Term Structure of Equity: Analysis for the Case of European Stocks

This paper studies the equity term structure and its relevance in pricing Euro- pean stocks, using a duration concept. In explaining the cross-sectional variation in the duration premium, we made use of cash flow duration in understanding the value premium. Empirically, we measure cash flow duration using balance sheet data and to show if difference in return is a manifestation of value premium. Also relating the time series return to the factor model of Fama and French model which was able to explain the 40% of the cross-sectional variation in return. The term structure of equity shows a downward slope with the measure of cash flow duration created at firms level

Use Cases for EIS Databases

An overview of use cases supporting the development of an online database of environmental impact statements

‘I am always crying on the inside’ : a qualitative study on the implications of infertility on women’s lives in urban Gambia

Background: There is an increasing awareness that infertility in Sub-Saharan Africa constitutes a severe social and public health problem. Few of the existing studies on infertility explicitly take into account the differences between women. However, how women experience infertility is formed by their various social positions. This research explores the implications of infertility on women's lives in urban Gambia and aims to provide an in-depth understanding of how this relates to gender and cultural norms as well as different social positions. Methods: Qualitative data were collected through interviews (33), group discussions (13), participatory observations (14) and informal conversations (31). Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to identify participants. The data was analysed thematically using NVivo 11. Results: Results showed that there was strong social pressure on urban women in The Gambia to procreate. Unable to conform to their gender role, women with infertility were confronted with financial problems, social stigma, as well as emotional and physical violence in their marriage. All women expressed feelings of trauma, stress and sadness. The intersectional approach used in this study highlighted how different positions influenced women's experiences of infertility. Urban women with a high socio-economic status had a more powerful position within their marriages and the broader community, due to their financial position, professional career and, sometimes, their educational background. In contrast, women from a lower socio-economic background were more likely to be harshly confronted with the social stigma of infertility. Conclusion: The lives of most women with infertility in The Gambia are characterized by social suffering resulting from gender and pro-natal norms, cultural beliefs and moral concerns, cultural practices and limited access to health care. An intersectional approach is an effective tool to inform public health and social policy since it highlights how, in specific situations, certain groups are more vulnerable than others

Intention to Breastfeed and Intervention in the African-American Community

Manuscrip

Diverticulite duodénale: complication inhabituelle pas toujours facile à gérer

Les diverticules duodénaux sont assez fréquents, la majorité reste asymptomatique. Les complications les plus fréquemment rapportées sont les hémorragies et les pancréatites. Contrairement aux diverticules coliques, la survenue de diverticulite est rare. Nous rapportons le cas d'une infection d'un gros diverticule duodénal en mettant le point sur la difficulté de la prise en charge de cette entité pathologique.Key words: Diverticule, duodénum, infectio

Evaluation of tomato genotypes for resistance to root-knot nematodes

Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) is one of the most popular vegetable crops worldwide, owing to its high nutritive value and diversified use. Tomato production in Ghana is threatened by plant parasitic nematodes, especially the root knot nematodes ( Meloidogyne spp.), which are responsible for huge economic yield losses. The losses, however, can be averted through use of resistant varieties. A study was conducted to evaluate tomato genotypes reaction to root-knot nematodes. Five inoculum levels, 100, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 root-knot nematode eggs per 1.6 litres of soil per pot were inoculated on tomato seedlings. A total of 33 genotypes were screened for resistance to Meloidogyne spp. Nine tomato genotypes were collected from Burkina Faso, eight from Vietnam, seven from the United States of America, three genotypes from South Africa, and six from local agro-dealers and farmers in Ghana. The genotypes were screened in pots and the field for host resistance to Meloidogyne spp. The 1500 eggs per plant inoculation level resulted in the highest number of eggs, juveniles and fresh root weight. Among the 33 genotypes screened, Tomato Mongal T-11 and Tomato Beef Master were found to be highly resistant to Meloidogyne spp. and also recorded the lowest reproductive factors of 0.71 and 0.53, respectively.La tomate ( Solanum lycopersicum ) est une des plus populaires l\ue9gumes au monde suite \ue0 sa valeur plus nutritive et utilisation diversifi\ue9e. Par ailleurs, sa production est limit\ue9e par des n\ue9matodes parasites des plantes, sp\ue9cialement les galles racinaires ( Meloidogyne spp.) et sont responsables de lourdes pertes \ue9conomiques. Ces pertes, par ailleurs, peuvent \ueatre \ue9vit\ue9es par l\u2019utilisation des vari\ue9t\ue9s r\ue9sistantes. Une \ue9tude \ue9tait conduite pour \ue9valuer la r\ue9action des g\ue9notypes de tomates aux galles racinaires des n\ue9matodes. Cinq niveaux d\u2019inoculum \ue0 savoir 100, 500, 1000, 1500 et 2000 galles d\u2019oeufs de n\ue9matodes par 1.6 litres de sol par pot \ue9taient inocul\ue9s sur les plantules de tomates. Un total de 33 g\ue9notypes \ue9taient r\ue9sistants au Meloidogyne spp. Neuf g\ue9notypes de tomates \ue9taient collect\ue9s du Burkina Faso, huit du Vietnam, sept des Etats Unis d\u2019Am\ue9rique, trois g\ue9notypes d\u2019Afrique du Sud et six provenant des vendeurs et fermiers locaux du Ghana. Les g\ue9notypes \ue9taient test\ue9s en pots et en champ pour r\ue9sistance de l\u2019 h\uf4te au Meloidogyne spp. Les 1500 oeufs par niveau d\u2019inoculation de plants ont induit un nombre le plus \ue9lev\ue9 d\u2019oeufs, raciness juveniles et le poids des racines fra\ueeches. Parmi les 33 g\ue9notypes test\ue9s, Tomato Mongal T-11 et Tomato Beef Master ont \ue9t\ue9 trouv\ue9s les plus r\ue9sistantes au Meloidogyne spp. et avaient aussi enregistr\ue9 les facteurs les moins reproductifs de 0.71 and 0.53, repectivement

Role of human milk oligosaccharides in Group B Streptococcus colonisation.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants. The major risk factor for GBS disease is maternal and subsequent infant colonisation. It is unknown whether human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) protect against GBS colonisation. HMO production is genetically determined and linked to the Lewis antigen system. We aimed to investigate the association between HMOs and infant GBS colonisation between birth and postnatal day 90. Rectovaginal swabs were collected at delivery, as well as colostrum/breast milk, infant nasopharyngeal and rectal swabs at birth, 6 days and days 60-89 postpartum from 183 Gambian mother/infant pairs. GBS colonisation and serotypes were determined using culture and PCR. (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to characterise the mother's Lewis status and HMO profile in breast milk. Mothers who were Lewis-positive were significantly less likely to be colonised by GBS (X (2)=12.50, P<0.001). Infants of Lewis-positive mothers were less likely GBS colonised at birth (X (2)=4.88 P=0.03) and more likely to clear colonisation between birth and days 60-89 than infants born to Lewis-negative women (P=0.05). There was no association between Secretor status and GBS colonisation. In vitro work revealed that lacto-N-difucohexaose I (LNDFHI) correlated with a reduction in the growth of GBS. Our results suggest that HMO such as LNDFHI may be a useful adjunct in reducing maternal and infant colonisation and hence invasive GBS disease. Secretor status offers utility as a stratification variable in GBS clinical trials