This study investigates asset returns within the Iraq Stock Exchange by employing both the Fama-MacBeth regression model and the Fama-French three-factor model. The research involves the estimation of cross-sectional regressions wherein model parameters are subject to temporal variation, and the independent variables function as proxies. The dataset comprises information from the first quarter of 2010 to the first quarter of 2024, encompassing 22 publicly listed companies across six industrial sectors. The study explores methodological advancements through the application of the Single Index Model (SIM) and Kernel Weighted Regression (KWR) in both time series and cross-sectional analyses. The SIM outperformed the KWR approach in estimating time-varying beta coefficients, yielding a mean Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.14316. Furthermore, the integrated KWR-SIM methodology achieved the lowest Adjusted Root Mean Squared Error (ARMSE) value of 0.08152 when modelling the association between risk factors and asset returns within the cross-sectional analytical framework. Statistical tests for significance produced heterogeneous responses of the returns on assets in the Iraqi financial market to the Fama-French posited economic variables. The estimated coefficients for the betas showed significant oscillations for all assets, confirming changes in economic conditions. The results add to our knowledge of the risk-reward relationship in the context of emerging markets and provide methodological insights into financial asset pricing. The evidence indicates that the KWR-SIM method has better capabilities for model fitting
Mental disorders (MDs) are a common problem in Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs). Many people with serious MDs are challenged by symptoms and disabilities that result from the disease and by stereotypes and prejudice due to misconceptions about mental illness. This study aims at evaluating the knowledge, and attitude toward mental health concepts and services and causes of the reluctance to seek those services among people attending PHCCs. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The random sampling technique was used to include (10) of Directorates of Health (DoHs) coverage north, middle, and south of Iraq. The study was executed in (50) selected PHCs, (5) PHCCs in each DoH involved randomly selected (30) people attending th
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Vaccine hesitancy poses a significant risk to global recovery from COVID-19. To date however, there is little research exploring the psychological factors associated with vaccine acceptability and hesitancy in Iraq.
To explore attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination in Iraq. To establish the predictors of vaccine uptake and vaccine hesitancy in an Iraqi population.
Using a cross-sectional design, 7,778 participants completed an online questionnaire exploring their vaccination status, likelihood of infection, perc
The involvement of maxillofacial tissues in SARS‐CoV‐2 infections ranges from mild dysgeusia to life‐threatening tissue necrosis, as seen in SARS‐CoV‐2‐associated mucormycosis. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) which functions as a receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2 was reported in the epithelial surfaces of the oral and nasal cavities; however, a complete understanding of the expression patterns in deep oral and maxillofacial tissues is still lacking.
The immunohistochemical expression of ACE2 was analyzed in 95 specimens from maxillofacial tissues and 10 specimens o
Background: Repeated teenage pregnancy is a major burden on the healthcare system worldwide. Objective: We aimed to compare teenagers with their first and third pregnancies and to evaluate the likelihood of neonatal complications. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on female teenagers (aged ≤ 19 yr) with singleton pregnancies. The subjects (n = 298) were screened over 12 months. Ninety-six women were excluded, based on the exclusion criteria. The remaining subjects (n = 202) were divided into two groups: teenagers with first pregnancy (n = 96) and teenagers with third pregnancy (n = 47). The subjects were observed throughout pregnancy and delivery. The final sample size of the first and thi
... Show MoreThis research takes up address the practical side by taking case studies for construction projects that include the various Iraqi governorates, as it includes conducting a field survey to identify the impact of parametric costs on construction projects and compare them with what was reached during the analysis and the extent of their validity and accuracy, as well as adopting the approach of personal interviews to know the reality of the state of construction projects. The results showed, after comparing field data and its measurement in construction projects for the sectors (public and private), the correlation between the expected and actual cost change was (97.8%), and this means that the data can be adopted in the re
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