Society of Actuaries

This paper presents an embedded benchmarking comparison between Neural Network (NN)- and Lookup Table (LUT)-based current reference generation for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM) drives using Field-Oriented Control (FOC). Conventional control strategies such as Maximum Torque Per Ampere (MTPA) and Maximum Torque Per Voltage (MTPV) are often implemented using high-dimensional LUTs, which become inefficient as input dimensionality increases. As a scalable alternative, this work investigates an NN to replace these traditional methods. The NN was trained on loss-optimal reference data generated from constrained minimization. Both the NN and a corresponding 3D-LUT were implemented in C and deployed on an STM32H7B3I-DK microcontroller. Benchmarking shows that the NN offers a $97.2 \%$ reduction in memory usage while providing comparable accuracy to the LUT. The NN inference time of 0.5 ms comfortably meets the 2 ms realtime constraint of our application and falls well within the typical timing budget of a higher-level control loop. These results highlight the potential of NN-based control as an efficient and lightweight alternative to traditional methods for electric traction drives.

Throughout history, humans have demonstrated an extraordinary capacity for creativity and innovation, driving progress and shaping our world. This innate ability to imagine, experiment, and push the boundaries of the possible is central to our identity as free-thinking individuals. To explore the cognitive, psychological, and ethical dimensions that influence the transformative process of translating creative ideas into practical realities, understanding this process as a defining characteristic of human innovation and a reflection of our unique capacity for independent thought. This research utilizes a framework that integrates cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and the principles of quantum physics to analyze the multifaceted dimensions influencing the transformation of creative ideas into reality. This framework will examine cognitive processes, psychological balance, and the alignment of material and non-material values. This research demonstrates that a holistic approach to innovation encompassing material and non-material values is crucial for realising creative potential. This aligns with the principles of quantum physics, where reality emerges from a state of potentiality through conscious observation and interaction. Cultivating free will, critical thinking, and a balanced mentality empowers individuals to harness their creative potential and contribute meaningfully to society. We can unlock human ingenuity and create a brighter future by fostering an environment that encourages independent thought and ethical decision-making.

This introduction offers a critical approach to waste, considered as a central object for thinking about capitalism, its expansionism, and its social, political and ecological effects. The authors explore its production (including by the social sciences) and the mechanisms that organize its treatment, control, abandonment or commercialization. The tensions between innovation and obsolescence, attachment and separation are examined. Finally, while waste is blurring many boundaries, the usefulness of certain analytical limits is highlighted.

ContextSmallholder farmers in semi-arid West Africa face challenges such as weather variability, soil infertility, and inadequate market infrastructure, hindering their adoption of improved farming practices. Economic risks associated with uncertain weather, production and market conditions often result in measures such as selling assets and withdrawing children from school, resulting in long-term impoverishment. To break these poverty traps, there is a need for affordable and sustainable risk management approaches at the farm level. Proposed strategies include risk reduction through stress-resistant crop varieties and diversification, additional investments transfer options like crop insurance and contract farming. Despite experimentation with insurance products in sub-Saharan Africa, low adoption persists due to many factors including high premiums, imperfect indices, and cognitive factors. ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to assess the probability of two different index-based insurance products to stabilize smallholder farmers' income and limit asset losses in Northern Ghana using an integrated bio-economic modelling approach. MethodWe adapted an existing integrated bio-economic model comprising a process-based crop model, farm simulation model, and annual optimization model by including insurance contracts to assess their impacts on farmers' income and assets. We collaborated with an insurance service provider in sub–Saharan Africa to design and compare two weather index-based insurance contracts—one covering seeding costs and another addressing full input costs. Additionally, we considered the impact of management adaptations, such as replanting after crop establishment failure. ResultsThe result from the study suggests that except for the most resource constrained, farmers would be better off purchasing seed insurance and replanting in the event of weather shocks, stabilizing their incomes and reducing the sale of their assets. These insurance options are less expensive than full weather index insurance for the resource-constrained farmers considering that extreme weather conditions do not occur regularly. SignificanceThis study is significant for smallholder farmers in semi-arid West Africa, who are faced with economic and environmental challenges, challenging efforts to improve livelihoods. Focusing on Northern Ghana, the research assesses the viability of two index-based insurance products using an integrated bio-economic modelling approach. By presenting the probability of outcomes for income and farm assets, particularly through seed insurance incentivizing replanting after extreme weather shocks, the study offers a cost-effective solution for resource-constrained farmers. The results suggest the potential for weather-index insurance contracts to help smallholder farmers avoid bankruptcy or fall into poverty traps, especially after shock years.

PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of urinary (UI), fecal (FI), and dual incontinence (DI) in older adults and their association with urinary tract infections, dermatitis, slips and falls, and behavioral disturbances based on Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) claims data.DESIGN:Retrospective analysis.SUBJECTS AND SETTINGS:Data from administrative claims from the CMS Medicare Limited Data Set (5% sample) for all months in 2018 were reviewed. The analysis was limited to FFS Medicare beneficiaries, with minimum of 3-month enrollment in Parts A and B who were at least 65 years old. This cohort included 1.2 million beneficiaries in the United States.METHODS:We used diagnosis codes to identify members with incontinence and grouped these members into 3 categories (UI only, FI only, and DI). We also divided claims based on 4 sites of care (nursing home, skilled nursing facility, home health, and self- or family care). We then determined the prevalence of (1) urinary tract infections (UTIs), (2) dermatitis, (3) slips and falls, and (4) behavioral disturbances for each type of incontinence.RESULTS:We found that 11.2% of Medicare members had a claims-based diagnosis of incontinence in 2018. On average, those diagnosed with incontinence experienced 5 times more UTIs, 2 times as many dermatitis events, more than twice as many slips and falls, and 2.8 times more behavior disturbances compared to those without an incontinence diagnosis. For those with DI, the prevalence of the 4 outcomes was significantly higher (between 22% and 185%) compared to those with UI only.CONCLUSIONS:Findings show that Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed as incontinent experience a much higher prevalence of UTIs, dermatitis, slips and falls, and behavioral disturbances compared to those without a diagnosis of incontinence. Our results suggest that incontinence may be an important indicator diagnosis for multiple other conditions and, if not well-managed, may challenge the desire for those who are incontinent to age at home.

Working from home (WFH) may affect health behaviors and mental health. The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic saw many USemployees transition to WFH, which has persisted in various job sectors and significantly impacted employees. However, its effects on health outcomes have remained unclear. We aimed to explore the characteristics and health outcomes of, and health-related differences between, WFH and not-WFH groups. Using the 2021 California Health Interview Survey data, we analyzed health behaviors (smoking, alcohol consumption, and fruit-related nutrition) and the mental health status of 12,438 individuals using descriptive statistics, Pearson's χ2 test, and regressions. A total of 39% were WFH and 61% were not-WFH. Overall, the WFH group had worse health behaviors and mental health than the not-WFH group. Age was associated with smoking in both groups (WFH: b = 0.37; not-WFH: b = 0.35), but with fruit-related nutrition only in the WFH group. Household income and occupation were associated with alcohol consumption in both groups. Age (WFH: b = -1.58; not-WFH: b = -1.39), household income (WFH: b = -0.75; not-WFH: b = -0.34), and job duration (WFH: b = -0.34; not-WFH: b = -0.40) were associated with mental health in both groups; those who were younger and had lower household incomes and job durations had worse mental health. Health management is a clear necessity for the WFH group. Irrespective of WFH status, young workers with shorter than 5 years'job duration reported mental distress, highlighting a need for distress assessment and management for the young workforce.

Understanding the nutritional requirements of captive animals is necessary for proper animal husbandry, however, the specific dietary requirements for many amphibian species commonly kept in captivity are unknown. Like most vertebrates, frogs cannot synthesize carotenoids or vitamin A, and must therefore obtain these essential nutrients through diet. It is unclear if amphibians can cleave provitamin A carotenoids to form vitamin A metabolically within the body, so common practice is to supplement their captive diets with both preformed vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids. We carried out a feeding experiment in tadpoles of Phyllobates vittatus, a commonly kept poison frog species, to test the effects of supplementing a fish flake diet with a provitamin A carotenoid (2.5mg/g β-carotene) and vitamin A (0.5 mg/g retinyl acetate), both individually and in combination. Contrary to our expectations, supplementation had either no effect or adverse effects on tadpole growth and survivorship. Tadpoles reared under supplemented diets showed higher mortality rates, coupled with symptoms of hypervitaminosis A. Survivors had a smaller body size and mass at metamorphosis. The vitamin A and β-carotene levels in our supplemented diet have been shown to benefit tadpoles of other species, yet our results indicate that adding these amounts to what is found in a generalist fish flake mix (5.466 μg/g and 1.88 μg/g, respectively) beyond can have detrimental effects on P. vittatus tadpoles. More broadly, this study highlights the importance of creating husbandry guidelines based on the specific physiological needs of the species (or species groups) being kept in captivity, rather than general ones for all amphibians, as is often done.