Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transparency and Monetary Policy: What Does the Academic Literature Tell Policymakers?

Transparency in monetary policy has become a popular topic over the past decade. However, the majority of the economic research is theoretical, calling into question its value as a practical guide to monetary policy. This paper surveys the literature to assess what conclusions a central bank can draw from the academic study of transparency and how beneficial transparency may be.
Interactive fur modeling based on hierarchical texture layers

This paper presents a system to interactively model and render fur on surfaces of arbitrary topology. It employs the hierarchical layers of textured slices to represent fur so the computation complexity on rendering and editing can be reduced greatly. The system utilizes vector field and scalar field to control the geometric variations of the furry shape. Users can intuitively edit the fur by manipulating these fields, and view the variation results in real time. Our system supports several interactive fur modeling operations, including combing, wind blowing, interpolating, smoothing and disturbance operations. The experimental results have shown the feasibility of the proposed approach.
MULTIVARIATE LOCAL POLYNOMIAL REGRESSION FOR TIME SERIES:UNIFORM STRONG CONSISTENCY AND RATES

Local high-order polynomial fitting is employed for the estimation of the multivariate regression function m(x1,…xd) =E{φ(Yd)φX1=x1,…,Xd=xd}, and of its partial derivatives, for stationary random processes {Yi, Xi}. The function φ may be selected to yield estimates of the conditional mean, conditional moments and conditional distributions. Uniform strong consistency over compact subsets of Rd, along with rates, are established for the regression function and its partial derivatives for strongly mixing processes.
Climate Change and Variability in Ghana: Stocktaking

This paper provides a holistic literature review of climate change and variability in Ghana by examining the impact and projections of climate change and variability in various sectors (agricultural, health and energy) and its implication on ecology, land use, poverty and welfare. The findings suggest that there is a projected high temperature and low rainfall in the years 2020, 2050 and 2080, and desertification is estimated to be proceeding at a rate of 20,000 hectares per annum. Sea-surface temperatures will increase in Ghana’s waters and this will have drastic effects on fishery. There will be a reduction in the suitability of weather within the current cocoa-growing areas in Ghana by 2050 and an increase evapotranspiration of the cocoa trees. Furthermore, rice and rooted crops (especially cassava) production are expected to be low. Hydropower generation is also at risk and there will be an increase in the incidence rate of measles, diarrheal cases, guinea worm infestation, malaria, cholera, cerebro-spinal meningitis and other water related diseases due to the current climate projections and variability. These negative impacts of climate change and variability worsens the plight of the poor, who are mostly women and children.
Application of complexity and brittleness on software architecture

Just like the catastrophe in power grid, software system may collapse during its operation. It reflects the complexity in software system itself, and the brittleness of software system is the main reason which results in the collapse. The notion of complex system and brittleness is introduced into the study of software system and some aspects which can induce the system to collapse are also discussed. Specifically, the notions of complex system, complex network and brittleness are introduced at first, then a detailed description of the complexity of software system is given; following that a fast-slow alternative dynamic model is built, which consists of a slow-dynamic model and a fast-dynamic model. In the end, a complex theory framework of brittleness on software architecture is presented, which covers the brittleness of software architecture from the way of language description, the analytical method, modeling to the evaluation. This can give a comprehensive research platform on the brittleness of software system. Some main research areas are also given for future study.
Optimized diagnosability of distributed discrete event systems through abstraction. (Diagnosticabilité Optimisée des Systèmes Distribués à Evénements Discrets par Abstraction)

Over the latest decades, much research work has been done on automatic fault diagnosis. However, it is imperative to analyze at system design stage how correctness and efficiency and diagnosis algorithm can achieve. Thus many studies were interested in analyzing and characterizing the properties of diagnosability of a system. Diagnosability is the property of a system ensuring that it generates observations for detecting and discriminating faults in finite time after their occurrence.In this thesis, we investigate how to optimize distributed diagnosability analysis by abstracting necessary and sufficient information from local objects to decide global diagnosability decision. The algorithm efficiency can be greatly improved by synchronization of abstracted local objects compared to that of non abstracted local ones.Then we extend the distributed diagnosability algorithm from fault event first to simple pattern and then to general pattern, where pattern can describe more general objects in the diagnosis problem, e.g., multiple faults, multiple occurrences of the same fault, ordered occurrences of significant events, etc. In the distributed framework, the pattern recognition is first incrementally performed normally in a subsystem and then pattern diagnosability can be determined by adjusting abstracted method used in fault event case. We prove the correctness and efficiency of our proposed algorithm both in theory through proof and in practice through implementation.Finally we study joint diagnosability problem in systems with autonomous components, i.e., observable information is distributed instead of centralized. In other words, each component can only observe its own observable events. We give joint diagnosability definition. And then we discuss the undecidability of joint diagnosability in the general case, i.e., communication events are not observable, before proposing an algorithm to test its sufficient condition. In addition, we also get a decidability result and algorithm when communications are observable.
Sociotechnical Management Model for Governance of an Ecosystem

This is an opinion paper regarding a proposal of a model for a Ecosystemm Governance. In the globalized world the importance of Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT) become increasingly relevant regarding the requirements imposed by competition. Both the knowledge of the business as the rapid flow of information are fundamental for a enterprise decision making. Whereas the basic definition of IT = hardware + software, i.e., tools that has been used to create, store and disseminate data and information in the creation of knowledge, and IS = IT + People + procedures that collect, process and disseminate the information to support decision making, coordination, control, analysis and visualization in the organization [01], it makes implicit the understanding of IS is essential to create competitive companies, to manage global corporations and provide customers with products and services of value. In this work we are correlating IS with the governance of management of an ecosystem. Yet, as IT is redefining the foundations of business, then the customer service, operations, strategies of product marketing and its distribution and even the knowledge management (KM) depends very much, or sometimes even completely, on the IS. The IT and its costs have become a part of day-to-day business [02]. In order to meet this complexity of business needs, today is not possible to disregard the IT and its available resources, which makes very dificult to draw up IS. Therefore, the perspective view of the Sociotehcnical Aspects of an IS are directly concerned with governance and the model proposed regarding an ecosystem. Finally, whereas the summary above, the main objective of this opinion paper is to propose the guidelines for a Sociotechnical Management Model of Governance for an Ecosystem.
A Parallel Integration Method for Solar System Dynamics

We describe how long-term solar system orbit integration could be implemented on a parallel computer. The interesting feature of our algorithm is that each processor is assigned not to a planet or a pair of planets but to a time-interval. Thus, the 1st week, 2nd week,. , 1000th week of an orbit are computed concurrently. The problem of matching the input to the (n+1)-st processor with the output of the n-th processor can be solved efficiently by an iterative procedure. Our work is related to the so-called waveform relaxation methods in the computational mathematics literature, but is specialized to the Hamiltonian and nearly integrable nature of solar system orbits. Simulations on serial machines suggest that, for the reasonable accuracy requirement of 1" per century, our preliminary parallel algorithm running on a 1000-processor machine would be about 50 times faster than the fastest available serial algorithm, and we have suggestions for further improvements in speed.
Joint Information and Jamming Beamforming for Secrecy Rate Maximization in Cognitive Radio Networks

In this paper, we consider the secure beamforming design for an underlay cognitive radio multiple-input single-output broadcast channel in the presence of multiple passive eavesdroppers. Our goal is to design a jamming noise (JN) transmit strategy to maximize the secrecy rate of the secondary system. By utilizing the zero-forcing method to eliminate the interference caused by JN to the secondary user, we study the joint optimization of the information and JN beamforming for secrecy rate maximization of the secondary system while satisfying all the interference power constraints at the primary users, as well as the per-antenna power constraint at the secondary transmitter. For an optimal beamforming design, the original problem is a nonconvex program, which can be reformulated as a convex program by applying the rank relaxation method. To this end, we prove that the rank relaxation is tight and propose a barrier interior-point method to solve the resulting saddle point problem based on a duality result. To find the global optimal solution, we transform the considered problem into an unconstrained optimization problem. We then employ Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno method to solve the resulting unconstrained problem, which helps reduce the complexity significantly, compared with the conventional methods. Simulation results show the fast convergence of the proposed algorithm and substantial performance improvements over the existing approaches.
Choosing a Parser for Anaphora Resolution

We investigate the performance changes in the Lappin and Leass (1994) anaphora resolution algorithm when we switch the parser. We compare anaphora resolution results obtained using the Briscoe and Carroll (1993) probabilistic LR parser, the maximum entropy based Charniak (2000) parser, and two versions of the Collins (1997) parser.
Fatigue and Voluntary Utilization of Automation in Simulated Driving

Objective: A driving simulator was used to assess the impact on fatigue, stress, and workload of full vehicle automation that was initiated by the driver. Background: Previous studies have shown that mandatory use of full automation induces a state of “passive fatigue” associated with loss of alertness. By contrast, voluntary use of automation may enhance the driver’s perceptions of control and ability to manage fatigue. Method: Participants were assigned to one of two experimental conditions, automation optional (AO) and nonautomation (NA), and then performed a 35-min, monotonous simulated drive. In the last 5 min, automation was unavailable and drivers were required to respond to an emergency event. Subjective state and workload were evaluated before and after the drive. Results: Making automation available to the driver failed to alleviate fatigue and stress states induced by driving in monotonous conditions. Drivers who were fatigued prior to the drive were more likely to choose to use automation, but automation use increased distress, especially in fatigue-prone drivers. Drivers in the AO condition were slower to initiate steering responses to the emergency event, suggesting optional automation may be distracting. Conclusion: Optional, driver-controlled automation appears to pose the same dangers to task engagement and alertness as externally initiated automation. Application: Drivers of automated vehicles may be vulnerable to fatigue that persists when normal vehicle control is restored. It is important to evaluate automated systems’ impact on driver fatigue, to seek design solutions to the issue of maintaining driver engagement, and to address the vulnerabilities of fatigue-prone drivers.
Sentence Processing: Linking Language to Motor Chains

A growing body of evidence in cognitive science and neuroscience points towards the existence of a deep interconnection between cognition, perception and action. According to this embodied perspective language is grounded in the sensorimotor system and language understanding is based on a mental simulation process (Jeannerod, 2007; Gallese, 2008; Barsalou, 2009). This means that during action words and sentence comprehension the same perception, action, and emotion mechanisms implied during interaction with objects are recruited. Among the neural underpinnings of this simulation process an important role is played by a sensorimotor matching system known as the mirror neuron system (Rizzolatti and Craighero, 2004). Despite a growing number of studies, the precise dynamics underlying the relation between language and action are not yet well understood. In fact, experimental studies are not always coherent as some report that language processing interferes with action execution while others find facilitation. In this work we present a detailed neural network model capable of reproducing experimentally observed influences of the processing of action-related sentences on the execution of motor sequences. The proposed model is based on three main points. The first is that the processing of action-related sentences causes the resonance of motor and mirror neurons encoding the corresponding actions. The second is that there exists a varying degree of crosstalk between neuronal populations depending on whether they encode the same motor act, the same effector or the same action-goal. The third is the fact that neuronal populations’ internal dynamics, which results from the combination of multiple processes taking place at different time scales, can facilitate or interfere with successive activations of the same or of partially overlapping pools.
System-level analog simulation of a mixed-signal continuous-time field programmable analog array

Field programmable analog arrays (FPAAs) represent analog signal transfer functions, which depend on alterable digital configuration data. They are indispensable if reconfigurable analog signal processing has to be included in a system-on-chip. For system-level design of filter structures as well as accurate transistor-level simulations of the analog transfer function, it is necessary to enter the respective configuration data before phase/magnitude analyses are run. This paper introduces a graphical design-entry tool for an FPAA consisting of 17 g/sub m/-C blocks for instantiation of high-frequency filters. It also reports on first simulation results confirming the feasibility up to corner frequencies of hundreds of MHz. Transfer function simulations of basic building-blocks are compared with theory and lead to an exemplary instantiation of a fourth-order Butterworth-filter.
Performance Of Selected Pre-Harvest And Post-Harvest Corn And Soybean Marketing Strategies Vs. Alternative Market Benchmarks

This study was undertaken to update earlier work by the authors that analyzed selected preharvest pricing strategies utilizing options markets to establish a price floor for part of the crop in the spring, with additional pricing done by use of short hedges in early summer. The timing of implementing these strategies was moved back to late February if the previous year's U.S. crop was a weather-induced short crop. A weather-induced short crop as opposed to a government program induced short crop was defined as one in which U.S. production fell below the previous year's use and the U.S. average yield was at least 6% below a trend yield. Previous work by the authors indicated that selected pre-harvest strategies applied to actual farms in Iowa and Ohio over the 1985-1998 time period generated net returns well above those from a naive strategy of systematically selling at harvest, with t-tests indicating statistical significance at the 5% level. Similar results were observed when the time period was extended to 2001. The results from this study may explain the observed increase in the use of forward pricing by farmers, the emergence of new pre-harvest marketing tools focusing on late winter and spring pricing opportunities, and the emphasis on pre-harvest pricing by market advisory services (Irwin et al., 2003). Results reported here suggest that over the past 18 to 29 years, farmers have had the potential to reap substantial economic benefits from improving both their pre-harvest and post-harvest marketing skills.
Why did agricultural labour productivity not converge in Europe from 1950 to 2005

This paper offers a long-term analysis of agricultural labour productivity differences in Europe using econometric techniques. The results show the crucial importance of the land/labour ratio. The continuous exit of manpower from the sector, coupled with increased use of productive factors originating in other sectors of the economy, caused the efficiency of agricultural workers to rise. The different relative importance of these processes across countries largely explains why labour productivity did not converge. In turn, institutions have apparently conditioned differences in productivity, as a direct and inverse relation is detected between membership of the EU and the Communist block and the productivity of agricultural labour.
Desegregation as a Cold War Imperative

At the height of the McCarthy era, when Congressional committees were exposing "communist infiltration" in many areas of American life, the Supreme Court was upholding loyalty oath requirements, and the executive branch was ferreting out alleged communists in government, the U.S. Attorney General filed a pro-civil rights brief in what would become one of the most celebrated civil rights cases in American history: Brown v. Board of Education. Although seemingly at odds with the restrictive approach to individual rights in other contexts, the U.S. government's participation in the desegregation cases during the McCarthy era was no anomaly. Rather, by the early 1950s, American leaders had come to believe that civil rights reform was crucial to the more central U.S. mission of fighting world communism. Based in part on diplomatic research in State Department archives, this article demonstrates that Cold War motives influenced the U.S. government's involvement in Brown and other cases. Originally published in 1988 in the Stanford Law Review, this article was the first publication to use State Department records to examine the relationship between Cold War foreign relations and civil rights in the United States. Diplomatic records illustrate the growing concern among American diplomats and political leaders after World War II about the impact of race discrimination on the U.S. image around the world, and the global critique that the United States could not be an effective "leader of the free world" as long as the nation blatantly denied rights to its own peoples. This research confirmed the suspicions of Derrick Bell and others who argued before these records were opened that foreign affairs affected U.S. government civil rights policies, and it helped illuminate the world-wide impact of the civil rights movement. This research was expanded upon in Mary L. Dudziak, Cold War Civil Rights: Race and the Image of American Democracy (Princeton University Press, 2000), and in books and articles by other scholars. The larger body of work on race and foreign relations is an important aspect of efforts by historians to "internationalize" the study of American history. Thanks to the Stanford Law Review, the article is now available on SSRN so that it will be easily accessible on-line.
Sample path large deviations for a class of Markov chains related to disordered mean field models

We prove a large deviation principle on path space for a class of discrete time Markov processes whose state space is the intersection of a regular domain $\L\subset \R^d$ with some lattice of spacing $\e$. Transitions from $x$ to $y$ are allowed if $\e^{-1}(x-y)\in \D$ for some fixed set of vectors $\D$. The transition probabilities $p_\e(t,x,y)$, which themselves depend on $\e$, are allowed to depend on the starting point $x$ and the time $t$ in a sufficiently regular way, except near the boundaries, where some singular behaviour is allowed. The rate function is identified as an action functional which is given as the integral of a Lagrange function. %of time dependent relativistic classical mechanics. Markov processes of this type arise in the study of mean field dynamics of disordered mean field models.
GeneBox: Interactive Visualization of Microarray Data Sets

Technological advancements are constantly increasing the size and complexity of data resulting from microarray experiments. This fact has led biologists to ask complex questions, which the existing, fully automated analyses are often not adequate to answer. We present GeneBox, an interactive tool for two-dimensional and threedimensional visualization of microarray data sets resulting from experiments involving multiple experimental variables, for example, multiple genotypes and time points. Through an easy-to-use interface, GeneBox facilitates the exploration of such data, especially in visually “highlighting” interesting genes and supporting the formulation of hypotheses on their functional differences and similarities. GeneBox is based on state-of-the-art statistical methods for microarray data normalization, differential expression inference, and significance determination. We demonstrate our tool on a public microarray dataset consisting of multiple genotypes under different experimental conditions, obtaining excellent results in all examples. Our tool is available at http://graphics.cs. ucdavis.edu/∼nyshah/GeneBox.
Strengthened Cauchy-Schwarz and Hölder inequalities

We present some identities related to the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality in complex inner product spaces. A new proof of the basic result on the subject of Strengthened Cauchy-Schwarz inequalities is derived using these identities. Also, an analogous version of this result is given for Strengthened H\"older inequalities.
Discussion of paper "A selective overview of nonparametric methods in financial econometrics" by Jianqing Fan

We would like to congratulate Jianqing Fan with an excellent and well written survey of some of the literature in this area. We will here focus on some of the issues which are at the reserach frontiers in financial econometrics but are not covered in the survey. Most importantly, we consider the estimation of actual volatility. Related to this is the realization that financial data is actually observed with error (typically called market microstructure), and that one needs to consider a hidden semimartingale model. This has implications for the Markov models discussed above.