Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Point-to-Multipoint Services and Hierarchical QoS on PBB-TE System

We have proposed a solution to multicast services and an advanced quality of service (QoS) mechanism on a packet transport system (PTS) based on PBB-TE. The point-to-multipoint (PtMP) connection in the PBB-TE system have been realized by grouping point-to-point (PtP) PTL trunks and mapping a BSI onto the PtP PTL trunks using a multicast backbone destination address. To provide end-to-end QoS of the PtMP services, the hierarchical QoS scheme for backbone service instances and connection-oriented paths has been implemented in the PTS. For providing different capabilities for service selection and priority selection, the PTS offers to customers three basic types of the port-based, C-tagged, and S-tagged service interface defined by the IEEE 802.1ah. To offer to customers different capabilities of the layer 3 applications and services, moreover, an IP-flow service interface have been added. In order to evaluate traffic performance for PtMP services in the PTS, the PtMP throughputs for the link capacity of 1 Gbps at the four service interfaces were measured in the leaves of the ingress edge node, the transit node, and the egress edge node. The throughputs were about 96 % because the B-MAC overhead of 22 bytes occupies 4% of the 512-byte packet. The QoS performance is ability to guarantee an application or a user a required bandwidth, and could be evaluated by the accuracy of policing or shaping. The accuracy of the policing scheme and the accuracy of the shaping scheme were 99% and 99.3% respectively.
The CVA trade-off: Capital or P&L.

Credit valuation adjustment (CVA) has become an important aspect of accounting and regulatory standards. On the one hand, the regulatory standards (Basel accords) demand a capital risk charge for CVA volatility. Basel allows to hedge the CVA, which results in a reduction of the risk charge. On the other hand, the accounting standards (IFRS) require that the financial instrument is valued at fair value, which is achieved by including CVA. Consequently, changes in CVA have an effect on PL Pykhtin, 2012}. There is a trade-off between achieving risk charge reduction and creating additional P&L volatility. We present a methodology to define the optimal hedge amounts, which leads to maximal CVA charge reduction while minimizing additional P&L volatility. The Hull-White model is selected to simulate the risk factors determining the value of the interest rate swap of time. By applying the Monte Carlo method, the expected exposure path is found. Furthermore, the CDS spreads are simulated, which are used in the CVA calculation and CDS calculation. The combination of results are implemented in the regulatory and accounting regimes, yielding in the CVA risk charge and CVA P&L. Using the optimization criteria, we found the optimal hedge amount for each risk appetite. In the implementation case we use an interest rate swap, due to the notional size of interest rate derivatives to the OTC market. Here, we present a step-by-step guidance from implementing the risk factor model to finding the optimal hedging amount. For a bank more focused on capital, we see that the hedge amount should be set closer to Basel's EAD level. For a bank focused on reducing additional P&L volatility, we find that the hedge amount should be set closer to expected exposure level.
HERSCHEL EVIDENCE FOR DISK FLATTENING OR GAS DEPLETION IN TRANSITIONAL DISKS

Transitional disks are protoplanetary disks characterized by reduced near- and mid-infrared emission, with respect to full disks. This characteristic spectral energy distribution indicates the presence of an optically thin inner cavity within the dust disk believed to mark the disappearance of the primordial massive disk. We present new Herschel Space Observatory PACS spectra of [O i] 63.18 μm for 21 transitional disks. Our survey complements the larger Herschel GASPS program (“Gas in Protoplanetary Systems”) by quadrupling the number of transitional disks observed with PACS in this wavelength. [O i] 63.18 μm traces material in the outer regions of the disk, beyond the inner cavity of most transitional disks. We find that transitional disks have [O i] 63.18 μm line luminosities ∼2 times fainter than their full disk counterparts. We self-consistently determine various stellar properties (e.g., bolometric luminosity, FUV excess, etc.) and disk properties (e.g., disk dust mass, etc.) that could influence the [O i] 63.18 μm line luminosity, and we find no correlations that can explain the lower [O i] 63.18 μm line luminosities in transitional disks. Using a grid of thermo-chemical protoplanetary disk models, we conclude that either transitional disks are less flared than full disks or they possess lower gas-to-dust ratios due to a depletion of gas mass. This result suggests that transitional disks are more evolved than their full disk counterparts, possibly even at large radii.
Understanding Customer-Derived Value in the Timeshare Industry

The timeshare sector has grown substantially over the past decade in both size and product configuration. Focusing on the concept of customer-derived value, group interviews were conducted with owners of timeshare holiday products to assess the dimensions of customer value in timeshares. Twelve such dimensions of value emerged from the interviews, most notably knowledge enhancement. Six detractors of derived value were identified. With a better understanding of the sources of value for timeshare owners, managers can recruit new owners, develop products, and enhance the levels of satisfaction and loyalty among existing owners.
Test of fast neutron detectors for spectroscopy with (3He,n) two proton stripping reactions

Test of Fast Neutron Detectors for Spectroscopy with (3He,n) Two Proton Stripping Reactions M. E. A. Elbasher Faculty of Science Department of Physics University of Stellenbosch Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa Thesis: MSc March 2012 Nine 100x100x600 mm plastic scintillators, formerly built for the neutron time of ight measurements at iThemba LABS, were refurbished. The position resolution of these detectors was determined using muon cosmic rays and coincident measurement techniques. Average position resolution of ∼ 4.28 cm (FWHM) was found. In order to predict the time spectrum of the large-volume detector Monte Carlo simulations have been performed. These simulations aimed at anticipating the separation of statistical neutrons, prompt gamma rays and uncorrelated gamma rays from the fast neutrons emitted in the reaction of interest. One of the neutron detectors was tested using fast neutrons from the Th(α,xn) reaction at 42 MeV. Statistical neutrons from fusion evaporation reactions were produced in Sm(C,xn) fusion evaporation reaction. Coincidences between neutrons and gamma rays were successfully identi ed. Prompt gamma rays and uncorrelated gamma rays were also identi ed. ii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za
Research on Methods for Discovering and Selecting Cloud Infrastructure Services Based on Feature Modeling

Nowadays more and more cloud infrastructure service providers are providing large numbers of service instances which are a combination of diversified resources, such as computing, storage, and network. However, for cloud infrastructure services, the lack of a description standard and the inadequate research of systematic discovery and selection methods have exposed difficulties in discovering and choosing services for users. First, considering the highly configurable properties of a cloud infrastructure service, the feature model method is used to describe such a service. Second, based on the description of the cloud infrastructure service, a systematic discovery and selection method for cloud infrastructure services are proposed. The automatic analysis techniques of the feature model are introduced to verify the model’s validity and to perform the matching of the service and demand models. Finally, we determine the critical decision metrics and their corresponding measurement methods for cloud infrastructure services, where the subjective and objective weighting results are combined to determine the weights of the decision metrics. The best matching instances from various providers are then ranked by their comprehensive evaluations. Experimental results show that the proposed methods can effectively improve the accuracy and efficiency of cloud infrastructure service discovery and selection.
Calibration of a photoacoustic spectrometer cell using light absorbing aerosols. A technical note

11 Multi-pass photoacoustic spectrometer (PAS) is an important tool for the direct measurement of 12 light absorption by atmospheric aerosol. And accurate PAS measurements require an accurate 13 calibration of its signal. Ozone is often used for calibrating the PAS by relating the instrument 14 signal to the absorption coefficient measured by an independent method such as cavity ring down 15 spectroscopy (CRD), cavity enhanced spectroscopy (CES) or an ozone monitor. We report here a 16 calibration method that uses measured absorption coefficients of aerosolized, light absorbing 17 organic materials and offer an alternative approach to calibrate the PAS at 404 nm. To 18 implement this method we first determined the complex refractive index of an organic dye using 19 spectroscopic ellipsometry, and then we use this well characterized material as a standard 20 material for PAS calibration. 21
Designing On-Line Learning Systems using Participation

The review of literature pertaining to systems analysis and design and the design of systems for on-line teaching and learning has identified some "gaps" and shown the need for participation in educational system design. This paper presents research which was conducted to develop an approach for the design of educational systems involving the participation of student and academics in the design of educational on-line learning systems.
Rating requirements of a unified power quanty conditioner (UPQC) for vortage ride through capability enhancement

The problem of voltage ride through capability of fixed speed wind generation as a result of voltage sags is examined by means of a simulation study. The role of a unified power quality conditioner (UPQC), which provides both shunt and series compensation, in enhancing the ride through capability is investigated under both full and partial voltage restoration. Results of a study to identify the minimum rating requirements to ensure stability are presented.
Space-time Modeling of Electricity Spot Prices

Using data for the Nord Pool power grid, we derive a space-time Durbin model for electricity spot prices with both temporal and spatial lags. Joint modeling of temporal and spatial adjustment effects is necessarily important when prices and loads are determined in a network grid. By using different spatial weight matrices, statistical tests show significant spatial dependence in the spot price dynamics across areas. In fact, estimation of the model shows that the spatial dependence is as important as the temporal dependence in describing the spot price dynamics. We decompose price impacts into direct and indirect effects and demonstrate how price effects transmit to neighboring markets and decline with distance. A forecasting comparison with a non-spatial model shows that the space-time model improves forecasting performance for 7 and 30 days ahead forecasts. A model with time-varying parameters is estimated for an expanded sample period and it is found that the spatial correlation within the power grid has increased over time. We interpret this to indicate an increasing degree of market integration within the sample period.
Alphas in Disguise: A New Approach to Uncovering Them

Fama-French (Carhart) alphas of passive indices should be zero, but recent evidence shows otherwise. Inaccuracies of factors in the performance measurement models have been put forward as the main reason for this. Some computationally intensive solutions to factor adjustment have been proposed, but are not applicable to all benchmark indices. We propose an optimisation algorithm that makes minor adjustments to the market, size, value and momentum factors to obtain zero alphas for any benchmark index. In the sample of 1281 active and 102 passive US equity mutual funds benchmarking against S&P500, our adjustment leads to augmentation of fund performance upwards in periods of index underperformance and downwards in periods of index outperformance. Overall, the adjusted alphas of both groups of funds are significantly negative, signalling poor performance. This is particularly pronounced for tracker funds, whose managers have not been successful in enhancing returns adequately to make-up for the costs involved in any of the sub-periods examined.
Testing for Expected Return and Market Price of Risk in Chinese A-B Share Markets : A Geometric Brownian Motion and Multivariate GARCH Model Approach

In some equity markets, there exist the phenomenon of so-called dual listed stocks: companies are allowed to issue di¤erent types of stocks facing segmented investors. Although these stocks share the same rmspeci c risk, and in most cases, enjoy identical dividend and voting policy, the price of these di¤erent types of stocks is not the same and the socalled pricing puzzle arises. Some previous studies show this seemingly deviation from the law of one price can be solved due to di¤erent expected return and market price of risk for investors holding heterogeneous beliefs. This paper provides empirical evidence for that argument by testing the expected return and market price of risk between Chinese Aand Bshare stocks. Models with dynamic of Geometric Brownian Motions are adopted, multivariate GARCH models are also introduced to capture the feature of time-varying volatility in stock returns. The results suggest that the di¤erent pricing can be explained by the di¤erence in the expected return and market price of risk between A and B shares in Chinese stock markets. However, the signi cance of the di¤erence between market prices of risk becomes disappearing for both markets if GARCH models are used.
It takes two to tango: the two-continua model in a self-helpacceptance and commitment therapy intervention

Background According to the positive psychology movement, mental health is more than the absence of psychopathological symptoms. Researchers accommodated a growing body of research in support of a two-continua structure of mental health. The present research examined the relation of the two continua within a self-help intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy (’Living to the fullest’). Method Participants (N=250) with mild to moderate depression and anxiety were recruited and took part in the self-help intervention with email support. Levels of depression, anxiety and mental health were assessed prior to, directly and three months after the intervention. Pearson’s correlation, cross tabular as well as eight blockwise linear regression analyses were performed in order to examine the relationship between psychopathology and mental health. Baseline levels of psychopathology and mental health were controlled for within the regression analyses. Results The two continua are distinct but show a modest negative correlation. Change in levels of psychopathology are predictive for future mental health. Likewise, change in levels of mental health are predictive for future psychopathology. Participants improved on both psychopathology and mental health separately through the intervention. Conclusion The study provides the first findings of the two-continua model within an intervention sample using multiple measurement occasions. These findings underline the importance of acknowledging mental health as a complete state, instead of the mere absence of symptoms. In order to enhance individuals’ mental health, both dimensions have to be taken into account. Further research is required in order to identify and create interventions that make individuals truly mentally healthy.
Investigating the influence of youth hockey specialization on psychological needs (dis)satisfaction, mental health, and mental illness

Abstract The Developmental Model of Sport Participation describes three pathways that youth can follow: recreational participation, late specialization and early specialization. Many competitive sport programmes are promoting early specialization in hopes that their athletes will gain an advantage over others; however, research indicates that youth who wait until adolescence to specialize in a given sport may achieve physical and psychological benefits. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological effects of sport specialization by examining relationships between youth hockey players’ level of specialization, psychological needs satisfaction (PNS), psychological needs dissatisfaction (PND), mental health and mental illness. Sixty-one youth male hockey players (Mage = 14.90) responded to an online survey. Results indicated that PND according to specialization was significant with early specializers reporting the highest PND and recreational athletes reporting the lowest PND (p = .029), indicating a large effect size (η2 = .157). No other significant differences were found. Bivariate correlations revealed significant relationships between all variables. Moreover, regression analyses showed that PNS positively predicted mental health (β = .47) and negatively predicted mental illness (β = −.51), while PND positively predicted mental illness (β = .71) and negatively predicted mental health (β = −.44). Results suggest that PNS is important to promote mental health and avoid mental illness. Future research is needed to fully understand the psychological consequences of early sport specialization.
Evaluation of Chitosan Acid Salts as Clarifying Agents of Orange Nectar

The use of chitosan acid salts was assessed in the clarification orange nectar. Clarification process was performed at laboratory scale by the classical methodology of jar test by adding chitosan acetate or chitosan lactate at concentrations between 0 g/L and 2 g/L of nectar. Numerical optimization method was used through an IV Optimal response surface for the best variant of coagulation-flocculation based on clarification yield. No significant effect of the salt type and concentration or clarification time on the physicochemical parameters of nectars were observed. Both chitosan acid salts could be used as clarifying agents, although chitosan lactate at 1 g/L was more effective, obtaining the highest yield (66.14%) to a time of 90 min. In general, there was no significant influence of the type and concentration of chitosan acid salt on the sensory attributes of the products and nectar clarified with chitosan lactate showed the higher overall quality.
Patterning of NiCr(80/20) on Al 2 O 3 Using Picosecond Laser Pulses

This paper concentrates on the characterisation of the ablation process of thin strain sensitive NiCr films deposited on Al2O3 substrates. The optical skin depth of NiCr (80/20) is identified. Removal experiments with single and multiple pulse point ablations are carried out on Al2O3 bulk substrates with different NiCr thicknesses. The experiments reveal the maximum NiCr film thickness for single pulse ablation. NiCr films with a higher thickness have to be processed in a multiple pulse processing strategy. Calculation of the beam radii using Liu plots revealed radii larger than the actual measured beam radius. The radius increase has been identified to consist of two parameters, one representing a special jitter of the experimental setup used, and a second thickness dependent parameter.
Identification of DJ-1-Associated Regions on Human Genes from SH-SY5Y Cells using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequence Technique

DJ-1, a cancer- and Parkinson’s disease-associated protein, works as a coactivator to various transcription factors. In this study, DNA fragments that bind to DJ-1 complexes were obtained by a chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing with an anti-human DJ-1 antibody using chromatin from SH-SY5Y cells. We identified 60 different sequences as potential DJ-1 complex-binding sites in genes. Of sequences identified, expression levels of DJ-1-associated sitecontaining genes for DNA polymerase N, estrogen receptor α and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase like-2 were decreased in DJ-1-knockdown cells and in 6-OHDA-treated cells. These studies suggest that DJ-1 regulates the expression of versatile genes at the transcriptional level and that some of the genes are regulated by DJ-1 in an oxidative status-dependent manner
Effects of diet on development and reproductive fitness of two predatory coccinellids (coleoptera: coccinellidae)

Studies of prey suitability are needed to develop efficient mass rearing programs for generalist predators and to understand their potential contribution to integrated pest management. A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the development and repro- ductive success of two predatory coccinellids, Oenopia conglobata (L.) and Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius), reared on diets of the common pistachio psyllid, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt & Lauterer, the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Glover) or a reference diet of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller eggs. Development and reproductive performance of the two coccinellids varied with diet, but egg fertility and immature survival did not. The developmental period (egg-adult) was shortest for both species on A. gossypii. This prey also yielded the shortest preoviposition period and greatest fecundity for C. sexmaculata. The psyllid diet was superior for reproduction in O. conglobata. For both predators, eggs of E. kuehniella were a better diet for development than for reproduction. Life table data indicated that the arboreal O. conglobata was better adapted to A. pistaciae on pistachio trees and might be a more effective biocontrol agent for this pest, despite the fact that C. sexmaculata had a higher intrinsic rate of increase on all diets.
From PAHs to Solid Carbon

Carbonaceous grains represent a major component of cosmic dust. The review will summarize new results in laboratory investiga- tions of carbonaceous dust components. The nanometer-sized carbon particles are supposed to represent a blend of differently structured carbon including graphitic, diamond-like, fullerene-like and chain-like components on a subnanometer or nanometer scale. Recent models used to explain the structure of gas-phase condensed carbon nano- particles are discussed. Possible formation pathways of carbonaceous grains from molecular components and clusters and the role of poly- cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and fullerenes are disclosed.
The 'Voice Effect' in Groups

This study looks at how collaborative technology, proximity choices, and group size can affect voicing in groups. Results of the study, involving two experiments with 550 participants, show that collaborative technology can improve an individual’s desire to voice, instrumental motives to voice, non-instrumental motives to voice, and the opportunity to voice in face-to-face groups. The results also show that the use of collaborative technology can lesson individual voice losses as groups increase in size especially in distributed environments. These findings have important implications in group interactions using technology.