Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Basel II: A new capital framework

This article provides an introduction to the new Basel II Capital Framework (Basel II) and the Reserve Bank's approach to its implementation in New Zealand. Bank capital plays an important role in absorbing unexpected losses Regulators have an interest in the amount of capital held by banks and set some minimum capital adequacy requirements for banks. Basel II replaces the current regulatory requirements and provides a new framework for thinking about capital's role in banking and how capital requirements should be calculated. The main objectives of Basel II are to increase the sensitivity to risk of regulatory capital requirements, and to provide incentives for banks to enhance their risk-management systems and processes. The Reserve Bank is responsible for setting regulatory capital requirements for banks incorporated in New Zealand. For locally-incorporated banks that also have operations overseas, the Reserve Bank liaises closely with the relevant foreign supervisors to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation and operation of the rules in New Zealand.
On stabilization policy in sunspot-driven oligopolistic economies

Economies with oligopolistic markets are prone to inefficient sunspot fluctuations triggered by autonomous changes in firms equilibrium conjectures. We show that a well designed taxation-subsidization scheme can eliminate these fluctuations by coordinating firms in each sector on a single efficient equilibrium. At the macroeconomic level, implementing this stabilization policy leads to significant welfare gains, attributable to a quantitatively dominant "efficient stabilization effect". This effect, while important, is typically ignored in the traditional computations of the welfare costs of aggregate fluctuations (e.g., Lucas, 2003).
Science Faculty Improving Teaching Practice: Identifying Needs and Finding Meaningful Professional Development.

While research into the effectiveness of teaching professional development for postsecondary educators has increased over the last 40 years, little is known about science faculty members’ teaching professional development needs and their perceptions regarding what constitutes meaningful teaching professional development. Informed by an extensive review of the literature and numerous research projects involving hundreds of faculty members in the sciences from multiple universities, this paper seeks to help science faculty members assess their own teaching professional development needs as well as to seek out meaningful and effective teaching professional development activities to help meet their needs.
Bandwidth, bandlength, and inflation targeting: some observations

Central banks announce specific inflation targets to help anchor inflation expectations and to raise the level of monetary policy credibility (see Debelle and Stevens (1995)). Generally, however, it is argued that in setting inflation targets, there is a trade-off between credibility and flexibility. Targets also provide a yardstick against which the central bank’s success can be measured, allowing the monetary authority to establish a reputation as an inflation fighter. A good reputation leads to increased credibility. But the downside is that a tight inflation objective ties the central bank’s hands and leaves it less freedom in how it responds to economic shocks.
Planning for target system striking based on Markov decision process

Planning for targets selection and striking is an important part during the military decision process. In this paper, as to optimize the striking process against the military target system, in which there are relationships between different targets and each target having the capability to recover from the damage, the structure and the recovering mechanism of the target system is modeled. In order to generate a multi-phase striking planning which can destroy the target system efficiently, the Markov Decision Process based planning method is proposed, and a heuristic is calculated to reduce the search space of the problem. Efficiency of the model is showed by a case, which shows that commander can raise their decision efficiency by this method.
Content-based retrieval of segmented images

Most general content-based image retrieval techniques use colour and texture as main retrieval indices. A recent technique uses colour pairs to model distinct object boundaries for retrieval. These techniques have been applied to overall image contents without taking into account the characteristics of individual objects. While the techniques work well for the retrieval of images with similar overall contents (including backgrounds), their accuracies are limited because they are unable to take advantage of individual object's visual characteristics, and to perform object-level retrieval. This paper looks specifically at the use of colour-pair technique for fuzzy object-level image retrieval. Three extensions are applied to the basic colour-pair technique: (a) the development of a similarity-based ranking formula for colour-pairs matching; (b) the use of segmented objects for object-level retrieval; and (c) the inclusion of perceptually similar colours for fuzzy retrieval. A computer-aided segmentation technique is developed to segment the images' contents. Experimental results indicate that the extensions have led to substantial improvements in the retrieval performance. These extensions are sufficiently general and can be applied to other content-based image retrieval techniques.
Rethinking Industrial Relations: Mobilisation, Collectivism and Long Waves

1. Introduction 2. The Field of Industrial Relations 3. Mobilization Theory 4. Mobilization and Industrial Relations 5. Olsonian Theory and Collective Action: a critique 6. Long Waves in Industrial Relations 7. Postmodernism and the End of the Labour Movement 8. Conclusions
Experiences with Commercial Telephone-based Dialogue Systems (Erfahrungen mit kommerziellen Telefon-Sprachdialogsystemen)

Summary In this publication experiences with commercial spoken dialogue systems are discussed and guidelines for achieving high usability are pointed out. Different from most commercially deployed IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems, the systems discussed in this paper belong to a new generation of real mixed-initiative spoken dialogue systems, i. e. , the user may take the initiative, using full sentences, at virtually any point in time during the dialogue. We use three commercially deployed systems as example applications: the automated switchboard of a large German company, the movie information system operated by Germany´s largest multiplex cinema, and a football Bundesliga information system operated by a German media company.
Building Simulation 2007-523-OPTIMAL DESIGN METHOD FOR BUILDINGS & URBAN ENERGY SYSTEMS USING GENETIC ALGORITHMS

In this study, a new optimal design method for buildings and urban energy systems is proposed. Also its applicability is analyzed through a simple case study. Multi Island Genetic Algorithms (MIGA) are adopted for this optimization. This method has two optimization steps, selection of equipment capacity and selection of system operational planning. These optimization steps are calculated simultaneously. The results showed that the proposed method has the potential to be applied to very complex energy systems and achieve significant improvements.
Solution of large-scale underwater acoustic problems using fast boundary element method

This paper develops the fast multipole method (FMM) accelerated the boundary element method (BEM) for large-scale underwater acoustic problems. The Burton-Miller formulation is employed to overcome non-uniqueness difficulties in the conventional BEM for exterior acoustic problems. The computational efficiency is further improved by adopting the FMM to solve system matrix equation. Numerical results clearly demonstrate the complete reliability and efficiency of the FMM-BEM algorithm.
Inflation and the role of wages in South Africa: A co-integration analysis

An explanation of inflation that focuses on the costs of production, wages (or unit labour costs) plays a central role. In South Africa, the recent change to an inflation-targeting monetary policy framework and the relative strong role of trade unions has increased the need to understand and quantify the interaction between inflation and wages. The purpose of the working paper is to investigate this relationship empirically, on both the aggregate and sectoral levels, using multivariate co-integration techniques.
A GENERIC DYNAMICAL MODEL OF GAMMA-RAY BURST REMNANTS

The conventional generic model is deemed to explain the dynamics of $\gamma$-ray burst remnants very well, no matter whether they are adiabatic or highly radiative. However, we find that for adiabatic expansion, the model could not reproduce the Sedov solution in the non-relativistic phase, thus the model needs to be revised. In the present paper, a new differential equation is derived. The generic model based on this equation has been shown to be correct for both radiative and adiabatic fireballs, and in both ultra-relativistic and non-relativistic phase.
Recognizing English Learners’ Native Language from Their Writings

Native Language Identification (NLI), which tries to identify the native language (L1) of a second language learner based on their writings, is helpful for advancing second language learning and authorship profiling in forensic linguistics. With the availability of relevant data resources, much work has been done to explore the native language of a foreign language learner. In this report, we present our system for the first shared task in Native Language Identification (NLI). We use a linear SVM classifier and explore features of words, word and character n-grams, style, and metadata. Our official system achieves accuracy of 0.773, which ranks it 18 th among the 29 teams in the closed track.
Kernel mode API spectroscopy for incident response and digital forensics

A (kernel mode) API spectrum of binary code is a histogram of the (kernel) API calls made by that code. When API calls are grouped into functional classes, an API spectrum can give a compact insight into the possible functionality of an unknown piece of code and therefore is useful in IT incident response and digital forensics. We present the design and implementation of an API spectroscope for the Windows operating system. One main feature of our system is its use of the Windows kernel debugger as a translator of binary code to API names used in our spectrum.
Modelling infrared galaxy evolution using a phenomenological approach

To characterize the cosmological evolution of the sources contributing to the infrared extragalactic background, we have developed a phenomenological model that constrains in a simple way the evolution of the galaxy luminosity function with redshift, and fits all the existing source counts and redshift distributions, cosmic infrared background intensity and fluctuation observations, from the mid-infrared to the submillimetre range. The model is based on template spectra of starburst and normal galaxies, and on the local infrared luminosity function. Although the cosmic infrared background can be modelled with very different luminosity functions as long as the radiation production with redshift is the right one, the number counts and the anisotropies of the unresolved background imply that the luminosity function must change dramatically with redshift, with a rapid evolution of the high-luminosity sources (L > 3 × 10 11 L� ) from z = 0t oz = 1, which then stay rather constant up to redshift z = 5. The derived evolution of the infrared luminosity function may be linked to a bimodal star formation process: one associated with the quiescent and passive phase of the galaxy evolution, and one associated with the starburst phase, triggered by merging and interactions. The latter dominates the infrared and submillimetre output energy of the Universe. The model is intended as a convenient tool to plan further observations, as illustrated through predictions for Herschel, Planck and ALMA observations. Our model predictions for given wavelengths, together with some useful routines, are available for general use.
Large-Scale microRNA Expression Profiling Identifies Putative Retinal miRNA-mRNA Signaling Pathways Underlying Form-Deprivation Myopia in Mice

Development of myopia is associated with large-scale changes in ocular tissue gene expression. Although differential expression of coding genes underlying development of myopia has been a subject of intense investigation, the role of non-coding genes such as microRNAs in the development of myopia is largely unknown. In this study, we explored myopia-associated miRNA expression profiles in the retina and sclera of C57Bl/6J mice with experimentally induced myopia using microarray technology. We found a total of 53 differentially expressed miRNAs in the retina and no differences in miRNA expression in the sclera of C57BL/6J mice after 10 days of visual form deprivation, which induced -6.93 ± 2.44 D (p < 0.000001, n = 12) of myopia. We also identified their putative mRNA targets among mRNAs found to be differentially expressed in myopic retina and potential signaling pathways involved in the development of form-deprivation myopia using miRNA-mRNA interaction network analysis. Analysis of myopia-associated signaling pathways revealed that myopic response to visual form deprivation in the retina is regulated by a small number of highly integrated signaling pathways. Our findings highlighted that changes in microRNA expression are involved in the regulation of refractive eye development and predicted how they may be involved in the development of myopia by regulating retinal gene expression.
Effectiveness of the data generated on different time in latent factor model

User selection data accumulates as time goes by. Although the recent selections are usually assumed to have higher impact on the recommendation accuracy, empirical studies on this problem are limited. For old data, whether they can contribute to the recommendation accuracy is still to be determined. On one hand, changes in short-term user preference over time may limit their effectiveness in prediction, but on the other hand, one cannot rule out their potential in capturing long term user preferences. The result is important for the system owner to determine which data is useful to make the recommendation accurately. While there have been some related studies on the time dependency of data quality using neighbor-based CF methods (e.g., [4]), its effects remain unverified for other CF methods. In this paper, we study the effect of data generated over different time period on recommendation precision using several popular model-based CF algorithms (latent factor models). experiment results show that while more recent data expectedly have larger impacts, the usefulness of older data cannot be ignored as long as there are sufficient old samples. However, the addition of insufficient amount of old data seems to have negative impacts.
Analysis of expiratory tidal flow patterns as a diagnostic tool in airflow obstruction.

An index obtained from tidal expiration, the ratio of time to peak tidal expiratory flow (tPTEF) to expiratory time (tE), discriminates between groups with and without airflow obstruction in infants and children and correlates with other measurements of airflow obstruction in adults. The aim of this study was to determine whether the diagnosis of airflow obstruction could be made from an analysis of the later part of the expiratory tidal flow time curve, i.e beyond the maximum flow. One hundred and eighteen patients attending the lung function laboratory with a putative diagnosis of airflow obstruction were studied. From uncoached tidal breathing, measurements were made of the average time constant of the respiratory system (Trs) and extrapolated volume (EV). Forced expiratory spirometry and whole-body plethysmography were performed. In this cross-sectional study, Trs correlated with inspiratory airways resistance and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), according to the linear regression equations, airway resistance (Raw)=3.03 Trs+1.2, r=0.65, p<0.001, and FEV1% predicted = 87.8-23.7 Trs, r=058, p<0.001. EV correlated positively with overinflation, functional residual capacity (FRC) % pred = 152 EV+103, r=0.68, p<0.001. This study shows that there is a relationship between these measurements made from analysis of tidal breathing and recognized measurements of airflow obstruction and overinflation.
Precise BAC targeting of genetically polymorphic mouse ES cells

The use of bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) provides a consistent and high targeting efficiency of homologous recombination in embryonic stem (ES) cells, facilitated by long stretches of sequence homology. Here, we introduce a BAC targeting method which employs restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in targeted polymorphic C57BL/6/Cast/Ei F1 mouse ES cell lines to identify properly targeted ES cell clones. We demonstrate that knockout alleles can be generated either by targeting of an RFLP located in the open reading frame thereby disrupting the RFLP and ablating gene function, or by introduction of a transcription stop cassette that prematurely stops transcription of an RFLP located downstream of the stop cassette. With both methods we have generated Rnf12 heterozygous knockout ES cells, which were identified by allele specific PCR using genomic DNA or cDNA as a template. Our results indicate that this novel strategy is efficient and precise, by combining a high targeting efficiency with a convenient PCR based readout and reliable detection of correct targeting events.
Measuring the Performance of the Hollow State

IllustrationsAcknowledmentsAbbreviations and Acronyms 1. Introduction: Federal Performance Measurement 2. Setting the Stage: Third Parties, Fiscal Federalsim, and Accountability 3. Performance Measurement as Political and Administrative Reform 4. Performance as Grants to Third-Party Service Providers: The Health Resources and Services Administration 5.Performance as the Provision of Health Financial Security: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 6. Performance as Grants to Third Party Research Providers: The National Institutes of Health 7. Measuring the Health Performance of Sovereign Tribes as Third Parties: The Indian Health Service 8. Performance as Regulation: The Food and Drug Administration 9. Measuring Performance and Results in Theory and Practice 10. After the Government Performance and Results Act: Performance Measurement, Performance Budgeting, and Performance Management APPENDIXES A: Discussion Guide B: Science Advance from the National Institute of Mental Health FY2000 C: Science Capsule from the National Instistute of Mental Health FY2000 D: Stories of Discovery from the National Institute of Mental Health FY2001 E: The Conduct of Research References Index
Baghdad method for calculating multiplicative inverse

Multiplicative inverse is a crucial operation in cryptographic systems; public key cryptography has given rise to such a need, in which we need to generate a related public/private pair of numbers, each of which is the inverse of the other. One of the best methods for calculating the multiplicative inverse is extended-Euclidean method. We propose a new algorithm for calculating the inverse, based on continuous adding of two integer numbers and divide them result by the public key until an integer is obtained.
A Fast Procedure to Accurately Determine Leaky Modes in Multilayered Planar Dielectric Substrates

Leaky modes of multilayered substrates play an important role in efficient numerical electromagnetic solvers. In this paper, the location of the propagation constants of the transverse electric and transverse magnetic leaky modes are determined in an efficient way for multilayered substrates with commensurable layer thicknesses. It is shown that, for all practical applications, accurate quasi-static approximations for high mode orders can be derived rapidly by finding the roots of an analytically obtained polynomial. Furthermore, simple closed-form expressions are derived for some particular cases. Starting from these estimates, only a few additional Newton steps are required for a very precise determination of the propagation constants. The proposed method is validated by means of several illustrative numerical examples.
Improving Workflow Project Quality Via Business Process Patterns Based on Organizational Structure Aspects

The correct definition of business process is a key to achieve quality in workflow project. Accordingly, this paper proposes business (sub)process candidate patterns to be used in business process modelling. The candidate patterns differ from other proposals first because they focus on task flow descriptions and second because they are based on organizational structural aspects. Our proposal is to store the patterns in the catalogue of the Transactional Metamodel of Business Process introduced in this paper. The metamodel makes feasible the modelling of business process through the use of business subprocess patterns based on organizational structural aspects. An additionally feature of the metamodel supports the generation of business subprocess patterns through the Business Process Execution Language for Web Services (BPEL4WS).
SALSA version 1.0: a speech-based web browser for hong kong English

In this paper, we present a prototype speech-based Web browser, SALSA1.0, and describe some of the research issues we need to address while building this system for Hong Kong users. SALSA1.0 allows the user to speak English command words as well as partial or complete link names on any page. The research issues involved in building SALSA1.0 are mainly (1) how to handle large accent variations and mixed-language and (2) how to handle unknown words, especially proper names, in Web links. The recognition engine for SALSA1.0 is trained on WSJ data, and then retrained on a small amount of Hong Kong accent WSJ data to handle accent variations. An edit-distance algorithm is used to replace all unknown words by the closest known word in the word network for recognition. With these methods, link name recognition rate is at 91.20% for links without unknown words, and 82.40% for links with unknown words. SALSA is currently being developed into a multilingual, natural language-based Intranet service provider for HKUST campus information access.
Pay-Roll Contribution Financed Social Protection Programs in Uruguay

In this paper we analyze the recent performance, perspectives and some policy options for two public social security programs in Uruguay: pensions and unemployment insurance. We review the impact of these programs on public expenditure, including recent and expected future trends, and on income inequality. Performing microsimulations, we evaluate the fiscal impact, and in some cases the equity impact, of some policy options.
Thymic Crosstalk Coordinates Medulla Organization and T-Cell Tolerance Induction

The thymus ensures the generation of a functional and highly diverse T-cell repertoire. The thymic medulla, which is mainly composed of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and dendritic cells (DCs), provides a specialized microenvironment dedicated to the establishment of T-cell tolerance. mTECs play a privileged role in this pivotal process by their unique capacity to express a broad range of peripheral self-antigens that are presented to developing T cells. Reciprocally, developing T cells control mTEC differentiation and organization. These bidirectional interactions are commonly referred to as thymic crosstalk. This review focuses on the relative contributions of mTEC and DC subsets to the deletion of autoreactive T cells and the generation of natural regulatory T cells. We also summarize current knowledge regarding how hematopoietic cells conversely control the composition and complex three-dimensional organization of the thymic medulla.