Recently there has been a growing interest in the use of Low Rate Wireless Personal Area Networks (LR-WPAN) [1] driven by the large number of emerging applications such as home automation, health-care monitoring and environmental surveillance. To fulfill the needs for these emerging applications, IEEE has created a new standard called IEEE 802.15.4 for LR-WPAN, which has been widely accepted as the de facto standard for wireless sensor networks. Unlike IEEE 802.11 [2], which was designed for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), it focuses on short range wireless communications. The goal of the IEEE 802.15.4 LR-WPAN is to support low data rate connectivity among wireless sensors with low complexity, cost and power consumption [3]. It specifies two types of network topologies, which are the beacon-enabled start network and the nonbeacon-enabled peer-to-peer network. For the beacon-enabled network, it defines the Guaranteed Time Slot (GTS) to provide real-time guaranteed service for delay-sensitive applications. In the nonbeacon-enabled network the GTS is reserved time slots such that it is requested, allocated and scheduled to wireless sensors that need guaranteed service for delay-sensitive applications. Existing GTS scheduling algorithms include First-Come-First-Served (FCFS) [1], priority-based [4] and Earliest Deadline First (EDF) [5] methods. Such FCFS and priority-based scheduling methods have critical drawbacks in achieving real-time guarantees. Namely, they fail to satisfy the delay constraints of delay-sensitive transactions. Further, they lead to GTS scarcity and GTS underutilization. On the other hand, the EDF-based scheduling method provides delay guarantee while it does not support delay-sensitive applications where arrival of the first packet has a critical impact on the performance. To solve these problems, we design the optimal work-conserving GTS Allocation and Scheduling (GAS) algorithm that provides guarantee service for delay-sensitive applications in beacon-enabled networks. Not only does the GAS satisfy the delay constraints of transactions, but also it reduces GTS scarcity and GTS underutilization. Further, it supports delay-sensitive applications where arrival of the first packet has a critical impact on the performance. Through the extensive simulation results, we show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing scheduling methods. Our algorithm differs from the existing ones in that it is an on-line scheduling and allocation algorithm and allows transmissions of bursty and periodic transactions with delay constraints even when the network is overloaded. In the nonbeacon-enabled peer-to-peer network some operating scenarios for rate-sensitive applications arise when one considers wireless video surveillance and target detection applications for wireless sensor networks. To support such rate-sensitive applications in wireless sensor networks, we present a Multirate-based Service Differentiation (MSD) operating in the nonbeacon-enabled peer-to-peer network. Unlike existing priority-based service differentiation models, the MSD defines the independent Virtual Medium Access Controls (VMACs), each of which consists of a transmission queue and the Adaptive Backoff Window Control (ABWC). Since the VMACs serve multiple rate-sensitive flows, it is possible that more than one data frame is collided with each other when their backoff times expire simultaneously. To solve such a virtual collision in the virtual collision domain, we design the Virtual Collision Avoidance Control (VCAC). The ABWC component adjusts the backoff window to reflect the local network state in the local collision domain. The VCAC component prevents virtual collisions and preempts packets with the minimal cost in the virtual collision domain. By analyzing these algorithms, we prove that the ABWC component enables the achieved data rate to converge to the rate requirement and the VCAC component produces a virtual-collision-free schedule to avoid degradation of the achieved data rate. Through the simulation, we validate our analysis and show the MSD outperforms existing algorithms. / Ph. D.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have become a significant global phenomenon and governments are utilizing them more frequently to deliver projects that satisfy increasing societal demands in infrastructure sectors such as highways. Compared to traditional project delivery approaches, PPPs are long-term contracts between the public and the private sectors, where the private sector is engaged in more project tasks and accepts more risks. However, due to their long-term and complex nature, PPP contracts face many issues. Consequently, each project's contract becomes vital to project success because it: allocates risks, governs project relationships, and can align parties' interests. This dissertation examined 21 project contracts in the US highway PPP market to investigate risk allocation; contract designs and risk sharing mechanisms; and revenue risk guarantees. Using a content analysis framework, the allocation of 31 risks associated with highway PPPs was determined. These risks were mostly transferred to the private sector or shared between public and private parties, and project context had a significant influence on risk allocation. Assessment of contract designs indicated that the public sector imposes extensive monitoring and retains a majority of the decision rights to preclude opportunistic actions by the private sector; further, risk sharing mechanisms were complex and largely dependent on resolution during project implementation, which likely increases ex post transaction costs. Finally, revenue guarantees, commonly structured as standard options to mitigate revenue risk, were redesigned to incorporate exotic option features; quantitative analysis revealed that exotic structures can better serve chief PPP stakeholders' interests through increased robustness and flexibility. / Ph. D.

Group signature schemes enable anonymous-yet-accountable communications. Such a capability is extremely useful for modern applications such as smartphone-based crowdsensing and citizen science. A prototype named GROUPSENSE was developed to support anonymous-yet-accountable crowdsensing with SRBE in Android devices. From this prototype, an Android crowdsensing application was implemented to support privacy in citizen science. In this thesis, we will evaluate the usability of our privacy-preserving crowdsensing application for citizen science projects. An in person user study with 22 participants has been performed showing that participants understood the importance of privacy in citizen science and were willing to install privacy-enhancing applications, yet over half of the participants did not understand the privacy guarantee. Based on these results, modifications to the crowdsensing application have been made with the goal of improving the participants' understanding of the privacy guarantee. / Master of Science

Yes / We outline the valuation process for a No-Negative Equity Guarantee in an Equity Release Mortgage loan and for an Equity Release Mortgage that has such a guarantee. Illustrative valuations are provided based on the Black ’76 put pricing formula and mortality projections based on the M5, M6 and M7 mortality versions of the Cairns–Blake–Dowd (CBD) family of mortality models. Results indicate that the valuations of No-Negative Equity Guarantees are high relative to loan amounts and subject to considerable model risk but that the valuations of Equity Release Mortgage loans are robust to the choice of mortality model. Results have significant ramifications for industry practice and prudential regulation.

The first part of the thesis deals with a description of legal relationships in the international trade and explains the term "international element." Further there is a short description of private international law and international trade law. The second part of the thesis is focused on securing of contractual obligations in the international trade. The third part concerns with explanation of the basic forms of legal relationships in the international trade regulation with regard to securing of contractual obligations. The final part of the thesis deals with a description of securing instruments used in the international trade. At the end of this part there are listed factors which influence the choice of a suitable securing instrument.

在二十世紀末的今天，國際間的技術輸出、工程開發、勞務僱傭以及精密技術的移轉等均有別於傳統有形物品的國際貿易，其金額與規模的鉅大，交易的頻繁，均呈現空前繁盛的情況，尤其國際間的營建工程也已成為國際貿易的一大項目，實乃始料所未及。由於工程龐大，涉及貨物或勞務的供應以及工作的履行，且需某種程度的技術與經驗,為確保工程依特定的規格或品質如期完成,業主乃要求承包商提供可靠的擔保，此乃國際上公認的正常保障措施。擔保的形式很多，擔保信用狀和「獨立性（單據化）的銀行保證函」乃最普遍、最常見，也最容易被各方所接受。雖然保證或保險公司也願簽發此種獨立性質的擔保函，而銀行也會有簽發傳統的從屬性保證函的情形，但銀行簽發的獨立性保證函與擔保信用狀仍為目前國際貿易上最盛行、最具代表性的保證方式，且其用途已不限於確保營建工程的履行，目前已被廣泛使用在各種層面的擔保上。但我國及其他大部分國家均未對此種與傳統民法炯異的銀行獨立性保證函加以立法，而許多人對此種獨立於基礎契約的保證也一知半解，因此易滋困擾。本研究的目的即欲提昇國人對獨立性銀行保證函的了解和認知，以利其發展。此外，針對受益人對獨立性銀行保證函的濫用及不公平索償的風險，本文也欲藉著探討擔保函中的條款及其所可能帶來的風險，而使當事人能於擬訂擔保函內容時，即將開發擔保函的風險減到最低。而為了與傳統民法所提的保證加以區別，本論文特將「獨立性的銀行保證函」稱為「銀行擔保函」(letterof bank guarantee)或簡稱為「擔保函」(letter of guarantee),以免因觀念相混淆而產生誤解。此外，由於擔保信用狀與銀行擔保函誠為一體兩面的擔保文件，故本文所稱的「銀行擔保函」或「擔保函」，實乃包括「擔保信用狀」。故除非必要，才會特別提及「擔保信用狀」一語，否則，本文所談有關銀行擔保函的性質、內容等，將適用擔保信用狀。

Dans ma mémoire, j’ai discuté les concepts d’arbitrage comme méthode de résolution d’un litige et par après, je donne un court historique de l’acceptation d’arbitrage au Québec. Le Chapitre I étudie la structure des règlements du R.B.Q., qui est un gendre d’arbitrage obligatoire institutionnelle, et j’inclus les diverses procédures dans ce système d’arbitrage. La sécurité offert par le plan de garantie règle par le R.B.Q. est discuté dans le Chapitre II en autant qu’il est relié avec le system d’arbitrage R.B.Q., y compris la structure du plan et le contenu de la sécurité. Chapitre III parle des recours disponible aux Bénéficiares ainsi que les avantages et désavantages de l’arbitrage sous les Règlements du R.B.Q. Un court étude comparative de quatre autres juridictions est recherché en Chapitre IV, incluant notre voisin, Ontario, les Etats-Unis et on croise dans les juridictions de Royaume Unie et Allemagne. En conclusion, j’établis que notre système d’arbitrage sous le Règlement protéges notre publique plus que d’autres juridictions. Je suggère des améliorations au système, par contre, incluant l’agrandissement du plan de garantie, l’ajout des pouvoirs donnés aux arbitres américains et ensuite d’intègré un système d’arrêt semblable aux Royaumes Unis. / In my memoire, I discuss the concept of arbitration generally as a dispute resolution method after which I outline a history of its acceptance under Quebec law. Chapter I addresses the structure under the R.B.Q. Regulations, which is a mandatory institutional arbitration system is discussed, and includes the various procedures of the arbitration system. The security offered under the Guarantee Plan which is regulated by the R.B.Q. is discussed in Chapter II insofar as it affects its arbitration system, including the structure of the guarantee plan and the contents of the guarantee. Chapter III reviews a Beneficiary’s available recourses as well as the advantages and limitations of the arbitration system under the Regulations. Then a brief comparative study with four other jurisdictions is directed in Chapter IV, including our neighbouring Ontario, United States, and then overseas to the United Kingdom and Germany. In conclusion, I prove that the arbitration system protects Quebec Beneficiaries more than any where else that I have studied and recommend improvements to the system, including the expansion of the guarantee plan, the addition of powers to the arbitration similar to those granted in the United States jurisdictions and the integration of an adjudication system similar to that used in the United Kingdom for construction dispute resolution.

This thesis provides a specification theory with strong algebraic and compositionality properties, allowing for the systematic construction of new components out of existing ones, while ensuring that given properties continue to hold at each stage of system development. The theory shares similarities with the interface automata of de Alfaro and Henzinger, but is linear-time in the style of Dill's trace theory, and is endowed with a richer collection of operators. Components are assumed to communicate with one another by synchronisation of input and output actions, with the component specifying the allowed sequences of interactions between itself and the environment. When the environment produces an interaction that the component is unwilling to receive, a communication mismatch occurs, which can correspond to run-time error or underspecification. These are modelled uniformly as inconsistencies. A linear-time refinement preorder corresponding to substitutivity preserves the absence of inconsistency under all environments, allowing for the safe replacement of components at run-time. To build complex systems, a range of compositional operators are introduced, including parallel composition, logical conjunction and disjunction, hiding, and quotient. These can be used to examine the structural behaviour of a system, combine independently developed requirements, abstract behaviour, and incrementally synthesise missing components, respectively. It is shown that parallel composition is monotonic under refinement, conjunction and disjunction correspond to the meet and join operations on the refinement preorder, and quotient is the adjoint of parallel composition. Full abstraction results are presented for the equivalence defined as mutual refinement, a consequence of the refinement being the weakest preorder capturing substitutivity. Extensions of the specification theory with progress-sensitivity (ensuring that refinement cannot introduce quiescence) and real-time constraints on when interactions may and may not occur are also presented. These theories are further complemented by assume-guarantee frameworks for supporting component-based reasoning, where contracts (characterising sets of components) separate the assumptions placed on the environment from the guarantees provided by the components. By defining the compositional operators directly on contracts, sound and complete assume-guarantee rules are formulated that preserve both safety and progress. Examples drawn from distributed systems are used to demonstrate how these rules can be used for mechanically deriving component-based designs.

Legal aspects of the securing of obligations in international trade The securing of obligations in the international trade is recently, possibly more than ever before, very topical issue, and the reason is quite clear - there is a strong need to secure international contractual obligations by effective and reliable securing instruments because of the economic and debt crises which started in 2008 and has been still a very actual problem. This thesis focuses on legal relations arising from the securing of contractual obligations in the international trade. The goal of the thesis is to describe legal aspects of securing obligations considering the determination of an applicable law, under which the securing is governed. Because of the author's long- term working bank experience, the final part of the text deals with a securing by a bank guarantee. In the first part of the thesis there are described legal relations in which an international element appears, and there are also described a purpose, function, categorization and different types of securing instruments respective of the international trade. The second part of the thesis deals with the problem how to determine which law is the applicable one for securing of obligations in the international trade. There are described legal aspects of...

El trabajo de investigación denominado “El Certificado de Participación como Instrumento de Garantía dentro del Fideicomiso Inmobiliario en el Perú”, pretende ser un aporte a las ciencias jurídicas donde se desarrolla de manera concreta y sucinta el papel que juega el “Certificado de Participación” en los fideicomisos inmobiliarios en nuestro país. Si bien el fideicomiso inmobiliario presenta grandes ventajas, pues se constituye como una garantía en favor del banco que le presta dinero a la empresa inmobiliaria para la ejecución de su proyecto inmobiliario, no sucede lo mismo cuando las entidades financieras otorgan créditos hipotecarios a terceros para que puedan adquirir, en dicho proyecto, unidades inmobiliarias que aún no se encuentran independizadas (bienes futuros) y están aún bajo dominio fiduciario, ya que hasta que pueda constituirse la garantía hipotecaria, la única garantía que reciben del adquirente dichas entidades financieras por el desembolso del préstamo, es el “Certificado de Participación”. El trabajo de investigación trata sobre los problemas que conlleva para las entidades financieras la ejecución de los Certificados de Participación ante un eventual incumplimiento de pago de los deudores de créditos hipotecarios y plantea alternativas de solución para una mejor aplicación de esta herramienta en el negocio inmobiliario. / The investigation named “The Certificate of Participation as an Instrument of Guarantee in the Real Estate Trust in Perú” develops a concrete support for juridical science and clearly expresses the importance of the “certificates of participation” role in regards to real estate trusts in our country. Real estate trusts present great advantages as they can serve as a guarantee for bank loans used to carry out projects. The latter does not hold true for financial entities who grant third parties mortgage credits to execute said projects. For Real estate units who are not yet independent (future goods) and are under a trustee domain, the only guarantee financial entities receive is the disbursements of the loan which is detailed in the “certificates of participation”. This investigation explores the problems faced by financial entities under the execution of the certificates of participation in the event of a breach in payment of mortgage credit to debtors and raises alternative solutions for more advantageous application of this instrument in real estate business. / Trabajo de investigación