Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A multi-phase, flexible, and accurate lattice for pricing complex derivatives with multiple market variables

With the rapid growth of financial markets, many complex derivatives have been structured to meet specific financial goals. But most complex derivatives have no analytical formulas for their prices, e.g., when more than one market variable is factored. As a result, they must be priced by numerical methods such as lattice. A derivative is called multivariate if its value depends on more than one market variable. A lattice for a multivariate derivative is called a multivariate lattice. This paper proposes a flexible multi-phase method to build a multivariate lattice for pricing derivatives accurately. First, the original, correlated processes are transformed into uncorrelated ones by the orthogonalization method. A multivariate lattice is then constructed for the transformed, uncorrelated processes. To sharply reduce the nonlinearity error of many numerical pricing methods, our lattice has the flexibility to match the so-called “critical locations” - the locations where nonlinearity of the derivative's value function occurs. Numerical results for vulnerable options, insurance contracts guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit, and defaultable bonds show that our methodology can be applied to the pricing of a wide range of complex financial contracts.
Choice-based secondary school admissions in England: social stratification and the distribution of educational outcomes

This thesis uses the cohort of 2005 school-leavers in the National Pupil Database to present an economic analysis of the effects of secondary school admissions in England on pupil sorting and achievement. The first part of the thesis exploits the availability of pupil postcodes to examine the impact of current school admissions arrangements on residential and school stratification. It produces data from a thought experiment whereby pupils currently in schools are reallocated to a new school based strictly on proximity to school. Through this simulation the role of the housing market in producing socially stratified schooling can be identified. A survey of school admissions policies is used to show that religious (and to a lesser extent Foundation) schools have intakes that are signifcantly more advantaged than their local neighbourhood, and that they achieve these intakes through the use of explicit potentially selective admissions criteria. The second part of the thesis adds to evidence on whether policies intended to increase parental choice raise pupil achievement via competition between schools. Quantitative evidence on school competition in England is evaluated alongside the existing international literature. A regression discontinuity design is employed to examine the legacy effects of the Grant-Maintained schools policy on area-wide educational outcomes at age 16. Pupil fixed-effects test score growth models and historical instrumental variables are used to identify the causal impact of religious schools on their neighbouring schools. This econometric analysis fails to lend support to claims that encouraging schools to compete for pupils is a route to improving standards. The thesis concludes that the current English secondary school arrangements have resulted in a system that is stratified and inequitable, without measurable efficiency gains induced by competition between schools for pupils.
Optimists, Pessimists, and the Equity Premium: The Role of Preferences and Market (In)Completeness

We propose a long-run risk model with an optimistic and a pessimistic EpsteinZin investor who disagree about the likelihood of jumps in expected consumption growth. We explicitly solve the model for the case of market incompleteness when expected growth risk cannot be insured. In our model the dependence of the equity premium on the relative wealth or consumption shares of the two investors is much less pronounced than in related models like Chen, Joslin, and Tran (2012). Furthermore, with the combination of recursive utility, investor heterogeneity, and substantial market incompleteness, our approach can explain empirical facts about the relation between varying degrees of disagreement and quantities like return volatilities and trading volume better than competing models. Furthermore, in terms of investor survival we nd that for our parametrization the investor whose beliefs correspond to the true model tends to lose consumption share in the long run.
Mechanisms of biped humanoid robot and online walking pattern generation

This paper describes the mechanism of a biped humanoid robot, KBHR (Kanagawa Biped Robot-2), that has large moveable angles similar to humans'. The KBHR has 29 degrees of freedom (DOF) (two 6 DOF legs, a 3 DOF waist and two 7 DOF arms). Also, an online walking pattern generation method for a biped humanoid robot based on preview control is proposed. Depending on the walking parameters (step length, height, etc.), a pre-3-step pattern is created, and one step of the 3-step pattern is selected for one step of the robot. Using KBHR, various walking experiments are conducted, and the effectiveness of the mechanism and the online walking pattern generation method is confirmed.
Gene Genealogies Strongly Distorted by Weakly Interfering Mutations in Constant Environments

Neutral nucleotide diversity does not scale with population size as expected, and this “paradox of variation” is especially severe for animal mitochondria. Adaptive selective sweeps are often proposed as a major cause, but a plausible alternative is selection against large numbers of weakly deleterious mutations subject to Hill–Robertson interference. The mitochondrial genealogies of several species of whale lice (Amphipoda: Cyamus) are consistently too short relative to neutral-theory expectations, and they are also distorted in shape (branch-length proportions) and topology (relative sister-clade sizes). This pattern is not easily explained by adaptive sweeps or demographic history, but it can be reproduced in models of interference among forward and back mutations at large numbers of sites on a nonrecombining chromosome. A coalescent simulation algorithm was used to study this model over a wide range of parameter values. The genealogical distortions are all maximized when the selection coefficients are of critical intermediate sizes, such that Muller's ratchet begins to turn. In this regime, linked neutral nucleotide diversity becomes nearly insensitive to N. Mutations of this size dominate the dynamics even if there are also large numbers of more strongly and more weakly selected sites in the genome. A genealogical perspective on Hill–Robertson interference leads directly to a generalized background-selection model in which the effective population size is progressively reduced going back in time from the present.
06 08 19 5 v 2 1 6 A pr 2 00 7 Asymmetric Swiss-cheese brane-worlds

We study a brane-world cosmological scenario with local inhomogeneities represented by black holes. The brane is asymmetrically embedded into the bulk. The black strings/cigars penetrating the Friedmann brane generate a Swiss-cheese type structure. This universe forever expands and decelerates, as its general relativistic analogue. The evolution of the cosmological fluid however can proceed along four branches, two allowed to have positive energy density, one of them having the symmetric embedding limit. On this branch a future pressure singularity can arise for either (a) a difference in the cosmological constants of the cosmological and black hole brane regions (b) a difference in the left and right bulk cosmological constants. While the behaviour (a) can be avoided by a redefinition of the fluid variables, (b) establishes a critical value of the asymmetry over which the pressure singularity occurs. We introduce the pressure singularity censorship which bounds the degree of asymmetry in the bulk cosmological constant. We also show that with the degree of asymmetry obeying the pressure singularity censorship, the lower limit on the brane tension set by nucleosynthesis constraints should be increased by a factor of 10.
Individual variability in finger-to-finger transmission efficiency of Enterococcus faecium clones

A fingertip‐to‐fingertip intraindividual transmission experiment was carried out in 30 healthy volunteers, using four MLST‐typed Enterococcus faecium clones. Overall results showed an adequate fit goodness to a theoretical exponential model, whereas four volunteers (13%) exhibited a significantly higher finger‐to‐finger bacterial transmission efficiency. This observation might have deep consequences in nosocomial epidemiology.
Study of particle - bubble interaction using atomic force microscopy - current possibilities and challenges

Study of interaction forces between mineral particles and air bubbles is a key to understanding flotation processes. Measurement of such interaction forces has only recently been made possible with the introduction of the atomic force microscope (AFM) and the colloidal probe technique. Using AFM, interactions between a single particle attached to the AFM cantilever and an air bubble pl aced on a flat hydrophobic surface are measured in an aqueous environment. Interaction forces prior to rupture of the interfacial water film as a function of the hydrophobic surf ace state can be established, as shown in the present study. Additionally, the effect of the hydrodynamic force between approaching air bubble and particle is quantified. Despite the great potential of the AFM colloidal probe technique for studying particle – bubble interactions, several challenges pertaining to the AFM design, experimental procedure, and data analysis have to be addressed due to deformation of the airwater interface. For example, such issues as the range of the piezoelectric translator and cantilever deflection, determination of the bubble spring constant, and identification of the point of contact between bubble and particle are now under consideration.
Increased number and size of dendritic spines in ipsilateral barrel field cortex following unilateral whisker trimming in postnatal rat

The barrel field area of the primary somatosensory cortex of rodents is a fertile ground for investigating experience‐dependent plasticity and its mechanisms, because the neurons in its layer IV are distributed in groups (barrels) which correspond somatotopically to the vibrissae of the contralateral facial pad. After removal of three rows of whiskers from the right facial pad of young rats during the first two postnatal months, we looked for eventual changes in dendritic spine number and morphology in the corresponding barrels ipsi‐ and contralateral to the deprivation. Intact littermate controls were also examined. Spine number was determined by means of the unbiased disector method in electron micrographs from serial thin sections processed for post‐embedding gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunocytochemistry. The volume and surface area of spine head, surface area of postsynaptic density and length of spine neck were measured from computerized three‐dimensional reconstructions. Even though there was no significant side‐to‐side difference in the numerical density of dendritic spines in the experimental animals, the total number of spines in the ipsilateral barrels had increased by 67%, in view of the greater thickness of layer IV on this side. Moreover, spine head volume and surface area of postsynaptic densities were increased, and the length of spine neck was reduced in the ipsilateral compared to the contralateral cortex, and similar differences were noticeable between ipsilateral and control cortex. These changes apparently involved not only the predominant population of relatively small, dendritic spines innervated by asymmetrical synaptic terminals, but also the relatively small contingent of larger spines receiving symmetrical synapses formed by GABA terminals. The most likely explanation for such ipsilateral changes was an increased use of the intact (contralateral) facial pad during postnatal life, in keeping with the notion that activation of a peripheral sensory apparatus during the early postnatal period may have profound effects on the neuronal morphology and structural design of the primary somatosensory cortex. A possible mechanism in this case might be the excessive early activation of thalamic afferents, resulting in increased production of trophic factors, such as brain‐derived nerve growth factor. J. Comp. Neurol. 400:110–124, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Probabilistic roadmaps for path planning in high-dimensional configuration spaces

A new motion planning method for robots in static workspaces is presented. This method proceeds in two phases: a learning phase and a query phase. In the learning phase, a probabilistic roadmap is constructed and stored as a graph whose nodes correspond to collision-free configurations and whose edges correspond to feasible paths between these configurations. These paths are computed using a simple and fast local planner. In the query phase, any given start and goal configurations of the robot are connected to two nodes of the roadmap; the roadmap is then searched for a path joining these two nodes. The method is general and easy to implement. It can be applied to virtually any type of holonomic robot. It requires selecting certain parameters (e.g., the duration of the learning phase) whose values depend on the scene, that is the robot and its workspace. But these values turn out to be relatively easy to choose, Increased efficiency can also be achieved by tailoring some components of the method (e.g., the local planner) to the considered robots. In this paper the method is applied to planar articulated robots with many degrees of freedom. Experimental results show that path planning can be done in a fraction of a second on a contemporary workstation (/spl ap/150 MIPS), after learning for relatively short periods of time (a few dozen seconds).
Relationship Between Attainment of Recommended Physical Activity Guidelines and Academic Achievement: Undergraduate Students in Egypt

Introduction: We assessed and compared by gender, students’ achievement of recommended guidelines of four PA forms, and the association between guideline achievement of each of the four PA forms and students’ academic performance. Methods: Data (2009-2010) comprised 3,271 students (11 faculties) at Assiut University, Egypt. A self-administered questionnaire measured: moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA), moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), muscle-strengthening PA; five socio-demographic variables (gender, age, year of study, father’s education, living arrangements during semester); self-rated health; and, academic performance. We compared the levels of four PA forms, socio-demographic variables, and academic performance by gender. Binary logistic regression examined the factors associated with achieving the guidelines of the four PA forms. Linear regression examined the association between frequency of four PA forms and level of academic performance. Results: Nearly equal proportions of males and females (37%, 36%) achieved the MPA guidelines. Significantly more males achieved the VPA, MVPA, and muscle strengthening PA guidelines. Father’s education was positively associated with achieving all four PA guidelines (with each increasing educational achievement of the father, student’s odds of achieving PA guidelines increased by 7-9%). Students living with their parents or room mates off campus were more likely to achieve the VPA and MVPA guidelines. Students who achieved VPA and MVPA guidelines were more likely to report better academic performance. For all PA forms (except MPA), increasing academic achievement was positively associated with increasing frequency of PA, but standardised Beta (0.05-0.07) suggested a modest correlation between academic achievement and PA frequency. Conclusion: The linear association between frequency of PA and academic achievement, and the finding that the proportions of students who achieved the recommended levels of several forms of PA were below half of the sample call for higher engagement of universities in fostering PA and active lifestyle among students.
New concept for Class D audio amplifiers for lower cost and better performance

This paper presents new concepts for Class D amplifiers and similar circuits that improve efficiency and lower current stress in output power semiconductors, while reducing system cost and minimizing the size of the magnetics in output filter. Also, these improvements could potentially allow for a smaller and lighter heatsink. These Green Technology efficiency benefits could be traded for other improvements, such as increasing effective sampling frequency for lower THD and wider system bandwidth.
Growth and development in emerging market economies : international private capital flows, financial markets and globalization

Preface Introduction and Overview - Harinder S. Kohli Global Imbalances, Oil Revenues and Capital Flows to Emerging Market Countries - Jack Boorman Private Capital Flows to Emerging Markets Economies: Major Drivers, Recent Developments and Key Issues - V. Sundararajan and Harinder Kohli Outward Foreign Direct Investment from Emerging Economies: New Players in the World Economy? - Heinz Hauser Outward Foreign Direct Investment from India - Rakesh Jha Building National and Regional Financial Markets: The East Asian Experience - Andrew Sheng Financial Markets in Latin America - Claudio Loser Latin America and East Asia Trade Strategies - Luis Miguel Castilla Building Asia's Infrastructure: Issues and Options - Haruhiko Kuroda, Rajat Nag and Rita Nangia Infrastructure Development and Services in Selected Emerging Market and OECD Countries: Key Indicators - Harpaul Alberto Kohli Index
Financial Market Contagion

Financial markets around the world are getting more integrated. In this integrated market system any shock to the system in a single market can quickly move to other markets and thus creating a contagion. The transmission channels of these shocks are the financial, real, and political linkages between the countries. In empirical studies of contagion events, the fundamental linkages among economies alone cannot explain the strength of the shock spillovers from one market to another. Behavioral finance theories offer an alternate explanation for this anomaly. The shock spillovers can be attributed to irrational behavior of investors and herding mentality among them. Several ways are available for studying the transmission of shocks. In the chapter three such methods are discussed: the variance ratio model, dynamic conditional correlation model, and cointegration model. This chapter concludes with a brief overview of some of the recent contagion events.
An Improved SELEX-Seq Strategy for Characterizing DNA-Binding Specificity of Transcription Factor: NF-κB as an Example

SELEX-Seq is now the optimal high-throughput technique for characterizing DNA-binding specificities of transcription factors. In this study, we introduced an improved EMSA-based SELEX-Seq strategy with several advantages. The improvements of this strategy included: (1) using a FAM-labeled probe to track protein-DNA complex in polyacrylamide gel for rapidly recovering the protein-bound dsDNA without relying on traditional radioactive labeling or ethidium bromide staining; (2) monitoring the specificity of SELEX selection by detecting a positive and negative sequence doped into the input DNAs used in each round with PCR amplification; (3) using nested PCR to ensure the specificity of PCR amplification of the selected DNAs after each round; (4) using the nucleotides added at the 5′ end of the nested PCR primers as the split barcode to code DNAs from various rounds for multiplexing sequencing samples. The split barcode minimized selection times and thus greatly simplified the current SELEX-Seq procedure. The reliability of the strategy was demonstrated by performing a successful SELEX-Seq of a well-known transcription factor, NF-κB. Therefore, this study provided a useful SELEX-Seq strategy for characterizing DNA-binding specificities of transcription factors.
Prioritized dynamic update and retraction functions selecting on inconsistent information

In this paper a model for updates on belief sets and retractions thereof is introduced using the standard format of Adaptive Logics. The core of the update retraction procedure is represented by abnormal expressions derivable in the language: they express updates with information contradicting previously derived contents. The adaptive strategy aims at restricting the validity of these formulas by focusing at each decreasing degree on the update which is the most rational to retract in order to restore consistency as soon as possible. This work is related to the standard operations of retraction and withdrawal from the AGM-paradigm and the effects of dynamic operations such as public announcement in Dynamic Epistemic Logic.
On the use of X-rays to determine dynamical properties of elliptical galaxies

The extended and X-ray-emitting interstellar medium of early-type galaxies is often used as a tool to determine their total mass M and stellar orbital anisotropy β profiles, based on the hypothesis of hydrostatic equilibrium for the hot gas. Here we investigate the effects that deviations from equilibrium have on M and β estimates, by using simple analytical calculations and hydrodynamical simulations representative of gas-rich galaxies. We show that the deviations of the X-ray-determined β est and M est from the true values are linked by a remarkably simple relation; in particular, M is underestimated if β is overestimated. Also, more radially anisotropic orbital distributions than the true one are deduced in presence of gas infall velocities of the order of the local stellar velocity dispersion (as are likely in the central regions of galactic cooling flows). The results of this analysis are applied to the most thoroughly investigated bright elliptical, NGC 4472. First we show that β est recently derived from X-rays corresponds to a galaxy that is unstable by radial orbit instability. Then, assuming as true β and M the optically derived values, we show that the differences β est - β and M est - M agree with the predictions found here in the case of lack of hydrostatic equilibrium, which points to the latter as a possible explanation for the discrepancies. This analysis casts doubts on the possibility of using X-ray information to determine accurately the dynamical properties of bright X-ray-emitting ellipticals, at least within their R e .
Automated Landslide Monitoring through a Low-Cost Stereo Vision System

In this paper we introduce an inexpensive yet efficient photogrammetry system that takes advantage of state of art computer vision techniques to monitor large natural environments. Specifically, our system provides a precise evaluation of the terrain flow in wide landslides through optical flow applied to 2D image sequences and a back-projection of the resulting motion gradients to a 3D model of the landslide. Providing such a wide 3D model is one of the key issues and is addressed relying to a wide baseline stereo vision system. To initialize the stereo vision system, we propose an effective multiview calibration process.