Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Financial Valuation and Risk Management Working Paper No . 554 The Dynamics of Investment and Financing under Asymmetric Information

This paper develops a tractable real options framework to analyze the effects of asymmetric information on investment and financing decisions when firms require external funds to finance investment. Our analysis shows that corporate insiders can signal their private information to outside investors using the timing of investment and/or the firm’s debt-equity mix. Several important contributions follow from this result. First, we show that firms’ equilibrium investment strategies differ significantly from those implied by standard real options models with perfect information. In particular, informational asymmetries erode the value of the option of waiting to invest and induce firms with good prospects to speed up investment. Second, we demonstrate that informational asymmetries may not translate into a financing hierarchy. Most notably, we find that equity issues can be more attractive than debt issues even for firms with ample debt capacity, thereby providing a rationale for the fact that high-growth firms do not behave according to the pecking order theory.
The Arabic version of the technostress scale for primary school teachers: Factorial validity and measurement invariance

Teachers generally understand technostress to represent the psychological distress resulting from problems associated with teaching in a virtual classroom context. This study has been conducted to develop a tool to measure the level of technostress of primary school teachers. The current study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Technostress Scale (10 items) using a sample of 829 (490 female and 339 male) primary school teachers from different geographical regions of Saudi Arabia. The average age of the participants was 38.22, with a standard deviation of 7.08. Exploratory factor analysis produced one factor with eigenvalues of 5.01. This explained 50% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed good model fits for one correlated factor, with a comparative fit index of 0.968, a Tucker – Lewis Index of 0.959, a standardised root-mean-square residual of 0.051, and a root mean-square error of approximation of 0.094. Although these multi-group analyses demonstrate that the structure factor of the technostress scale is invariant with respect to gender and experience, no differences were observed for the impact of training. This is due to the efforts of the Saudi Ministry of Education to provide the necessary training for teachers to use distance education tools.
A Casebook for Spatial Statistical Data Analysis: A Compilation of Analyses of Different Thematic Data Sets

Introduction List of Abbreviations PART I: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 1. Introduction 2. Important Modeling Assumptions 3. Popular Spatial Autoregressive and Geostatistical Models PART II: GEOREFERENCED DATA SET CASE STUDIES 4. Analysis of Georeferenced Socioeconomic Attribute Variables 5. Analysis of Georeferenced Natural Resources Attribute Variables 6. Analysis of Georeferenced Agricultural Yield Variables 7. Analysis of Georeferenced Pollution Variables 8. Analysis of Georeferenced Epidemiological Variables PART III: VISUALIZING WHAT IS NOT OBSERVED 9. Exploding Georeferenced Data When Maps Have Holes or Gaps: Estimating Missing Data Values and Kriging 10. Concluding Comments Epilogue Bibliography Index
Measuring the Effects of Geographic Targeting on Poverty Reduction

Targeting benefits to the poor by geographic location is very popular due to its simplicity. Regions can be assigned priority on the basis of existing aggregate data. Programs to improve or extend infrastructure, social services, or transfer benefits can then operate in those identified regions. This paper presents some of the technical issues faced by planners in designing geographically targeted programs, and what approximate impact they will have on reducing poverty.
An efficient algorithm for assessing reliability indexes of general distribution systems

This paper presents a practical reliability assessment algorithm for distribution systems of general network configurations. This algorithm is an extension of the analytical simulation approach for radial distribution systems. In the proposed algorithm, the meshed network is first converted to a radial network. All network elements are divided into three main classes according to their probability to obtain power supplies from different directions. Accordingly, three different methods are employed to obtain two types of reliability topology zones for the elements. The algorithm is efficient for large-scale radial/meshed distribution systems and can accommodate the effects of fault isolation and load restoration. The validity and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by applying a computer program which was developed based on the proposed algorithm to a number of test systems and hundreds of real distribution networks.
International Portfolio Diversification with Estimation Risk

International portfolio diversification has long been advocated as a way of enhancing average returns while reducing portfolio risk for the investor who considers diversifying into foreign securities. This proposition, however, relies on the assumption that the required inputs to the classical mean-variance analysis are known with certainty. Typically, expected returns, variances, and covariances are simply replaced by their ex post sample values and the optimal portfolio is derived without mentioning the uncertainty inherent in these parameter values. But the rational investor should take this uncertainty into account when forming expectations, and probably will consider estimators that are less subject to estimation error than the classical sample mean. This paper investigates alternative estimators of expected returns and their implications for the alleged gains from diversification. An important observation is the crucial influence that errors in estimating expected returns have on portfolio analysis. A closer examiPrevious studies of international portfolio diversification have relied on ex post meanvariance analysis without considering the problem of estimation risk. Typically, past averages are substituted for expected returns and no allowance is made for the uncertainty inherent in these parameter values. First I demonstrate the shortcomings of such an approach, and second I investigate another method of estimating expected returns initially proposed by Stein. By shrinking the sample averages toward a common mean, I find that the out-of-sample performance of the optimal portfolio is substantially increased. One of the implications of this method is that the classical conclusions vastly overestimate the possible gains in average returns; instead, benefits from diversification are more likely to accrue from a reduction in risk. * This paper draws on part of my dissertation at the University of Chicago. I am grateful to Arnold Zellner, Michael Mussa, George Constantinides, and especially John Bilson, for useful discussions and comments. Numerous improvements were also suggested by the referee. This research received the generous financial support of the College Interuniversitaire d'Etudes Doctorales dans les Sciences du Management.
POPULATION-LEVEL IMPACT AND HERD EFFECTS FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF HUMAN

ANALYSIS. 3 Mélanie Drolet PhD; Élodie Bénard MSc; Norma Pérez MSc; Prof Marie-Claude Boily PhD; Hammad Ali PhD; 4 Prof Vincenzo Baldo MD; Paul Brassard MD , Julia ML Brotherton PhD ; Denton Callander PhD; Marta Checchi 5 MSc; Eric PF Chow PhD; Silvia Cocchio PhD; Prof Tina Dalianis MD; Shelley L Deeks MD; Christian 6 Dehlendorff PhD; Prof Basil Donovan MD; Prof Christopher K Fairley PhD; Elaine W Flagg PhD; Julia W 7 Gargano PhD; Prof Suzanne Garland MD, Nathalie Grün PhD; Bo T Hansen, PhD; Christopher Harrison PhD; 8 Eva Herweijer, PhD; Teresa M Imburgia, MPH; Prof Anne M Johnson MD; Prof Jessica A Kahn MD; Kimberley 9 Kavanagh PhD; Prof Susanne K Kjaer MD; Erich V Kliewer PhD; Bette Liu DPhil; Dorothy A Machalek PhD 10 32 ;Lauri Markowitz MD; David Mesher PhD; Christian Munk MD; Prof Linda Niccolai PhD; Mari Nygård PhD; 11 Prof Gina Ogilvie MD; Jeannie Oliphant MMSci; Kevin G Pollock PhD; M. Jesus Purriños-Hermida MD, Megan 12
Distance Estimation Training with Night Vision Goggles: A Preliminary Study

Abstract : Aircrews have reported significant problems in depth perception and distance estimation with night vision goggles (NVGs). The purposes of this experiment were to develop a methodology for quantifying distance estimation abilities with NVGs and to examine the value of a simple training procedure as a means of reducing errors. Absolute distance estimates were obtained from eight male aviators using Aviators Night Vision Imaging System (ANVIS) AN/AVS-6 NVGs before and after exposure to a set of known distances. The results revealed that distance estimates were linear and significant reductions in errors and variability followed exposure to the training procedure. The results are discussed within the context of previous research. Issues for future research are addressed. Distance estimation, Night vision goggles, Training.
Soil, Not Oil

‘One of the world’s most prominent radical scientists. ’—The Guardian This book is classic of the environmental movement. In it, Vandana Shiva envisions a world beyond our current dependence on fossil fuels and globalization, and makes the compelling case that food crises, oil dependency and climate change are all inherently interlinked. Any attempt to solve one without addressing the others is therefore doomed to failure. Condemning industrial agriculture and biofuels as recipes for ecological and economic disaster, Shiva instead champions small independent farmers. What is needed most, in a time of hunger and changing climates, are sustainable, biologically diverse farms that are better able to resist disease, drought and flooding. Calling for a return to local economies and small-scale agriculture, Shiva argues that humanity’s choice is a stark one: we can either continue to pursue a market-centred approach, which will ultimately make our planet unliveable, or we can instead strive for a people-centred, oil-free future, one which offers a decent living for all. This edition features a new introduction by the author, in which she outlines recent developments in ecology and environmentalism, and offers new prescriptions for the environmental movement.
A closer look at the relationship between multidimensional perfectionism and multidimensional self-compassion: Structural equation modeling the relationship between Concern over mistakes , Striving for excellence, Discrepancy, and the six dimensions of self-compassion

Preliminary research suggests that maladaptive perfectionism impedes the development of self-compassion, a self-attitude with numerous biopsychosocial benefits (MacBeth & Gumley, 2012; Neff & Knox, 2017). The precise relationship between these constructs remains unclear, but if accurately modelled could foster an understanding of the barriers that perfectionists experience to being self-compassionate, enabling focused interventions to be developed. This general population study (N=428) used structural equation modelling to investigate how multidimensional perfectionism related to multidimensional self-compassion. The negative perfectionism dimensions of Concern over mistakes and Discrepancy significantly predicted lower levels of overall self-compassion and its positive dimensions of Self-kindness, Common humanity and Mindfulness . Findings were discussed in relation to the development of population-tailored, dual-focused, interventions aimed at reducing perfectionism and increasing self-compassion.
Interactions among Introduced Ungulates, Plants, and Pollinators: A Field Study in the Temperate Forest of the Southern Andes

Introduced mammalian herbivores can significantly affect ecosystems. I studied the effects of introduced ungulates on plant-pollinator interactions in the temperate forest of the southern Andes. Introduced mammalian herbivores, including ungulates, are a major conservation problem in this biome. I conducted field studies in eight forested sites where Nothofagus dombeyii was the dominant canopy tree. I described the interactions between fifteen common, insect-pollinated understory plants. I used these data to address two main questions. The first one is whether the susceptibility of plants and pollinators to disturbance by introduced ungulates is related to their degree of interaction specialization and interaction asymmetry. I found no relationship between degree of specialization and a species’ response to disturbance. I also found that plant–pollinator interactions tend to be asymmetric in this system; however, asymmetry of interactions did not explain the variability in species’ responses to disturbance. The second question I addressed is whether introduced ungulates can affect pollination and plant reproduction indirectly by modifying plant population density. This hypothesis is different from previous hypotheses of indirect effects of herbivores on plants, all of which concerned individual-level effects on vegetative and reproductive traits, whereas my hypothesis focuses on population-level effects. I found strong evidence of such an effect for only one of the species I studied, the herb Alstroemeria aurea. The general lack of evidence for indirect effects on most species may result from resistance to cattle grazing, spatial refugia, or low statistical power of my analysis. For A. aurea, additional evidence indicates that herbivores decrease the absolute and relative population density of this species through trampling. , which in turn results in lower conspecific pollen deposition in stigmas and lower reproductive performance. Thus, my study suggests that introduced ungulates can in some circumstances affect plant-pollinator interactions significantly. However, in most cases plant-pollinator mutualisms appear resilient to the effects of introduced ungulates, and the direct effects of introduced ungulates on plants and pollinators are in general stronger than the indirect effect through mutualistic partners.
Measuring resolution degradation of long-wavelength infrared imagery in fog

Abstract. The scattering of light in fog is a complex problem that affects imaging in many ways. Typically, imaging device performance in fog is attributed solely to reduced visibility measured as light extinction from scattering events. We present a quantitative analysis of resolution degradation in the long-wave infrared regime. Our analysis is based on the calculation of the modulation transfer function from the edge response of a slant edge blackbody target in known fog conditions. We show higher spatial frequencies attenuate more than low spatial frequencies with increasing fog thickness. These results demonstrate that image blurring, in addition to extinction, contributes to degraded performance of imaging devices in fog environments.
Self-similarity of clusters of galaxies and the $L_{\sf X}{-} T$ relation

In this paper based on ROSAT/PSPC data we investigate the emission measure profiles of a sample of hot clusters of galaxies ($kT> 3.5$ keV) in order to explain the differences between observed and theoretically predicted L X - T relation. Looking at the form of the emission measure profiles as well as their normalizations we find clear indication that indeed the profiles have similar shapes once scaled to the virial radius, however, the normalization of the profiles shows a strong temperature dependence. We introduce a M gas - T relation with the dependence $M_{\rm gas} \propto T^{1.94}$. This relationship explains the observed L X - T relation and reduces the scatter in the scaled profiles by a factor of 2 when compared to the classical scaling. We interpret this finding as strong indication that the M gas - T relation in clusters deviates from classical scaling.
Automated spectroscopic abundances of A and F-type stars using echelle spectrographs - II. Abundances of 140 A-F stars from ELODIE and CORALIE

Using the method presented in Erspamer & North (2002, hereafter Paper I), detailed abundances of 140 stars are presented. The uncertainties characteristic of this method are presented and discussed. In particular, we show that for a $S/N$ ratio higher than 200, the method is applicable to stars with a rotational velocity as high as 200 ${\rm km~s^{-1}}$. There is no correlation between abundances and $V\sin{i}$, except a spurious one for Sr, Sc and Na which we explain by the small number of lines of these elements combined with a locally biased continuum. Metallic giants (Hauck 1986) show larger abundances than normal giants for at least 8 elements: Al, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni and Ba. The anticorrelation for Na, Mg, Si, Ca, Fe and Ni with $V\sin{i}$ suggested by Varenne & Monier (1999) is not confirmed. The predictions of the Montreal models (e.g. Richard et al. 2001) are not fulfilled in general. However, a correlation between $\left[\frac{{\rm Fe}}{{\rm H}}\right]$ and $\log{g}$is found for stars of 1.8 to 2.0 $M_\odot$. Various possible causes are discussed, but the physical reality of this correlation seems inescapable.
Programme Recruitment & Evaluation: The effect of an employability enhancement programme on the general self-efficacy levels of unemployed graduates.

This paper reports research that engaged in the evaluation of an intervention programme designed to enhance the employability of a group of unemployed graduates. The evaluation adopted a quasi-experimental intervention research method employing a general self-efficacy scale, which had been validated in prior research. Results revealed that participants displayed higher levels of GSE after engagement in the programme. Results also revealed the effect of ‘behavioural plasticity’ on the intervention experiences of unemployed graduate participants. The findings of this study are discussed in relation to programme design, recruitment and evaluation
Predictors of COVID-19 Information Sources and Their Perceived Accuracy in Nigeria: Online Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Effective communication is critical for mitigating the public health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the source(s) of COVID-19 information among people in Nigeria, as well as the predictors and the perceived accuracy of information from these sources. METHODS: We conducted an online survey of consenting adults residing in Nigeria between April and May 2020 during the lockdown and first wave of COVID-19. The major sources of information about COVID-19 were distilled from 7 potential sources (family and friends, places of worship, health care providers, internet, workplace, traditional media, and public posters/banners). An open-ended question was asked to explore how respondents determined accuracy of information. Statistical analysis was conducted using STATA 15.0 software (StataCorp Texas) with significance placed at P<. 05. Approval to conduct this study was obtained from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Health Research Ethics Committee. RESULTS: A total of 719 respondents completed the survey. Most respondents (n=642, 89.3%) obtained COVID-19-related information from the internet. The majority (n=617, 85.8%) considered their source(s) of information to be accurate, and 32.6% (n=234) depended on only 1 out of the 7 potential sources of COVID-19 information. Respondents earning a monthly income between NGN 70,000-120,000 had lower odds of obtaining COVID-19 information from the internet compared to respondents earning less than NGN 20,000 (odds ratio [OR] 0.49, 95% CI 0.24-0.98). In addition, a significant proportion of respondents sought accurate information from recognized health organizations, such as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. CONCLUSIONS: The internet was the most common source of COVID-19 information, and the population sampled had a relatively high level of perceived accuracy for the COVID-19 information received. Effective communication requires dissemination of information via credible communication channels, as identified from this study. This can be potentially beneficial for risk communication to control the pandemic.
Sampled-Data Filters with Compactly Supported Acquisition Prefilters

This paper studies the problem of reconstructing continuous-time signals from discrete-time uniformly sampled data. This signal reconstruction problem has been studied by the authors in various contexts, and led to a new signal processing paradigm. The key idea there is to employ a physically realizable signal generator model, and design an (sub)optimal filter via $H^{\infty}(\mathbb{C}_{+})$ optimal sampled-data control theory. The present paper aims at extending this framework to a more general setting where observed data are acquired through an acquisition device (prefilter) that has compact support. In this way, the framework can capture the properties of processing signals with a localized acquisition filter. We give a general setup as well as approximate solution methods along with their convergence results. A simulation is presented to illustrate some properties of the result.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Relationships between plant traits, soil properties and carbon fluxes differ between monocultures and mixed communities in temperate grassland

1. The use of plant traits to predict ecosystem functions has been gaining growing attention. Above‐ground plant traits, such as leaf nitrogen (N) content and specific leaf area (SLA), have been shown to strongly relate to ecosystem productivity, respiration and nutrient cycling. Furthermore, increasing plant functional trait di versity has been suggested as a possible mechanism to increase ecosystem carbon (C) storage. However, it is
New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records 2019

This paper is a collection of novel distributional records of 20 species belonging to 8 phyla (Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta, Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda and Chordata) from 11 Mediterranean countries, namely, Spain: an additional record of the Canary dentex Dentex canariensis is reported from Spain (Valencia), this is the northernmost record of this species in the Mediterranean; Algeria: the first documented record of Caulerpa chemnitzia is reported from the Algerian coast; France: the first record of the Spotted sea hare Aplysia dactylomela is reported from the eastern coast of Corsica; Italy: the first records of the Lessepsian polychaete Dorvillea similis and the alien bivalve Isognomon legumen are reported from Italian waters while additional records of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the south Adriatic are provided; Libya: the first record of an alien mollusc Crepidula fornicata is reported from Libyan waters; Malta: multiple sightings of gelatinous species Apolemia uvaria, Phacellophora camtschatica and Physophora hydrostatica are reported for the first time from Maltese waters, as well as the first tentative record of the Orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus cfr. coioides; Greece: an occurrence of a rare Bigeye thresher shark Alopias superciliosus is reported from Hellenic Ionian waters, while the first records of the alien Mertens’ prawn-goby Vanderhorstia mertensi, the recently described cyclopoid copepod Oithona davisae and the alien red seaweed Asparagopsis armata are reported from the Aegean Sea. The presence of the micromollusc Euthymella colzumensis is confirmed for Greece; Cyprus: the first record of the red cornetfish Fistularia petimba is reported from Cyprus; Turkey: the first record of the alien jellyfish Marivagia stellata is reported from south-eastern Turkey; Israel: the first records of the sea nettle Chrysaora sp. in the Levant are reported.