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In this paper we study the loss of Fisher information in approximating a continous distribution by a multinominal distribution coming from a partition of the sample space into a finite number of intervals. We describe and characterize the Fisher information as a function of the partition chosen especially for location parameters. For a small number of intervals the consequences of the choice is demonstrated by instructive examples. For increasing number of individuals we give the asymptotically optimal partition. (author's abstract) / Series: Forschungsberichte / Institut für Statistik

Few East African groups have attracted the attention of academics as much as the Swahili of coastal Kenya and Tanzania. The Swahili town of Lamu has even been described as having more professional researchers than doctors per inhabitant (Mazmi and Shariff 1994:2). Researchers commonly describe the Swahili as having a maritime culture (Middleton 1992:8; Nurse and Spear 1985:97; Prins 1965:263-275) and looking to the sea for their livelihood and identity (Mazmi and Shariff 1994:19; Ylvisaker 1975:74-83). They stress the contact of the `sea-prowling` Swahili with the ocean through seafaring, trading, fishing, and boat building to acquire wealth and social standing (Mazmi and Sharif 1994: 19; Middleton 1992: 8). Futhermore, the origin of the word Swahili is said to stress the proximity of the sea, coming from the Arabic sawahil (coast) or being of local origin, swahili (literally this island), making the Swahili variously the people of the coast (Middleton 1992:1) or the people of this island (Mazmi and Shariff 1994:56).

ITC/USA 2013 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Ninth Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 21-24, 2013 / Bally's Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV / Relay selection for optimal communication as well as multiple source localization is studied. We consider the use of dual-role nodes that can work both as relays and also as anchors. The dual-role nodes and multiple sources are placed at fixed locations in a two-dimensional space. Each dual-role node estimates its distance to all the sources within its radius of action. Dual-role selection is then obtained considering all the measured distances and the total SNR of all sources-to-destination channels for optimal communication and multiple source localization. Bit error rate performance as well as mean squared error of the proposed optimal dual-role node selection scheme are presented.

ITC/USA 2012 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Eighth Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 22-25, 2012 / Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, San Diego, California / The selection of relay nodes (RNs) for optimal communication and source location estimation is studied. The RNs are randomly placed at fixed and known locations over a geographical area. A mobile source senses and collects data at various locations over the area and transmits the data to a destination node with the help of the RNs. The destination node not only needs to collect the sensed data but also the location of the source where the data is collected. Hence, both high quality data collection and the correct location of the source are needed. Using the measured distances between the relays and the source, the destination estimates the location of the source. The selected RNs must be optimal for joint communication and source location estimation. We show in this paper how this joint optimization can be achieved. For practical decentralized selection, an opportunistic RN selection algorithm is used. Bit error rate performance as well as mean squared error in location estimation are presented and compared to the optimal relay selection results.

The international Fisher effect is identified as part of the four-way equivalence model. This model outlines a relationship between exchange rates, interest rates and inflation rates. The international Fisher effect, specifically, states that the difference in interest rates between two countries is an indicator of the expected change in exchange rates of their currencies. The aim of this paper is to test the validity of the international Fisher effect between South Africa and the UK. The understanding of the exchange rate movements is vital for management decisions, investment activity and policy making for central banks and government. Data has been collected for a sampling period beginning in July 1995 and ending in April 2001. Interest rates in the UK and South Africa are recorded for this period. A record of exchange rate movements for the same period has also been compiled. Using this data, a simulation of an uncovered interest arbitrage was carried out. This was done by taking £100 from the UK, converting it to Rands and investing those Rands in a South African bank. At the same time, £100 was also invested in a UK bank. As interest accrued over the test period, interest rates in both countries changed, exchange rates fluctuated and the balance in the South African account was compared to the balance in the UK account. According to the model, the real balances in both the accounts should remain equivalent over the sampling period. It was found that interest rates in SA were higher, more volatile and less cyclic than those in the UK. As predicted by the model, the exchange rate (in R/£) constantly increased over the sampling period. Reasons for the higher interest rates in SA include a low national savings rate, high inflation, the South African economies vulnerability to events in the international market and the reserve bank's monetary policies. The simulated arbitrage was found to be profitless and the balances of the two simulated investment accounts were found to be statistically similar. There were, however, some short term deviations from the theory. The value of the SA account was lowest during times of high interest rates in SA, when there was volatility in the forex market and when the exchange rate was at peaks in the cycle. Nevertheless, the exchange rate - interest rate relationship always returned to equilibrium. The risk and unpredictability associated with the international market is high while only small chances exist to achieve economic gain from borrowing from low interest rate environments (or investing in countries where the interest rates are high). It was concluded that the international Fisher effect, between the UK and South Africa, for the period studied, had significant short term deviations but is valid over the medium term. The implication for business practice is that stakeholders should be conservative when faced with risk associated with foreign exchange exposure unless, as is the case with speculators, it is their core competence to predict macroeconomic trends and profit from beating the market. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

This ethnographic study of a Scottish singing family, the Fishers of Glasgow, is based largely on fieldwork conducted over a period of three years. The Fishers were chosen because of their early involvement in, and their enormous influence on, the Scottish folk revival, which dates from the 1950s. Three members of the Fisher Family, Archie, Ray, and Cilia, sing professionally, and perform both traditional folksongs and contemporary material. This study focuses on them, although commentary about and from other family members is also included. In Chapter 2, I present a biography of the family, which is a patchwork of oral accounts by family members. Their biography leads us back to the islands of Vatersay and Barra, and the island traditions have obviously shaped the family ethos, even though they are an urban family. Chapter 3 is in part an oral history of the folk revival in Scotland, and the emergence of Archie and Ray Fisher as performers in the revival, as well as an analysis of important musical personalities and currents which had an impact on the revival, and particularly on Archie and Ray Fisher. Chapter 4 examines the professional careers of Archie, Ray, and Cilia, as well as the involvement of sisters Joyce, Cindy, and Audrey in the revival. The repertoire of the Fishers is examined in Chapter 5, with reference to the patterns of repertoire in the Scottish folk revival, and traditional sources. The way in which Archie, Ray, and Cilia categorize their songs is considered. Their categories, such as "heavy songs" and "light songs" tend to reflect the emotive impact of a song in performance, rather than structure. The problem of song "ownership" and repertoire within a family is also dealt with here. Chapter 6 focuses on the "aesthetic systems" of Archie, Ray, and Cilia, considering the following components: attraction to and selection of songs for learning; relative importance of tune and text; preferred song content; degree of emotional identification with songs; suitability of voice for a particular song; singing style; vocal range; the choice to accompany or not; the desired impact of the singer on the audience; the performing venue; and self-imposed expectations. The Fishers' aesthetic systems are also compared with those of other singers, both traditional and revival. In Chapter 7, I discuss the functions of songs in the Fishers' public performances, and analyse transcribed performance extracts of Archie, Ray, and Cilia (performing with her husband Artie). The spoken portion of the performances is seen as a significant and integral part of the performance as a communicative event. Analysis focuses on the structure of the performance, how the performance reflects the individual aesthetic system, and what levels of meaning may be derived from the performance. In Chapter 8, I conclude with a brief summary, and assess the place of the Fishers in the Scottish folk revival. Other data on the Fisher family, such as repertoire lists, a discography, and transcribed performance extracts may be found in the Appendices.

Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1999. / Restricted until June 2000. Bibliography: leaves 126-130.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Aberdeen University, 2009. / Title from web page (viewed on Aug. 26, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.) in Communication--University of Maine, 2004. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 192-204).