Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Capital Asset Pricing Model and the Value Premium : A Post-Financial Crisis Assessment

We extend the study of Fama and French (2006) to include the data from the 2007-2009 financial crisis episode. First, we find that given this updated data set, value premium seems to be heavily concentrated in small stocks, and this concentration becomes more pronounced in the data at end of the 20th and the first decade of the 21st century. Second, based on our empirical results, while CAPM is incapable of explaining the value premium in the entire July 1926 to December 2009 period, it can easily explain the value premium for 1926-1963 and 1987-2009 sub-samples. Given that both 1926-1963 and 1987-2009 periods include episodes of severe financial crisis and war, our research points to the possibility of asset pricing practice shifts from factor models toward CAPM in times of financial or political turbulence.
Growing Against Gangs and Violence: Findings From a Process and Outcome Evaluation

Objective: The present study assesses program efficacy of Growing Against Gangs and Violence (GAGV), a primary prevention partnership with the U.K. Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), delivered in London schools with the aim of reducing gang involvement, delinquency, and violent offending and improving young people’s confidence in police. GAGV is partially derived from an American program, Gangs Resistance Education and Training (GREAT). Method: A qualitative process evaluation and randomized control trial (RCT) outcomes study were undertaken. Results: Findings indicate GAGV personnel were keen to enhance program fidelity and process implementation. The RCT did not demonstrate a statistically significant program effect. However, effect sizes (ESs) indicate the program was effective in reducing levels of gang membership and the frequency and variety of delinquency and violence in the short- and longer term. More robust evidence indicated GAGV also improved students’ attitudes toward police and reduced their adherence toward street code. Conclusions: The use of cohort- (not individual-) level data and missing data in the 1-year follow-up make it difficult to draw reliable and robust conclusions. However, results are encouraging. Several recommendations are suggested for GAGV, including curriculum design, regular evaluations, and expanding to include more schools. Limitations of this and similar evaluations also are discussed.
Measuring strain during a cylindrical grinding process using embedded sensors in a workpiece

Abstract. This paper presents the results of using a sensor-integrated workpiece for in situ measurement of strain during an outer-diameter cylindrical grinding process. The motivation of this work is to measure in situ process parameters using integrated sensors in a workpiece in order to characterize the manufacturing process. Resistive sensors that operate on the same principle as conventional strain gauges were fabricated on wafers made of steel using standard microtechnology and later the wafers were diced to form unique sensor-integrated steel components (sensor inlays). These inlays are embedded into a groove on the top surface of a cylindrical workpiece using epoxy adhesive. The workpiece is also made of the same steel as the sensor wafers and has similar properties due to a heat treatment process, thereby maintaining the homogeneity of the material over the whole contact area. The sensor-integrated workpiece was used to perform experiments in a Studer S41 high-performance cylindrical grinding machine. The sensor response to the internal strain was recorded during every grinding step starting from a depth of 1 mm down to 2 mm from the top surface. Such an application of sensor integration in materials for in situ process monitoring can be used in other manufacturing processes as well and this can help to observe internal loads (mechanical or thermal) in manufacturing processes.
Internal waves in marginally stable abyssal stratified flows

Abstract. The problem on internal waves in a weakly stratified two-layer fluid is studied semi-analytically. We discuss the 2.5-layer fluid flows with exponential stratification of both layers. The long-wave model describing travelling waves is constructed by means of a scaling procedure with a small Boussinesq parameter. It is demonstrated that solitary-wave regimes can be affected by the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability arising due to interfacial velocity shear in upstream flow.
In Situ TEM Observation of Epitaxy-induced NaCl Phase Transformation on the Au Nanowire Substrate

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a powerful tool to investigate dynamic behaviors of materials on the atomic scale by means of either ex-situ [1, 2] or in-situ [3]. Thanks to the significant advances in the microscopic technologies, a large number of interesting phenomena are revealed clearly and can be explained in details upon direct TEM observations [4]. On the other hand, epitaxy-induced structural phase transformation of NaCl was revealed successfully by the calculation in the 1980s [5], however, there has been very rare sharp evidence captured by TEM to support this prediction. Here, we report the in-situ TEM observation of NaCl phase transformation catalyzed by Au nanowires, which act as a face-centered cubic (fcc) substrate.
On higher derivative corrections to the R+R2 inflationary model

The R+R2 model is successful in describing inflation, as it provides an excellent fit to the full set of available observational data. On the other hand, the same model is the simplest extension of general relativity which does not produce higher derivative ghosts and related instabilities. Long ago, it was proposed to treat all terms which cause higher derivative instabilities as small perturbations that could avoid the presence of ghosts in the spectrum. We put this proposal into practice and consider an explicit example of treating more complicated higher derivative terms as small perturbations over the R+R2 model by introducing the R□ R term into the action. Within the described scheme, it is possible to obtain an upper bound on the coefficient of this non-scale-free sixth-derivative term by mapping the theory into a one-scalar field potential. It is shown that the result differs from treating this term on equal footing with other terms that requires mapping to a two-scalar field model, and in general leads to different observational consequences.
Bentonite from the Central Slovakia Volcanic Field – A Prospective Raw Material for Polish Industry

Abstract This paper summarizes information about recently worked bentonite deposits in Slovakia and presents the results of studies on bentonite from the Central Slovakia Volcanic Field (CSVF). The authors compared the mineralogy of commercial bentonites exploited in the Stara Kremnička (Jelšový potok), Kopernica, and Hliník nad Hronom deposits. X-ray diffraction (XRD), chemical analyses and microscopy showed that the main component is montmorillonite (37-88%), followed by opal C/CT (5-25%), clinoptilolite (up to 15%), feldspars (3-12%), quartz (up to 8%), biotite (2-5%), and kaolinite (up to 2%). The microscopic imaging provided information valuable for the technological assessment of bentonites, particularly the evaluation of mineralogy determined by XRD. The low variability of the mineral composition of commercial bentonites exploited in the western CSVF, together with the significant reserves and localization of deposits close to the Polish-Slovak state border prove that this raw material deserves more attention from Polish industry.
Predicting Stock Returns

This paper studies whether incorporating business cycle predictors is beneficial to a real time optimizing investor who must allocate funds across 3123 NYSE-AMEX stocks and the risk-free asset over the 1972-2003 period. Realized returns are positive when adjusted by the Fama-French and momentum factors as well as by the size, book-to-market, and momentum characteristics. The investor optimally holds small-cap, growth, and momentum stocks and loads less (more) heavily on momentum (small-cap) stocks over recessions. Conditioning on business cycle predictors is beneficial to a real time optimizing investor because such variables drive stock-level alpha and beta variations. Indeed, returns on individual stocks are predictable out-of-sample even when the equity premium predictability, the major focus of previous work, is questionable.
Do Nonhumans Seek Explanations?

From an early age, children explore their environment in a way suggesting that they reason about causal variables and seek causal explanations. Indeed, following extensive studies of problem-solving abilities in chimpanzees, Povinelli (Folk Physics for Apes, Oxford University Press, 2000) proposed that this ability to reason about unobservable variables is unique to humans. Following on from this, Povinelli and Dunphy-Lelii (Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, 55(2), 187–195, 2001) addressed the question whether chimpanzees would explore objects with the aim of elucidating unobservable and surprising object properties. Chimpanzees, unlike preschool children, did not show increased object exploration following a change in the unobservable properties of an object. We critically discuss these findings and argue that more research using a greater variety of methods and with a larger number of species is required to support the hypothesis that only humans engage in explanation seeking. We conclude by highlighting avenues for future research based on developmental and comparative research aimed at object exploration and information seeking conducted since the original investigation by Povinelli and
Fossil associations from the middle and upper Eocene strata of the Pamplona Basin and surrounding areas (Navarre, western Pyrenees)

Fossil associations from the middle and upper Eocene (Bartonian and Priabonian) sedimentary succession of the Pamplona Basin are described. This succession was accumulated in the western part of the South Pyrenean peripheral foreland basin and extends from deep-marine turbiditic (Ezkaba Sandstone Formation) to deltaic (Pamplona Marl, Ardanatz Sandstone and Ilundain Marl formations) and marginal marine deposits (Gendulain Formation). The micropalaeontological content is high. It is dominated by foraminifera, and common ostracods and other microfossils are also present. The fossil ichnoasssemblages include at least 23 ichnogenera and 28 ichnospecies indicative of Nereites , Cruziana , Glossifungites and ? Scoyenia-Mermia ichnofacies. Body macrofossils of 78 taxa corresponding to macroforaminifera, sponges, corals, bryozoans, brachiopods, annelids, molluscs, arthropods, echinoderms and vertebrates have been identified. Both the number of ichnotaxa and of species (e. g. bryozoans, molluscs and condrichthyans) may be considerably higher. Body fossil assemblages are comparable to those from the Eocene of the Nord Pyrenean area (Basque Coast), and also to those from the Eocene of the west-central and eastern part of South Pyrenean area (Aragon and Catalonia). At the European scale, the molluscs assemblages seem endemic from the Pyrenean area, although several Tethyan (Italy and Alps) and Northern elements (Paris basin and Normandy) have been recorded. Palaeontological data of studied sedimentary units fit well with the shallowing process that throughout the middle and late Eocene occurs in the area, according to the sedimentological and stratigraphical data.
A Gender-based Study of Informal Fallacies of Argumentation: The Case of Iranian Advanced EFL Learners’ Writing

Informal fallacies of argumentation as pitfalls of reasoning appear frequently in students' written texts, specially EFL / ESL Learners' argumentative essay writings. The present study examines whether gender could be considered as a determining factor influencing Iranian advanced EFL learners' argumentative writings with regard to informal fallacies of argumentation. The corpus comprised of argumentative essays written by 120 Iranian male and female English language learners. The participants’ age and discipline were also included as independent variables. Nine major categories of informal fallacies were examined in learners’ texts and the observed frequencies were analyzed using MANOVA. The results of the Multivariate Tests for all independent variables and /or their interactions indicated no significant differences for the overall informal fallacies. However, three separate instances of differences were observed. Finally, the findings of the present are discussed in relation to the previous literature and some implications of the study are suggested.
Health risk assessment and source identification of groundwater arsenic contamination using agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis in selected sites from upper Eastern parts of Punjab province, Pakistan

Abstract Geogenic contamination of Arsenic (As) poses major health threat to people living in Indus Plain of Pakistan particularly in Punjab. In this paper, we described in detail the hydrogeochemistry of As contaminated groundwaters in selected sites from Lahore, Kasur and Okara districts and its associated potential health risks. Sampling was done in 2019 and 141 groundwater samples were collected. High variability in As concentrations was observed varying between below detection level (<0.1 µg/L) and 655 µg/L. More than 85% of these samples exceeded WHO limit of 10 µg/L while 30% exceeded national limit of 50 µg/L. The results of statistical analysis and agglomerative hierarchical cluster (HCA) analyses indicate mainly pH-dependent desorption of As from mineral oxide surfaces under alkaline conditions to be responsible for As pollution with some minor controls from NO3 − and Fe-reduction in groundwaters was also seen. Furthermore, higher potential health risks were found to be associated with elevated As levels in terms of estimated average daily dosage (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ) and carcinogenic risk assessment (CR). The average values for HQ for adults, teenagers and children were found to be 9.06, 13.6 and 13.07, respectively. Meanwhile average CR values were found to be 0.004, 0.01, 0.006 mg/Kg/day in adults, teenagers and children respectively. These results suggest an increased risk of adverse health impacts in current study sites and require effective remedial measures at urgent basis.
An Investigation of Facebook for Language Learning : Better Understanding Perceptions and Participation

This study investigated student perceptions of using Facebook for Language Learning (FBLL) and identified Facebook participation patterns. Perceptions of 26 students from a South Korean university were attained through class discussions and a FBLL perceptions survey. Correlation analysis was used to show the relationship between FB participation variables (e.g., number of posts/replies, word count, and sentence length) and both second language (L2) proficiency as well as writing accuracy. Results show that students reported positive perceptions towards FBLL, with the language skill development category revealing the largest positive mean score. Second language proficiency correlated positively with FB participation in six of the eight observed participation variables while writing accuracy correlated with only two, indicating learners with lower L2 proficiency displayed writing accuracy on par with their higher L2 proficiency counterparts in the genre of FB writing. As expected, main posts displayed longer text with more complex sentence structure and vocabulary use than replies, while the number of replies was greater. Students wrote 1390 words on average indicating FBLL is a valid supplementary communications activity in the language learning classroom. Results driven recommendations for future use of FBLL in the classroom are given.
The utilization of publicly available map types by non-experts – a choice experiment

Assessing the fitness of map types for certain task types is a long-standing cartographic research challenge. One way to contribute to this research challenge is to study which map types people choose to use when they are given various tasks, thus documenting the current public preferences. While people’s choices may be expressions of bias to some degree, these may also be indications of appropriateness of these map types for the studied tasks. In this vein, we have conducted an online user study (n= 141, 74% male, 26% female) in which participants were given five map types to choose from while they executed 11 non-expert “everyday” map use tasks. In this paper, we report our findings on participant’s choices of map types associated with task types. Furthermore, we analyzed the map types in a categorized manner for 3D vs. non-3D, cartographic vs. photorealistic, and aerial perspective vs. first-person perspective and contrasted each with the task types.
Exploration and Exploitation Innovations in the Food Firms

In a context of increasingly intense competition, creating a unique mix of value through innovation has been considered one tenet for creating a competitive advantage (Porter, 1996). During the past decades, innovation has become a central issue of strategic management (Nag et al., 2007). The literature has identified several problems in relation to firm failure innovation decisions, focusing on the supply-side (organizational competence, Henderson 2006; dependence of actual most profitable customers, Christensen, 1997; out-of-date competence due to technological breakthroughs, Tushman & Anderson, 1986), and on the demand-side (market turbulence, Abernathy & Clark 1985; institutional environment, Chesbrough, 2001).
McKenzie-type Exercises Improve the Functional Abilities of a Patient with Recurrent Herniated Discs: A Case Report

This case is unique in which the patient had two previous lumbar spinal surgeries, recurrent herniated discs, and new bulged and herniated discs were developed. We aimed to investigate whether implementing the McKenzie method would reduce the symptoms of a long history of Low Back Pain (LBP) with multiple surgeries. A 2-months of McKenzie-type exercise program was performed at a rate of 5 days/week. Disability index, pain intensity, lumbar Range of Motion (ROM), and lower limb strength were tested before and after the exercise treatment intervention. Disability and pain were also measured at 3-months follow-up. The Oswestry disability index and pain visual analogue scale score reduced immediately after the treatment intervention and remained reduced at 3-months follow-up from 44% to 22%, and from 8 to 4, respectively. Lumbar ROM improved about 1.5 cm during standing flexion and 3 cm during extension. Unilateral leg extension of the affected leg and bilateral leg press increased by 16.5 kg and 70 kg, respectively. The current protocol has shown that Mckenzie-type exercise treatment can improve the physical functions and reduce pain in a patient with a history of lumbar spine surgeries and prolonged LBP. In addition, despite no additional exercise, McKenzie method increased the lower limb strength, possibly through nerve root decompression.
Depositional Evolution of the Western Amundsen Basin, Arctic Ocean: Paleoceanographic and Tectonic Implications

A new stratigraphic model and estimated sedimentation rates of the western Amundsen Basin, Arctic Ocean, are presented based on multichannel seismic reflection data, seismic refraction data, magnetic data, and integrated with the sedimentary sequence from the central Arctic Ocean, obtained during the Arctic Coring Expedition. This places new constraints on the postbreakup Cenozoic depositional history of the basin, the adjacent Lomonosov Ridge, and improves the understanding of the tectonic, climatic, and oceanographic conditions in the central Arctic region. Four distinct phases of basin development are proposed. During the Paleocene‐mid‐Oligocene, high sedimentation rates are linked to terrestrial input and increased pelagic deposition in a restricted basin. Deposition of sedimentary wedges and mass transport into marginal depocenters reflect a period of tectonic instability linked to compression associated with the Eurekan Orogeny in the Arctic. During the late Oligocene‐early Miocene, widespread passive infill associated with hemipelagic deposition reflects a phase of limited tectonism, most likely in a freshwater estuarine setting. During the middle Miocene, mounded sedimentary buildups along the Lomonosov Ridge suggest the onset of geostrophic bottom currents that likely formed in response to a deepening and widening of the Fram Strait beginning around 18 Ma. In contrast, the Plio‐Pleistocene stage is characterized by erosional features such as scarps and channels adjacent to levee accumulations, indicative of a change to a higher‐energy environment. These deposits are suggested to be partly associated with dense shelf water‐mass plumes driven by supercooling and brine formation over the northern Greenland continental shelf.
Modeling of Estimation Tasks of the Year Long Noise Indicators

Mathematical modeling of the estimation of the long–term noise indicators on the basis of random ”momentary” environment control investigations, is presented in the paper. An attention was directed towards deficiencies of the obligatory estimation procedures of their representation, which is given by assessments of the average of the random test and the standard deviation value of the environment test results. Possible ways of looking for the problem solution were discussed. The proposed method of modeling the results of a random, ”momentary”, test of control investigations, leading to the determination of the expected values of the long–term noise indicators and to the assessment of their uncertainty, was described. The selection and realization of the proposed solution was related to the theory and methods of analysis of time series. Investigations, analyses and verifying procedures accompanying the proposed mathematical formalization, were given. Exemplifying contents of the presented paper were related to the assessment of the traffic noise at one of the main arteries of Krakow. They are considered in a context of the practice of the ”momentary” measurements and the estimation of the long-term noise indicators performed on their basis.
Chronology and Possible Links Between Climatic and Cultural Change During the First Millennium Bc in Southern Siberia and Central Asia

We reconstructed climate change during the second half of the Holocene for the Minusinsk (southern Siberia) and the Uyuk (Central Asia) valleys in the Eurasian steppe zone. Sediment cores from 2 lakes and a soil profile from the Arzhan-2 burial mount were investigated. We combined pollen and geochemical analyses and radiocarbon dating with the archaeological record. A sharp increase of human population density occurred at the transition from the Bronze Age to Iron Age (about 2700 cal BP). The most representative Scythian culture started in the Uyuk and the Minusinsk valleys after increased humidity and occupation capacity of the steppe zone during the 9th century BC.