Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Double-Edged Sword of Global Financial Crisis and COVID-19 Pandemic on Crude Oil Stock Returns

This study investigates the impact of global financial crisis and the present COVID-19 pandemic on daily and weekly Crude oil futures using four variants of ARMA-GARCH models: ARMA-sGARCH, ARMA-eGARCH, ARMA-TGARCH and ARMA- aPARCH with dummy variables We also investigated the persistence, half-life and backtesting of the models. This study therefore seeks to contribute to the body of literature on the impact of global financial crisis and the present COVID-19 pandemic on crude oil futures market. This investigation of the impact of global financial crisis and the COVID-19 on crude oil futures has not been much studied at present. We obtained and analyzed the daily and weekly crude oil futures from secondary sources. Daily crude oil futures used in this study covers the period from the 4th January 2000 to 27th April 2020 while the weekly crude oil futures covered from 2ndJanuary 2000 to 26th April 2020 . The global financial crisis period covered from 2nd July 2007 to 31st March 2009 and the current COVID-19 pandemic covered from 1st January 2020 to 27th April, 2020. The study used both student t and skewed student t innovations with AIC, goodness-of-test fit and backtesting to select the best model. Most of the estimated ARMA-GARCH models are supported by skewed student t distribution while most of the ARMA-GARCH models exhibited high persistence values in the presence of global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. In the overall, the estimated ARMA(1,0)-eGARCH(2,1) and ARMA(1,0)-eGARCH(2,2) model for daily crude oil futures and weekly crude oil futures respectively have been significantly impacted by the global financial crisis and the Present COVID-19 pandemic while the preferred estimated models also passed the goodness-of-test fit and backtesting.This study recommends shareholders and investors should think outside the box as crude oil futures tend to be affected by global financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic while countries also that depend mostly on crude oil are encouraged to diversify their economy in other to survive and be sustained during financial and health crisis.
The Theory of Incentive Mechanisms and the Samuelson Critique of a Contractarian Approach to Public-Good Provision

The assessment that the implementation of efficient outcomes by means of “decentralized spontaneous solutions” is to be expected for private goods, but not for public goods has become part of the conventional wisdom of our discipline. This paper uses a mechanism design approach to clarify under which conditions this proposition is indeed correct. The main result is that the following has to be satisfied: There is a large number of individuals and only mechanisms which are robust, in the sense that they do not exploit assumptions about individuals’ probabilistic beliefs, are considered.
Modification of Aluminium 6063 Microstructure by Adding Boron and Titanium to Improve the Thermal Conductivity

This study aimed to improve the thermal conductivity of the Aluminium 6063 for heat sinks applications used in Central Processing Unit (CPU) of computers. Several studies had used different additional elements for this goal. In this paper, we studied the influence of Titanium and Boron addition on the thermal conductivity of Aluminium 6063. Several casting alloys samples were prepared with different percentage of addition elements and then heat-treated by homogenization and aging treatments. The results showed an important modification in thermal conductivity value per rapport to the reference metal, depending on the element of addition and its percentage. The bigger evolution was by using Boron in small percentage. More than 13% of the improvement was realized in the thermal conductivity with the addition of only 0.05% of Boron.
Willingness to accept commuting time for yourself and for your spouse : empirical evidence from Swedish stated preference data

In this study, Swedish stated preference data is used to derive estimated values of commuting time (VOCT). Both spouses in two-earner households are individually making trade-offs between commuting time and wage; both with regard to their own commuting time and wage only, as well as when both their own commuting time and wage and their spouse's commuting time and wage are simultaneously changed. Thus, we are able to compare how male spouses and female spouses value each other's commuting time. When only ones own commuting time and wage are attributes, the empirical results show that the estimated VOCT is plausible with a tendency towards high values compared to other studies, and that VOCT does not differ significantly between men and women. When decisions affecting commuting time and wage of both spouses are analyzed, both spouses tend to value the commuting time of the wife highest. For policy implications, this study provides additional support for the practice of valuing commuting time higher than other private travel time. In addition, if VOCT were to be gender specific, the value might be higher for women than for men in two-earner households.
Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids among Medical Laboratory Science Students of the University of Health and Allied Sciences during Vocational Internship in the Volta Region of Ghana

Medical laboratory science students (MLSS), likewise health care workers (HCW), invariably get exposed to blood and body fluids (BBF) of patients. The degree of exposure of these students is even worsened due to their inexperience, which is usually revealed during their vocational training programme. This study therefore determined the prevalence of exposure to BBF and its risk factors among MLSS at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS). A cross-sectional survey was employed using simple random sampling to enrol 178 students into the study. The study was conducted from February 1 to March 31, 2018, after the annual vocational training programme completed in August 2017. Self-administered questionnaires based on the objectives of the study were given out to participants to complete after their consent was sought. Descriptive data were reported as absolute number with percentages, whereas bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were done to describe relationship between risk factors and exposure to BBF. The study findings revealed that, out of 178 MLSS that participated, 90 (50.6%) experienced at least one exposure to BBF. Also, work experience before university education increased the chances of exposure to BBF (AOR = 7.37, 95% CI = 1.22–44.43, pvalue = 0.029) compared with those with no experience. In contrast, adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) reduced the tendencies of exposure to BBF (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.20–0.88, p value = 0.023) compared with students who had insufficient PPE. The study showed high, 50.6% (95% CI: 43.0%–58.1%), exposure to BBF. Work history and sufficient PPE were the most significantly associated risk factors. In view of this, there is the need to promote training and education on exposure to BBF particularly among experienced students and also encourage health facilities to continue providing enough PPE for students during their annual obligatory vocational internship programmes.
A Collocation Approach for Solving Time-Fractional Stochastic Heat Equation Driven by an Additive Noise

A spectral collocation approach is constructed to solve a class of time-fractional stochastic heat equations (TFSHEs) driven by Brownian motion. Stochastic differential equations with additive noise have an important role in explaining some symmetry phenomena such as symmetry breaking in molecular vibrations. Finding the exact solution of such equations is difficult in many cases. Thus, a collocation method based on sixth-kind Chebyshev polynomials (SKCPs) is introduced to assess their numerical solutions. This collocation approach reduces the considered problem to a system of linear algebraic equations. The convergence and error analysis of the suggested scheme are investigated. In the end, numerical results and the order of convergence are evaluated for some numerical test problems to illustrate the efficiency and robustness of the presented method.
Valuation Analysis of Initial Public Offer (IPO): The Case of India

Abstract In today’s fast moving and dynamic world, short-term investors face difficulty while choosing which avenue to invest in. Investors view investment in securities as a highly risky avenue due to VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) pertaining to future movement of security prices. The study has been carried out to analyse the post-Initial Public Officer (IPO) performance of various companies that have gone public in 2017 using event study methodology. The study also tries to determine whether these IPOs were underpriced in short run and identifies various factors that influence the movement of such IPOs in the short run. The study found that about 70 per cent of the selected IPOs are underpriced in short run and the movement of these IPOs in short run is not influenced by the age of the company, issue size of the IPO, ownership sector and the promoter’s holdings after the issue.
Carbon Sequestration and Nitrogen Transformation in Soil Cooperated with Organic Composts and Biochar during Corn ( Zea mays ) Cultivation

Background: Objectives of this study were to investigate changes of soil carbon contents and to evaluate N mineralization and nitrification rates in soils cooperated with organic composts and biochar during the 2nd year corn cultivation. Methods and Results: For the experiment, the soil texture used in this study was clay loam. Application rates of chemical fertilizer were 480-150- 260 kg/ha (N-P2O5-K2O) as recommended amount after soil test. Biochar application was 0.2% to soil weight. The soil samples were periodically taken at every 15-day interval during corn cultivation periods. The treatments were consisted of cow compost (CC), pig compost (PC), swine digestate from aerobic digestion system (AD), and their biochar cooperation. TC contents in treatments cooperated with biochar at harvesting stages were ranged from 0.96% to 1.24%, and its CC applied plot was highest at 1.24%. It was observed that TC contents with biochar treatments were higher than the compost treatment only. Therefore, it was observed to be carbon sequestration into corn field cooperated with biochar. For nitrogen transformation in soil cooperated with organic composts and biochar, net mineralization rates were dramatically decreased at 44 days after sowing, but nitrification rates were abruptly increased at 73 days after sowing. For N mineralization and nitrification rates, it was shown that they were generally low in the soil cooperated with biochar as compared to the only application plots of different organic composts. Also, it was observed to be highest in the application plot of pig compost manure. Conclusion: Overall, application of biochar in the cropland could be an important role for mitigation of greenhouse gas as well as carbon sequestration.
Rhythm Analysis during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Using Convolutional Neural Networks

Chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) induce artifacts in the ECG that may provoque inaccurate rhythm classification by the algorithm of the defibrillator. The objective of this study was to design an algorithm to produce reliable shock/no-shock decisions during CPR using convolutional neural networks (CNN). A total of 3319 ECG segments of 9 s extracted during chest compressions were used, whereof 586 were shockable and 2733 nonshockable. Chest compression artifacts were removed using a Recursive Least Squares (RLS) filter, and the filtered ECG was fed to a CNN classifier with three convolutional blocks and two fully connected layers for the shock/no-shock classification. A 5-fold cross validation architecture was adopted to train/test the algorithm, and the proccess was repeated 100 times to statistically characterize the performance. The proposed architecture was compared to the most accurate algorithms that include handcrafted ECG features and a random forest classifier (baseline model). The median (90% confidence interval) sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and balanced accuracy of the method were 95.8% (94.6–96.8), 96.1% (95.8–96.5), 96.1% (95.7–96.4) and 96.0% (95.5–96.5), respectively. The proposed algorithm outperformed the baseline model by 0.6-points in accuracy. This new approach shows the potential of deep learning methods to provide reliable diagnosis of the cardiac rhythm without interrupting chest compression therapy.
Market power in the portfolio : Product market competition and mutual fund performance

I provide evidence that fund managers who overweight firms with the most differentiated products (‘monopolies’) exhibit a superior risk-adjusted performance. This is consistent with information advantages due to a better understanding of qualitative information on a firm’s competitive environment. I find that funds with above median monopoly bets outperform by up to 92 basis points annually and trade more successfully in both their monopoly and nonmonopoly sub-portfolios. My identification strategy includes exogenous shocks to information quality using the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and to a firm’s product market environment using the 9/11 terrorist attacks. I document that managers who place larger monopoly bets are less likely to invest into rival firms at the same time, have a longer investment horizon, and hold more illiquid and high quality stocks. JEL classification: G11; G12; G14; G23; L11
Large volume vessels are vulnerable to water-stress-induced embolism in stems of poplar

Xylem vessels interconnect to form the vessel network that is responsible for long-distance water transport through the plant. As plants dehydrate, the water column within vessels cavitates and gas emboli form, which block transport through embolized vessels. The impact of vessel blockages on transport through the xylem tissue depends upon vessel size and the arrangement and connections between vessels in the network. We examined if there was a correlation between vessel length and diameter within poplar stem xylem tissue using both silicone-injection and analysis of tissue volumes scanned using high-resolution computed tomography (microCT). We then used microCT to scan intact stems sampled over varying water potentials to examine if larger vessels, which would have the greatest impact on hydraulic transport, were more vulnerable to cavitation and embolism than smaller vessels. Within the xylem tissue, larger diameter vessels tended to be longer than narrow diameter vessels. Vessel size distributions indicated that most vessels were narrow and short, with fewer large vessels. Larger volume vessels tended to embolize at higher water potentials and the mean vessel volume of embolized vessels declined as water potentials declined. Hydraulic transport through the xylem tissue was near zero when about 40% of the vessels within the xylem tissue volume were embolized, suggesting important vessel network effects occur as water moves through a three-dimensional (3D) tissue. The structure of the vessel network is important in understanding the impact of emboli within vessels on the overall hydraulic function of xylem tissue.
The Effects of Fertilization and Herbivory on the Phenology of the Understory Vegetation of the Boreal Forest in Northwestern Canada

Abstract Environmental conditions associated with climate change, such as earlier snowmelt, warmer spring temperatures, and increased soil mineralization, have resulted in shifts in the timing of plant phenological events. We assessed the effects of fertilizer and herbivory on the phenology of 7 plant species from a boreal forest understory using long-term experimental plots in the southwest Yukon. Fertilizer and fencing treatments were initiated in 1990, and discontinued in half of each plot in 2000. There were few effects on phenology of either fertilizer or fencing. In some species, fertilizer affected the final phenological stage reached, but the presence and direction of the effect was species-dependent. Epilobium angustifolium was the only species where the timing of phenological stages responded to fertilization; early phenological stages were advanced with fertilizer. First leaf expansion for Arctostaphylos uva-ursi occurred earlier in fenced plots, although this effect disappeared in plots where the fencing treatment had been discontinued. We conclude that previously observed changes in species abundance with fertilizer treatments are likely not caused by changes in the phenology of these species, and are more likely due to fertilization imposed changes in vegetative growth.
Everyday econometricians: Selection neglect and overoptimism when learning from others

In this paper, we design an investment game which allows us to study the influence of selection when learning from others. Using the theoretical study of selection neglect in Jehiel (2018) as a guide, we test (i) for the presence of selection neglect in this investment context, and (ii) some comparative static predictions of the model. We find strong evidence for selection neglect—even though subjects are fully informed about the data generating process. As theoretically predicted, the degree of bias due to selection neglect increases when other decision makers become more informed, or become more rational. It decreases when signals are correlated.
Effect of neem pesticide (Achook) on midgut enzymatic activities and selected biochemical compounds in the hemolymph of lesser mulberry pyralid, Glyphodes pyloalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Synthetic organic compounds and those of plant origin used in insect pest control are known to affect digestive enzymes and biochemical compounds. The lesser mulberry pyralid Glyphodes pyloalis Walker is a monophagous and dangerous pest of mulber- ry that has been recently observed in Guilan province, northern Iran. In this study the effect of the neem formulation, Achook (0.03% azadirachtin) was studied on nutritional physiology and gut enzyme activity of the lesser mulberry pyralid G. pyloalis. The LC 25 , LC 50 , and LC 90 values on 4th instar larvae were estimated as 113.6, 256.84, and 1,210.02 ppm, respectively. The neem insecticide exhibited a significant antifeedant activity when used at the highest concentration. When G. pyloalis larvae were provided with mulberry leaves treated with the neem extract, all nutritional indices, except approximate digestibility, decreased. Neem was found to affect digestive enzyme activities in the midgut of treated larvae. When larvae were fed on treated leaves, biochemical compounds in the hemolymph, such as protein, lipid, and glucose decreased but the amount of uric acid increased compared with the control.
A scientific examination of the 21-foot rule

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to scientifically assess the long-standing 21-foot rule. There are several anecdotal publications looking at the 21-foot rule as a standard in policing. This study uses experimental design to examine whether this standard should continue in modern-day policing. The 21-foot rule was tested in three independent experimental design studies. The first study measured the average speed at which a person could run 21 feet. The second and third studies tested the speed at which an officer could draw and fire their weapon with no stress and under stress respectively. The final study examined methods for increasing survivability for the officer (movement). The findings show the 21-foot rule to be an inadequate standard for officers to safely draw and fire their weapons when being charged by a suspect who’s intent it to cause harm. Additionally, different strategies of moving can increase the officer’s ability to survive.
The Influence of Graphene Oxide on Nanoparticle Emissions during Drilling of Graphene/Epoxy Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Engineered Nanomaterials

Graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles are increasingly being used to tailor industrial composites. However, despite the advantages, GO has shown conceivable health risks and toxicity to humans and the environment if released. This study investigates the influence that GO concentrations have on nanoparticle emissions from epoxy-reinforced carbon fiber hybrid composites (EP/CF) during a lifecycle scenario, that is, a drilling process. The mechanical properties are investigated and an automated drilling methodology in which the background noise is eliminated is used for the nanoparticle emissions measurements. Real-time measurements are collected using a condensation particle counter (CPC), a scanning mobility particle sizer spectrometer (SMPS), a real-time fast mobility particle spectrometer (DMS50) and post-test analytical methods. The results observe that all three nanoparticle reinforced samples demonstrated a statistically significant difference of up to a 243% increase in mean peak particle number concentration in comparison to the EP/CF sample. The results offer a novel set of data comparing the nanoparticle release of GO with varying filler weight concentration and correlating it the mechanical influence of the fillers. The results show that the release characteristics and the influence in particle number concentration are primarily dependent on the matrix brittleness and not necessarily the filler weight concentration within the nanocomposite.
Strategic Coordination in Forecasting. An Experimental Study

While reputational herding has been shown to contribute to poor economic forecasting, the underlying behavioral mechanisms have not yet been empirically investigated. We run a forecasting experiment with contradictory incentives for accuracy and coordination, finding subjects’ forecasts to be inaccurate and driven by the coordination motive. Coordination is achieved through the salient, risk-dominant equilibrium, i.e. merely forecasting the current values. Subjects succeeding in coordinating earn significantly more than those striving for accuracy. Our results emphasize that reputational herding should be considered as a driving force for persistently poor prediction accuracy and systematically biased forecasts towards consensus values.
The Effect of Environmental, Social, Governance, and Controversies on Firms’ Value: Evidence from Asia

With the increasing understanding of stakeholders on sustainability aspects for the business, companies are nowadays paying more attention to environmental and social issues. This study aims to examine the relationship between Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) Index and firms’ value. Moreover, this study also examines how the controversy score influences the company’s value. The authors employ a dataset of 1.356 companies from 22 countries in Asia which representing the Asian market from 2014 to 2018. This study shows that ESG index score and controversy score are statistically significant, affecting the firms’ value, measured by Tobin’s Q. From the individual tests, the findings of this study indicate that ESG-environmental, ESG-social, and ESG-governance, individually affect the firms’ value. This study suggests that providing disclosure on ESG aspects is essential, not only to increase company value but also to show the company resilience and sustainability. On the other hand, ESG controversy score surprisingly indicates a positive relationship with the company value. The result implies that controversies provide a positive signal to the investor because controversies could provide a signal to the public of companies’ willingness to have transparency and accountability.