In this paper, we consider estimating spot/instantaneous volatility matrices of high-frequency data collected for a large number of assets. We first combine classic nonparametric kernel-based smoothing with a generalized shrinkage technique in the matrix estimation for noise-free data under a uniform sparsity assumption, a natural extension of the approximate sparsity commonly used in the literature. The uniform consistency property is derived for the proposed spot volatility matrix estimator with convergence rates comparable to the optimal minimax one. For high-frequency data contaminated by microstructure noise, we introduce a localized pre-averaging estimation method that reduces the effective magnitude of the noise. We then use the estimation tool developed in the noise-free scenario and derive the uniform convergence rates for the developed spot volatility matrix estimator. We further combine kernel smoothing with the shrinkage technique to estimate the time-varying volatility matrix of the high-dimensional noise vector. In addition, we consider large spot volatility matrix estimation in time-varying factor models with observable risk factors and derive the uniform convergence property. We provide numerical studies including simulation and empirical application to examine the performance of the proposed estimation methods in finite samples.

Let (W, S) be a Coxeter system of rank n, and let $p_{(W, S)}(t)$ be its growth function. It is known that $p_{(W, S)}(q^{-1}) \lt \infty$ holds for all $n \leq q \in \mathbb{N}$. In this paper, we will show that this still holds for $q = n-1$, if (W, S) is 2-spherical. Moreover, we will prove that $p_{(W, S)}(q^{-1}) = \infty$ holds for $q = n-2$, if the Coxeter diagram of (W, S) is the complete graph. These two results provide a complete characterization of the finiteness of the growth function in the case of 2-spherical Coxeter systems with a complete Coxeter diagram.

Data on the behavioral development of preterm infants are inconclusive. The aim of this study was to explore behavioral development during preschool years, considering prematurity, measurement time, gender, and informant. This is a prospective longitudinal analytical observational study, with a sample of 98 parents and 98 teachers of children aged 4, 5, and 6 years with and without a history of prematurity, who were evaluated by the Child Behavior Checklist and Teacher’s Report Form. Parents and teachers of the preschoolers report average scores on all behavioral scales. We observed variability according to degree of prematurity, age, and informant. Teachers detected more attention difficulties in the very preterm group (VPTG) than in the born-at-term group at 4 years. Parents and teachers coincided in detecting greater withdrawal in the moderate and late preterm group (MTPG) compared to the born-at-term group and an increase in difficulties with increasing age. The General Linear Model revealed that moderate prematurity, the age of 6 years, and parental report have a greater risk of behavioral difficulties. The need for follow-up also in moderate preterm infants is emphasized, especially at 6 years of age and with multi-informants.

Calcined clay minerals were examined as adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. Five clay minerals (kaolinite, dickite, pyrophyllite, hydrobiotite and montmorillonite) were thermally treated at 100–1000°C and were characterized according to cation-exchange capacity (CEC), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area and X-ray diffraction. The CEC and BET specific surface area decreased at high temperature. Kaolinite, dickite and montmorillonite had the lowest crystal order at 800°C. The adsorption capacity of the clay minerals except hydrobiotite decreased with calcination. Hydrobiotite showed a high adsorption capacity of heavy metals regardless of heat treatment. The adsorption capacity of kaolinite and dickite for heavy metals and Cs increased at 1000°C, and that of Cs on hydrobiotite decreased at 800°C. The adsorption sequence of the metals on kaolinite, dickite, pyrophyllite and montmorillonite was Pb > Cs > Co, Ni, Cd for temperatures up to 800°C, and the order for the adsorption on the clay minerals depended on the temperature, according to the adsorption capacity and the distribution coefficient.

This study investigated associations between childhood neighborhood deprivation and adolescent mental health difficulties, and potential protective factors. Data were utilized from the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) (born in 2000–2002; N = 5,422; 52% female) and the Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study (born in 1994–1995; N = 1,920; 53% female). Childhood neighborhood deprivation was measured using the Index of Multiple Deprivation between age 9 months and 14 years (MCS) and at age 12 (E-Risk). Adolescent mental health was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at age 17 (MCS) and the Diagnostic Interview Schedule conducted at age 18 with symptoms loading onto general psychopathology, internalizing and externalizing factors (E-Risk). Cross-classified models showed high levels of neighborhood deprivation in childhood were associated with more total problems (estimate = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.04–0.88) and internalizing difficulties (estimate = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.06–0.59) in adolescence within MCS. Being male, having higher self-esteem, greater social support, and a more positive parent-child relationship were associated with fewer total problems (estimates = −0.09–−1.87) and internalizing difficulties (estimates = −0.03–−1.88) at age 17 in the full sample regardless of neighborhood deprivation exposure. However, interactions revealed that higher self-esteem was especially beneficial for children exposed to high neighborhood deprivation (estimate = −0.35, 95% CI = −0.43–−0.27). No significant associations between childhood neighborhood deprivation and adolescent mental health symptoms were found in E-Risk. Interventions focused on improving self-esteem, social support, and parenting may help promote better adolescent mental health in the general population. Those living in the most deprived areas may benefit most from increased self-esteem.

This article offers a hermeneutical account of ambiguity using Luke and Acts as an extended case study. After discussing the difficulties in identifying purposeful ambiguity in biblical texts, verbal ambiguity is distinguished from ambiguity beyond the sentence level, such as ambiguities of plot or character. Instead of approaching ambiguity primarily as a failure of language or a problem to be solved, this article offers a framework for thinking about ambiguity as an invitation to read a text from multiple angles. The discussion is illustrated throughout with a series of examples taken from Luke and Acts. I close with reflections on how this approach to ambiguity is helpful when reading scripture against different cultural contexts and in the study of New Testament Christology.

The growing popularity of home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb, partly fueled by hosts’ ability to evade local taxes and regulations, has been shown to elevate housing costs by reallocating long-term housing units to the short-term rental market. This study assesses whether enhanced tax enforcement can mitigate this trend. We analyze staggered tax collection agreements between Airbnb and Florida counties, wherein Airbnb collects taxes from the hosts directly. Using a difference-in-differences methodology, we find these agreements significantly slow the growth of housing costs, highlighting the importance of tax policy in addressing the sharing economy’s influence on housing affordability.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are prevalent in people with substance use disorder (SUD). The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of ACEs in a specific sample of people with SUD and to analyze the specific characteristics of these patients according to gender. The studied sample consisted of 215 people seeking treatment for SUD in two clinical centers in Spain. Descriptive and comparison analyses were carried out, and a logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the main variables related to ACEs. The prevalence of at least one ACE was 82.3%. Women reported a higher prevalence of family mental health problems (p = .045; d = 0.14) and sexual abuse (p < .001; d = 0.43) than men. The group with ≥3 ACEs showed a higher severity profile for the addiction severity and psychopathological variables than the groups with 0 ACEs and 1–2 ACEs. Logistic regression showed that problems related to the group with ≥3 ACEs in the total sample were psychiatric and legal problems and lifetime suicidal ideation (in men, family/social problems and lifetime suicidal ideation; in women, employment/support problems). This study supports the high prevalence of ACEs in people with SUD and the cumulative effect of ACEs. In addition, gender is a relevant factor. The implementation of assessments and treatment for ACEs is necessary in SUD treatment programs.

During the nineteenth century, a growing sense of empathy toward non-human animals emerged within the Habsburg Empire. The new empathy toward animals took organizational form in voluntary associations that attracted men and women in urban settings. In 1852, one of the first such associations was born in the busy port city of Trieste (Trst/Triest), drawing members from the elite. These individuals criticized the animal care practices of the working class and rural population, repeatedly accusing them of “immorality” and even “inhumanity.”

As the article depicts, the guardians of the animal kingdom were not as compassionate as they might appear. In fact, the protectors of animals believed themselves far superior to the proletarians who supposedly whipped their horses. The way the growing bourgeoisie treated their animal friends ultimately served as a tool in the creation of the social distinction between the bourgeoisie on the one hand, and the workers and peasants on the other.

While Trieste’s animal protection society reflected a broader global trend, it also displayed unique characteristics shaped by the city’s distinctive social and cultural dynamics. The article sheds light on how these local traits influenced its development.

This paper studies the impact of limited attention on investment decisions by venture capitalists (VCs). I find that startups funded by VCs during VCs’ IPO engagements tend to underperform: These startups are 9% less likely to go public or become acquired and have lower exit multiples. The effects of VCs’ busyness cluster around the active phase of the IPO engagement and are more pronounced in cases of higher workload intensity or higher information asymmetry. Overall, this performance gap induced by attention constraints provides new evidence on VCs’ ability to identify investment opportunities at the initial screening stage.

Though formal life sentences have been abolished in Norway, forvaring (post-conviction indefinite preventive detention) – a type of informal life sentence – can be imposed on individuals convicted of certain offenses who are considered to be at high risk of future offending. While great attention has been paid to Norway as an “exceptional” penal outlier globally, there is a notable lack of comprehensive knowledge about its indefinite penal sanction. Drawing on extensive historical research and legal and policy documentary analysis as well as leveraging a unique national dataset on the total forvaring population, this article provides the first international in-depth assessment of the evolution and implementation of Norway’s ultimate penalty. In so doing, it highlights significant disparities between policy ambitions and current practice and questions the extent to which the sanction of forvaring can be considered an “exceptional” approach to life imprisonment. It is argued that the development and growth of this type of informal life sentence can be seen as the epicenter of the impact of a more punitive ideology in Norway, emphasizing the need to move away from the concept of penal exceptionalism to better understand the full spectrum and practice of Norwegian and Nordic penality.

The dissemination of public information regarding an asset’s fundamental value can encourage the acquisition of private information by informed traders, leading to a crowding-in effect. Competing with the crowding-out effect analyzed in prior research, the crowding-in effect shapes the demand for private information in a hump-shaped curve against public information quality. I examine how a for-profit information seller strategically provides information, exploiting this hump-shaped demand curve, and offer theoretical support for the coexistence of free and paid information. The model yields distinctive insights into the equilibrium information structure and market quality when the crowding-in effect drives public information dissemination.