Background, Motivation, and ObjectiveThe demand for tissue-mimicking materials (TMMs) is increasing alongside the advancement of hybrid imaging such as photoacoustic imaging (PAI). Developing suitable TMMs for PAI is challenging due to the need to mimic both optical and acoustic tissue properties. The TMMs with tunable properties are needed for the calibration of these imaging modalities, as well

A central feature of internalizing mental disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders, is the avoidance of rewarding situations to prevent the risk of experiencing distressing emotions. Previous research has shown that obsessive and anxious individuals avoid situations where rewards come at the cost of aversive experiences, a phenomenon termed costly avoidance. CosA central feature of internalizing mental disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders, is the avoidance of rewarding situations to prevent the risk of experiencing distressing emotions. Previous research has shown that obsessive and anxious individuals avoid situations where rewards come at the cost of aversive experiences, a phenomenon termed costly avoidance. Cos

This study looks at the expectations of young adults in Sweden regarding parental leave and work after having a child. It explores how men and women perceive their roles and responsibilities as parents. The main research question is: “What expectations do young adults have about parental leave and work hours after having children?” Sub-questions include their personal expectations and their views

This study aims to investigate the microeconomic and behavioral economic factors that can explain the rise of the sport padel in Sweden and the following potential over establishment of padel facilities. The study uses a mix of a qualitative and quantitative methodology, including semi-structured interviews and data from 2014-2023. The study seeks to provide insights to deepen the understanding of

This study investigates the presence of behavioral biases among cryptocurrency investors in Sweden and examines whether differences exist between males and females. Specifically, the behavioral biases of herding effect, conservatism, prospect theory, availability bias, and overconfidence are analyzed. The study employs four regressions in the statistical software Stata, with the presence of each b

The aim of this study is to examine the implications of technological advancements on micro- loans and to assess whether these changes have influenced the standard of living for individuals living in extreme poverty. To achieve this, a panel dataset comprising 37 individual data points over a 19-year period is utilized. The analysis is conducted using a Fixed Effects regression model for the first

Prediktion av avkastningar är en utmanande uppgift eftersom finansiell data är komplex med hög volatilitet och mycket brus. I denna studie appliceras Random Forest-modellen på data från den svenska respektive amerikanska aktiemarknaden för att identifiera vilka variabler som bäst predikterar avkastningen, och hur deras relevans samt Random Forest-modellens prestanda skiljer sig mellan aktiemarknad

This thesis investigates whether recent Large Language Models (LLMs)—notably ChatGPT—have influenced sectoral employment in Sweden. Using a multi-cutoff Difference-in-Differences (DiD) design centered on the dates November 2022 (initial ChatGPT release), September 2023, March 2024, we compare employment changes in high vs. low-exposure sectors classified via exposure metrics from Eloundou et al. (

This paper evaluates the efficiency of the distribution of pensionable income between the Swedish National Pension Funds – AP1, AP2, AP3, and AP4 – and their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment preferences. Through portfolio optimization over 21 years (2003-2023), the results reveal nearly perfect correlations between the Funds, indicating limited benefits from diversification.

This study aims to examine how health information searched on the internet affects the demand for health care. The method used to examine this relationship is two different fixed effect IV regression models with clustered standard errors. Data was collected from OECD data bank and Eurostat. It includes 25 European countries during the time period 2010 - 2022. The search for health information on t

This thesis explores the causal relationship between exogeneous price shocks on commodities and the level and intensification of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the year 1989 to 2023. To empirically test this relationship, fixed effects regression models has been used to analyze the effects of these shocks across the 26 provinces that makes up the Democratic Republic of the

In this paper, we assess the relationship between the environmental pillar score (the ‘E’ in ESG) and stock returns in the Swedish stock market. Specifically, we analyze the OMXS60 index, which comprises the 60 most traded assets on the Nasdaq OMX Stockholm Exchange, examining how environmental ratings correlates with the development of returns. Additionally, we investigate how this relationship i

The 1980’s and 1990’s was a time for increased global trade liberalisation, when more countries started to join preferential trade agreements with other states. At the same time, income inequality increased in some parts of the world. The role of trade in increasing income inequality has been debated by previous research, and has not been able to come to a conclusive answer. A central question is

Denna studie syftar till att undersöka om FDI påverkar ekonomisk tillväxt i Subsahariska Afrika och om effekten av FDI påverkas av graden av korruption i landet. Studien genomförs med hjälp av en multipel regressionsanalys baserad på paneldata från Subsaharas 48 länder mellan åren 2004–2023. Studien utreder först om FDI har en direkt effekt ekonomisk tillväxt och sedan om interaktionen mellan FDI

IPO underpricing is a researched phenomenon, with academics trying to understand its causes. This study investigates the potential explanations for this event, focusing on the Swedish market from 2000 to 2023. Using a dataset comprising 539 IPOs, including 253 technology firms, the analysis investigates how firm characteristics, market conditions, and sector affiliation influence first-day returns

This thesis investigates market inefficiencies in Chapter 11 bankruptcy stocks, focusing on whether short-term momentum can yield positive returns. Chapter 11 equities, characterised by minimal fundamental value and retail-driven speculation, offer a unique setting to examine behavioural biases and trading dynamics. A dataset of 40 stocks from 2012-2024 was employed to implement a momentum strateg

This study explores the overconfidence bias effect on stock market dynamics in Sweden and the US. Using an OLS model with lagged variables during the period 1996-2023, the findings reveal significant delayed effects of overconfidence on the Swedish stock market. Gender- adjusted overconfidence measure provides limited explanatory power, while the volatility index highlights the high correlation be

That an additional tariff of 25 percent could go unnoticed in global trade might seem unlikely, but the findings of this study suggest exactly that. Against the backdrop of escalating trade tensions between the EU and the US, this study examines both the immediate and short-term effects of the EU's temporary additional tariff of 25 percent on the import of exercise equipment. By focusing on th

This paper investigates the application of a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model to construct a forward-looking risk factor for asset pricing. The LSTM model's predictions are utilized to create a novel risk factor, derived from long-short portfolios, offering an innovative approach to decomposing asset returns. For comparative analysis, the Fama-French three-factor (FF3) and Carhart four-fact