abstract spi is based on fitting a gamma distribution to precipitation amounts in selected periods. based on current research, the gamma distribution may not be fitted to annual precipitation of some regions. in order to evaluate this subject, annual precipitation have been used during 1958- 2007 at 11 synoptic stations in iran. in first step, values of spi and frequency of different classes of...

This chapter provides an overview of pseudo-out-of-sample tests of unconditional predictive ability. We begin by providing an overview of the literature, including both empirical applications and theoretical contributions. We then delineate two distinct methodologies for conducting inference: one based on the analytics in West (1996) and the other based on those in Giacomini and White (2006). T...

Sarah Buckley's game-changing report, Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing: Evidence and Implications for Women, Babies, and Maternity Care, provides the evidence that supporting, promoting, and protecting the normal physiology of childbirth produces the best outcomes for mothers and babies. In this article, a childbirth educator recommends key points from Buckley's report that should be include...

Recognizing the arterial variations of human upper extremities is of potential clinical practice because this area is involved in arterial handling and invasive medical procedure. During dissection of the left upper limb of a 35-year-old male embalmed cadaver, we saw brachial artery bifurcation in the middle third of proximal portion of the arm. Its medial branch descended along the medial side...

Frequent assessment of as-built conditions is necessary for active project control during construction. Assessment of as-built conditions involves collecting accurate as-built information and comparing the as-built information collected with given design and schedule information. Currently, different technologies exist for collecting accurate and comprehensive as-built information. The as-built...