Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the bid-ask spread and its implication for portfolio returns

Liquidity in financial markets is often thought of as the ease to trade an asset. In most financial models it is assumed that it is always possible to trade, which implies that liquidity is high and constant. The financial crisis of 2007-2009 showed that this assumption does not hold. During the financial crisis, the global stock market saw a substantial decline in asset prices and a period of high volatility, and periods of extremely tough markets tot trade in. This illustrates the importance of liquidity on the effective functioning of the financial markets. On account of the theoretical underpinning on market liquidity and why it is an important source of priced risk for assets, in particular for stocks, we apply a cost-based measure of market liquidity, namely the bid-ask spread on all Norwegian stocks as well as the market (i.e., OSEBX). One of the most popular measures for the bid-ask spread, namely Corwin and Schultz (2012) and a newly derived estimator for the bid-ask spread, what we have denoted Alpha, and derived by Leirvik (2015), are applied in this thesis with both estimators using observations of daily high and low prices. We find that: (1) liquidity is a time-varying risk factor, both for the individual stocks listed on the Norwegian stock exchange and of the market; (2) the portfolio which comprises of stocks with wide bid-ask spread, has on average higher returns than all other portfolios; (3) the least liquid portfolio outperforms the most liquid portfolio, an indication of the presence of liquidity premium for the Norwegian stocks; (4) the stocks of both large and small firms for the least liquid decile outperform the stocks of large and small firms for the most liquid decile respectively; (5) the stocks of large firms outperform the stocks of small firms for both the least and most liquid deciles; (6) the average return difference between the least liquid and the most liquid stocks are positive every year; (7) the market outperforms the stocks of small firms for both the least and most liquid deciles on an annual basis whiles the stocks of large firms for the least liquid decile outperform the market on a yearly basis; (8) the volatility of liquidity (i.e spread) for the average liquidity of Norwegian stocks is relatively high in comparison to the overall market by applying CS estimator as compared to applying Alpha estimator. ; (9) the return volatility on the least liquid stocks is relatively high in comparison to the most liquid stocks by applying both Alpha and CS estimators; (10) the volatility of excess returns and returns in general are higher by applying CS estimator than applying Alpha estimator.
Geochemistry and origin of the Oligocene Binkılıç manganese deposit; Thrace basin, Turkey

Many Oligocene Manganese deposits are found in the Trace basin, a Tertiary collisional-collapse type basin in the northwestern part of Turkey. All the mineralizations are originally sedimentary type. The most economically important deposits are around Catalca; of these, the Binkilic manganese ore occurs conformably within the Oligocene fossiliferous formations, as a stratiform type manganese deposit. The manganese ores at Binkilic show a continuity along strike and consists of micro-to Cryptocrystalline pyrolusite, psilomelane, radial manganite, cryptomelane, wad, rhodochrosite and dispersed organic matter, calcite, feldspar, clay minerals, and quartz but generally only minor quantities of limonite and goethite. Mn oxides with variable carbonate admixtures constitute the predominant ores. Fine laminations, oolitic and pisolitic textures, and lithologic characteristics of the sedimentary formations suggest deposition in a restricted marine environment. The compositional trends and geologic evidence of the Binkilic manganese deposit indicate that Mn oxides were precipitated as chemical marine sediments in a shallow-water environment and are associated with relatively rapid marine transgressive-regressive events which caused the sea-level changes. The first source is uncertain but may have been input of Mn from runoff and fluvial-sediment loads which derived from the metamorphic rocks of the Stranjha Massif.
The effect of language on perceived odour intensity

This study explored the effect of language priming on perceived odour intensity. This was investigated by measuring changes in EEG alpha wave amplitude, and through a perceived odour intensity self-report scale among 32 participants. The experiment used a 2x2 betweensubjects factorial design with a within-subjects component. Four conditions investigated differences between 2 odour stimuli containing drops of rosemary essential oil that were of the same intensity in the presence and absence of a language prime, and odours of varying intensities in the presence and absence of a language prime. A mixed factorial ANOVA found no significant effects for differences across conditions for varying intensities or language prime on perceived odour intensity or EEG amplitude.
The Influence of a Substellar Continent on the Climate of a Tidally Locked Exoplanet

Previous studies have demonstrated that continental carbon-silicate weathering is important to the continued habitability of a terrestrial planet. Despite this, few studies have considered the influence of land on the climate of a tidally locked planet. In this work we use the Met Office Unified Model, coupled to a land-surface model, to investigate the climate effects of a continent located at the substellar point. We choose to use the orbital and planetary parameters of Proxima Centauri B as a template, to allow comparison with the work of others. A region of the surface where Ts > 273.15 K is always retained, and previous conclusions on the habitability of Proxima Centauri B remain intact. We find that substellar land causes global cooling and increases day–night temperature contrasts by limiting heat redistribution. Furthermore, we find that substellar land is able to introduce a regime change in the atmospheric circulation. Specifically, when a continent offset to the east of the substellar point is introduced, we observe the formation of two mid-latitude counterrotating jets, and a substantially weakened equatorial superrotating jet.
Effects of a Computerized Professional Development Program on Teacher and Student Outcomes

Effects of a computerized professional development (PD) program for a concept teaching routine were investigated in two studies. For each, teachers were randomly assigned to either a virtual workshop group that used a multimedia software program for PD or an actual workshop group that participated in a live PD session. In Study 1, the teachers’ knowledge about the routine and planning for the routine significantly improved after completing either workshop; no significant differences were found between the groups. Both teacher groups were satisfied with the PD. In Study 2, the teachers’ performance of the routine in their classrooms improved, as did student performance on tests of concept knowledge. Students were satisfied with the instruction provided by both groups of teachers. No differences were found between the posttest scores earned by the teacher groups or by students of the teachers. Implications regarding computerized PD for teachers are discussed.
El proceso de neolitización en la fachada mediterránea de la península Ibérica : technología y tipología de la piedra tallada

Based on the author's thesis, this study examines the socio-cultural and economic dynamics of the introduction of agriculture and animal rearing to the Mediterranean coast of Spain. The process of Neolithicisation is traced through evidence for worked stone, taking a number of case studies from the eastern coast of Spain with evidence dating from the Mesolithic to the Beaker period (c.6800-2300 BC). Garcia produces a typology of stone artefact types and looks at the technology of their production and use. Spanish text.
MATERNAL DEATHS REVIEW: AN APPROACH TOWARDS IMPROVING MATERNAL HEALTH

BACKGROUND: To achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) adopted at the 2000 Millennium Summit, there are two targets for assessing progress in improving maternal health (MDG 5): Reducing the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by three quarters between 1990 and 2015 and achieving universal access to reproductive health by 2015. Closer examination of maternal mortality level is needed to inform planning of reproductive health programs, to guide advocacy efforts and research at the national and international levels, and to inform decision-making. The audit for the reasons for maternal mortality in a resource poor country is extremely helpful in not only identifying the reasons but also in identifying the preventable causes of maternal mortality. AIMS & OBJECTIVE: 1. To determine the causes of maternal mortality in NSCB Medical College and Hospital of Jabalpur. 2. To study the various socio-demographic factors associated with maternal mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a record based study conducted at Obs and Gynae Dept of NSCB medical College, Jabalpur. Mortality Data from January 2012 to December 2012 was analyzed including for all pregnancy-related deaths, their demographic profile, including age, parity, antenatal care record, type of delivery, status of patient i.e., booked or not booked, diagnosis during admission, duration of the hospital stay, and cause of death by reviewing case sheet records. Gynaecological deaths were excluded in this study. Data entry as well analysis was done in Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: Eighty nine maternal deaths were recorded during study period. Most of the deaths were 87(98%) unbooked. Majority of the deaths were ANC primi i.e. 57(64%). The major direct cause for deaths were eclampsia 39(44%) followed by pre eclampsia 10(11%) and haemorrhage 7(8%). Severe anaemia 14(16%) followed by hepatitis 5(6%) were the most common indirect causes. Maternal mortality ratio was 2182/100,000 live births (89/4078). Antenatal care among all women was found in poor status. CONCLUSION: Obstetrical haemorrhage and hypertensive disorders are still major causes of maternal deaths. As most maternal deaths are preventable hence, provision of adequate and quality Antenatal Care, timely referral and management of complications can
Building Bridges to Algebra through a Constructionist Learning Environment

Context: In the digital era, it is important to investigate the potential impact of digital technologies in education and how such tools can be successfully integrated into the mathematics classroom. Similarly to many others in the constructionism community, we have been inspired by the idea set out originally by Papert of providing students with appropriate “vehicles” for developing “Mathematical Ways of Thinking. ” Problem: A crucial issue regarding the design of digital tools as vehicles is that of “transfer” or “bridging” i.e., what mathematical knowledge is transferred from students’ interactions with such tools to other activities such as when they are doing “paper-and-pencil” mathematics, undertaking traditional exam papers or in other formal and informal settings. Method: Through the lens of a framework for algebraic ways of thinking, this article analyses data gathered as part of the MiGen project from studies aiming at investigating ways to build bridges to formal algebra. Results: The analysis supports the need for and benefit of bridging activities that make the connections to algebra explicit and for frequent reflection and consolidation tasks. Implications: Task and digital environment designers should consider designing bridging activities that consolidate, support and sustain students’ mathematical ways of thinking beyond their digital experience. Constructivist content: Our more general aim is to support the implementation of digital technologies, especially constructionist learning environments, in the mathematics classroom.
Comparison of the Knowledge and Perception of Pharmacovigilance Among Pharmacy, Dental and Medical Students in Aden-Yemen

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a serious health problem. Despite all the benefits of modern medicines, evidence continues to mount that ADRs to them are common, yet often preventable cause of illness, disability and even death. ADRs are responsible for a significant number of hospital admissions. Healthcare professionals have an important role to play in reducing ADRs. Purpose: The goal of this study was to compare the knowledge and attitudes of pharmacy, dental and medical students regard¬ing adverse drug reactions (ADRs), as well as their perceptions of barriers to ADR reporting, in Aden University, Yemen. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among final-year students. A total of 130 pharmacy students, 101 medical and 69 dental students completed the self-administered questionnaire. The study was conducted from July 1 to October 31, 2016. The responses of pharmacy students were compared to those of dental and medical students. Results: The mean ages of the pharmacy, medical and dental students were 25.13 ± 1.90 years. A non-significant gender difference (P Key words: Aden; dental; Pharmacy; Medical; Students; Pharmacovigilance; Comparison; Yemen.
TOWARDS OPTICAL DETECTION OF PLASMOPARA VITICOLA INFECTION IN THE FIELD

Chlorophyll fluorescence, UV-induced fluorescence and reflectance signals of grapevine leaf tissue naturally infected by Plasmopara viticola were inspected in three susceptible grapevine cultivars (Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris). Distribution of FV/FM parameter over the leaf was found to be effective to discriminate symptomatic and asymptomatic leaf tissue. Reduction of FV/FM parameter ~ 25% was found in all infected leaf spots. Infected leaves also expressed significantly changed chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics expressing much slower electron transport rate on donor and acceptor site of photosystem II. Symptomatic leaves emitted high fluorescence signal under UV excitation 320nm, centered at 395nm, emanated mainly from highly fluorescent compound 2,4,6-trihydroxyphenanthrene-2-O- glucoside. Increase of this compound was found in all inspected grapevine varieties, while its concentration was strongly dependent on resveratrol concentration. Concentration of trans- resveratrol ranged in asymptomatic leaves from 0. 1μg·g-1 (CS) to 0. 2μg·g-1 (PB, PG). Highest increase of trans-resveratrol in infected leaf tissue was found in PB (4.4μg·g-1), followed by CS (1.6μg·g-1) and PG (1.1μg·g-1). 2,4,6-trihydroxyphenanthrene-2-O-glucoside concentrations varied from 0.41 (PB), 0.75 (PG) to 1. 01μg·g-1 (CS) in asymmptomatic leaves, since its concentration rapidly increase with severity of infection [71.09 (PB), 79.37 (PG), and 26.14 μg·g- 1 (CS)]. Reflectance vegetation indices SRI R750/R700, (R780-R710)/(R780-R680) and CRI700 were the most powerful to follow changes in chlorophylls and carotenoids contents under Plasmopara viticola infection. Infected leaves also exhibited lower chlorophyll a (~50 %) and carotenoids (~70%) content. Combination of these optical signals can be used as an effective, non-invasive tool for an early detection of Plasmopara viticola in field.
NEIGHBORHOOD ANALYSES OF SMALL‐MAMMAL DYNAMICS: IMPACTS ON SEED PREDATION AND SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT

The spatial distribution of canopy trees in the temperate deciduous forests of the northeastern United States creates "neighborhoods" that vary in species composition as well as understory features. These neighborhoods may affect the distribution and abun- dance of generalist small-mammal seed predators by creating spatial variation in the avail- ability of food resources, protective cover, and interactions with competitors. Small-mammal distribution and abundance may then influence tree population dynamics through variation in seed predation and seedling establishment. To determine if small-mammal activity pat- terns, seed survival, and seedling recruitment varied with neighborhood structure, we de- signed a study conducted at two habitat levels: canopy-tree neighborhoods, which reflected variation in seed production, and understory neighborhoods, which reflected differences in protective cover and interactions among animals. We live-trapped small mammals during the summer and fall of 1995 and 1996, experimentally measured seed survival in the falls of 1995 and 1996, and quantified total tree seedling recruitment in the spring of 1997. We developed a new method for nonlinear Poisson regression to relate canopy and understory neighborhood composition to small-mammal distribution and activity, seed survival, and seedling establishment. Small-mammal activity patterns changed between 1995 and 1996 in response to seed production. Canopy tree neighborhoods were a good predictor of overall small-mammal activity, and neighborhoods with high small-mammal activity had low seed survival. The canopy-tree neighborhoods with sufficient seed rain and high seed survival displayed increased seedling recruitment. Understory structure was a poor predictor of seed survival and seedling recruitment but appeared to be the primary axis along which habitat partitioning among mammal species took place when population densities were low. This study demonstrates that small-mammal seed predators influence tree recruitment patterns through their actions as seed predators in temperate deciduous forests, and that local effects of small mammals on seedling recruitment can be predicted from the species composition of tree neighborhoods.
A Comparative Study For Opportunity Cost Of Holding Money Between Selected Developing And Developed Countries

This paper searches an appropriate proxy for opportunity cost of holding money. We apply a balance panel data for selected developed and developing countries during the period of 1990-2008. Three models have been estimated for each group of the countries. Both random and fixed effect models have been applied. The results show that inflation rate is a good proxy for opportunity cost of holding money in the developing countries. This fact is probably the caused of inefficiency in financial markets. However, for developed countries both inflation rate and interest rate should apply as opportunity cost of holding money. When interest rate is a good proxy for opportunity cost of holding money and bonds, we can conclude that there is a competitive market in the financial market. On the other hand, we can consider the inflation rate as a proxy for durable goods and foreign currency.
Effects of acute exercise on endothelial function in abdominal aortic aneurysm patients

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Evaluation of the Composition of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Fourteen Apricot Varieties of North India

Variation in the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity was evaluated in fourteen apricot varieties grown in north India. In the present study, the bioactive composition of apricot varieties of north Indian Kashmir was assessed by HPLC-MS/MS and their contribution towards free radical scavenging was assessed using DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assays. Studies revealed that content of bioactive compounds in apricot varieties was found to vary significantly (p ≤ 0.05) among cultivars. Content of total phenols was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in Rakausilk variety (72.5±3.12 mg/100 g GAE) followed by Viva-gold (71.2±2.11 mg/100 g GAE) and Rakhchekarpo (69.6±1.65 mg/100 g GAE). Halman apricots exhibited the highest content of total carotenoids (12.2±2.13 mg/100 g) followed by Nugget (10.5±1.11 mg/100 g). HPLC analysis of apricot samples revealed the presence of fifteen phenolic acids in Halman, Venatchaa, Rakausilk and New Castle varieties; nine phenolic acid in Rakchekarpo and Sterling apricots; twelve phenolic acids in Shakanda, Nugget, Shakarpara and CITH-1 varieties; fourteen phenolic acid in Viva gold and Turkey varieties; seven phenolic acid in Khante and nineteen phenolic acids in CITH-2 apricots. Strong correlation existed between total phenolics and antioxidant activity for DPPH assay (r = 0.91) and ABTS radical inhibition (r = 0.86) while as moderate correlation existed for FRAP (r = 0.76). For DPPH and FRAP assays; EC 50 values among apricot varieties were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower in Rakausilk (69.2, 123.6 mg/ml) followed by Viva Gold (74.3, 129.5 mg/ml) and Rakhchekarpo (77.4, 132.4 mg/ml). For ABTS . + inhibition the EC 50 values among apricot varieties were in the order of EC 50(Rakausilk) < EC 50(Khante) < EC 50(Viva Gold) . The present study reported the first time presence of p-coumaric acid-O-hexoside, isorhamnetin-O-glucouronide, Kaempferol-3-O-acetylhexoside, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, sinapic acid-O- hexoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, vitexin and luteolin-7-O-rutinoside compounds in apricot varieties of north India.
Evaluating the role of fish behavior in surveys conducted with underwater vehicles

It is often assumed that visual survey data provide more accurate fish counts than conventional extractive gear. As a result, use of underwater vehicles to assess the abundance and distribution of fishes has increased rapidly over recent years. However, a review of observations reported for 48 demersal marine fish taxa showed that almost all respond in some way to underwater vehicles. Whether or not movements or changes in behavior affect survey bias is more difficult to assess. A simple conceptual model is presented to evaluate relationships between stimulus intensity, distances from the vehicle where reactions occur, and survey bias. Largest bias is caused by attraction or avoidance that occurs outside the field of cameras or observers. While light level and vehicle speed have been explored experimentally in a few cases, much remains to be learned about how bias varies among species, age groups, different vehicles, and operating conditions. Given poor understanding of survey bias, we recommend that surv.
Economic Consequences of Key Performance Indicators' Disclosure Quality

Starting from 2006, UK listed companies are required to analyse their performance by using key performance indicators (KPIs) in specific sections of their annual reports and the UK Accounting Standard Board (ASB) provides companies with guidelines for the best practice regarding KPI disclosure. Motivated by the possible effects of the KPI disclosure quality, we examine their potential economic consequences for a sample of UK listed firms for the period 2006 to 2010. Our sample consists of 448 firm-year observations. We first develop a measure for the quality of the KPI disclosure based on the ASB's guidelines. We then test the economic consequences of financial and nonfinancial KPI disclosure quality both separately and combined into one variable. Our findings, after conducting various sensitivity tests, suggest that only the disclosure quality of financial KPIs matters. We find a significantly negative (weakly positive) relationship between disclosure quality of financial KPIs and the implied cost of capital (firm value). These results inform regulatory bodies as well as the academic literature about the potential economic consequences of this type of disclosure.