Characterization of a rapid scan FTIR for ultrafast probing in the mid-IR region

En col·laboració amb la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) i la Universitat de Barcelona (UB)The properties of materials in the mid-infrared spectral region (3-15 \mu m) is vital for understanding their operation and performance. It is challenging to characterize femtosecond pulses in this spectral region. In this project, we build a simple Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer to measure ultrafast infrared laser pulses. Due to the measurements in the mid-infared region is difficult, we demonstrate the functionality of the spectrometer at the visible region, where it has been characterized the autocorrelation, the pulse duration and the central wavelength of the pulse

The value of coskewness in evaluating mutual funds

Recent asset pricing studies demonstrate the relevance of incorporating the coskewness in Asset Pricing Models, and illustrate how this component helps to explain the time variation of ex-ante market risk premiums. This paper analyzes the role of coskewness in mutual funds performance evaluation. We find evidence that adding a coskewness factor is economically and statistically significant. We document that some managers are managing the coskewness and show, in general, a persistent behaviour on time in their coskewness policy. One of the most striking results is that many negative (positive) alpha funds measured relative to the CAPM risk adjustments would be reclassified as positive (negative) alpha funds using a model with coskewness. Therefore, a ranking of funds based on risk adjusted returns without considering coskewness would generate an erroneous classification. Moreover, some fund characteristics, such as the turnover ratio or the category, are related to the likelihood of managing coskewness

Factor Price Risk and the Diffusion of Conservation Technology: Evidence from the Water Industry

The paper examines the influence of factor price risk on factor-use efficiency through the adoption of conservation technology. The effect of a mean-preserving increase in factor price risk on optimal input-use efficiency is shown to be conditional on the own-price elasticity of factor use evaluated at the initial equilibrium. The conceptual analysis indicates that that there may be a discrepancy between the aggregate and firm-level effects of price risk on efficiency. Theoretical results are tested and confirmed using a unique data set from the water industry.technology adoption; risk; conservation; water resources; ordered probit

Is the predictability of emerging and developed stock markets really exploitable?.

A number of recent papers have analyzed the degree of predictability of stock markets. In this paper, we firstly study whether this predictability is really exploitable and secondly, if the economic significance of predictability is higher or lower in the emerging stock markets than in the developed ones. We use a variety of linear and nonlinear – Artificial Neural Networks – models and perform a computationally demanding forecasting experiment to assess the predictability of returns. Since we are interested in comparing the predictability in economic terms we also propose a modification in the nets’ loss function for market trading purposes. In addition, we consider both explicit and implicit trading costs for emerging and developed stock markets. Our conclusions suggest that, in contrast to some previous studies, if we consider total trading costs both the emerging as well as the developed stock returns are clearly nonpredictable. Finally, we find that Artificial Neural Networks do not provide superior performance than the linear models.Finance; Forecasting; Emerging stock markets; Artificial neural networks;

The value of coskewness in evaluating mutual funds

Recent asset pricing studies demonstrate the relevance of incorporating the coskewness in Asset Pricing Models, and illustrate how this component helps to explain the time variation of ex-ante market risk premiums. This paper analyzes the role of coskewness in mutual funds performance evaluation. We find evidence that adding a coskewness factor is economically and statistically significant. We document that some managers are managing the coskewness and show, in general, a persistent behaviour on time in their coskewness policy. One of the most striking results is that many negative (positive) alpha funds measured relative to the CAPM risk adjustments would be reclassified as positive (negative) alpha funds using a model with coskewness. Therefore, a ranking of funds based on risk adjusted returns without considering coskewness would generate an erroneous classification. Moreover, some fund characteristics, such as the turnover ratio or the category, are related to the likelihood of managing coskewness.Mutual funds, Performance measures, Coskewness

SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION AND LAND ALLOCATION

The paper considers the econometric modeling of technology adoption when crop choice is simultaneous. Bivariate probit is used to estimate a model of irrigation technology choice and land allocation using a unique field-level data set from California's Central Valley. Special attention is paid to the proper calculation of marginal effects in the bivariate probit model, which are often useful for policy purposes. Estimation results confirm that the choices of irrigation technology and land allocation are simultaneous. With regard to the influence of price incentives on agricultural water use, estimation results from the bivariate probit model indicate that the influence of water price on the adoption of precision irrigation technology is much larger than previously realized. A univariate model of technology choice that treats land allocation as exogenous underestimates the effect of water price on the adoption of precision technology by over 40 percent.Land Economics/Use, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT WHEN THE PRICE OF WATER IS STOCHASTIC

The paper considers the effect of changes in the distribution of water price on the incentives to adopt water-conserving irrigation technologies. A two-stage decision model is developed wherein agents make long-term decisions about irrigation technology investments and decide production levels based on short-term realizations of water price. Comparative statics results show that the impact of changes in the distribution of water price hinge on the responsiveness of cultivated acreage to fluctuations in the price of water. The model is tested using data on irrigation technology investment from California's San Joaquin Valley. Econometric results strongly support the conceptual model, and show that changes in the distribution of water price have systematically different impacts on permanent and annual crops.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

The value of coskewness in mutual fund performance evaluation.

Recent asset pricing studies demonstrate the relevance of incorporating coskewness in asset pricing models, and illustrate how this component helps to explain the time variation of ex-ante market risk premiums. This paper analyzes the role of coskewness in mutual fund performance evaluation and finds evidence that adding a coskewness factor is economically and statistically significant. It documents that coskewness is sometimes managed and shows persistence of the coskewness policy over time. One of the most striking results is that many negative (positive) alpha funds, measured relative to the CAPM risk adjustments, would be reclassified as positive (negative) alpha funds using a model with coskewness. Therefore, performance ranking based on risk-adjusted returns without considering coskewness could generate an erroneous classification. Moreover, some fund characteristics, such as turnover ratio or category, are related to the likelihood of managing coskewness.Coskewness; Mutual funds; Performance measures;