Outperformance in exchange traded fund pricing deviations: generalised control of data snooping bias

An investigation into Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) outperformance during the period 2008-2012 is undertaken utilising a data set of 288 US traded securities. ETFs are tested for Net Asset Value (NAV) premium, underlying index and market benchmark outperformance, with Sharpe, Treynor and Sortino ratios employed as risk adjusted performance measures. A key contribution is the application of an innovative generalised stepdown procedure in controlling for data snooping bias. It is found that a large proportion of optimized replication and debt asset class ETFs display risk adjusted premiums with energy and precious metals focused funds outperforming the S&P500 market benchmark

Striving for innovation – A Triple Helix exploration of how one Irish college is pursuing this goal

Striving for innovation – A Triple Helix exploration of how one Irish college is pursuing this goa

Data Shepherding in Nanotechnology : The Exposure Field Campaign Template

In this paper, we demonstrate the realization process of a pragmatic approach on developing a template for capturing field monitoring data in nanomanufacturing processes. The template serves the fundamental principles which make data scientifically Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR principles), as well as encouraging individuals to reuse it. In our case, the data shepherds’ (the guider of data) template creation workflow consists of the following steps: (1) Identify relevant stakeholders, (2) Distribute questionnaires to capture a general description of the data to be generated, (3) Understand the needs and requirements of each stakeholder, (4) Interactive simple communication with the stakeholders for variables/descriptors selection, and (5) Design of the template and annotation of descriptors. We provide an annotated template for capturing exposure field campaign monitoring data, and increase their interoperability, while comparing it with existing templates. This paper enables the data creators of exposure field campaign data to store data in a FAIR way and helps the scientific community, such as data shepherds, by avoiding extensive steps for template creation and by utilizing the pragmatic structure and/or the template proposed herein, in the case of a nanotechnology project (Anticipating Safety Issues at the Design of Nano Product Development, ASINA).In this paper, we demonstrate the realization process of a pragmatic approach on developing a template for capturing field monitoring data in nanomanufacturing processes. The template serves the fundamental principles which make data scientifically Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR principles), as well as encouraging individuals to reuse it. In our case, the data shepherds' (the guider of data) template creation workflow consists of the following steps: (1) Identify relevant stakeholders, (2) Distribute questionnaires to capture a general description of the data to be generated, (3) Understand the needs and requirements of each stakeholder, (4) Interactive simple communication with the stakeholders for variables/descriptors selection, and (5) Design of the template and annotation of descriptors. We provide an annotated template for capturing exposure field campaign monitoring data, and increase their interoperability, while comparing it with existing templates. This paper enables the data creators of exposure field campaign data to store data in a FAIR way and helps the scientific community, such as data shepherds, by avoiding extensive steps for template creation and by utilizing the pragmatic structure and/or the template proposed herein, in the case of a nanotechnology project (Anticipating Safety Issues at the Design of Nano Product Development, ASINA).Peer reviewe

Comparing mental models of prospective users of the sustainable nanotechnology decision support system

Mental modelling analysis can be a valuable tool in understanding and bridging cognitive values in multi-stakeholders' communities. It is especially true in situation of emerging risks where significant uncertainty and competing objectives could result in significant difference in stakeholder perspective on the use of new materials and technologies. This paper presents a mental modelling study performed among prospective users of an innovative decision support system for safe and sustainable development of nano-enabled products. These users included representatives of industry and regulators, as well as several insurance specialists and researchers. We present methodology and tools for comparing stakeholder views and objectives in the context of developing a decision support system

Tuberculosis in cattle: the results of the four-area project

<p/> <p>The four-area project was undertaken to further assess the impact of badger removal on the control of tuberculosis in cattle herds in Ireland. It was conducted between 1997 and 2002 in matched removal and reference areas in four counties, namely Cork, Donegal, Kilkenny and Monaghan, representing a wide range of Irish farming environments. In the removal areas, a proactive programme of badger removal was conducted, on two or three occasions each year, whereas in the reference areas, badger removal was entirely reactive following severe outbreaks of tuberculosis amongst cattle. A detailed statistical analysis of this study has already been presented by Griffin <it>et al. </it><abbrgrp><abbr bid="B13">13</abbr></abbrgrp>; this paper presents further, mainly descriptive, findings from the study. In total, 2,360 badgers were captured in the removal areas of which 450 (19.5%) were considered positive for tuberculosis and 258 badgers were captured in the reference areas, with 57 (26.1%) positive for tuberculosis. The annual incidence of confirmed herd restrictions was lower in the removal area compared to the reference area in every year of the study period in each of the four counties. These empirical findings were consistent with the hazard ratios found by Griffin <it>et al. </it><abbrgrp><abbr bid="B13">13</abbr></abbrgrp>. Further, the effect of proactive badger removal on cattle tuberculosis in the four-area project and in the earlier east-Offaly project, as measured using the number of reactors per 1,000 cattle tested, were very similar, providing compelling evidence of the role of badgers in the epidemiology of tuberculosis in Irish cattle herds. The validity of the four-area project was discussed in detail. Efforts to minimise badger-to-cattle transmission in Ireland must be undertaken in association with the current comprehensive control programme, which has effectively minimised opportunities for cattle-to-cattle transmission.</p

The Essential Elements of a Risk Governance Framework for Current and Future Nanotechnologies

Societies worldwide are investing considerable resources into the safe development and use of nanomaterials. Although each of these protective efforts is crucial for governing the risks of nanomaterials, they are insufficient in isolation. What is missing is a more integrative governance approach that goes beyond legislation. Development of this approach must b