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This study comparatively evaluated the forecasting performance of a constant beta and two time-varying beta process specifications. Returns for 23 stocks were forecasted for several horizons in 2019–2020. The autoregressive and random walk betas showed superior forecasting performance before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. In a Diebold–Mariano test, the constant beta specification never dominated both time-varying beta models. Beta specification type should be considered when forecasting based on capital asset pricing or market models, particularly during crises. Results of rolling regressions based on arbitrage pricing theory considering other risk factors suggest time-varying systematic risk factors beyond market risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double hierarchy hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set (DHHFLTS) can be used to express complex linguistic information by combining two hierarchy linguistic term sets with 2-tuple linguistic structures. In decision-making processes, experts' assessment information may often be represented by some possible double hierarchy hesitant fuzzy linguistic elements (DHHFLEs) or some DHHFLEs with probability information, and we cannot ignore these probabilities when they are directly provided or aggregated by the experts' assessments. As we are aware that representing probability information is a new improvement and challenge for DHHFLTSs, this paper defines a novel and more general concept named probabilistic double hierarchy linguistic term set (PDHLTS). Then, to propose some more reasonable operations and a distance measure of PDHLTSs, we develop an adjustment method to ensure that two PDHLTSs have same probability distribution. Additionally, this paper develops an extended probabilistic double hierarchy linguistic VIKOR method by improving the traditional VIKOR method. Moreover, the advantages and practicality of the proposed method are demonstrated by applying it to solve a practical multiple criteria decision-making problem involving smart healthcare. Finally, we make some comparative analyses, as well as discussing possible directions for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing complexity of decision-making environment and the development of societal demands, large-scale group decision making (LSGDM) has become a hot topic in recent years. Due to the demand of the current decision-making environment, up to now, studies regarding LSGDM methods focussing on different approaches have been published. However, there are few studies that focus on evaluating the results of LSGDM problems. This study proposes three subgroup quality indices, namely, consistency degree, nearness degree and evenness degree, to measure the effectiveness of LSGDM methods. These three quality indices not only can evaluate the effect of a subgroup on the global group, but also can measure the effect of final decision results. Furthermore, the consistency measure is used to design the weights of subgroups, based on which an adaptive dynamic consensus reaching process is introduced. An illustrative example is given to verify the applicability and effectiveness of our proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tests investors' asymmetry level around the quarterly reports of 47 shares from 2010 to the second quarter of 2020. This asymmetry level was determined by analysing three measures: the Corwin and Schultz's (2012) spread level, residual sum of squares (RSS) with the capital asset pricing model, and the illiquidity ratio, which were lower after the event for some cases. When discerning between good and bad surprises, statistical differences emerged only with the RSS measure. During the COVID-19 period, these measures were lower after the event for more cases. Thus, information asymmetry significantly reduces in periods of uncertainty, suggesting that quarterly reports are more useful for investors during these periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on reinvigorated scholarly debates on the concept of value, this paper examines forms of valuation that coexist with and challenge those typically associated with capitalist natures. Based on archival, ethnographic, and interview data, we analyze a historical case of the Venezuelan Society of Speleology (SVE) that since 1967 has been exploring and mapping the country's caves. Its results are published in a national cave survey that the group manages. Not only is each cave entry the representation and materialization of the group's volunteer efforts. Each is also part of a relational regime of valuation by which all caves are worth mapping. The survey's classificatory logic not only transforms underground value, it also acts as boundary object bringing together diverse actors and promoting the SVE's collective ethos, at least in theory, of valuing all members. The survey is the fulcrum of distinct regimes of valuation, wherein value and values are two sides of the same coin. The spaces where these value/s are enacted matters, suggesting the critical contributions that geographers can make in understanding the spatial qualities that contribute to—or hinder—the materialization of certain regimes of valuation over others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chile's General Law of Education (LGE) states that one of the purposes of education is the spiritual development of all its schooled population. In turn, other legal documents claim that the Institutional Educational Project should define how schools are to approach that statement. This article analyses the frequency of keywords, based on a theoretical framework and revision of the Vision and Mission sections of the Educational Projects of 20 schools from Valparaíso, in order to show how this statement is approached and what those approaches imply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout the process of transformation since 1999 known as the Bolivarian Revolution, harsh class and food system contradictions have unfolded in Venezuela, pitting against one another the forces of the pervasive consumer culture favoring imported foods, the input-intensive Green Revolution agricultural model that represents a state-led push toward food self-sufficiency, and an emerging agroecological paradigm pushed forward by grassroots movements who have seized political openings through the largely supportive policy environment. The Bolivarian University of Venezuela, itself a product of the revolutionary process, founded the Program Degree in Agroecology (PDA) in 2004 to expand agroecological practices and knowledge, based on alternative pedagogical approaches. Over the next decade, over a thousand PDA graduates have come to occupy institutional spaces and productive projects in urban and rural areas, contributing to vertical and horizontal agroecological scaling. PDA graduates and educators play a key role in the growing movement of urban agriculture that confronts the economic crisis. The PDA has created key mediators in the form of human talent for territorializing agroecology and institutionalizing pro-peasant policy in Venezuela. As a political outlier, Venezuela is an important case for studying the strategies for territorializing what we refer to as socially committed, situated agroecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chile’s General Law of Education states that one of the purposes of education is the spiritual development of all its schooled population. Furthermore, guidelines in Chile’s education system place school directors as key players in student’s learning. This article presents the results of a research involving school directors from Valparaíso, Chile. The aim of this research was to identify how directors of secular and religious schools understand their students’ spiritual development. We studied this aspect in particular through semi-structured interviews conducted with 20 participants. Results show that directors understand spirituality as a typically human ability that can be strengthened in schools and, thus, they believe it to be highly important in schools. In addition, they see a strong relation between spiritual development and ethical and moral development. This study also shows differences in how secular and religious schools’ directors understand this relation. This opens the way for more in-depth analysis regarding spiritual development in Chile’s education system, especially considering that directors generally believe it to be a part of a holistic and quality education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religion classes are found throughout the entire school system in Chile. These are mostly conducted by Catholic teachers who form their own professional identity from internal demands (imposed by the Catholic Church) and external demands (imposed by the school culture, social media, students and their families). This paper presents a reference framework for the professional teacher identity and analyses the linguistic structures and persuasion strategies present in three documents that directly question this group of teachers, building an identity profile of them. Discursive mechanisms are identified which legitimise identity traits. The way in which said productions influence the thoughts and actions of their readership is also analysed. A documentary study design is used based on critical documentary analysis. The investigation shows breaks in the discourse and an existing tension between the mission and the profession, underlining that the Catholic religion teacher is first and foremost an evangeliser. The performance capacity of this discourse on the listeners is discussed along with the effect of the almost complete absence of references to teaching professionalism and the possible influence on the development and results of the subject. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The evolution of agroecological wisdom in Venezuela is established in three historical periods. The appearance of oil in the country at the beginning of the twentieth century, followed by the development of the agro-industrial model, produced drastic economic and cultural changes. However, environmental movements, academics, and peasant groups promoted sustainable agriculture, resulting in a multifocal origin for agroecology. Emerging legal frameworks later favored the institutionalization of agroecology. Currently, agroecology has both academic and institutional structures and is widely promoted by urban and rural movements. Nevertheless, tensions with the industrial agriculture paradigm are notorious in the public policies of national food and agricultural programs, representing a real challenge for those fighting to achieve sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]