We apply a logistic smooth transition market model (LSTM) to a sample of returns on Australian industry portfolios to investigate whether bull and bear market betas differ. Unlike other studies, our LSTM model allows for smooth transition between bull and bear states and allows the data to determine the threshold value. The estimated value of the smoothness parameter was very large for all indu...

Xylem sap flux density (Fd) was measured, on a 43-year-old (mature) and three 4-year-old (young) mango (Mangifera indica L.) trees, using Granier-type probes. The relative influences of environmental variables were examined under well-watered condition. Circumferential variation in Fd was also investigated by placing sensors on the north, south-west and south-east sides of the mature tree. Sap ...

In a recent issue of the Asia Pacific Journal of Medical Toxicology (APJMT), the importance of empowering medical toxicology in the Asia Pacific Region has been discussed. In the editorial by Dr. Afshari, it has been stated that national societies of medical toxicology are important infrastructure for the development of medical toxicology, and the Asia Pacific Association of Medical Toxicology ...

The origins of flora and fauna that are only found in Ireland and Iberia, but which are absent from intervening countries, is one of the enduring questions of biogeography. As Southern French, Iberian and Irish populations of the land snail Cepaea nemoralis sometimes have a similar shell character, we used mitochondrial phylogenies to begin to understand if there is a shared "Lusitanian" histor...

This paper reveals a study on air pollution process over North China, applying remote sensing technology, using satellite observation and in situ measurements during the twenty-first Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, which was held in Beijing between 6 and 12 November when the clear weather was called “APEC-Blue”. In the meantime, pollutants concentrations including PM2.5 and PM...

The surface core-level shifts (SCLS) on the (0001) surface of beryllium were used to study the phase diagram of the hydrogen-induced reconstructions on this surface. Two different top-layer reconstruction phases are formed upon atomic hydrogen adsorption below and above room temperature, respectively. We are able to assign a characteristic core-level spectrum to an individual reconstruction pha...

this report presents a new record of iranolacerta brandtii brandtii from 30 km south of tekab city, west azarbaijan province and 130 km south of the previously known distribution range of the subspecies; a new record of iranolacerta zagrosica in kaljonun mountain peak, lorestan province, about 70 km northwest of the type locality; a new record of apathya cappadocica urmiana in the manesht prote...

Background: The consumption of low quality foods is common in low socioeconomic areas; and according to epidemiological studies, the density of nutrients often proves the quality of diet. This study aimed to compare the density of macronutrients and micronutrients in various parts of Tehran.   Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed from September to December 2007 in all the...

Purpose:  The paper aims to focus on South Africa’s poor economic performance and the regular downgrades of the country’s economic and financial rating by international rating agencies. It attempts to show that these continuous downgrades are a recipe for economic and financial disaster in the long – run; that the continuance of this phenomenon will stymie the implementation of the National Dev...