Short - term Investing

Launched in March of 1957, The Standard and Poor’s 500 Index (The S&P 500) was the first index to be published daily. Starting with an indicator in 1923 for 233 companies, and then growing to 416 in 1941, today it is used as a common benchmark for the health of the U.S. stock market with 500 companies. These 500 companies offer some of the largest stocks (claims of ownership in public American companies) in the United States although it is not the only index to gauge the health of the economy. In 2012, Standard & Poor’s combined its index operations with the Dow Jones Indexes to become a leader in the industry. Where recording and presenting aggregate financial data is straight-forward, understanding and predicting changes in the profitability of companies represented by this data is limitlessly more difficult. The majority of my financial decisions in this project originated from ideas, problems, or other information presented in articles on the companies I invested in. Both private investors (i.e. me; someone not employed through an investment organization) and professional investors (i.e. Berkshire Hathaway) can benefit from the use of news and sources in this way but primarily only professional investors have access to high-speed data aggregation and reduced latency in trade. Despite the advantages professional investors have over private investors, trading stock can generate profit; quarter 4 of 2016 for example generated 267 billion in weighted share earnings. My project, Short-term Investing, focuses on the generation of profit through the trading of stock on a market simulator called Investopedia. Investopedia mirrors trading in a ‘real’ market and even includes commission charges and access to stock analysis. My goal is to gauge the profitability of chosen companies (majority in the Energy Sector) and predict the movement and volatility of the stock, using the S&P 500 as a baseline. On a 10,000 initial investment, I tried to generate 1% profit/month over a 3-month horizon using my unique investment strategy. During these 3 months, I persistently researched different industries, companies, and analyzation techniques while primarily investing in the Energy Sector but also pursuing diversification to mitigate potential loss. Recognizing that oil prices traditionally drop in the winter and peak in the summer, my investment in the Energy Sector was with the intention of taking advantage of this pattern

Dissolution of UK high-level waste glass under simulated hyperalkaline conditions of a colocated geological disposal facility

We report analysis of chemical durability of UK HLW MW+25% simulant glass under model hyperalkaline conditions of a colocated geological disposal facility. Glass powders and monoliths were dissolved for 168 days in saturated Ca(OH). Dissolution in the presence of high concentrations of Ca (>200 mg/L) was an order of magnitude lower than dissolution in water. Dissolution of Si did not occur until a Ca:Si ratio of <2 was achieved. The mechanism of dissolution involved the incorporation of Ca into the hydrated surface (initial, incubation regime), the precipitation of C-S-H phases, including a range of compositions in the C-(N)-(A)-S-H and M-S-H systems (intermediate regime), and the precipitation of C-S-H phases (the residual regime). Thermodynamic analysis and consideration of the CaO-SiO-HO phase diagram suggest that the rate-limiting step of glass dissolution in Ca-rich solutions is Ca-Si equilibrium, involving the precipitation of C-S-H phases, which change in chemical composition as a function of solution chemistry. In low SA/V ratio experiments, the dissolution progressed only to the initial incubation regime, resulting from fewer surface sites for Ca incorporation. Overall, these results suggest that Ca and Si in solution play an important role in the long-term durability of UK HLW in Ca-rich solutions. © 2013 The Authors. International Journal of Applied Glass Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The American Ceramic Society and Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Randomised comparison of provisional side branch stenting versus a two-stent strategy for treatment of true coronary bifurcation lesions involving a large side branch:the Nordic-Baltic Bifurcation Study IV

Background - It is still uncertain whether coronary bifurcations with lesions involving a large side branch (SB) should be treated by stenting the main vessel and provisional stenting of the SB (simple) or by routine two-stent techniques (complex). We aimed to compare clinical outcome after treatment of lesions in large bifurcations by simple or complex stent implantation. Methods - The study was a randomised, superiority trial. Enrolment required a SB≥2.75 mm, ≥50% diameter stenosis in both vessels, and allowed SB lesion length up to 15 mm. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, non-procedural myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularisation at 6 months. Two-year clinical follow-up was included in this primary reporting due to lower than expected event rates. Results - A total of 450 patients were assigned to simple stenting (n=221) or complex stenting (n=229) in 14 Nordic and Baltic centres. Two-year follow-up was available in 218 (98.6%) and 228 (99.5%) patients, respectively. The primary endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 6 months was 5.5% vs 2.2% (risk differences 3.2%, 95% CI −0.2 to 6.8, p=0.07) and at 2 years 12.9% vs 8.4% (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.13, p=0.12) after simple versus complex treatment. In the subgroup treated by newer generation drug-eluting stents, MACE was 12.0% vs 5.6% (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.17 to 1.17, p=0.10) after simple versus complex treatment. Conclusion - In the treatment of bifurcation lesions involving a large SB with ostial stenosis, routine two-stent techniques did not improve outcome significantly compared with treatment by the simpler main vessel stenting technique after 2 years

Corrosion of the International Simple Glass under acidic to hyperalkaline conditions

Assessment of glass dissolution kinetics, under disposal relevant temperature and pH environments, is required to credibly estimate radionuclide release rates from vitrified radioactive waste. Leaching of the International Simple Glass (ISG) under acidic to hyperalkaline conditions was examined. Forward rate measurements have been obtained using the dynamic leaching SPFT protocol and rate parameters for B, Na and Si in the basic regime; errors in rates predicted using these parameters at high pH and temperature are significant because the fitting uses logarithmic data. Longer term behaviour under hyperalkaline conditions, representative of some disposal environments, was investigated using the PCT and MCC-1 static leaching protocols with Ca(OH)2 solutions for up to 120 days (PCT) and 720 days (MCC-1). In hyperalkaline conditions dissolution was incongruent for all elements and the presence of alternating zirconia-rich and zirconia-poor alteration layers was observed on all leached monoliths, indicating the occurrence of a self-organisation phenomenon during leaching

Microstructural evolution and trace element mobility in Witwatersrand pyrite

Microstructural analysis of pyrite from a single sample of Witwatersrand conglomerate indicates a complex deformation history involving components of both plastic and brittle deformation. Internal deformation associated with dislocation creep is heterogeneously developed within grains, shows no systematic relationship to bulk rock strain or the location of grain boundaries and is interpreted to represent an episode of pyrite deformation that predates the incorporation of detrital pyrite grains into the Central Rand conglomerates. In contrast, brittle deformation, manifest by grain fragmentation that transects dislocation-related microstructures, is spatially related to grain contacts and is interpreted to represent post-depositional deformation of the Central Rand conglomerates. Analysis of the low-angle boundaries associated with the early dislocation creep phase of deformation indicates the operation of {100} slip systems. However, some orientation boundaries have geometrical characteristics that are not consistent with simple {100} deformation.These boundaries may represent the combination of multiple slip systems or the operation of the previously unrecognized {120} slip system. These boundaries are associated with order of magnitude enrichments in As, Ni and Co that indicate a deformation control on the remobilization of trace elements within pyrite and a potential slip system control on the effectiveness of fast-diffusion pathways. The results confirm the importance of grain-scale elemental remobilization within pyrite prior to their incorporation into the Witwatersrand gold-bearing conglomerates. Since the relationship between gold and pyrite is intimately related to the trace element geochemistry of pyrite, the results have implications for the application of minor element geochemistry to ore deposit formation, suggest a reason for heterogeneous conductivity and localized gold precipitation in natural pyrite and provide a framework for improving mineral processing

Randomised comparison of provisional side branch stenting versus a two-stent strategy for treatment of true coronary bifurcation lesions involving a large side branch: the Nordic-Baltic Bifurcation Study IV

Background It is still uncertain whether coronary bifurcations with lesions involving a large side branch (SB) should be treated by stenting the main vessel and provisional stenting of the SB (simple) or by routine two-stent techniques (complex). We aimed to compare clinical outcome after treatment of lesions in large bifurcations by simple or complex stent implantation.Methods The study was a randomised, superiority trial. Enrolment required a SB >= 2.75 mm, >= 50% diameter stenosis in both vessels, and allowed SB lesion length up to 15 mm. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, non-procedural myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularisation at 6 months. Two-year clinical follow-up was included in this primary reporting due to lower than expected event rates.Results A total of 450 patients were assigned to simple stenting (n = 221) or complex stenting (n=229) in 14 Nordic and Baltic centres. Two-year follow-up was available in 218 (98.6%) and 228 (99.5%) patients, respectively. The primary endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 6 months was 5.5% vs 2.2% (risk differences 3.2%, 95% CI -0.2 to 6.8, p=0.07) and at 2 years 12.9% vs 8.4% (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.13, p = 0.12) after simple versus complex treatment. In the subgroup treated by newer generation drug-eluting stents, MACE was 12.0% vs 5.6% (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.17 to 1.17, p = 0.10) after simple versus complex treatment.Conclusion In the treatment of bifurcation lesions involving a large SB with ostial stenosis, routine two-stent techniques did not improve outcome significantly compared with treatment by the simpler main vessel stenting technique after 2 years

Do institute of lay judges can assure criminal procedure effectiveness?

Tarėjų instituto įgyvendinimas jau kuris laikas yra viešai aptarinėjama tema, dėl savo atliekamos funkcijos padedant užtikrinti demokratiškumo principus, teismo efektyvumą ir visuomenės pasitikėjimą teismų sistemos veikla. Todėl šios temos aktualumas aukštas ir nekvestionuojamas. Šiame darbe analizuotos skirtingos visuomenės atstovavimo teismuose formos bei visuomenės įsitraukimo į teisingumo vykdymą galimybės, taip pat tarėjų vaidmuo teisminiame procese. Kartu aptariami keliami reikalavimai kandidatams ir rinkimo procesai įvairiose pasaulio valstybėse, apžvelgiami tarėjų instituto privalumai ir trūkumai, numatomi tarėjų instituto veiksmai priimant sprendimus kartu su profesionaliais teisėjais. Šio darbo pagrindinis tikslas įvertinti ir pagrįsti, ar šis institutas gali užtikrinti baudžiamojo proceso efektyvumą. Nors Lietuva ir turėjo tarėjų institutą būdama Tarybų Sąjungos sudėtyje, tačiau neišsaugojo jokių tradicijų iki šių dienų. Įvertinus tokių užsienio valstybių kaip Norvegijos, Prancūzijos, Švedijos, Vokietijos tarėjų instituto modelius, pasižyminčias giliomis tradicijomis, nustatyta tarėjų instituto privalumai ir trūkumai, bei bylų rūšys, kuriose tarėjai dalyvauja dažniausiai. Atlikus lyginamąją analizę paaiškėjo, kad didžiausi privalumai atsiskleidė per visuomenės aspektą. Pastaroji tampa integruota į teisminio proceso vykdymą, taip užtikrinant demokratiškus teismus ir pasitikėjimą jais. Tarėjai, kaip nešališki visuomenės atstovai, gali pritaikyti savo gyvenimišką ir profesinę patirtį sprendžiant kompleksinius klausimus teismuose, taip ne tik užtikrindami efektyvumą, bet ir jį skatindami. Derėtų paminėti ir didėjantį skaidrumo užtikrinimo potencialą. Deja, tarėjų institutas pasižymi ir tam tikrais trūkumais, kurie gali pasireikšti tarėjų motyvacijos ir kompetencijos stoka.Lay judge is the person from the public, which is not required to have any law education or experience, he is working in the mixed board with professional judge and decides not only questions of facts but also applying the law. About Institute of Lay judges recently there are a lot of discussion's, and this is very relevant to this day, because Lithuania soon will have this institute again, which will not even ensure democracy but also can improve public trust in courts and trial process effectiveness. In 2016 October 11 Parliament of Lithuania with law scholars adopted Ministry of Justice prepared resolution „Institute of Lay judges in courts conception“. This institute should improve public trust in courts, so courts will be more democratic and open to public. In this work were analyzed different forms of lay participation in courts, people opportunities and how people can involve their selves into justice making, also were analyzed what is the lay judge position in the trial process, what kind of requirements are in different countries to be lay judge, how are they being elected, what's the advantages and disadvantages of Institute of lay judges, and what can we expect from lay judges making decision with professional judge. This work main objective to determine do institute of lay judges can ensure criminal procedure effectiveness. There are some lay participation in courts forms, most popular are Jury, Lay judge, and Peace court. Peace court the main difference from jury and lay judge is that lay people making analyzing cases and decisions without professional judges. Jury is most popular in common law countries. Institute of Lay judges most popular in continental law countries and came from Jury, on purpose to deal with problems of Jury institute herewith keeping opportunity for people to participate in making justice. Lithuania even had Institute of Lay Judges when were part of Soviet Union, but never had old tradition. After comparative analysis of Institute of Lay judges in foreign countries like Germany, Norway, Sweden, France, where institute works for a long time, revealed advantages and disadvantages, in which cases lay people participating mostly, and what kind of requirements are for people who want to be lay judge. Mostly Lay Judges pay attention to cases which are mostly affecting wide public, because these cases are very sensitive and activates in everyone inner need to help reach justice, with inner motivation and responsibility. One of the main common requirement for lay judges is that person need to have flawless reputation also very important that he is not working in public service, he is not politician or directly connected with a case. After analysis revealed that Institute of Lay judges most important advantages are that public is closer to the courts, thus ensures democracy and improving trust in courts. Lay judges are impartial public representative who can apply his personal and professional experience deciding questions in courts. Thus not only ensures effectiveness but also improves. Also this will improve transparency. Lay judges are often considered better fact finders and law appliers than professional judges because they are closer to the people who are in the accused bench. Considering and analyzing cases lay judge inner belief about situation sometimes considered as educational material for professional judge to qualify given information, reliability of facts by public approved moral norms especially in cases of criminal negligence and reckless. There believed that Lay participation in courts will help to avoid corrupted state officials, judges and thus improves transparency. Because of corruption especially in state institutions, where justice is being made, causes public resentment and mistrust. Lay judges can Express their opinion in every question during the case, applying their professional experience which may be professional judge don’t have, because lay judge can be different profession people except professions which are specified by law like state official, politician etc. Thus in decision making will be heard public opinion and decision will not be made one-sided. Lay judges expected to be less trite than professional judges. However Institute of lay judges also have disadvantages, one of the main are that lay judges are lack of competence. Because of that even minimal law ignorance can be prejudicial during the trial process. In this case there should be organized special courses, or training for beginners, to introduce prospective lay judges about fundamental laws about state, how law and procedure works. Furthermore because of lay judges there are feared that they can be too emotional in assessing facts, guilt and situation, thus they can not even react too emotional but every serious information, law can be left in the background. Studies showed that lay judges facing difficulties when they need to separate questions about guilt and punishment. They also tend to acquit the accused people without use of high standards of evidence evaluation, because of fear to take responsibility for strict punishment or decide that accused is guilty