Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation and De-Risking: Theoretical and Empirical Insights

The purpose of the Bank for International Settlements regulatory agenda, as implemented by financial regulators globally, has been to make banks safer and reduce the likelihood of systemic events. Using an original model of bank profit maximisation under a regulatory constraint, we statistically examine how market risk exposure has interacted with financial performance and capital structure, to see if the Basel regulatory agenda concerning the quantity, quality and liquidity of capital, has prompted changes in banking behaviour as measured by exposure to market risk. Breaking new ground, we empirically explore how the regulatory agenda has affected the largest banks. We analyse if the regulatory agenda has succeeded in aligning the cost of capital with their exposure to market risk, measured by Value at Risk; or if regulations have induced changes to banking activities. We find rather than regulation inducing changes to the rate at which unchanged risk exposure is capitalised; it leads to changes in the nature of exposures. Risk has declined along with financial performance while the cost of capital is largely unchanged. A consequence of regulation may be to encourage the migration of riskier activities to organisations where it may be borne more cheaply.
A symmetric nearly preserving general linear method for Hamiltonian problems

This paper is concerned with the numerical solution of Hamiltonian problems, by means of nearly conservative multivalue numerical methods. In particular, the method we propose is symmetric, G-symplectic, diagonally implicit and generates bounded parasitic components over suitable time intervals. Numerical experiments on a selection of separable Hamiltonian problems are reported, also based on real data provided by Nasa Horizons System.
COMPASS: status update and long term development plan

The goal of the COMPASS project was to bring together the efforts of the actors from the French AO community (PHASE partnership), with the participation of the Maison de la Simulation, around the collaborative development of a numerical platform for AO, optimized and based on the use of graphics processing units (GPU). This platform allows today to lead the design studies of AO modules addressing all of the first generation instrumentation of the E-ELT. In this paper, we provide a status update of the platform and the long term maintenance and development plan.
On the Schottky Relation and Its Generalization to Arbitrary Genus

If S is a compact Riemann surface of genus g>2 together with a canonical homology basis (F, A) r = at, *. , y, A = al . **, 3g and if de1, **,9 denotes the basis of abelian differentials of first kind on S dual to (F, A); i.e., 4 there must be these relations. Another way of looking at the problem is the following: The totality of g x g matrices which are symmetric and have positive definite imaginary part is called the Siegel upper half plane of degree g, denoted by ? Rg. Not all elements of g9 are Riemann matrices for some (S, r, A). As a matter of fact for g > 4 the elements of 9g which are Riemannmat rices for (S, F, A) form a set of positive codimension. The problem we are considering is to determine this set. The first person to make a break-through in this direction was F. Schottky [12]. In the case g = 4, Schottky showed that for the set in question in e, the associated even theta constants satisfy a special relation of the form 1/ r, ? + Vr2 + V r3 = 0 where ri is a product of 8 theta constants. Rationalizing this expression we have an explicit homogeneous polynomial in the Riemann theta constants which of course gives the one relation for g = 4 among the 10 periods. Subsequently, Schottky and Jung in a joint note [13] indicated a way of re-deriving the genus 4 result and generalizing it to arbitrary g. Their idea was to establish certain relations between the Riemann theta constants and what was referred to in [10] as the Schottky theta constants; however, to our knowledge they never establish these relations. These relations were established for the case g = 2 by Rauch and the author in [10, 11] and the relations for g = 2 were seen to be a consequence of the vanishing
Multi-Level Attention-Based Categorical Emotion Recognition Using Modulation-Filtered Cochleagram

Speech emotion recognition is a critical component for achieving natural human–robot interaction. The modulation-filtered cochleagram is a feature based on auditory modulation perception, which contains multi-dimensional spectral–temporal modulation representation. In this study, we propose an emotion recognition framework that utilizes a multi-level attention network to extract high-level emotional feature representations from the modulation-filtered cochleagram. Our approach utilizes channel-level attention and spatial-level attention modules to generate emotional saliency maps of channel and spatial feature representations, capturing significant emotional channel and feature space from the 3D convolution feature maps, respectively. Furthermore, we employ a temporal-level attention module to capture significant emotional regions from the concatenated feature sequence of the emotional saliency maps. Our experiments on the Interactive Emotional Dyadic Motion Capture (IEMOCAP) dataset demonstrate that the modulation-filtered cochleagram significantly improves the prediction performance of categorical emotion compared to other evaluated features. Moreover, our emotion recognition framework achieves comparable unweighted accuracy of 71% in categorical emotion recognition by comparing with several existing approaches. In summary, our study demonstrates the effectiveness of the modulation-filtered cochleagram in speech emotion recognition, and our proposed multi-level attention framework provides a promising direction for future research in this field.
HISS: A Pedestrian Trajectory Planning Framework Using Receding Horizon Optimization

The paper proposes a generative pedestrian trajectory modeling framework named HISS - Human Interactions in Shared Space. The trajectory modeling framework is based on a receding horizon optimization approach utilizing pedestrian behavior and interactions that seeks to capture pedestrian trajectory planning and execution. The benefit of the proposed dynamic optimization trajectory generation approach is that it requires minimal calibration data under a variety of traffic scenarios. In this paper, we formalize several pedestrian-pedestrian interaction scenarios and implement trajectories’ conflict avoidance through mixed integer linear programming (MILP). We validate the proposed framework on two benchmark datasets - DUT and TrajNet++. The paper shows that when the framework’s parameters are tuned to certain initial conditions and pedestrian behavior and interaction rules, the framework generates pedestrian trajectories similar to those observable in real-world scenarios, justifying the framework’s capability to provide explanations and solutions to various traffic situations. This feature makes the proposed framework useful for modelers and urban city planners in making policy decisions.
The Behavior of a Function on Its Critical Set

Referring to the next section for any unfamiliar notation or definition, let us consider the following statement. If m > 0 n > 1, R is an open subset of En , and f is a function on R to El of class Cm then f transforms its critical set into a set of (linear) measure zero. H. Whitney2 has shown the statement false if m = n 1 > 1; M. Morse and A. Sard, in an unpublished paper, have shown, on the other hand, that it is true providing m is the greatest integer in n + (n 3)2/16. This last result contains as a special case the fact that the statement is true in case m = n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Thus it is natural to ask: Is the statement true in case m =n? Theorem 4.3 of the present paper answers this question in the affirmative. As a matter of fact the answer is yes under the less restrictive assumption that f be of class C(m1-) providing each partial derivative of order (m 1) is totally differentiable. We give here no proof of this last statement; of the two proofs with which we are familiar one involves a fairly comprehensive modification of Section 3 as well as an additional lemma while the other involves some properties of an (n 1) dimensional measure of sets contained in E. An obvious corollary of Theorem 4.3 is Theorem 4.4 which states that a function on an open subset of En to El which is of class C' is constant on any connected subset of its critical set. Theorems 4.3 and 4.4 are fairly direct consequences of Theorem 4.1 which is itself closely related to Theorem 3.7. Theorems 3.7 and 4.1 really form the kernel of the paper. We believe Theorem 4.1 in particular is susceptible of wider application than herein given.
Effects of Weaning Age and Creep Feed Type on Growth Performance and Gut Maturation in Weaned Piglets

Simple Summary The transition from suckling to weaning imposes challenges for piglets and often results in unwanted post-weaning growth check. This is a result of poor feed intake, which is likely a consequence of piglets’ lack of adaption to a dry vegetable-based diet. To accommodate a smoother transition, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of four- vs. five-week weaning ages and dry vs. liquid feeds, to resemble the texture of sow’s milk, on growth performance, the activity of certain disaccharidases and the gene expression of nutrient transporters in the small intestines of weaned pigs. Later weaning and liquid feed resulted in heavier pigs during the later weaning phase. In conclusion, a clear increase in the growth performance of liquid-fed pigs was not associated with changes in the investigated disaccharidase activity or gene expression of the analyzed nutrient transporters. Abstract The objective was to study the effects of weaning in week 5 (W5) vs. week 4 (W4), as well as liquid (LF) vs. dry feed (DF), on growth performance, disaccharidase activity and nutrient transporter expression after weaning. The experiment included 12,923 pigs fed LF or DF in the pre-weaning period and a subpopulation of 15 pigs from each group, W4DF, W4LF, W5DF and W5LF, which were weighed and euthanized five days after weaning. The proximal part of the small intestine was analyzed for maltase, lactase and sucrase activity and the expression of SGLT-1, GLUT-2 and PepT-1. Pigs fed LF displayed less maltase activity (2100 vs. 2729 U/mg protein, p < 0.05) but an increased expression of SGLT-1 (∆Ct: 5.22 vs. 6.21, p = 0.01). Pigs weaned in W5 were heavier than those weaned in W4 (9.35 vs. 7.11 kg BW, p ≤ 0.05), and pigs fed LF were heavier than those fed DF (8.55 vs. 7.91 kg BW, p ≤ 0.05) five days after weaning in the subpopulation. LF pigs (21.8 kg) were heavier than DF pigs (20.6 kg) (SE 0.108, p < 0.0001), and W4 pigs (21.0 kg) were lighter than W5 pigs (21.5 kg) (SE 0.108, p = 0.01) at nine weeks. LF increased weight gain in the early post-weaning period and at nine weeks, although this was apparently not explained by accelerated gut maturation.
The exposition of rape in Cyprus: From the crime scene to the court room

This paper constitutes the first attempt to explore the act of rape in Cyprus. It delineates the nexus between victims of rape and offenders, as well as the circumstances in which the two converge. Also, it explores the legal backdrop against which rape court cases are dealt with by the local judiciary. For achieving this, 58 court cases (spanning from 2000 to 2020) are analysed. Findings underpin that female rapes in Cyprus do not markedly diverge from rapes occurring in offshore milieus. Also, although domestic statutory law on rape has long set aside the element of force, case law still carries remnants of judicial bias to that end.
Exploring Innovation in the Teaching of Design. A Study on the Experimental Teaching Practices in the Context of a School of Design

Teaching innovation research aims to experiment with new practices and methodologies that relate objectives, activities, tools, and other elements to respond to new educational challenges, such as equipping students with the right skills for increasingly complex and changing work contexts. For higher education institutions, innovation of didactic is an increasingly strategic goal to prepare students for jobs that do not yet exist and to be competitive with emerging players in the educational context. This article outlines a funded research project investigating the perimeter of innovation in design education. The research focuses on the context of the Politecnico di Milano to understand how experimentation in university courses can lead to innovation in design education. The paper presents a survey definition process aiming to map experimentation practices in courses over the past decade and how the results of this mapping can define potential models for codifying and defining teaching practices with innovation potential.
Environmental Efficiency Evaluation in Vietnam Textile and Garment Industry: Super-SBM Model with Undesirable Output Approach

The purpose of the paper is to estimate the environmental efficiency of the Vietnamese textile and garment industry and evaluate the impact of the factors on environmental efficiency. The study uses firm-level panel data from the Vietnam annual enterprise survey data for the 2012–2018 period in the Vietnam textile and garment industry to evaluate the environmental efficiency by using the Super-SBM DEA model with undesirable output and applies the Tobit regression model to measure the impact of the factors on the environmental efficiency. This study evaluates environmental efficiency and assesses the impact of some core factors, including the origin of imported machinery and equipment, the origin of imported materials, the management of industrial zones, and the presence of FDI firms, on environmental efficiency at the firm level. The results indicate that the average score for environmental efficiency is 0.233. Some factors, such as income per employee, machined goods imported from developed countries, industrial zones, firm improvement processes, and the presence of FDI, have a positive impact on a firm’s environmental efficiency, whereas materials made in Vietnam have a negative impact.
A Study of Trade Strategies Based on the Markov Regime Switching Model

Market traders often buy and sell stocks to maximize their total return. For each purchase and sale, there is often a return commission. Having trading technology plays an important role in quantitative trading. In this paper, we first use the XGBoost model to learn the historical price fluctuation data of gold and bitcoin, and the prediction accuracy R2 is between 0.998 and 0.999, which is a good fit. Then LT algorithm and PS algorithm are used to identify the rules, the Markov regime switching model is used to determine the bear and bull market, and finally, the DQN model is used to plan the trading strategy and add a machine learning algorithm to it to optimize the strategy to get the initial $1000 in the future investment strategy.
Comparison of Pollen-Collecting Abilities between Apis mellifera L. and Bombus terrestris L. in the Oil Tree Peony Field

The lack of pollinators in the oil tree peony field was a serious problem for the seed yield. In the preliminary studies, we found that the seed rate of oil tree peonies was significantly improved by supplementing bees during the flowering stages in the pollination net room. In addition, the performance of Apis mellifera L. was better than Bombus terrestris L. To understand the interaction relationship between flowering characteristics and the managed bees, and the pollen-collecting ability of different species of bees, the flowering traits and the pollen loaded on bees were measured in this study. We found that the bees visited flowers with preference and they prefer to forage the flowers having pollen with higher viability. The B. terrestris carried more pollen (27,000.00 ± 5613.70 grains) on the body surface than that of the A. mellifera (7690.00 ± 2873.26 grains). The A. mellifera outperformed B. terrestris both in pollen deposition per visit on the stigma and on the pollen transfer efficiency. The viability of pollen on the body surface (67.77% ± 19.06%) and hind legs (92.02% ± 10.74%) of A. mellifera were both significantly higher than that of B. terrestris (31.84% ± 4.84% and 83.77% ± 6.40%). Our study indicated that the quantity and quality of pollen loaded on stigma by A. mellifera were both better than B. terrestris, which provided evidence that the A. mellifera was the effective pollinator pollinating for the oil tree peony in the pollination net room.
A Robust Audio Watermarking Scheme Based on Singular Value Decomposition

The audio signals with watermark often experiencing various interferences and attacks in the process of transmission, in order to ensure the safety of the digital audio and improve the quality of extracted watermark, this paper proposes a robust audio watermarking scheme based on Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). Algorithm characteristics are as follows, based on the content itself of audio signals, firstly, 1-dimensional audio signal is transformed to a 2-dimensional matrix; then, according to linear algebra theory, the feature value after performing singular value decomposition having strong stability, the original signal matrix’s change is slight and the feature value obtained by singular value decomposition is of almost the same features, etc., thus the embedding of watermark being completed. Theoretical analysis and experimental results show that this algorithm with strong robustness and imperceptibility can better control the embedding coefficients of watermark and can resist all kinds of common attacks effectively.
Intelligent Position Controller for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Based on Supervised Deep Learning

In recent years, multi-rotor UAVs have become valuable tools in several productive fields, from entertainment to agriculture and security. However, during their flight trajectory, they sometimes do not accurately perform a specific set of tasks, and the implementation of flight controllers in these vehicles is required to achieve a successful performance. Therefore, this research describes the design of a flight position controller based on Deep Neural Networks and subsequent implementation for a multi-rotor UAV. Five promising Neural Network architectures are developed based on a thorough literature review, incorporating LSTM, 1-D convolutional, pooling, and fully-connected layers. A dataset is then constructed using the performance data of a PID flight controller, encompassing diverse trajectories with transient and steady-state information such as position, speed, acceleration, and motor output signals. The tuning of hyperparameters for each type of architecture is performed by applying the Hyperband algorithm. The best model obtained (LSTMCNN) consists of a combination of LSTM and CNN layers in one dimension. This architecture is compared with the PID flight controller in different scenarios employing evaluation metrics such as rise time, overshoot, steady-state error, and control effort. The findings reveal that our best models demonstrate the successful generalization of flight control tasks. While our best model is able to work with a wider operational range than the PID controller and offers step responses in the Y and X axis with 97% and 98% similarity, respectively, within the PID’s operational range. This outcome opens up possibilities for efficient online training of flight controllers based on Neural Networks, enabling the development of adaptable controllers tailored to specific application domains.
A Backstepping Control Strategy for Power System Stability Enhancement

Secure power system operation relies extensively on the analysis of transient stability and control. The dynamics involved in power system control are often complex and nonlinear. Most of the currently existing works approach these frequent problems with nonlinear control techniques, leading to a requirement for specific controller parameter adjustments. In these veins, this paper proposes a new method for stabilizing electric power systems, using nonlinear backstepping control by optimizing the controller’s parameters. The Jaya algorithm and Genetic algorithm are utilized as a powerful meta-heuristic optimization technique to search parameters of an optimal controller. Improvement in system damping, transient stability, and voltage regulation has been achieved by minimizing the integral time absolute error (ITAE) as the objective function. Numerical simulations on an SMIB power system under different fault conditions showed that the proposed method outperforms classical power system stabilizer (PSS) methods, reducing overshoots and settling times and eliminating steady-state errors. These findings highlight the effectiveness of the proposed approach and its potential contribution to the development of advanced nonlinear control techniques for electric power systems. The suggested optimization methods demonstrate superior performance, compared to classical methods, and achieve a reduction of 27.5% in overshoot and 87% in transient time in addition to complete elimination of static error.
Moringa Oleifera Coagulation Characteristics in Wastewater Treatment in a University Dormitory

Wastewater treatment necessitates the use of an appropriate method to achieve satisfactory results. The conventional method of Alum addition has been widely used for years, but it is prohibitively expensive. This study uses Moringa oleifera, an inexpensive and readily available plant, as a natural coagulant to treat wastewater collected from university dormitories. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, Turbidity, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) were examined based on appropriate standards. Wastewater treatment with varied coagulant dosages of 50, 100, and 150 mg.L-1) was monitored using a standard jar test device with an initial wastewater perturbation at 100 rpm for 5 min was reduced to 50 rpm in 10 minutes with a rest time of 30 min. The results showed that the quality of the physicochemical properties of the water improved. The percentage increase in the water quality is; BOD (92%), COD (92%), and TDS (52-64%), with an increase in Moringa coagulant achieving a reduction of 96% of Turbidity. While the DO improved (79%), the pH remained below acceptable limits (6.73-7.56) for effluent disposal. The treated water showed clarity (colorless) and no odor compared to the wastewater. Hence, Moringa oleifera seeds cake residue can be an effective coagulant for wastewater treatment.