https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/692 2026-08-26T00:36:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148685 Title: Optimal structure of real estate portfolio using EVA : a stochastic Markowitz model using data from Greek real estate market Authors: Petropoulos, Theofanis; Liapis, Konstantinos; Thalassinos, Eleftherios Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine the issue of portfolio optimization. Optimization consists of minimizing the risk for a given rate of return or achieving a bigger return for a given level of risk. We use historical data from the Bank of Greece to calculate the net return and the standard deviation (std) for each type of property that is available. The objective is to maximize the economic value added (EVA) of a property’s assets portfolio under a specific rate of standard deviation, following the classic Markowitz model (M-V). The stochastic procedure entry in the model uses the Monte Carlo Simulation method with debt to equity (DTE) following PERT distribution for the portfolio’s invested budget, and the net return for the normal distribution with the mean of the expected return and std are taken from historical data, correspondingly. The returns verify that they follow the base assumption of normality through the Lilliefors test in the Greek real estate market. We observe the maximization of EVA and the expected return maximizing concurrently, but the minimizing risk of EVA is diversified with the minimization of portfolio risk. We observe that the max weight that a residential asset takes is 22.7% because a bigger percent reduces both mean and std. The study provides an explicit portfolio optimization procedure under uncertainty in the real estate market and enriches the academic debate about EVA and revenue. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148653 Title: An ensemble of long short-term memory networks with an attention mechanism for upper limb electromyography signal classification Authors: Alotaibi, Naif D.; Jahanshahi, Hadi; Yao, Qijia; Mou, Jun; Bekiros, Stelios Abstract: Advancing cutting-edge techniques to accurately classify electromyography (EMG) signals are of paramount importance given their extensive implications and uses. While recent studies in the literature present promising findings, a significant potential still exists for substantial enhancement. Motivated by this need, our current paper introduces a novel ensemble neural network approach for time series classification, specifically focusing on the classification of upper limb EMG signals. Our proposed technique integrates long short-term memory networks (LSTM) and attention mechanisms, leveraging their capabilities to achieve accurate classification. We provide a thorough explanation of the architecture and methodology, considering the unique characteristics and challenges posed by EMG signals. Furthermore, we outline the preprocessing steps employed to transform raw EMG signals into a suitable format for classification. To evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed technique, we compare its performance with a baseline LSTM classifier. The obtained numerical results demonstrate the superiority of our method. Remarkably, the method we propose attains an average accuracy of 91.5%, with all motion classifications surpassing the 90% threshold. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148538 Title: Reporting components and reliability issues Authors: Jorge, Susana; Caruana, Josette Abstract: This chapter deals with financial reporting in the public sector, taking IPSAS as reference. Some examples of the reporting components of specific countries are presented. The chapter also highlights the role of financial reporting in promoting transparency and accountability in the public sector, and concludes by referring to the importance of auditing to ensure fair presentation and regularity of the public sector accounts, ultimately impacting on citizens’ trust in public sector managers and politicians. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148537 Title: The IPSASB’s conceptual framework and views on selected national frameworks Authors: Jorge, Susana; Caruana, Josette Abstract: This chapter is about conceptual frameworks in public sector accounting. While particularly taking the IPSASB’s conceptual framework as a reference, the chapter also offers brief views on selected national frameworks from a group of European countries – namely the UK, Finland, Austria, Germany and Portugal – as illustrative examples of how conceptual frameworks can approximate or diverge from that of the IPSASB.; The explanations enable an understanding of the role of a conceptual framework underlying public sector accounting standards, as well as the main issues normally included in it. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z