The thesis gives an overview of the issue of control of full-color RGB LED panels with a large number of rows and columns. It deals with communication protocols for image transfer and information exchange. It focuses on implementing the FPGA into the RGB LED control structure. In the first half, the thesis focuses on deepening the theoretical knowledge about LED technologies, their control and color display. It further solves communication with superior elements. The last part of the theory is dedicated to FPGA circuits. The second part of the thesis describes the practical design of the FPGA circuit from UART and SPI communication through data storage from the communication to the panel control itself.

The relationship between liquidity and return predictability may be an im- portant aspect to consider when investing in cryptoassets. We examine this relation using both cross-sectional as well as panel data. First, we calculate a set of predictability measures and aggregate the results into four variables. We then regress the predictability variables on a set of controls and two measures of liquidity, specifically the Amihud illiquidity ratio and the Corwin-Schultz spread estimate. The other independent variables include the logarithm of volume, turnover ratio and Garman-Klass volatility. Results from the cross- sectional analysis indicate that liquidity negatively impacts the degree of return predictability. Moreover, findings from a subset of panel data, including only 50 cryptoassets with the largest market capitalization, provide some evidence in favor of this relationship. Results from full panel data, however, present contradictory evidence. For these regressions, liquidity is found to be either in- significant or to possess a positive impact on the degree of return predictability. Altogether, we obtain mixed evidence about the effect of cryptoasset liquidity on return predictability. JEL Classification C53, C58, G14 Keywords Cryptoassets, Predictability, Liquidity, Panel data Title...

Due to concerns for the environmental and sociological implications of hydrocarbon use, farmers have begun to examine renewable energies and conservation techniques for crop production. Historically, most of the energy needs for climate control in tunnel systems have been met via passive heating, with fossil fuels occasionally providing a supplementary heat source. Five heating techniques were examined for kale (Brassica oleracea) and summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) season extension. Treatments consisted of a low tunnel heated by a solar-powered electrical strip placed under a water tube, a low tunnel heated by a passively heated water tube, a low tunnel heated by an earth-to-air heat-exchange tube, a traditional low tunnel, and a control unprotected plot. Aerogel blankets and SolaWrap® floating covers were also examined as floating covers to protect crops from cold temperatures. To predict energy output, the USDA ARS Virtual Grower was compared against data from the tunneled treatments. Treatments were tested in fall 2020 and spring 2021 with data was collected for air, soil, and tube temperature (ºC), crop growing degree - days, squash seed germination and kale height (cm) and dry biomass (g). The electrically heated water tube produced the highest mean spring day air (28.2 ºC), fall soil temperatures (14.6ºC), thermal tube temperature for the 24 - hour, day and night timeframe for both seasons. However, for soil, the passively heated water tube showed the best results amongst the two seasons heating the soil surface at a 24 - hour mean of 13.8 ºC for fall and 18.2 ºC for spring. The earth tube warmed tunnel air in spring with a mean internal 24 - hour temperature of 19.5 ºC for spring against the 15.7 ºC recorded during fall, while providing the highest mean minimum temperatures. For growing degree-days, all treatments outperformed the uncovered control, with the earth tube treatment performing better for the kale degree day 24 - hour mean of 9.1 for fall 2020 against its spring output of 12.6. The electric heated thermal tube and earth tube improved germination of summer squash during the fall 2020 trial, while the passive tube positively influenced germination during the spring 2021. No differences were observed amongst the treatments in either season for final kale canopy height or dry biomass, though the earth tube displayed the highest range and means. However, kale plants were taller and had greater dry biomass when grown in spring compared to fall. Solar powered heated water tube, earth tube and passively heated water tube accelerated kale development in spring. For the floating cover trial, while the SolaWrap® had the highest mean 24-hour temperature 21.0 ºC, the aerogel blanket showed temperature parity in the daily minimum and night temperatures, and both mean and cumulative kale and summer squash growing degree-days. The Virtual Grower program produced a significantly higher mean and summative kJ output compared to collected by factoring climate, solar radiation, and wind speeds. In the fall study, light limitations arrested kale and squash production rather than a freezing event with treatments being more effective in spring due to increasing daylength. The most effective treatment for spring was the solar powered heated water tube because it provided a first harvestable kale and summer squash at 2-3 whole weeks before conventional spring harvesting, while the earth tube showed a better performance in degree-day accumulation for the cool season kale and warm season squash for the fall extension trial, each having a 24 - hour mean of 9.1 and 12.6. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Due to both environmental and cost concerns regarding hydrocarbons, farmers have been searching for alternative heating methods to extend the crop season production. At the Virginia Tech Urban Horticulture Center three trials occurred to examine such methods. The first one occurred in spring 2020 and fall 2021 and examined non – hydrocarbon heating methods for low – tunnel systems. Said techniques were a control exposed plot, a simple low – tunnel system, a tunnel that utilized an earth tube, a low – tunnel that had a water tube and a low – tunnel that had a water tube that was warmed by a heating tape powered by solar panels. Crops grown were kale (Brassica oleracea) and summer squash (Cucurbita pepo). Data for this section included mean overall 24 – hour, mean 24 – hour minimum and 24 – hour maximum air temperatures along with mean 24 – hour soil temperatures (oC) with growing degree – days, seed germination, mean seed germination time and kale end season canopy height (cm) and dry biomass (g). The second trial compared the use of aerogels and SolaWrap® as a floating cover against both each other and an exposed plot by looking at their overall 24 – hour, mean 24 – hour minimum and 24 – hour maximum air temperatures. The third section of the trial looked at how the USDA – ARS Virtual Grower Program predicted the required heating output against manual equations from the data gathered in the first part of the trial. For the first section, the best performing systems regarding temperature were the solar powered heating tape due to its ability to store solar energy as well as the earth tube for utilizing a heat source not limited to the presence of the sun. This temperature performance also positively influenced crop germination and development, though the simple water tube also showed better performance. The second section of the trial showed that while the SolaWrap® had a higher overall 24 – hour mean and 24 – hour maximum temperature, the aerogel showed a higher heat retention by having both an equal and higher mean 24 – hour minimum temperature. For the third section, the Virtual Grower showed a higher kJ output requirements due to its ability to factor in location and past climactic activity, something that the manual calculations couldn't do. This trial showed that alternative heating methods, materials and calculations can enhance and extend production, though additional research on both costs and technique optimization are required.

La présente thèse analyse la relation entre la finance et la croissance à travers des essais de modélisation théorique et des évaluations empiriques. (i) Les contributions théoriques peuvent se résumer en trois points : d’abord nous montrons à l’aide d’un modèle simple de croissance endogène que la relation entre le développement financier et la croissance peut être caractérisée par des équilibres multiples. Ensuite, au moyen d’un modèle de croissance à générations imbriquées, nous trouvons que l’équilibre financier est préférable à l’équilibre non financier dans la mesure où la proportion du revenu investi en actifs illiquides ainsi que le taux de croissance sont plus élevés au niveau du premier équilibre que du second. Enfin, en intégrant l’innovation financière dans le cadre théorique des modèles de croissance endogène, nous montrons que l’allocation des ressources productives dans le secteur financier accroît son efficacité et l’effet d’externalité sur le secteur réel, qui contribuent à améliorer la croissance économique. (ii) L’évaluation empirique a permis de montrer dans un premier temps que le développement financier est positivement associé à la croissance. Aussi, malgré la corrélation positive entre le développement financier et son instabilité, cette dernière n’a d’impact négatif sur la croissance qu’à court terme. Quant à la causalité entre les deux variables, elle est marquée par une relation réciproque aussi bien dans les pays développés, qu’en développement. Enfin, nous montrons que la relation entre le développement financier et la croissance est non linéaire ; ce qui valide les résultats théoriques obtenus à travers les équilibres multiples. Cette non linéarité peut dépendre non seulement des paramètres structurels, mais aussi des politiques économiques mises en oeuvre. Ce qui permet d’identifier les caractéristiques structurelles et les outils de politique économique pour une relation étroite entre les secteurs réel et financier. / This thesis analyses the relationship between financial development and growth through theoretical and empirical assessments. (i) The theoretical contribution can be sum up in three points: at first we show by means of a simple model of endogenous growth that financial development and growth relationship can be characterized by multiple balances. Then, using overlapping generation’s model, we find that financial equilibrium is better than non financial equilibrium as far as the share of income invested and growth are more raised at the level of the first balance than the second. Finally, by taking into account financial innovation in endogenous growth model, we show that the allocation of productive resources in financial sector increases its efficiency and the externality effect on real sector, which improve the economic growth. (ii) The empirical assessments show at first a positive link between finance and growth. In spite of the relationship between financial development and its instability, this last has negative impact on growth only in short run. As for the causality between both variables, it is bi-directional as well in developed and developing countries. Finally, we show that finance and growth relationship is non-linear; what confirms theoretical results obtained through the multiple balances. The non-linearity can depend not only on structural parameters, but also on economic policies. Then, we can identify the structural characteristics and the economic policies that allow narrow relationship between real and financial sectors.

This thesis presents the results of 67 ABAQUS elasto-plastic Riks ultimate strength analyses of cross-stiffened panels. These panels cover a wide range of typical geometries. Uniaxial compression is applied to the panels, and in some cases combined with lateral pressure. For eight of the panels full-scale experimental results are available, and these verified the accuracy of the ABAQUS results. The 67 ABAQUS results were then compared to the ultimate strength predictions from the computer program ULSAP. In all but 10 cases the ULSAP predicted strength is within 30% of the ABAQUS value, and in all but 4 cases the predicted failure mode also agrees with that of ABAQUS. In one case the ULSAP predicted ultimate strength is 51% below the experimental value, and so this case is studied in detail. The discrepancy is found to be caused by the method which ULSAP uses for panels that experience overall collapse initiated by beam-column-type failure. The beam-column method program ULTBEAM is used to predict the ultimate strength of the 61 panels that ULSAP predicts to fail due to overall collapse of the stiffeners and plating which may or may not be triggered by yielding of the plate-stiffener combination at the midspan (Mode III or III-1). ULTBEAM is found to give more accurate results than ULSAP for Mode III or III-1 failure. Future work is recommended to incorporate ULTBEAM into ULSAP to predict the ultimate strength of panels that fail in Mode III or III-1. / Master of Science

本研究目的在於探討投資等級債券信用價差是否存在外溢效果。信用價差是建構各種信用衍生性金融商品的基礎，惟目前學術界及業界都著眼在信用價差的拆解。信用價差可拆解成預期違約損失、稅的溢酬及信用風險溢酬。投資等級債券的信用價差來自於預期違約損失、稅的溢酬的部分較少，絕大多數來自於信用風險溢酬。信用風險溢酬係系統性影響信用價差的因素，此因素造成不同投資等級債券的信用價差間具有共整合的現象，進而引發外溢效果。然而並無人對於信用價差外溢效果作一深入探討。本研究利用目前學術界盛行的Panel模型的研究方法，對各種投資等級的債券的信用價差進行Panel Unit Root Tests、Panel Cointegration Tests及Panel Spillover Effect Tests，以求發現債券信用價差外溢效果存在與否的證據。 本文以iBoxx Index成份債券作為研究標的，利用Panel研究方法得到以下結論: 1.根據研究結果顯示，各種信評等級的債券的信用價差存在單根問題。 2.不同投資等級信評債券的信用價差擁有共整合關係。 3.不同投資等級信用評等的債券間信用價差外溢效果存在。且愈是相 鄰信評等級債券的外溢效果愈為顯著，例如BBB等級信用價差發生變動引發信評AAA等級信用價差變動的幅度便沒有AA等級信用價差變動引發AAA等級信用價差變動來得強烈。外溢效果係不對稱，當最高投資等級信評發生變動時，最低投資等級債券變動最為激烈;而最低投資等級信評發生波動時，最高投資等級債券發生變動的幅度就較小。 4.本研究支持不同債信評等的債券存在同向的外溢效果。 / This paper investigates the spillover effect in the investment grade bonds using the recently developed Panel Unit Root Tests, Panel Cointegrations Tests, Panel FMOLS and Panel DOLS techniques. Investment grade bonds’ credit spreads are found to be nonstationary and to be cointegrated in panels. This paper finds evidence of spillover effects.

This thesis is based on a project "Bifacial Photovoltaic Energy Production Analysis" to build a detailed simulation model system accurately simulate bifacial panel performance under real field radiation conditions and deployment configuration, and to predict its corresponding energy yield. To the author’s up-to-date knowledge, the model system is unpreceded among same type simulation software in complexity, details in consideration, ranges of deployment and parameters. The model system can also be used as a platform for more components and variables to be added on, such as adding on more rows of panel arrays to simulate bifacial solar farm scenario; and adding spectral information for more accurate analysis. The system components’ sub-models were carefully chosen based on a broad literature review in related aspects; especially in sky diffuse radiance, ground reflection, and bifacial solar cells. Built in MATLAB© based on mathematical expressions from above said models, the system consists of 5 bifacial panels and their racking as shading objects and the central panel performance is under investigation and has taken consideration of all possible panel azimuth and elevation combinations. Model simplification and resolution are carefully considered so to achieve a good balance in complexity, computation load and output accuracy. Output reliability is confirmed with other people’s work. Furthermore, the model has been fully checked and peer tested. Outputs under different parameter settings are analysed and discussed. Conclusions and recommended future work are provided at the end of the thesis.

In this thesis, I first investigate the relation between the aggregate unemployment rate and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and outflows. To study this relationship, I use a panel data set that contains 45 (developed and developing) countries observed from 1987 through 2008, and I employ Arellano and Bonds generalized methods of moments (ABGMM) estimation method for dynamic panel data. My results show that FDI inflows and outflows are not determinants of the aggregate unemployment rate. In addition, in line with macroeconomic theory, the previous level of aggregate unemployment has a positive impact on the current level of aggregate unemployment. Again, as macroeconomic theory suggests, my results show that per capita real gross domestic product (RGDP) has a negative effect on the current level of aggregate unemployment. Second, I study the long-run relationship between exports and per capita gross domestic product (instrumented by total population) using a panel data set of 51 countries from 1970 through 2008. To study this relationship, I employ the dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) estimation method. I find that the percentage of exports in nominal gross domestic products (GDP) is sensitive to changes in the populations of host countries and, hence, to the changes in their GDP. In addition, my results show that the agreement on trade related investment measures increased the percentage of exports in the nominal GDP of developed host countries more than it did in developing host countries.

Like any other company, life insurance companies maintain a combination of debt and equity for their long-term financing, which forms their capital structure. Many theories have been developed in the literature to focus upon the determinants that are likely to affect leverage decisions of the life insurance firms in the post life Risk-Based Capital (RBC) regulation era. This report documents the application of multiple regression techniques to derive and analyze a Capital Asset Ratio (CAP) model based on the data pertaining to a large number of life insurance companies during 2000 to 2004. The data set is organized as panel data. Model coefficients, together with the error structure, are analyzed using SAS software to develop a valid model that tries to explain the Capital to Asset Ratio (CAP) for life insurers in terms of various variables of interest. The latter include return on capital, total assets, and two measures of risk: asset risk and product risk, etc. A balanced panel dataset was extracted from the given unbalanced input dataset containing missing entries. In addition, a selected few of the explanatory variables were chosen from a large group present in the input dataset based on previous work on relations among asset risk, product risk and capital in the life insurance industry by Etti G. Baranoff and Thomas W. Sager (2002). Fixed Effects model was chosen based on the assumption that the firm-specific effects were correlated to the explanatory variables. Differencing method was employed so that OLS estimator could safely be used for the coefficients in the regression model. Based on the proposed model, it is found that Capital to Asset Ratio has positive relationships with product risk and return on capital, with the corporate form of organization, and with membership in an affiliated group of companies. On the other hand, it has a negative relationship with company’s size and the ratio of life premiums or annuity premiums to the total premiums generated. / text

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