An 80-GHz DCO utilizing improved SC ladder and promoted DCTL-based hybrid tuning banks

An 80-GHz DCO based on modified hybrid tuning banks is introduced in this paper.To achieve sub-MHz frequency res-olution with reduced circuit complexity,the improved circuit topology replaces the conventional circuit topology with two binary-weighted SC cells,enabling eight SC-cell-based improved SC ladders to achieve the same fine-tuning steps as twelve SC-cell-based conventional SC ladders.To achieve lower phase noise and smaller chip size,the promoted binary-weighted digi-tally controlled transmission lines(DCTLs)are used to implement the coarse and medium tuning banks of the DCO.Compared to the conventional thermometer-coded DCTLs,control bits of the proposed DCTLs are reduced from 30 to 8,and the total length is reduced by 34.3%(from 122.76 to 80.66μm).Fabricated in 40-nm CMOS,the DCO demonstrated in this work fea-tures a small fine-tuning step(483 kHz),a high oscillation frequency(79-85 GHz),and a smaller chip size(0.017 mm^(2)).Com-pared to previous work,the modified DCO exhibits an excellent figure of merit with an area(FoMA)of-198 dBc/Hz.

The Mechanism of Internet Finance on the Assets and Business of Commercial Banks in China

Internet finance has structural impact and market impact on commercial banking.Various forms of Internet finance such as third-party payment,crowdfunding,P2P lending,and internet money funds have emerged.Due to their low cost,high efficiency,and diversification characteristics,an increasing number of people are utilizing Internet finance for their businesses.This trend significantly affects traditional commercial banking operations and presents challenges.In order to gain competitive advantages through Internet finance,this paper explores how commercial banks can leverage their traditional business models.It introduces the concept,model,and characteristics of Internet finance;analyzes the importance of asset management for commercial banks;examines the influence of Internet on commercial bank’s asset management;finally proposes countermeasures for the development of Internet finance.It is advocated that commercial banks should actively explore the road of“structured finance”with all-round structural reform in the future.

Developing an Abstraction Framework for Managing and Controlling Saudi Banks’ Cybersecurity Threats Based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27001

Saudi Arabian banks are deeply concerned about how to effectively monitor and control security threats. In recent years, the country has taken several steps towards restructuring its organizational security and, consequently, protecting financial institutions and their clients. However, there are still several challenges left to be addressed. Accordingly, this article aims to address this problem by proposing an abstract framework based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework and International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC 27001). The framework proposed in this paper considers the following factors involved in the security policy of Saudi banks: safety, Saudi information bank, operations and security of Saudi banks, Saudi banks’ supplier relationships, risk assessment, risk mitigation, monitoring and detection, incident response, Saudi banks’ business continuity, compliance, education, and awareness about all factors contributing to the framework implementation. This way, the proposed framework provides a comprehensive, unified approach to managing bank security threats. Not only does the proposed framework provide effective guidance on how to identify, assess, and mitigate security threats, but it also instructs how to develop policy and procedure documents relating to security issues.

Automated Clearing System on Deposit Money Banks’Performance:Experience from the Nigerian Banks

This study majorly examined the effect of automated cheque clearing system on banks.Specifically,this study examined the effect of automated cheque clearing system on total deposits of deposit money banks in Nigeria.Data were extracted from the CBN Statistical Bulletin(2020).Using the ordinary least square method of analysis via E-views 10,the findings of the study revealed that deposit money banks’total deposits increased significantly owing to the decline in the value of cheques cleared,since the adoption of the automated cheque clearing system in Nigeria.Guided by the findings of this study,the researcher recommended that the regulatory authorities and banks should continue to liaise with each other on how to improve the efficiency of automated services so as to improve customer satisfaction and patronage.

Spatiotemporal characteristics of seed rain and soil seed bank of artificial Caragana korshinskii Kom. forest in the Tengger Desert, China

Vegetation restoration and reconstruction are effective approaches to desertification control and achieving social and economic sustainability in desert areas.However,the self-succession ability of native plants during the later periods of vegetation restoration remains unclear.Therefore,this study was conducted to bridge the knowledge gap by investigating the regeneration dynamics of artificial forest under natural conditions.The information of seed rain and soil seed bank was collected and quantified from an artificial Caragana korshinskii Kom.forest in the Tengger Desert,China.The germination tests were conducted in a laboratory setting.The analysis of species quantity and diversity in seed rain and soil seed bank was conducted to assess the impact of different durations of sand fixation(60,40,and 20 a)on the progress of vegetation restoration and ecological conditions in artificial C.korshinskii forest.The results showed that the top three dominant plant species in seed rain were Echinops gmelinii Turcz.,Eragrostis minor Host.,and Agropyron mongolicum Keng.,and the top three dominant plant species in soil seed bank were E.minor,Chloris virgata Sw.,and E.gmelinii.As restoration period increased,the density of seed rain and soil seed bank increased first and then decreased.While for species richness,as restoration period increased,it gradually increased in seed rain but decreased in soil seed bank.There was a positive correlation between seed rain density and soil seed bank density among all the three restoration periods.The species similarity between seed rain or soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation decreased with the extension of restoration period.The shape of the seeds,specifically those with external appendages such as spines and crown hair,clearly had an effect on their dispersal,then resulting in lower seed density in soil seed bank.In addition,precipitation was a crucial factor in promoting rapid germination,also resulting in lower seed density in soil seed bank.Our findings provide valuable insights for guiding future interventions during the later periods of artificial C.korshinskii forest,such as sowing and restoration efforts using unmanned aerial vehicles.

Research on Early Warning of Banking Crises from the Perspective of Credit Structures

The relationship between credit expansion and banking crises is complex and cannot be fully explained by total credit alone.A systematic analysis of the relationship between the amount and structure of total credit and banking crises is important for an objective prediction of the influence of potential financial risks.This paper,drawing on data from 15 selected countries,delves into the power of credit indicators in the early warning of banking crises from the perspectives of industrial structure,sector structure,and term structure of credit.Various machine learning methods were used,including Logistic Regression,Random Forest,Decision Tree,Support Vector Machine(SVM),Bagging,and Boosting models.The empirical findings indicate that credit expansion plays a crucial role in triggering banking crises.However,total credit is better suited for the early warning of short-term banking crises,whereas credit structure is more useful for the early warning of long-term banking crises.Moreover,in an early warning system,identifying key early warning indicators is more meaningful than merely increasing the number of indicators.Machine learning can somewhat enhance the early warning power,but it may not always be robust.Therefore,more attention should be paid to potential systemic banking crises resulting from an imbalance in credit structure while regulating the total credit threshold.

ISO Certification and Technical Efficiency in the Banking Sector:An Evidence from WAEMU’s Countries Using the DEA Method

In the view of the international organization of standardization,the introduction of ISO standards is typical of quality management systems oriented towards strengthening the efficiency of enterprises.Business banks are not excluded from this requirement.The current study aims to evaluate the effect of ISO certification on the technical performance of WAEMU banks.Using BCEAO data(2020),the DEA model and Tobit estimates show that ISO certification has no effect on the efficiency scores of the banks in the sample.It is therefore appropriate for these banks to work on improving their business climate.

基于回答集编程的Banks选举求解方法

采用启发式算法的Banks选举在进行求解时执行效率较低。为解决该问题,提出一种基于回答集编程(ASP)的求解方法。通过建立Banks选举问题到ASP问题的映射,编写相对应的ASP,调用回答集求解器进行求解,得到的每一个ASP模型就是Banks选举问题的一个解。实验结果表明,当问题规模为200时,该方法的求解时间为4.196 s,求解效率高于手工启发式方法。

基于Auto bank的某水库大坝渗流安全评价

以富水水库为例,依托达西定律和渗流理论基础,并结合Auto bank有限元软件分析了水库在正常高水位、设计洪水位、校核洪水位下坝体及坝基的渗流状况,计算结果表明水库日渗漏量远小于允许日渗漏量,水库渗漏量满足规范要求。大坝各工况最大渗透坡降均小于规范允许值,渗透变形满足规范要求。左坝肩存绕渗现象,建议加强监测。

Combination Patterns and Depositional Characteristics of Ordovician Carbonate Banks in the Western Tarim Basin,China

The combination patterns and depositional characteristics of the carbonate banks are investigated based on outcrop sections, thin sections, and carbon isotopes of Ordovician in the western Tarim Basin, China. Four carbonate bank combination patterns are deposited in the Ordovician, western Tarim Basin, including： Reef-Bank Complex （RBC）, Algae-Reef-Bank Interbed （ARBI）, Thick-Layer Cake Aggradation Bank （TLCAB）, and Thin-Layer Cake Retrogradation Bank （TLCRB）. All combination patterns show clear periods vertically. The RBC is mainly composed of reefs and bioclastic banks, and the dimension of the RBC depends on the scale of the reefs. Bioclastic banks deposits surround the reefs. The range of the ARBI is determined by the scale of algae-reefs, algae peloid dolomite microfacies and algal dolomite microfacies deposit alternating vertically. TLCAB and TLCRB are deposited as layer-cakes stacking in cycles and extending widely with cross bedding developed. The grains of TLCAB and TLCRB are diverse and multi-source. With the impacting of relative sea level change, biological development and geomorphology, the ARBI, TLCAB or TLCRB, RBC are successively developed from the Lower Ordovician Penglaiba Formation to the Middle Ordovician Yijianfang Formation. The depositional environment analysis of Ordovician indicates that the RBC and ARBI can form effective oil and gas reservoirs, and the TLCAB and TLCRB have the potential to form the huge scale oil and gas reservoirs and to be the crucial targets of exploration for the Ordovician carbonate banks in the future.

The impact of FinTech start-ups on incumbent retail banks’share prices

Background:This study aims to clarify the role of FinTech digital banking start-ups in the financial industry.We examine the impact of the funding of such start-ups on the stock returns of 47 incumbent US retail banks for 2010 to 2016.Methods:To capture the importance of FinTech start-ups,we use data on both the dollar-volume of funding and number of deals.We relate these to the stock returns with panel data regression methods.Results:Our results indicate a positive relationship exists between the growth in FinTech funding or deals and the contemporaneous stock returns of incumbent retail banks.Conclusions:Although these results suggest complementarity between FinTech and traditional banking,we note that our results at the banking industry level are not statistically significant,and that the coefficient signs for about one-third of the banks are negative,but not statistically significant.Since the FinTech industry is young and our sample period short,we cannot rule out that our findings are spurious.

Characteristics of soil seed banks at different geomorphic positions within the longitudinal sand dunes of the Gurbantunggut Desert, China

Understanding the characteristics of soil seed banks in sand dunes is crucial to stabilize the dune systems and maintain the plant populations in deserts. In this study, we conducted a survey investigation in the field and a seed germination experiment in the laboratory to explore the characteristics of soil seed banks at various geomorphic positions of longitudinal sand dunes in the Gurbantunggut Desert, China. Totally, 17 plant species belonging to 17 genera and 9 families were identified in soil seed banks, and 35 plant species belonging to 34 genera and 17 families were identified in aboveground vegetation. Plant species richness in soil seed banks decreased with increasing soil depth. The highest species richness was presented in the upper slope of the windward slope and the lowest species richness was presented in the base of the windward slope. There was no significant difference in seed density of soil seed banks among the examined seven geomorphic positions. The highest seed density occurred in the lower slope of the leeward slope while the lowest occurred in the crest. Moreover, seed density decreased with increasing soil depth, being the highest in the upper soil layer （0-2 cm）. For both soil seed banks and aboveground vegetation, there was no significant difference in Simpson＇s diversity index among the seven geomorphic positions; however, Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Pielou＇s evenness index showed significant differences among the seven geomorphic positions. Those results showed that although there was no significant difference in seed density of soil seed banks among the seven geomorphic positions, the geomorphic positions significantly affected the species richness, diversity and distribution of soil seed banks. Therefore, understanding the characteristics of soil seed banks at different geomorphic positions of sand dunes is essential to vegetation restoration or reestablishment. Furthermore, the Jaccard＇s similarity coefficients of plant species between soil seed banks and aboveground vegetation at the seven geomorphic positions were low, suggesting that vegetation restoration or reestablishment processes should be promoted through adding seeds to surface layers.

In situ cornea harvesting through the Red Cross Organization:a new approach to relieving severe cornea donor shortage in Chinese eye banks

Corneal diseases are currently the second main cause of blindness in China.Although most of the corneal blindness could be treated by corneal transplantation,only about 10 000 operations were carried out each year owing to the severe shortage of corneal donors and limited eye bank programs.A feasible cornea donation program was established through the organization of the Red Cross,and in situ corneal removal techniques were developed to avoid conflicts with Chinese traditions of keeping the deceased intact.The number of donated corneas,which had a safe and secure quality,increased significantly year by year.

Priori knowledge based a bathymetry assessment method using the sun glitter imagery:a case study of sand waves on the Taiwan Banks

High resolution optical satellite imageries containing the sun glitter,similar to synthetic aperture radar（SAR） imageries,are useful in identifying and mapping of bottom topography in shallow waters.The errors in the previous studies are corrected,and a method for mapping submarine bottom topography is developed using the sun glitter satellite imagery.The method is established on the basis of empirical description of a sand wave using an equation with two unknowns named r and k.In order to determine r and k,a ＂trial and error＂ approach is introduced and testified by a case study on the Taiwan Banks using an ASTER imagery.The results show that the inversed water depths match well with the sounding water depths.The agreement between the inversed results and the in situ measurements is about 78% by comparing 371 points.Moreover,this method has the advantage in keeping the original appearance of a sand wave,especially in positions around the sand wave crest.The fine agreement indicates that the imaging model is flexible and the approach developed is feasible.

Hardware Architecture of Polyphase Filter Banks Performing Embedded Resampling for Software-Defined Radio Front-Ends

In this paper, we describe resourceefficient hardware architectures for softwaredefined radio （SDR） frontends. These architectures are made efficient by using a polyphase channelizer that performs arbitrary sample rate changes, frequency selection, and bandwidth control. We discuss area, time, and power optimization for field programmable gate array （FPGA） based architectures in an Mpath polyphase filter bank with modified Npath polyphase filter. Such systems allow resampling by arbitrary ratios while simultaneously performing baseband aliasing from center frequencies at Nyquist zones that are not multiples of the output sample rate. A nonmaximally decimated polyphase filter bank, where the number of data loads is not equal to the number of M subfilters, processes M subfilters in a time period that is either less than or greater than the Mdataload ＇ s time period. We present a loadprocess architecture （LPA） and a runtime architecture （RA） （based on serial polyphase structure） which have different scheduling. In LPA, Nsubfilters are loaded, and then M subfilters are processed at a clock rate that is a multiple of the input data rate. This is necessary to meet the output time constraint of the down-sampled data. In RA, Msubfilters processes are efficiently scheduled within Ndataload time while simultaneously loading N subfilters. This requires reduced clock rates compared with LPA, and potentially less power is consumed. A polyphase filter bank that uses different resampling factors for maximally decimated, underdecimated, overdecimated, and combined upand downsampled scenarios is used as a case study, and an analysis of area, time, and power for their FPGA architectures is given. For resourceoptimized SDR frontends, RA is superior for reducing operating clock rates and dynamic power consumption. RA is also superior for reducing area resources, except when indices are prestored in LUTs.

Polyphase Filter Banks for Embedded Sample Rate Changes in Digital Radio Front-Ends

This paper presents efficient processing engines for software-defined radio （SDR） front-ends. These engines, based on a polyphase channelizer, perform arbitrary sample-rate changes, frequency selection, and bandwidth control. This paper presents an M-path polyphase filter bank based on a modified N-path polyphase filter. Such a system allows resampling by arbitrary ratios while performing baseband aliasing from center frequencies at Nyquist zones that are not multiples of the output sample rate. This resampling technique is based on sliding cyclic data load interacting with cyclic-shifted coefficients. A non-maximally-decimated polyphase filterbank （where the number of data loads is not equal to the number of M subfilters） processes M subfilters in a time period that is less than or greater than the M data loads. A polyphase filter bank with five different resampling modes is used as a case study for embedded resamp/ing in SDR front-ends. These modes are （i） maximally decimated, （ii） Under-decimated, （iii） over-decimated, and combined up- and down-sampling with （iv） single stride length, and （v） multiple stride lengths. These modes can be used to obtain any required rational sampling rate change in an SDR front-end based on a polyphase channelizer. They can also be used for translation to and from arbitrary center frequencies that are unrelated to the output sample rates.

Fintech investments in European banks:a hybrid IT2 fuzzy multidimensional decision‑making approach

Financial technology(Fintech)makes a significant contribution to the financial system by reducing costs,providing higher quality services and increasing customer satisfaction.Hence,new studies play an essential role to improve Fintech investments.This study evaluates Fintech-based investments of European banking services with an application of an original methodology that considers interval type-2(IT2)fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory and IT2 fuzzy TOPSIS models.Empirical findings are controlled for consistency by applying the VIKOR method.Moreover,we conduct a sensitivity analysis by considering six distinct cases.This study contributes to the existing literature by identifying the most important Fintech-based investment alternatives to improve the financial performance of European banks.Our empirical findings illustrate that results are coherent,reliable,and identify“competitive advantage”as the most important factor among Fintech-based determinants.Moreover,“payment and money transferring systems”are the most important Fintech-based investment alternatives.It is recommended that,among Fintech-based investments,European banks should mainly focus on payment and money transferring alternatives to attract the attention of customers and satisfy their expectations.This is also believed to have a positive impact on the ease of bank’receivable collection.Another important point is that Fintech-based investments in money transferring systems could help to decrease costs.

Soil seed banks along elevational gradients in tropical, subtropical and subalpine forests in Yunnan Province, southwest China

Soil seed banks are a vital part of ecosystems and influence community dynamics and regeneration.Although soil seed banks in different habitats have been reported, how soil seed banks vary with elevational gradients in different climatic zones is still unknown. This paper investigates seed density,species composition and nonconstituent species of forest soil seed banks in Yunnan Province, southwest China. Similarity between the soil seed bank and standing vegetation was also examined. We collected soil samples from sites spanning 12 elevations in tropical rain forests, subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests and subalpine coniferous forests, and transported them to a glasshouse for germination trials for species identification. The soil seed banks of tropical and subtropical forests had much higher seed densities and species richness than those of subalpine forests. Seeds of woody species dominated the soil seed banks of tropical and subtropical forests, while herbs dominated those of subalpine forests.The nonconstituent species in the soil seed banks were all herbs and were most abundant in tropical forests, followed by subtropical forests but were completely absent from subalpine forests.

Determinants of Technical University Students’ Choice of Banks: Empirical Evidence from Takoradi Technical University, Ghana

Background: The current competitive banking environment in Ghana demands that banks identify the factors key to their survival and work on these factors to ensure they remain in business. This involves the banks knowing what influences customers to choose to do business with one bank over the other. Objective: The study aimed at determining the factors the influence Technical University student’s selection of banks. Methods: Data from a cross-sectional survey of 545 student respondents of Takoradi Technical University was analysed using the statistical technique of factor analysis. Results: Four factors were adduced to be influencing bank selection amongst Takoradi Technical University students: namely, Robust E-banking, Customer Experience, Access to ATMs and Third Party Influence. Conclusion: While some of the factors are universal in nature others present with subtle nuances dependent on the milieu in which a bank finds itself, making it imperative that banks study the market in which they are operating and implement strategies deemed most suitable for attracting and retaining customers.

How does a data strategy enable customer value?The case of FinTechs and traditional banks under the open finance framework

The coupling of data and digital innovation opens the way for new business in the financial services sector,where customers are placed at the centre of decisions and data can help to develop customer knowledge.To carry out our research,we adopted a multi-case study approach to explore how a data strategy is developed in the retail banking industry,together with its relationship with customer value,paying particular attention to the heterogeneity between traditional banks and financial technology companies(FinTechs).Two main points emerged from the study.Firstly,there are three possible approaches to Open Finance,which are mainly defined by their different corporate cultures,organisational configurations,technological architecture and data value.Secondly,it is not enough to be a FinTech to be best placed to exploit the market,as some traditional banks share the FinTechs’approach to Open Finance.Designing new tailored products,customising their prices and offering them over the right channels through targeted communication are all data-driven initiatives that stem from cross-or up-selling potential,core to the retail banking industry for turning a customer into a cash flow,thus enabling value to be created for customers.Our findings additionally revealed that there is a form of external information asymmetry between the customer and the bank,and that there is also an internal asymmetry between bank departments,as their visibility on information about the same customer may differ.