Analysis of the NORX Core Permutation

E-print/Working paper (2017)

NORX is one of the fifteen authenticated encryption algorithms that have reached the third round of the CAESAR competition. NORX is built using the sponge-based Monkey Duplex construction. In this note we ... [more ▼]

NORX is one of the fifteen authenticated encryption algorithms that have reached the third round of the CAESAR competition. NORX is built using the sponge-based Monkey Duplex construction. In this note we analyze the core permutation F. We show that it has rotational symmetries on different structure levels. This yields simple distinguishing properties for the permutation, which propagate with very high probability or even probability one. We also investigate differential symmetries in NORX at the word level. A new type of truncated differentials called symmetric truncated differentials (STD) is proposed. It is shown that, under the Markov assumption, up to 2.125 rounds of the F function of NORX32 and NORX64 can be distinguished using STD. Finally, we note that our analysis covers only the permutation F and does not immediately threaten the security claims of the designers. [less ▲]

Chromatic numbers for the hyperbolic plane and discrete analogs

E-print/Working paper (2017)

We study colorings of the hyperbolic plane, analogously to the Hadwiger-Nelson problem for the Euclidean plane. The idea is to color points using the minimum number of colors such that no two points at ... [more ▼]

We study colorings of the hyperbolic plane, analogously to the Hadwiger-Nelson problem for the Euclidean plane. The idea is to color points using the minimum number of colors such that no two points at distance exactly $d$ are of the same color. The problem depends on $d$ and, following a strategy of Kloeckner, we show linear upper bounds on the necessary number of colors. In parallel, we study the same problem on $q$-regular trees and show analogous results. For both settings, we also consider a variant which consists in replacing $d$ with an interval of distances. [less ▲]

Defense semantics of argumentation: encoding reasons for accepting arguments

E-print/Working paper (2017)

In this paper we show how the defense relation among abstract arguments can be used to encode the reasons for accepting arguments. After introducing a novel notion of defenses and defense graphs, we ... [more ▼]

In this paper we show how the defense relation among abstract arguments can be used to encode the reasons for accepting arguments. After introducing a novel notion of defenses and defense graphs, we propose a defense semantics together with a new notion of defense equivalence of argument graphs, and compare defense equivalence with standard equivalence and strong equivalence, respectively. Then, based on defense semantics, we define two kinds of reasons for accepting arguments, i.e., direct reasons and root reasons, and a notion of root equivalence of argument graphs. Finally, we show how the notion of root equivalence can be used in argumentation summarization. [less ▲]

Inference in conditional moment restriction models when there is selection due to stratification

E-print/Working paper (2017)

Asymptotic distribution of nodal intersections for arithmetic random waves

E-print/Working paper (2017)

Grenzüberschreitende Alltagspraktiken in der Großregion SaarLorLux

E-print/Working paper (2017)

This paper examines everyday practices carried out by the inhabitants of Saarland, Lorraine, Luxembourg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Wallonia in neighbouring regions abroad. The key consideration here is ... [more ▼]

This paper examines everyday practices carried out by the inhabitants of Saarland, Lorraine, Luxembourg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Wallonia in neighbouring regions abroad. The key consideration here is that the Greater Region SaarLorLux can be defined as a cross-border reality of life based on the cross-border implementation of everyday practices of its inhabitants. In such a socio-constructivist perspective, it is not asked what the Greater Region SaarLorLux is, but in what ways it is constituted or how it manifests itself in the everyday life of its inhabitants. [less ▲]

Was beforschen Intelligenzforscher?

E-print/Working paper (2017)

Reassessment Of Lesion-Associated Gene And Variant Pathogenicity In Focal Human Epilepsies

E-print/Working paper (2017)

Purpose: Increasing availability of surgically resected brain tissue from Focal Cortical Dysplasia and low-grade epilepsy-associated tumor patients fostered large-scale genetic examination. However ... [more ▼]

Purpose: Increasing availability of surgically resected brain tissue from Focal Cortical Dysplasia and low-grade epilepsy-associated tumor patients fostered large-scale genetic examination. However, assessment of germline and somatic variant pathogenicity remains difficult. Methods: Here, we critically reevaluated the pathogenicity for all neuropathology-associated variants reported to date in the PubMed and ClinVar databases, including 12 disease-related genes and 88 neuropathology-associated missense variants. We (1) assessed evolutionary gene constraint using the pLI and missense z scores, (2) applied guidelines by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), and (3) predicted pathogenicity by using PolyPhen-2, CADD, and GERP. Results: Constraint analysis classified only seven out of 12 genes to be likely disease-associated, while 35 (40\%) of those 88 variants were classified as being variants of unknown significance (VUS) and 53 (60\%) as being likely pathogenic (LPII). Pathogenicity prediction yielded discrimination between neuropathology-associated variants (LPII and VUS) and rare variant scores obtained from individuals present in the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD). Conclusion: We conclude that several VUS are likely disease-associated and will be reclassified by future molecular evidence. In summary, interpretation of lesion-associated gene variants remains complex while the application of current ACMG guidelines including bioinformatic pathogenicity prediction will help improving interpretation and prediction. [less ▲]

Identifying individual rights in EU law

E-print/Working paper (2017)

Hochbegabte: eine besondere Minderheit?

E-print/Working paper (2017)

Hochbegabt ist, wer der Menschheit nützt.

E-print/Working paper (2017)

A Peccati-Tudor type theorem for Rademacher chaoses

E-print/Working paper (2017)

In this article, we prove that in the Rademacher setting, a random vector with chaotic components is close in distribution to a centred Gaussian vector, if both the maximal influence of the associated ... [more ▼]

In this article, we prove that in the Rademacher setting, a random vector with chaotic components is close in distribution to a centred Gaussian vector, if both the maximal influence of the associated kernel and the fourth cumulant of each component is small. In particular, we recover the univariate case recently established in D\"obler and Krokowski (2017). Our main strategy consists in a novel adaption of the exchangeable pairs couplings initiated in Nourdin and Zheng (2017), as well as its combination with estimates via chaos decomposition. [less ▲]

Urban Interactions

E-print/Working paper (2017)

This paper studies social-tie formation when individuals care about the geographical location of other individuals. In our model, the intensity of social interactions can be chosen at the same time as ... [more ▼]

This paper studies social-tie formation when individuals care about the geographical location of other individuals. In our model, the intensity of social interactions can be chosen at the same time as friends. We characterize the equilibrium in terms of both social interactions and social capital (the value of social interactions offered by each agent) for a general distribution of individuals in the urban geographical space. We show that greater geographical dispersion decreases the incentives to socially interact. We also show that the equilibrium frequency of interactions is lower than the effcient one. Using a unique geo-coded dataset of friendship networks among adolescents in the United States, we estimate the model and validate that agents interact less than the social first best optimum. Our policy analysis suggests that, given the same cost, subsidizing social interactions yields a higher total welfare than subsidizing transportation costs. [less ▲]

Deformations of pre-symplectic structures and the Koszul L-infty-algebra

E-print/Working paper (2017)

We study the deformation theory of pre-symplectic structures, i.e. closed two-forms of fixed rank. The main result is a parametrization of nearby deformations of a given pre-symplectic structure in terms ... [more ▼]

We study the deformation theory of pre-symplectic structures, i.e. closed two-forms of fixed rank. The main result is a parametrization of nearby deformations of a given pre-symplectic structure in terms of an $L_\infty$-algebra, which we call the Koszul $L_\infty$-algebra. This $L_\infty$-algebra is a cousin of the Koszul dg Lie algebra associated to a Poisson manifold, and its proper geometric understanding relies on Dirac geometry. In addition, we show that a quotient of the Koszul $L_{\infty}$-algebra is isomorphic to the $L_\infty$-algebra which controls the deformations of the underlying characteristic foliation. Finally, we show that the infinitesimal deformations of pre-symplectic structures and of foliations are both obstructed. [less ▲]

Zygosity Determination in Twin Studies: A Validation of Zygosity Questionnaires Using DNA in the German TwinLife Study.

E-print/Working paper (2017)

Multilingualism as Migration. Remarks on Literature, Philology, and Culture

E-print/Working paper (2017)

La représentation de la littérature de la Lorraine dans l'espace - utilisation d'un système d'information géographique via Internet

E-print/Working paper (2017)

Explaining employers’ hiring decisions: A comparative study of employers’ risk assessment

E-print/Working paper (2017)

In order to investigate the scarring effect of early job insecurity on future employment chances we have implemented a factorial survey experiment with recruiters based on real vacancies in Bulgaria ... [more ▼]

In order to investigate the scarring effect of early job insecurity on future employment chances we have implemented a factorial survey experiment with recruiters based on real vacancies in Bulgaria, Greece, Norway and Switzerland. We contribute to recruitment research at least in three ways: First, the multinational design allows us to run comparative analysis across countries, which are carried out along the national dimensions youth unemployment rate, employment protection regulation and type of educational system. Second, we differentiate between two different forms of early job insecurity – unemployment and work experience in deskilling jobs, and we demonstrate that the sole focus on unemployment, as it is the case in the prevalent labour market research, is not sufficient in order to fully understand labour market outcomes caused by different forms of job insecurities. Third, since our sample consists of real recruiters who were hiring for current jobs at the time when the study was carried out, we provide a unique cross-country data set of high external validity. Our findings suggest that scarring effects of early job insecurity vary across countries and across occupational fields, and while scarring caused by work experience in deskilling jobs seems to be enforced by strong employment protection regulations, unemployment scarring seems to stronger where national unemployment is low. Further, the differences in recruiter’s evaluation across occupational fields indicate that signalling value of education may vary depending on specific sectors. Not at least, we contribute to debates around active labour market policies, arguing that measures aiming at quick labour market reintegration without consideration of job quality may not be the most sustainable solution, as work experience in a deskilling job does not lead to better recruiter’s evaluation. [less ▲]

Fractional charge oscillations in quantum spin Hall quantum dots

E-print/Working paper (2016)

We show that correlated two-particle backscattering can induce fractional charge oscillations in a quantum dot built at the edge of a two-dimensional topological insulator by means of magnetic barriers ... [more ▼]

We show that correlated two-particle backscattering can induce fractional charge oscillations in a quantum dot built at the edge of a two-dimensional topological insulator by means of magnetic barriers. The result nicely complements recent works where the fractional oscillations were obtained employing of semiclassical treatments. Moreover, since by rotating the magnetization of the barriers a fractional charge can be trapped in the dot via the Jackiw-Rebbi mechanism, the system we analyze offers the opportunity to study the interplay between this noninteracting charge fractionalization and the fractionalization due to two-particle backscattering. In this context, we demonstrate that the number of fractional oscillations of the charge density depends on the magnetization angle. Finally, we address the renormalization induced by two-particle backscattering on the spin density, which is characterized by a dominant oscillation, sensitive to the Jackiw-Rebbi charge, with a wavelength twice as large as the charge density oscillations. [less ▲]

Adventskalender, Tag 3: Gedanken und Wünsche für Hochbegabte.

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Counting curves, and the stable length of currents

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Let $\gamma_0$ be a curve on a surface $\Sigma$ of genus $g$ and with $r$ boundary components and let $\pi_1(\Sigma)\curvearrowright X$ be a discrete and cocompact action on some metric space. We study ... [more ▼]

Let $\gamma_0$ be a curve on a surface $\Sigma$ of genus $g$ and with $r$ boundary components and let $\pi_1(\Sigma)\curvearrowright X$ be a discrete and cocompact action on some metric space. We study the asymptotic behavior of the number of curves $\gamma$ of type $\gamma_0$ with translation length at most $L$ on $X$. For example, as an application, we derive that for any finite generating set $S$ of $\pi_1(\Sigma)$ the limit $$\lim_{L\to\infty}\frac 1{L^{6g-6+2r}}\{\gamma\text{ of type }\gamma_0\text{ with }S\text{-translation length}\le L\}$$ exists and is positive. The main new technical tool is that the function which associates to each curve its stable length with respect to the action on $X$ extends to a (unique) continuous and homogenous function on the space of currents. We prove that this is indeed the case for any action of a torsion free hyperbolic group. [less ▲]

Arbeitszeitflexibilität in Luxemburg

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Männliche Arbeitnehmer weisen im Vergleich zu weiblichen Arbeitnehmern eine höhere Differenz zwischen vertraglich vereinbarter und faktischer Wochenarbeitszeit auf. Differenziert nach Berufsgruppen zeigt ... [more ▼]

Männliche Arbeitnehmer weisen im Vergleich zu weiblichen Arbeitnehmern eine höhere Differenz zwischen vertraglich vereinbarter und faktischer Wochenarbeitszeit auf. Differenziert nach Berufsgruppen zeigt sich, dass inbesondere Manager sowie Führungskräfte deutlich mehr arbeiten, als vertraglich festgelegt. Atypische Arbeitszeiten (nach 19 Uhr, nach 22 Uhr oder am Wochenende) treten dagegen insbesondere bei jüngeren Arbeitnehmern (bis 44 Jahre) häufiger auf. Auch zeigen sich hier große Unterschiede über die Berufsgruppen hinweg. Für die Mehrheit der Arbeitnehmer entspricht die vertraglich vereinbarte Stundenzahl ihren Wünschen. Jedoch ist bei den jüngeren Arbeitnehmern der Anteil der Personen, die sich einen Vertrag mit mehr bezahlten Stunden wünschen deutlich höher. Differenziert nach Berufsgruppen äußern vor allem Hilfsarbeitskräfte sowie Arbeitnehmer in Dienstleistungs- und Handwerksberufen den Wunsch mehr bezahlte Stunden zu arbeiten. Die Arbeitszeitbedingungen der Arbeitnehmer weisen auch Zusammenhänge mit erlebten Work-Life-Konflikten, Zeitdruck, Stress und Arbeitszufriedenheit auf. Die Arbeitszeitbedingungen sind außerdem assoziiert mit nächtlichen Schlafstunden sowie mit der Gefährdung durch Burnout. Arbeitnehmer, die 46 Stunden und mehr arbeiten, die häufig atypische Arbeitszeiten haben, oder deren faktische Arbeitszeit stark von der vertraglich vereinbarten Arbeitszeit abweicht, erleben stärker Work-Life-Konflikte, Zeitdruck sowie Stress, geben jedoch eine geringere Arbeitszufriedenheit an, schlafen weniger und weisen eher Burnout auf. [less ▲]

Beziehungen – Liens Relationnels. Realitäten, Perspektiven, Grenzen – réalités, perspectives et limites. Bericht zu einer Befragung von Mitarbeiterinnen und Jugendlichen bei Solidarité Jeunes 2016

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Solidarité Jeunes asbl in Luxemburg hat eine Befragung zum Thema Beziehungen bei den Professionellen und Jugendlichen in ihren Einrichtungen durchgeführt. Sie beauftragten die Universität damit, die ... [more ▼]

Solidarité Jeunes asbl in Luxemburg hat eine Befragung zum Thema Beziehungen bei den Professionellen und Jugendlichen in ihren Einrichtungen durchgeführt. Sie beauftragten die Universität damit, die Ergebnisse aufzubereiten, zu verschriftlichen und bei einer Fachtagung zum 40-jährigen Bestehen des Trägers (bis 2012 Jongenheem asbl) im September 2016 zu präsentieren. Der Fragebogen enthielt Fragen zu den Themen: was verstehen die Jugendlichen und die Professionellen unter einer guten Beziehung, wie gestalten sie diese, welche Rituale gibt es z. B. beim Abschied von Jugendlichen und wie wird dieser vorbereitet. Eine Frage war auch, ob und welche Art von Kontakte nach dem Verlassen der Einrichtung bestehen und für wichtig gehalten werden. Die Befragung basierte auf der Annahme und der Erfahrung, dass Beziehungen ein Schlüsselfaktor und Fundament jeder erfolgreichen pädagogischen Interven- tion sind und damit auch ein zentrales „Arbeitsmittel“. [less ▲]

Isogeometric finite element analysis of time-harmonic exterior acoustic scattering problems

E-print/Working paper (2016)

We present an isogeometric analysis of time-harmonic exterior acoustic problems. The infinite space is truncated by a fictitious boundary and (simple) absorbing boundary conditions are applied. The ... [more ▼]

We present an isogeometric analysis of time-harmonic exterior acoustic problems. The infinite space is truncated by a fictitious boundary and (simple) absorbing boundary conditions are applied. The truncation error is included in the exact solution so that the reported error is an indicator of the performance of the isogeometric analysis, in particular of the related pollution error. Numerical results performed with high-order basis functions (third or fourth orders) showed no visible pollution error even for very high frequencies. This property combined with exact geometrical representation makes isogeometric analysis a very promising platform to solve high-frequency acoustic problems. [less ▲]

Intertwining operators of the quantum Teichmüller space

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Short closed geodesics with self-intersections

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Our main point of focus is the set of closed geodesics on hyperbolic surfaces. For any fixed integer $k$, we are interested in the set of all closed geodesics with at least $k$ (but possibly more) self ... [more ▼]

Our main point of focus is the set of closed geodesics on hyperbolic surfaces. For any fixed integer $k$, we are interested in the set of all closed geodesics with at least $k$ (but possibly more) self-intersections. Among these, we consider those of minimal length and investigate their self-intersection numbers. We prove that their intersection numbers are upper bounded by a universal linear function in $k$ (which holds for any hyperbolic surface). Moreover, in the presence of cusps, we get bounds which imply that the self-intersection numbers behave asymptotically like $k$ for growing $k$. [less ▲]

The effects of Assortative Matching on Job and Marital Satisfaction through University Attendance

E-print/Working paper (2016)

This paper examines how the decision to acquire higher education may affect job and marital satisfaction. We propose a theoretical model where individuals decide whether to attend university both for ... [more ▼]

This paper examines how the decision to acquire higher education may affect job and marital satisfaction. We propose a theoretical model where individuals decide whether to attend university both for obtaining higher job satisfaction and for meeting potential partners. As the probability of marrying an educated partner increases (due to positive educational assortative matching), the average ability of university students falls, since more (low ability) students are willing to attend university. Two effects can be withdrawn: (i) average job satisfaction decreases, while (ii) marital satisfaction increases. We then test the model using the British Household Panel Survey for years 1996-2008, using a dynamic bivariate model. Consistent with the theoretical predictions, we find that higher education is correlated with lower average job satisfaction. In addition, the higher education of the partner increases marital satisfaction. [less ▲]

Distances in domino flip graphs

E-print/Working paper (2016)

This article is about measuring and visualizing distances between domino tilings. Given two tilings of a simply connected square tiled surface, we're interested in the minimum number of flips between two ... [more ▼]

This article is about measuring and visualizing distances between domino tilings. Given two tilings of a simply connected square tiled surface, we're interested in the minimum number of flips between two tilings. Given a certain shape, we're interested in computing the diameters of the flip graphs, meaning the maximal distance between any two of its tilings. Building on work of Thurston and others, we give geometric interpretations of distances which result in formulas for the diameters of the flip graphs of rectangles or Aztec diamonds. [less ▲]

Equilibrium and first-best city with endogenous exposure to local air pollution from traffic

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Exposure to urban traffic-induced air pollution is a major health concern of cities. This paper analyzes the urban structure when localized pollution exposure arises from commuting traffic and ... [more ▼]

Exposure to urban traffic-induced air pollution is a major health concern of cities. This paper analyzes the urban structure when localized pollution exposure arises from commuting traffic and investigates the feedback effect of endogenous pollution on residential choices. The presence of stronger traffic-induced air pollution exposure reduces the geographical extent and the population of cities. Land rents fall with distance from the city center while population densities may be non-monotonic. Cleaner vehicle technologies reduce pollution exposure everywhere, increase population and density everywhere and do not affect the spatial extent of the city. The paper compares the urban equilibrium with the first-best. The first-best structure is a less expanded city with higher densities at the center and lower densities at the fringe. [less ▲]

Context-based Pseudonym Changing Scheme for Vehicular Adhoc Networks

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Vehicular adhoc networks allow vehicles to share their information for safety and traffic efficiency. However, sharing information may threaten the driver privacy because it includes spatiotemporal ... [more ▼]

Vehicular adhoc networks allow vehicles to share their information for safety and traffic efficiency. However, sharing information may threaten the driver privacy because it includes spatiotemporal information and is broadcast publicly and periodically. In this paper, we propose a context-adaptive pseudonym changing scheme which lets a vehicle decide autonomously when to change its pseudonym and how long it should remain silent to ensure unlinkability. This scheme adapts dynamically based on the density of the surrounding traffic and the user privacy preferences. We employ a multi-target tracking algorithm to measure privacy in terms of traceability in realistic vehicle traces. We use Monte Carlo analysis to estimate the quality of service (QoS) of a forward collision warning application when vehicles apply this scheme. According to the experimental results, the proposed scheme provides a better compromise between traceability and QoS than a random silent period scheme. [less ▲]

Information sharing, credit booms and financial stability

E-print/Working paper (2016)

This paper analyzes the impact of credit information sharing on financial stability, drawing special attention to its interactions with credit booms. A probit estimation of financial vulnerability ... [more ▼]

This paper analyzes the impact of credit information sharing on financial stability, drawing special attention to its interactions with credit booms. A probit estimation of financial vulnerability episodes – identified by jumps of the ratio of non-performing loans to total loans, is run for a sample of 159 countries dividing in two sub-samples according to their level of development: 80 advanced or emerging economies and 79 less developed countries. The results show that: i) credit information sharing reduces financial fragility for both groups of countries; ii) for less developed countries, the main effect is the direct effect (reduction of NPL ratio once credit boom is controlled), suggesting a portfolio quality effect; iii) for advanced and emerging countries, credit information sharing (IS) also mitigates the detrimental impact of credit boom on financial fragility, iv) the depth of IS has an negative impact on the likelihood of credit booms (but not the coverage of IS). [less ▲]

Burnout am Arbeitsplatz in Luxemburg

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Die Burnoutprävalenz der luxemburgischen Arbeitnehmer liegt für 2013 bis 2015 zwischen 15,7 und 18,0%. Während Frauen 2013 eine höhere Burnoutprävalenz im Vergleich zu Männern aufweisen, verringert sich ... [more ▼]

Die Burnoutprävalenz der luxemburgischen Arbeitnehmer liegt für 2013 bis 2015 zwischen 15,7 und 18,0%. Während Frauen 2013 eine höhere Burnoutprävalenz im Vergleich zu Männern aufweisen, verringert sich diese Differenz 2014 und 2015 etwas. Die 25-34 Jährigen Arbeitnehmer scheinen seltener von Burnout betroffen zu sein. Demgegenüber weisen die 35-44 und 45-54 Jährigen über alle drei Erhebungsjahre überdurchschnittliche Burnoutprävalenzen auf. Differenziert man die Arbeitnehmer nach Voll- und Teilzeitstellen, ergeben sich nur geringfügige Unterschiede. Arbeitnehmer, die 0-5 Jahre in ihrem jetzigen Betrieb arbeiten sind im Vergleich zu Arbeitnehmern mit einer längeren Betriebszugehörigkeitsdauer unterdurchschnittlich von Burnout betroffen. Arbeitnehmer, die eine Reduktion der Belegschaft in ihrem Betrieb konstatieren, sind deutlich stärker von Burnout betroffen, als Personen, die keine Veränderung oder sogar eine Erhöhung der Belegschaft festgestellt haben. Arbeitnehmer, die von Aktionen zur Aufklärung von Gesundheitsproblemen in ihrer Organisation berichten, sind ebenfalls weniger stark von Burnout betroffen im Vergleich zu Arbeitnehmern, die berichten, dass in den letzten drei Jahren keine Aktionen zur Aufklärung von Gesundheitsproblemen stattgefunden haben. Differenziert man die Arbeitnehmer nach ISCO-Berufsklassifikation, ist die Burnoutprävalenz unter Managern bzw. Führungskräften am Geringsten, bei Arbeitnehmern die Anlagen bedienen und Montageberufen als auch bei Technikern dagegen am höchsten. Arbeitnehmer mit deutscher und luxemburgischer Nationalität sind seltener, Arbeitnehmer mit französischer und belgischer Nationalität dagegen öfter von Burnout betroffen. [less ▲]

Participation in a New Regulatory Paradigm: Collaboration and Constraint in TTIP's Regulatory Cooperation

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Regulatory cooperation is a core aspect of mega-regional agreements in liberalizing trade and investment, as it enables the parties to bridge their regulatory divergences beyond what is defined in the ... [more ▼]

Regulatory cooperation is a core aspect of mega-regional agreements in liberalizing trade and investment, as it enables the parties to bridge their regulatory divergences beyond what is defined in the text of the agreements. It relies on institutional and procedural structures that entail both the mutual adjustment of domestic procedures of the parties and new international fora where regulators meet to negotiate and deliberate. In the case of TTIP, regulatory cooperation will be the setting in which decisions will be prepared or made on the differences between EU and US regulation that could be usefully overcome; on the technical requirements that are unnecessarily duplicated; on the standards that should remain in place because they contend with public policy objectives in a way that would not be compatible with domestic standards; on the areas that are too distinct to justify attempts at mutual recognition or other forms of regulatory compatibility; on the standards that both parties will promote globally. This paper focuses on participation, which in addition to information exchanges and regulatory impact assessments, forms part of the trio of “good regulatory practices” that constitute the procedural basis of regulatory cooperation under TTIP. [less ▲]

The Presumption of Innocence (and the Right to be Present at Trial) Directive

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Regards sur langues au travail

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Le français se trouve en tête des langues parlées au travail par les résidents, suivi du luxembourgeois. C’est la langue la plus parlée dans tous les secteurs économiques du privé, tandis que le ... [more ▼]

Le français se trouve en tête des langues parlées au travail par les résidents, suivi du luxembourgeois. C’est la langue la plus parlée dans tous les secteurs économiques du privé, tandis que le luxembourgeois a ses bastions dans le secteur public et parapublic. Le français connaît une forte présence dans pratiquement tous les grands groupes CITP (Classification Internationale Type des Professions). Le luxembourgeois est la langue la plus utilisée dans l'armée et dans l’agriculture, tandis que le portugais est surreprésenté parmi les artisans et les ouvriers non qualifiés. L’anglais est largement utilisé dans les professions qui exigent une éducation formelle élevée, alors que le portugais est surtout utilisé dans les professions nécessitant seulement une éducation formelle faible. Comme l’implantation des différentes branches économiques n’est pas homogène dans le pays, on peut constater une forte variation géographique pour l’utilisation des langues au travail. [less ▲]

Alternate modules are subsymplectic

E-print/Working paper (2016)

In this paper, an alternate module $(A,\phi)$ is a finite abelian group $A$ with a $\mathbb{Z}$-bilinear application $\phi:A\times A\rightarrow \mathbb{Q}/\mathbb{Z}$ which is alternate (i.e. zero on the ... [more ▼]

In this paper, an alternate module $(A,\phi)$ is a finite abelian group $A$ with a $\mathbb{Z}$-bilinear application $\phi:A\times A\rightarrow \mathbb{Q}/\mathbb{Z}$ which is alternate (i.e. zero on the diagonal). We shall prove that any alternate module is subsymplectic, i.e. if $(A,\phi)$ has a Lagrangian of cardinal $n$ then there exists an abelian group $B$ of order $n$ such that $(A,\phi)$ is a submodule of the standard symplectic module $B\times B^*$. [less ▲]

Kingdom of Spain v. Council: another piece in the "Schengen puzzle"

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Case C-25/15 Balogh – The Translation and Interpretation Directive and (questionable) special procedures

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Higher signature Delaunay decompositions

E-print/Working paper (2016)

A Delaunay decomposition is a cell decomposition in R^d for which each cell is inscribed in a Euclidean ball which is empty of all other vertices. This article introduces a generalization of the Delaunay ... [more ▼]

A Delaunay decomposition is a cell decomposition in R^d for which each cell is inscribed in a Euclidean ball which is empty of all other vertices. This article introduces a generalization of the Delaunay decomposition in which the Euclidean balls in the empty ball condition are replaced by other families of regions bounded by certain quadratic hypersurfaces. This generalized notion is adaptable to geometric contexts in which the natural space from which the point set is sampled is not Euclidean, but rather some other flat semi-Riemannian geometry, possibly with degenerate directions. We prove the existence and uniqueness of the decomposition and discuss some of its basic properties. In the case of dimension d = 2, we study the extent to which some of the well-known optimality properties of the Euclidean Delaunay triangulation generalize to the higher signature setting. In particular, we describe a higher signature generalization of a well-known description of Delaunay decompositions in terms of the intersection angles between the circumscribed circles. [less ▲]

The Effect of Survey Design on Extreme Response Style: Rating Job Satisfaction

E-print/Working paper (2016)

This paper explores the relationship between survey rating scale and Extreme Response Style (ERS) using experimental data from Understanding Society (Innovation Panel 2008), where a self-assessment ... [more ▼]

This paper explores the relationship between survey rating scale and Extreme Response Style (ERS) using experimental data from Understanding Society (Innovation Panel 2008), where a self-assessment questionnaire measuring job satisfaction uses two alternative (7 and 11 points) rating options. Our results suggests that when shifting from a shorter to a longer scale, the survey design generates a tendency to choose response scales at the extreme of the distribution, thus creating a misleading quantification of the variable of interest. The experimental design of the data enables us to test our hypothesis using a non-linear estimation approach where age, gender and education level are shown to affect ERS. [less ▲]

Green Consumption and relative preferences in an international ologopoly

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Critical exponent and Hausdorff dimension for quasi-Fuchsian AdS manifolds

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Sites du patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO dans la Grande Région SaarLorLux

E-print/Working paper (2016)

In 2017, the Greater Region SaarLorLux has no less than twelve sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They date from different periods, from prehistory to the beginning of the 20th century, and belong ... [more ▼]

In 2017, the Greater Region SaarLorLux has no less than twelve sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They date from different periods, from prehistory to the beginning of the 20th century, and belong to different categories. Architectural and industrial monuments are part of the Greater Region's World Cultural Heritage, as are squares and entire cities, fortifications and cultural landscapes. The World Heritage sites bear witness to the rich European history and are a sign of the Greater Region's exceptional cultural diversity. They are also exceptionally beautiful and picturesque. Each of the World Heritage Sites is related to many other monuments, while providing its own context, history and spatial, cultural and social coordination system. In recent years, global and transnational aspects have gradually led to the listing of ensembles of sites and cultural landscapes. [less ▲]

Europe’s Center of Science: Science Productivity in Belgium, France, Germany, and Luxembourg

E-print/Working paper (2016)

European countries have increasingly invested in higher education and science systems, leading to rising numbers of scholars and scientists, considerable infrastructure development, and dense cross ... [more ▼]

European countries have increasingly invested in higher education and science systems, leading to rising numbers of scholars and scientists, considerable infrastructure development, and dense cross-cultural networks and collaboration. The result: significant growth in scientific output and productivity in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. For four EU member states in Western Europe of different size and institutionalization pathways of science, we assess the development and current state of universities and research institutes, and the resulting science output. We measure output in peer-reviewed research articles collected in Thomson Reuters’ Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE). Based on a comprehensive historical database, this comparison uncovers both stable and dynamic patterns of productivity from 1975 to 2010 in Germany, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg.[1] This emphasizes different institutionalization pathways that created the conditions necessary for continuous, but varying growth in scientific productivity in the European center of global science. Today, these countries invest considerably in research and development (R&D) and in higher education, the smaller ones doing so through a single national research university (Luxembourg), or a set of strong research universities in different regions (Belgium’s language communities of Flanders and Wallonia). The two larger countries (France and Germany) maintain differentiated systems of universities—of varying size and prestige—and extra-university research institutes that are connected in large umbrella associations or coordinated by government agencies. Rising science productivity reflects considerable state investment, yet the impact of any individual scientific article remains difficult to measure. [less ▲]

Possessions en prêt au Haut Moyen Âge des Abbayes de Gorze et Wissembourg, de 661 à environ 860

E-print/Working paper (2016)

In the medieval world, the abbey had multiple meanings. On the one hand, it was a place of spiritual life where the abbey community lived, prayed and worked according to the strict ideals of the rule. The ... [more ▼]

In the medieval world, the abbey had multiple meanings. On the one hand, it was a place of spiritual life where the abbey community lived, prayed and worked according to the strict ideals of the rule. The schools, libraries and scriptoriums in which manuscripts were copied and partially decorated, also made it a centre of learning and the spread of knowledge. On the other hand, the abbeys were one of the largest landowners in the Middle Ages and their abbots were not only the superiors of religious communities but also the directors of large economic centres. The endowments for their foundation and donations from royalty or nobility provided the abbeys with considerable property. These assets were by no means a coherent mass in the vicinity of the abbey, but were rather scattered over long distances. The abbeys of Wissembourg and Gorze, through the cartularies that have come down to us, lend themselves to a more precise examination of the abbeys' economy. [less ▲]

Adventskalender, Tag 17: Gedanken und Wünsche für Hochbegabte.

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Adventskalender, Tag 11: Gedanken und Wünsche für Hochbegabte.

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Income Effects and Vertical Differentiation in International Trade

E-print/Working paper (2016)

We analyse a trade model with non-homothetic preferences and different quality ver- sions of each product. Income effects drive the quality composition of consumption, pro- duction and trade flows. We ... [more ▼]

We analyse a trade model with non-homothetic preferences and different quality ver- sions of each product. Income effects drive the quality composition of consumption, pro- duction and trade flows. We show that a rise in local population fosters local asymmetric specialization in high-quality production and exports while it harms low income groups. By contrast, an increase in local productivity may generate specialization in high quality production, which in turn may trigger an immiserizing growth process. Weaker compa- rative advantages induce firm to move and make a local productivity improvement more likely to increase production of higher quality goods everywhere. [less ▲]

Die Karte des luxemburgisch-kurtrierischen Grenzverlaufs aus dem Jahr 1776 – Ein Meisterwerk der Kartographie des späten Ancien Régime und eine faszinierende Quelle für die Landesgeschichte

E-print/Working paper (2016)

Das Nationalarchiv hat drei außergewöhnliche Dokumente aus dem Jahr 1776 online gestellt. Hierbei handelt es sich um zwei sehr große Karten (7,1m x 2m ; 3,3m x 2,1m), die den Grenzverlauf zwischen ... [more ▼]

Das Nationalarchiv hat drei außergewöhnliche Dokumente aus dem Jahr 1776 online gestellt. Hierbei handelt es sich um zwei sehr große Karten (7,1m x 2m ; 3,3m x 2,1m), die den Grenzverlauf zwischen Luxemburg und dem Kurfürstentum Trier zeigen. Sie wurden vom Ingenieur Bergé, Oberleutnant der österreichischen Armee, gezeichnet und mit Hilfe des Fotografen Tom Lucas und des Musée Dräi Eechelen digitalisiert. Hinzu kommt ein historisches Dokument von 325 Seiten in dem die auf den Karten abgebildete Grenze in Frage gestellt wird. Beide Karten sind aufgrund ihrer Größe nur schwer einsehbar, stellen aber eine wichtige Quelle für die Geschichte Luxemburgs dar und sind reich an Informationen, Details und Farben. Martin Uhrmacher, Dozent und Forscher an der Universität Luxemburg und Experte auf dem Gebiet der historischen Kartographie, hat beide Karten in diesem Beitrag ausführlich analysiert. [less ▲]

Adventskalender, Tag 7: Gedanken und Wünsche für Hochbegabte.

E-print/Working paper (2016)