How do CDOs and CDSs influence the crisis of 2008

Everybody has heard about the “subprime” crisis but do we really know how it occurred and why this phenomenon had such an impact on our economies. One aspect of the answer to this question lies in the trade of credit default swaps (CDSs). These financial products led to less transparency in the markets and to a very collectively vulnerable financial system. This created a vicious circle that had not been anticipated by our financial regulators. In this paper, we will discuss how it occurred and what could have been done to avoid, or at lease reduce, the impact of these products

Near-Optimal BRL using Optimistic Local Transitions

Model-based Bayesian Reinforcement Learning (BRL) allows a found formalization of the problem of acting optimally while facing an unknown environment, i.e., avoiding the exploration-exploitation dilemma. However, algorithms explicitly addressing BRL suffer from such a combinatorial explosion that a large body of work relies on heuristic algorithms. This paper introduces BOLT, a simple and (almost) deterministic heuristic algorithm for BRL which is optimistic about the transition function. We analyze BOLT's sample complexity, and show that under certain parameters, the algorithm is near-optimal in the Bayesian sense with high probability. Then, experimental results highlight the key differences of this method compared to previous work.Comment: ICML201

Triangle percolation in mean field random graphs -- with PDE

We apply a PDE-based method to deduce the critical time and the size of the giant component of the ``triangle percolation'' on the Erd\H{o}s-R\'enyi random graph process investigated by Palla, Der\'enyi and VicsekComment: Summary of the changes made: We have changed a remark about k-clique percolation in the first paragraph. Two new paragraphs are inserted after equation (4.4) with two applications of the equation. We have changed the names of some variables in our formula

Quina geografia ensenyar?

L'enseignement scolaire de la géographie est en difficulté dans presque tous les pays européens: le choix des savoirs a enseigner, la conception exclusivement thématique des programmes, et l'imnmobilisme des pratiques d'enseignement en sont cause. Cet article envisage les apports possibles d'un paradigme socio-didactique et d'un modkle de lecture culturocritique de l'espace terrestre produit par la société contemporaine. Les determinants de la construction du discours de géographie scolaire doivent prendre en compte, d'une part, sa pertinence par rapport au projet social d'enseignement et a l'évolution scientifique de la connaissance et, d'autre part, la cohérence d'un ensemble systémique dynamique caractérise par le pluralisme des points de vue géographiques. Deux exemples illustrent la relation fondamentale entre problématique gtographique et problématisation de l'espace terrestre étudié.The teaching of geography in schools is in difficulties in almost all European countries. The main causes are the selection of topics to teach, the exclusively thematic conception of the contents and the resistance to change teaching methods. The application of a socio-didactical paradigm and a cultural-critical model in the interpretation of the territory could contribute to a change in teaching in schools. This approach implies the consideration of present-day problems which convert the study of geography into an instrument for positive thinking and for the democratic production of the earth by society. This article analyses how school geography can, on the one hand, play a part in the social objectives of teaching and in the scientific evolution of the discipline, and, on the other, maintain its coherence within the plurality of geographical approaches which make up a dynamically organized system-and not just a simple, structured grouping.Two examples illustrate the interaction between geographical problems and the region studied.La enseñanza de la geografia se encuentra con dificultades en casi todos los paises europeos: la selección de los conocimientos que es preciso ensefiar, la concepción exclusivamente temática de los programas y el inmovilismo de la practica de la enseñanza son las causas principales. Este articulo examina las posibles aportaciones de un paradigma sociodidáctico y de un modelo de lectura cultural-critico del espacio terrestre producido por la sociedad contemporánea. Los determinantes de la construcción del discurso geográfico escolar deben tener en cuenta, por una parte, su conveniencia en relación con el proyecto social de la enseñanza y con la evolución cientifica del conocimiento, y, por otra, la coherencia de un conjunto sistémico dinámico caracterizado por el pluralismo de los puntos de vista geográficos. El articulo concluye con dos ejemplos que ilustran la relación fundamental entre la problemática geográfica y la problematización del espacio terrestre estudiado.L'ensenyament de la geografia a l'escola es troba amb dificultats en gairebé tots els països europeus: la selecció dels coneixements que cal ensenyar, la concepció exclusivament temàtica dels programes i l'immobilisme de la practica de l'ensenyament en són les causes principals. Aquest article examina les possibles aportacions d'una paradigma socio-didactic i d'un model de lectura cultural-crític de l'espai terrestre produit per la societat contemporània. Els determinants de la construcció del discurs de la geografia escolar han de tenir en compte, d'una banda, la seva pertinència en relació amb el projecte social de l'ensenyament i amb l'evolució científica, i, d'altra, la coherència d'un conjunt sistèmic dinàmic caracteritzat pel pluralisme dels punts de vista geogràfics. L'article acaba amb dos exemples que il·lustren la relació fonamental entre la problemàtica geogràfica i la problematització de l'espai terrestre estudiat

The Cold War as a Visual Conflict: Photographic Representations of the Berlin Wall

This article deals with the iconology of the Berlin Wall from its construction, in August 1961, to its fall, in November 1989. The Berlin Wall was the symbol of the Cold War. It was the most photographed and filmed motif of that period. In this regard, the West and the East gave each other a battle of images: some of them became world-famous. They included photographs that proclaimed the Wall to be an “antifascist rampart” on one side and a “Wall of Shame” on the other side. These photographs formed binary couples: freedom vs. peace, concrete and barbed wire vs. human flesh, victims vs. martyrs

European Cyber Security System

Nowadays computer networks are widely spread in all spheres of human life. That is why the problem of cyber security of mankind is of great importance. Today, the European Union makes efforts to guarantee network safety in Europe by means of increase its member states in power and international cooperation in cyber security, including non-member countries, to prevent cyber crimes. Striving to join the European Union, Ukraine is involved in the process of providing cyber security. This paper examines the main strategies of EU standards in cyber security to be followed by Ukraine as one of European countries

Bahnhof Buffet Zurich, Lunch Menu, 17th October 1961

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