Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Equilibrium Asset Pricing with Nonparametric Horizon Risk

This paper presents an equilibrium asset pricing model where, unlike in the CAPM, returns distributions and investors' utility functions are both unspecified. Rather, only the centered moments up to order four of the unknown unconditional distribution of returns can be observed and investors unanismously associate a security's measure of riskiness to the time required for its mean return to converge around its expectation with a specified tolerance. The measurement of this horizon is obtained through the use of Chebyshev-type inequalities. The input parameters for the definition of risk horizon can be calibrated using the term structure of interest rates. Investors may let alone differ in their attitude vis-a-vis risk horizon for any level of expected return, but they may also exhibit various sensitivities with respect to each moment of the returns distributions. This model overcomes two important weaknesses of parametric multi-moments asset pricing models. First, it does not imply moment preferences, respecting Brockett and Kahane's (1992) theoretical finding. Furthermore, provided that the measurement of risk horizon largely emphasizes catastrophic events, investors may also not have any incentive to diversify their portfolio, which was already found by Simkowitz and Beedles (1978). At equilibrium, the horizon-based capital market line displays a nonlinear, but monotonically increasing relationship between the expected returns of portfolios held by rational investors and the risk horizon of their selected efficient portfolio. If two-funds separation does not obtain, idiosyncratic risk can even be priced. If diversification holds, the model yields a three-factor linear equation for the determination of individual securities returns, involving their covariance, coskewness and cokurtosis with the single market portfolio returns. In spite of its inclusion in the model, the riskless rate is not the intercept of this pricing equation, while all risk premia are nonlinear functions of the first four moments of the market porfolio returns distribution. By proper restrictions on the parameters characterizing investment horizon, the CAPM, the zero-beta CAPM and the Kraus-Litzenberger (1976) model are nested in this nonparametric model, with different degrees of freedom depending on whether they rest upon distribution-based or utility-based assumptions. Considering Value-at-Risk (VaR) as a market-wide measure of risk would also be compatible with this approach.
Third-Party Opportunism and the Nature of Public Contracts

The lack of flexibility in public procurement design and implementation reflects public agents' political risk adaptation to limit hazards from opportunistic third parties - political opponents, competitors, interest groups - while externalizing the associated adaptation costs to the public at large. Reduced flexibility limits the likelihood of opportunistic challenge lowering third parties' expected gains and increasing litigation costs. We provide a comprehensible theoretical framework with empirically testable predictions.
Calibration of the Multi-camera Registration System for Visual Navigation Benchmarking

This paper presents the complete calibration procedure of a multi-camera system for mobile robot motion registration. Optimization-based, purely visual methods for the estimation of the relative poses of the motion registration system cameras, as well as the relative poses of the cameras and markers placed on the mobile robot were proposed. The introduced methods were applied to the calibration of the system and the quality of the obtained results was evaluated. The obtained results compare favourably with the state of the art solutions, allowing the use of the considered motion registration system for the accurate reconstruction of the mobile robot trajectory and to register new datasets suitable for the benchmarking of indoor, visual-based navigation algorithms.
Structural parameters of 11 faint Galactic globular clusters derived with 2MASS

Context. Structural parameters and the total MV magnitude are important properties for the characterisation of individual globular clusters. With the growth in statistics, especially of the intrinsically faint objects, the collective properties of the Galactic globular cluster system will be better defined, leading to a deeper understanding of the Galaxy formation processes. Aims. We determine the structural parameters of 11 faint Galactic globular clusters that, in most cases, had not been previously studied in this context: IC 1257, Lynga 7, Terzan 4, Terzan 10, BH 176, ESO 452-SC11, ESO 280-SC08, 2MASS-GC01, 2MASS-GC02, GLIMPSE-C01, and AL 3. They are projected not far from the central region of the Galaxy. Field-star contamination is significant in the colour−magnitude diagrams. Half of the sample has an absorption AV > 7, in some cases reaching AV > 15. Methods. Stellar radial number-density and surface-brightness profiles were built with 2MASS photometry that, for the present clusters, corresponds to giant-branch stars. Field-star decontamination is essential for clusters in dense fields, so an algorithm that we had previously developed for open clusters in rich fields was employed to better define cluster sequences. With decontaminated photometry we also computed the total MV of four such globular clusters, using M 4 as a template. King-like functions were fitted to the radial profiles, from which the core, half-light, half-star count, and tidal radii were derived, together with the concentration parameter. The derived parameters were then compared to equivalent ones available in the literature for other Galactic globular clusters. Results. Compared to massive globular clusters, those in the present sample have smaller tidal and larger core radii for a given Galactocentric distance, which is consistent with rather loose structures. Globular cluster radii derived from number-density and surface-brightness profiles have similar values. The present magnitude estimates are MV ≈− 4.9 (ESO 280-SC08), MV ≈− 5.8 (2MASS-GC01), and MV ≈− 5.6 (2MASS-GC02). We also estimate MV ≈− 6.1 for GLIMPSE-C01, which is somewhat less luminous than previously given. The density profiles of Tz 4 and 2MASS-GC01 show evidence of post-core collapse clusters. Conclusions. The structural parameters and luminosity of most of the faint globular clusters dealt with in this paper are consistent with those of Palomar-like (low mass and loose structure) globular clusters. This work helps to improve the coverage of the globular cluster parameter space.
Drusen detection from colored fundus images for diagnosis of age related Macular degeneration

Age related Macular degeneration (AMD) is an ocular disease caused by the extracellular material deposit at retinal pigment level known as drusen. AMD is the major cause of gradual vision loss. Early detection of the disease can be helpful to prevent blindness. Automatic fundus image analysis plays an important role for early diagnose of AMD. In this paper a novel method is presented for the detection of soft and hard drusen. After the preprocessing step the proposed method computes color and Gabor filter based features for each pixel to classify and extract all possible drusen pixels. Connected component labeling removes the suspicious pixels from drusen region and at the end optic disk is removed to avoid false positive pixels. The performance of proposed system was evaluated on publically available database STARE and it achieves 96% accuracy for drusen detection over STARE. The proposed algorithm shows significant improvement in detecting drusen for diagnosing AMD at earlier stage.
Parallel implementations of AOS schemes: a fast way of nonlinear diffusion filtering

In most cases nonlinear diffusion filtering is implemented by means of explicit finite difference schemes. These algorithms are not very efficient, since they are only stable for small time steps. We address this problem by presenting unconditionally stable semi-implicit schemes which are based on an additive operator splitting (AOS). They are very efficient since they can be implemented by recursive filtering, and their separability allows a straightforward implementation in any dimension. We analyse their behaviour on a parallel computer and demonstrate that parallel AOS schemes on a modern shared-memory multiprocessor system with 8 processors allow a speed-up of two orders of magnitude in comparison to the widely-used explicit scheme on a single processor.
New radar‐derived topography for the northern hemisphere of Mars

Earth-based radar altimetry data for the northern equatorial belt of Mars (6°S–23°N) have recently been reduced to a common basis corresponding to the 6.1-mbar reference surface. A first look at these data indicates that the elevations of Tharsis, Elysium, and Lunae Planum are lower (by 2–5 km) than has been suggested by previous estimates. These differences show that the required amount of tectonic uplift (or constructional volcanism) for each area is less than has been previously envisioned. Atmospheric or surficial conditions are suggested which may explain the discrepancies between the radar topography and elevations measured by other techniques. The topographies of Chryse Planitia, Syrtis Major, and Valles Marineris are also described.
ON CONTROL LYAPUNOV MODES OF LINEAR CONTROL SYSTEMS

For both discrete-time and continuous-time linear multi-variable control systems, we introduce a concept of control Lyapunov modes associated with a control Lyapunov function in a quadratic form. We prove that the number of unstable control Lyapunov modes is at most equal to the number of input of the system.
The Causal Role of the Occipital Face Area (OFA) and Lateral Occipital (LO) Cortex in Symmetry Perception

Symmetry is an important cue in face and object perception. Here we used fMRI-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to shed light on the role of the occipital face area (OFA), a key region in face processing, and the lateral occipital (LO) cortex, a key area in object processing, in symmetry detection. In the first experiment, we applied TMS over the rightOFA, its left homolog (leftOFA), rightLO, and vertex (baseline) while participants were discriminating between symmetric and asymmetric dot patterns. Stimulation of rightOFA and rightLO impaired performance, causally implicating these two regions in detection of symmetry in low-level dot configurations. TMS over rightLO but not rightOFA also significantly impaired detection of nonsymmetric shapes defined by collinear Gabor patches, demonstrating that rightOFA responds to symmetry but not to all cues mediating figure-ground segregation. The second experiment showed a causal role for rightOFA but not rightLO in facial symmetry detection. Overall, our results demonstrate that both the rightOFA and rightLO are sensitive to symmetry in dot patterns, whereas only rightOFA is causally involved in facial symmetry detection.
AUTOBEST: a united AUTOSAR-OS and ARINC 653 kernel

This paper presents AUTOBEST, a united AUTOSAR-OS and ARINC 653 RTOS kernel that addresses the requirements of both automotive and avionics domains. We show that their domain-specific requirements have a common basis and can be implemented with a small partitioning microkernel-based design on embedded microcontrollers with memory protection (MPU) support. While both, AUTOSAR and ARINC 653, use a unified task model in the kernel, we address their differences in dedicated user space libraries. Based on the kernel abstractions of futexes and lazy priority switching, these libraries provide domain specific synchronization mechanisms. Our results show that thereby it is possible to get the best of both worlds: AUTOBEST combines avionics safety with the resource-efficiency known from automotive systems.
Hyperammonemic hepatic encephalopathy management through L-ornithin-L-aspartate administration in dogs

Seventeen dogs were treated with L-ornithin-L-aspartate (LOLA; experimental group). Three dogs were treated with lactulose recognized therapy (control group). Following LOLA administration, 15 dogs experienced a significant decrease in ammonia level (p < 0.05) and showed clinical signs of improvement. However, there were no clinical signs of improvement in two dogs, even though the ammonia level decreased. Conversely, the clinical signs of the control group also improved and the ammonia level decreased, although these changes were not significant (p > 0.05). These results suggest that LOLA is an effective drug to treat hyperammonemia in veterinary medicine.
Protein Adsorption to Titanium and Zirconia Using a Quartz Crystal Microbalance Method

Protein adsorption onto titanium (Ti) or zirconia (ZrO2) was evaluated using a 27 MHz quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). As proteins, fibronectin (Fn), a cell adhesive protein, and albumin (Alb), a cell adhesion-inhibiting protein, were evaluated. The Ti and ZrO2 sensors for QCM were characterized by atomic force microscopy and electron probe microanalysis observation, measurement of contact angle against water, and surface roughness. The amounts of Fn and Alb adsorbed onto the Ti and ZrO2 sensors and apparent reaction rate were obtained using QCM measurements. Ti sensor showed greater adsorption of Fn and Alb than the ZrO2 sensor. In addition, amount of Fn adsorbed onto the Ti or ZrO2 sensors was higher than that of Alb. The surface roughness and hydrophilicity of Ti or ZrO2 may influence the adsorption of Fn or Alb. With regard to the adsorption rate, Alb adsorbed more rapidly than Fn onto Ti. Comparing Ti and ZrO2, Alb adsorption rate to Ti was faster than that to ZrO2. Fn adsorption will be effective for cell activities, but Alb adsorption will not. QCM method could simulate in vivo Fn and Alb adsorption to Ti or ZrO2.
The multiplexing gain of wireless networks

At high SNR the capacity of a point-to point MIMO system with N T transmit antenna and NR receive antenna is min{N T, NR} log(SNR) + O(1). The factor in front of the log is called the multiplexing gain. In this paper we consider a network with 2N nodes (N source destination pairs) that each have only a single antenna. These single antenna nodes could cooperate to form larger virtual arrays, usually called cooperative diversity, user cooperation, or coded cooperation. The question we ask is: how large a multiplexing gain is possible. We prove that for N = 2 the multiplexing gain is 1, and consider generalizations to larger networks
Comparative Transcriptomes Analysis of Red- and White-Fleshed Apples in an F1 Population of Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana Crossed with M. domestica ‘Fuji’

Transcriptome profiles of the red- and white-fleshed apples in an F1 segregating population of Malus sieversii f.Niedzwetzkyana and M.domestica ‘Fuji’ were generated using the next-generation high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology and compared. A total of 114 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained, of which 88 were up-regulated and 26 were down-regulated in red-fleshed apples. The 88 up-regulated genes were enriched with those related to flavonoid biosynthetic process and stress responses. Further analysis identified 22 genes associated with flavonoid biosynthetic process and 68 genes that may be related to stress responses. Furthermore, the expression of 20 up-regulated candidate genes (10 related to flavonoid biosynthesis, two encoding MYB transcription factors and eight related to stress responses) and 10 down-regulated genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. After exploring the possible regulatory network, we speculated that flavonoid metabolism might be involved in stress responses in red-fleshed apple. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for further enriching gene resources associated with flavonoid synthesis and stress responses of fruit trees and for breeding elite apples with high flavonoid content and/or increased stress tolerances.
Real Options and Energy Management: Using Options Methodology to Enhance Capital Budgeting Decisions

Historical context and taxonomy of real options, classes of problems solved (eg, spread options such as spark spread, PUD) Overview of subject area Summary of book content. Section 1 Options from Options - Financial Options Meet Real Options: Understanding Stochastic processes - Duane Seppi Options and Option Valuation Techniques - Steve Leppard Diagrammatic Approach to Real Options - Steve Leppard and Fabio Cannizzo Optimisation and Optimisation Techniques - Shannon Burchett and Deepankar Biswas Applying Stochastic Dynamic Programming to the Valuation of Gas Storage and Generation Assets - Tom Weston Derivative Modelling Approaches in Real Option Valuation - Sailesh Ramamurtie. Section 2 Real Options and the Energy Industry Applying Real Option Valuation to Power Generation and Ancillary Services: Operating and Risk Managing Power Plants - Alexander Eydeland and Krzysztof Wolyniec Power Plant Operations and Real Options - Chung-Li Tseng and Graydon Barz Valuing and Hedging Real Options - Sailesh Ramamurtie Peaking Plant Valuation Project - A DCF/ RO comparison - Brett Humphreys and JP St Germain Price spikes and real options: Transmission Valuation - Michael Rosenberg, Michael Baron, Nikolai Sidorenko and Joseph D. Bryngelson Price Interactions of Baseload Supply Changes and Electricity Demand Shocks - Gordon Sick, Mike Stein and Robert Elliott Valuation, optimal dispatch and hedging of generation assets - Blake Johnson and Maria de Ines. Section 3 Primary inputs: a. Gas Valuation of the Operational Flexibility of Natural Gas Storage Reservoirs - Spyros Maragos b. Oil The Growth of Flexible Offshore Oil Fields - Larry Chorn and Shashidhar Rajagopalan Valuing PUD Reserves: A Practical Application of Real Option Techniques - Dan Calistrate, John McCormack and Gordon Sick Valuation of Petroleum Reserves with Quantity and Price Uncertainties: The Case of Woodside Energy - Stuart Connell. Section 4 Strategy and Environmental Issues in Electric Power: Real Options for Real Assets - a No Arbitrage Approach - Chris Harris Schemes for Emissions Management, Bottom up Approaches to Internalising the Cost of Carbon Dioxide Emissions - Shannon Burchett and Deepankar Biswas. Section 5 Case studies/panels: Valuing Generation Assets Using Real Option Competitive Price Analysis: Step-by-Step Valuation Example for a Portfolio of Generation Assets - Frank Li Analytical Valuation of a Full Requirements Contract as a Real Option: the Method of Eigenclaims - Valery Kholodnyi. Appendix Refresher of mathematical concepts: Probability and Stochastic Calculus: Review of Probability Concepts - Michael Rosenberg, Michael Baron and Joseph D. Bryngelson An Efficient and Accurate Computational Technique for Dynamic Programming with Markov Processes - Alexander Eydeland and Daniel Mahoney.
Human tissue type and volume effect on the on-body UWB antenna matchings

This article examines the effect of divergent human tissue types and volumes on the matchings of ultra-wideband (UWB) antennas. The work is based on measurements in an anechoic chamber with a vector network analyzer by sweeping a frequency range of 2-8 GHz. Two planar prototype UWB antenna types were applied: the dipole and the double loop antenna. The antennas were attached at a 20 mm distance from the body at fourteen spots. The locations under the antennas represent various human tissues under the skin with varying compositions of fat, muscle and bone and different volumes of the tissues. They are selected based on the existing or easily assumed spots for various on-body sensors. The matchings are defined by observing the scattering parameter S11 corresponding to the voltage reflection coefficient of an antenna. A matching is considered good if the S11 value is smaller than -10 dB. The tissues change the matchings by decreasing the lower frequency limit by up to 100 MHz, depending on the tissue type, volume or the antenna type, compared to the free space result. The differences between tissue types or tissue volumes are minor, no notable effects on the antenna matchings can be observed. The tissues have a stronger influence on the double loop antenna matchings compared to the free space than on the dipole antenna.
Participation Incentives and the Design of Voluntary Agreements

This paper analyses the conditions under which a group of firms has the incentive to sign a Voluntary Agreement (VA) in order to control its emission flows even in the presence of free-riding by other firms in the industry. For the purpose of this paper it is assumed that free-riders cannot be completely excluded from the expected benefits of the VA, which increase with the number of signatory firms and with the abatement level achieved. The paper focuses on policy design by discussing the features that a VA should possess in order to increase its economic and environmental effectiveness. The results support some important conclusions. First, VAs cannot emerge in the case of a pure public good, i.e. when spillovers are such that all firms benefit from the abatement of the signatory firms. Second, even in the case of partial spillovers, the regulator has to impose a minimum participation constraint for the VA to be signed. In this case, if the minimum participation constraint is met, all firms have an incentive to sign the VA. Third, a VA with a minimum amount of regulation improves welfare with respect to a VA in which firms are free to set their profit maximising abatement level.
Query by Image Content

The amount of images or the pictorial data is growing day by day with the expansion of int ernet services. As the network and development of multimedia technolog ies are becoming more popular, users are not satisf ied with the traditional information retrieval techniques. So nowadays the content based image retrieval are becomi ng a source of exact and fast retrieval. It is very difficult for the users to retrieve the required images using aoperative and efficient mechanism. There are many techniques which are used to retrieve the images depending upon the requirem ent of different applications. This paper provides an exte nsive review of various latest research work and me thodologies applied in the field of CBIR. Images are retrieved on the basis of automatically derived features such as, tex ture, shape and color which is generally referred to as Content-Based Ima ge Retrieval (CBIR). Content based image retrieval is an important research area in image processing, with a vast doma in of applications like recognition systems i.e. fi nger, face, biometrics, medical sciences etc. However, the technology stil l lacks maturity, and is not yet being used on a si gnificant scale. In the absence of hard evidence on the effectiveness of CB IR techniques in practice, opinion is still sharply divided about their usefulness in handling real-life queries in large a nd diverse image collections. The concepts which ar e presently used for CBIR system are all under research.