Foreign Investments and Stock Market: Evidence From Palestine

Purpose: This study aims to examine the association between the different forms of inbound foreign investments and the Palestine Exchange (PEX) index to shed light on the nature of that impact.   Theoretical Framework: Several academic studies have examined stock market index factors. Chen, Roll, and Ross's (1986) seminal study on macroeconomic conditions and U.S. stock returns provides an example. Interest rate, inflation, industrial production, risk premium movements, and dividend yield positively explain expected stock return. Abusharbeh and Karim (2016) found that interest and consumer price index positively affect banking and investment firm profits on The Palestine Exchange (PEX). Shahbaz (2013) examined how foreign direct investment affects Pakistan's stock market. Results supported foreign direct investment's stock market complementarity.   Design/Methodology/Approach: The market index and panel quarterly data for inward foreign investments are used in this study. From 2009 to 2022, end-of-quarter data were collected on total inward foreign investments, their sub-components (direct investments, stock portfolio investments, and currency and deposits in Palestine), and the market index (Al-Quds index) closing value. Fifty-six observations were gathered.   Findings: The study found that the overall model integrating all three types of inward foreign investments significantly explains the market index. Foreign portfolio investments (FPI) are significantly associated with the stock market index. However, the results showed that inward foreign direct investments (FDI) and foreign deposits and currency investments (FCI) have no significant impact on the stock market index, indicating that they do not complement or substitute each other.   Research, Practical & Social Implications: This study can help the stock market, regulators, and policymakers create incentives and regulations to attract different forms of inward foreign investments. It also examines why foreign direct investments (FDI) and foreign deposits and currency investments do not complement or substitute stock market development.   Originality/Value: This study provides empirical evidence on the impact of the different forms of foreign investment in Palestine on the stock market. Further research is recommended to explore additional variables that might be significant, such as market capitalization and market volume

Relative and Incremental Value Relevance of Traditional and Real Performance Measures: Evidence from Palestine Manufacturing Listed Companies

Purpose: This study seeks to test both incremental and relative value relevance of the Economic Value-Added (EVA) as a real performance indicator and (EPS) as a traditional performance indicator in the context of the Palestine Exchange (PEX) listed manufacturing companies.   Theoretical framework: Previous research provided mixed evidence about the superiority of EVA over the traditional performance measures in predicting market value; some studies supported the superiority of EVA (Zimmerman, 1997; Shishanya et al., 2020), while others denied that superiority (Biddle et al., 1997; Agnatia & Amalia, 2018). Testing the value relevance of EVA compared to EPS was rarely conducted in Palestine.   Design/methodology/approach: Seventy company-year observations were gathered from 10 of 13 manufacturing PEX-listed companies over seven years (2015-2021); the study employed regression and correlation analysis.   Findings: The study found a significant relationship between EPS and stock returns while concluding an insignificant relationship between EVA and stock returns. The study also found that EPS beats EVA. However, the findings showed that EVA adds incremental information content to EPS’s interpretation of stock returns.   Research, Practical & Social implications:  The study outcomes help and direct the investors and analysts, in assessing the company’s performance and predicting stock returns; it also helps policymakers and regulators in directing and updating reporting requirements.   Originality/value: This study adds to the literature on the value relevance of real and traditional performance indices in Palestine. Further research is recommended on other sectors and the whole market

Developmental periods of Oenopia conglobata contaminata (Col.: Coccinellidae) reared on eggs of Sitotroga cerealella (Lep.: Gelechiidae) and Ephestia kuehniella (Lep.: Pyralidae) at constant temperatures

The coccinellid Oenopia conglobata contaminata (Menteries) is one of the most important predators of orchard pests in Iran. The effect of eggs of Sitotroga cereallela Olivier (Lep.: Gelechiidae) and Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lep.: Pyralidae) on development and survival of this beetle was studied and compared under laboratory conditions (five constant temperatures i.e., 22.5 ± 1, 25 ± 1, 27.5 ± 1, 30 ± 1 and 32.5 ± 1 °C 55 ± 5% relative humidity (R. H.) and a 16:8 h light: dark photoperiod). Total developmental time at the above-mentioned temperatures were 28.83 ± 0.17, 24.52 ± 0.37, 21,39 ± 0.21 17.92 ± 0.16 and 18.22 ± 0.29 days on S. cereallelaand27 ± 0.38, 23.32 ± 0.14, 19.57 ± 0.28, 16.14 ± 0.17 and 16.33 ± 0.05 days on E. kuehniella. The lower developmental thresholds (T0) of egg, larva, pupa and egg to adult on E. kuehniella were estimated15.02, 8.6, 7.48 and 8.55 ºC and the thermal constant for these periods calculated as 38.16, 222.22, 71.9 and 370.37 DD. The lower developmental thresholds on S. cereallela were found to be 13.79, 5.6, 5.82 and 6.54 ºC andthermal constant for the mentioned periods were 41.15, 277.77, 91.7, 454.54 DD, respectively. Although significant differences between developmental times at different temperatures exist, no significant differences was observed between 30 and 32.5 °C for two prey species. The results suggest that E. kuehniella serves as a more effective host than S. cereallela for rearing of coccinellid O. conglobata

The Impact of The Strategies of Individualized Instruction (Claire Plan) and Cooperative Learning (Jigsaw 2) on Students Achievement in The Principles of Pedagogy Course at The University of Zarqa in Jordan

                                                                                 Abstract               This study aimed to compare the impact of the    individualized instruction and cooperative learning  strategies on students' achievement for the course of the principles of pedagogy at the University of Zarqa in Jordan . The study sample composed of ( 288 ) students who were studying the course of principles of pedagogy in the academic year 2013/2014. The sample was chosen as an intentional sample. Students in the sample were distributed into (3) groups. The fist experimental group ( 92 students) was taught using individualized instruction (Claire Plan). The second experimental group ( 99 students) was taught  using cooperative learning (Jigsaw 2) strategy. The control group (97 students) was taught using the traditional way. After finishing teaching the three groups, the analysis of variance duo (3 × 2) was used to see the impact of the study variables ( the method and sex) in student achievement.The results found that the mean of achievement of students who were taught by the way of cooperative learning was better than means of those who were taught by the individualized instruction and the traditional methods.  The mean of students who taught by individualized instruction method was better than those who were taught by the traditional way. However, there was no significant difference in achievement is attributed to the sex nor the interaction between the teaching method and sex. The study concluded with a set of recommendations. Some of such recommendation are that staff in Jordanian universities should use the ways of individualized instruction (Claire Plan) and cooperative learning (Jigsaw 2) in teaching their courses. More studies should be conducted to look for the impact of the methods of individualized instruction (Claire Plan) and cooperative learning (Jigsaw 2) on the achievement in the emotional and self- kinesthetic areas. Further studies can be conducted to find out the material cost of the methods of individualized instruction (Claire Plan) and cooperative learning (Jigsaw 2) compared to the traditional way

A new model for security analysis of network anomalies for IoT devices

In the era of IoT gaining traction, attacks on IoT-enabled devices are the order of the day that emanates the need for more protected IoT networks. IoT's key feature deals with massive amounts of data sensed by numerous heterogeneous IoT devices. Numerous machine learning techniques are used to collect data from different types of sensors on the objects and transform them into information relevant to the application. Furthermore, business and data analytics algorithms help in event prediction based on observed behavior and information. Routing information securely over the internet with limited resources in IoT applications is a key problem. The study proposes a model for detecting network anomalies in IoT devices to enhance the security of the devices. The study employed the IoT Botnet dataset, and K-fold cross-validation tests were used for validating the values of evaluation metrics. The average values of Accuracy, Precision, Recall, and F Score was 97.4

Dinocampus coccinellae as a parasitoid of the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis in Europe

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Shaping perceptions and inspiring future neurosurgeons: the value of a hands-on simulated aneurysm clipping workshops at a student-organized neurosurgical conference

Objective: Early exposure to niche specialities, like neurosurgery, is essential to inform decisions about future training in these specialities. This study assesses the impact of a hands-on simulated aneurysm clipping workshop on medical students' and junior doctors' perceptions of neurosurgery at a student-organized neurosurgical conference. Methods: Ninety-six delegates were sampled from a hands-on workshop involving hydrogel three-dimensional printed aneurysms clipping using surgical microscopes. Consultant neurosurgeons facilitated the workshop. Changes in delegates' perceptions of neurosurgery were collected using Likert scale and free-text responses postconference. Results: Postworkshop, 82% of participants reported a positive impact on their perception of neurosurgery. Thematic analysis revealed that delegates valued the hands-on experience, exposure to microsurgery, and interactions with consultant neurosurgeons. Thirty-six of the 96 delegates (37.5%) expressed that the workshop dispelled preconceived fears surrounding neurosurgery and improved understanding of a neurosurgeon's day-to-day tasks. Several delegates initially apprehensive about neurosurgery were now considering it as a career. Conclusion: Hands-on simulated workshops can effectively influence medical students' and junior doctors' perceptions of neurosurgery, providing valuable exposure to the specialty. By providing a valuable and immersive introduction to the specialty, these workshops can help to dispel misconceptions, fears, and apprehensions associated with neurosurgery, allowing them to consider the specialty to a greater degree than before. This study of a one-time workshop cannot effectively establish its long-term impact on said perceptions, however