platform for cartoon character brand development. Cartoon characters such as A-Kuei in Taiwan and Mashimaro in Korea, however, are being promoted on the Internet using a series of brief, animated comedy clips. Merchandising is implemented from the get-go and is seen as an important tool in establishing the brand rather than waiting for the character to develop popularity before merchandising begins. The marketing method of these new cartoon characters has subverted the original approach. Marketing with multimedia using multimedia techniques such as animation, e-cards, and electronic direct marketing to promote brand identity and advertise these new products. User interactivity is the biggest advantage this approach has over a strictly television-based marketing strategy. As more and more people are using the Internet to send e-mail, view media, and ultimately shop, this approach is an efficient and economical way to expand your brand and reach new customers. Foufou is an established brand growing in popularity in the Asian market. I created this site to promote this brand and to expand its customer base. All images were created in Adobe Illustrator so files can be easily converted for use with a variety of software applications. In addition to being printed on the physical products, the Foufou character images can easily be made into MSN pictures, desktop icons, screensavers, and wallpapers. Characters and drawings can also be manipulated to design short animations or commercial films for creating extra value and go beyond simple static images While the websites main purpose is to promote the brand and sell merchandise, it also provides a number of interactive features; specifically, two Flash games, a feedback form for customers, and a shopping cart feature. Harnessing the strength of the Internet, I hope to expand the brand and help bring Foufou to the masses