Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Professional qualifications for the insurance industry: Dilemmas for articulation and progression

In South Africa, the lack of articulation between vocational college programmes and those ofuniversities has long been a source of frustration for college learners seeking vertical progressionpathways. The introduction of a National Qualifications Framework in 1995 appeared to offer hopeof bridging the divide between occupational, practically focused qualifications and traditionalacademic qualifications, but, some 20 years later, the stumbling blocks are still evident in spite ofconcerted national policy efforts. This article reflects on a project conducted over a five-yearperiod that intended to ‘create a progression pathway for TVET candidates into university’ in theinsurance industry and the lessons learned in that process. What at first glance might haveappeared to be simply a hostile environment for articulation and institutional intransigence, onfurther reflection revealed deep-seated curriculum issues associated with qualifications that wereunderstood to differ fundamentally in function and therefore in form. The article draws, inter alia,on Bernstein’s (1999) theorisation of practical and disciplinary learning to show how a curriculumhas an impact on pedagogies, assessment and quality assurance structures. After examining whycollege candidates who had succeeded in the first-level occupational qualification with its largeworkplace component struggled to complete subsequent university levels, the article concludesthat divergent curricula and pedagogies will need serious attention if aspirations for more seamlessarticulation and easier progression are to become reality.
A retrospective study of ectopic pregnancies in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Ectopic pregnancy is a common life threatening emergency in first trimester of pregnancy and it leads to serious maternal morbidity and also can cause mortality. The aim was to study the incidence, clinical presentation, risk factors and the management of patients with ectopic pregnancies admitted in our hospital over three year period. Methods: The present study involves a retrospective analysis of ectopic pregnancies admitted in SRM Medical college hospital for three years from 2012 to 2015. Results: The incidence of ectopic pregnancy in the present study is 1.77%. About 79% of the women were in the age group of 21-30 years. About 79% of patients in present study belonged to low socioeconomic status. In the study ectopic pregnancies were more common among multigravida (78%). 73% of patients had identifiable risk factors of which tubal surgeries were more common (31.15%). Ultrasound was diagnostic of ectopic pregnancy in 85% of patients. 97.26% were tubal ectopic pregnancies and 2.74% were ovarian ectopic pregnancies. Among tubal pregnancies majority of cases were ampullary pregnancies (62%). All patients in the study underwent surgical management. Conclusions: Ectopic pregnancy is still a major challenge in gynaecological practice. Early diagnosis and early referral is the key to successful management. It is better to over diagnose an ectopic pregnancy especially in a rural setup. Most cases present late, making tubal conservation treatment inapplicable. The impact on future fertility can be improved by focusing on primary prevention and early diagnosis before rupture so that conservation treatment can be done.
Modelling The Influence Of The Drivers Of Supply Chain Performance In The Food Retail Industry In South Africa

The objective of this research is to examine the antecedents of supply chain value in the food trade business in the Gauteng region of South Africa. This study considers three of these drivers, namely buyer-supplier trust, commitment and supply chain relationship durability. A numerical approach was implemented in which a survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 429 managers and staff members from food retailing firms in the Gauteng province. The study used a non-probability convenience sampling technique to select respondents. Information were analysed through two software packages, namely the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 24.0) and the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS version 24.0). The main goal of this research is to see if the data fits the model. A confirmatory factor analysis was applied in examining and testing the relationships between observed constructs and their causal latent constructs while structural equation modelling helped in testing the hypothesised relationships among variables. The results of the investigation made known that buyer and supplier trust, commitment and supply chain relationship endurance absolutely and meaningfully impact supply chain performance. This investigation concludes that to achieve greater supply chain performance, food retailers should expedite the levels of trust, commitment and length of relationships with their providers. The outcomes of this study offer valuable understandings on how companies in the food retail industry could profit from trust, commitment and relationship longevity along with on how to develop supply chain performance. The results of this study add to the current body of knowledge by generating new information on buyer-supplier relationships. Therefore, the study is useful to buyers and suppliers in the food retail industry who wish to enhance supply chain performance and develop better relationships.
How a Hybrid Firm Implement Institutional Logic to Develop Household Waste Ecopreneurship

The objective of this research is to increase the understanding of the ecopreneurial actions. A single qualitative case study is used to investigate an environmental hybrid firm in implementing institutional logic to develop household waste ecopreneurship in Surakarta City. In addition, the data were analyzed using an interactive model which consisted of data reduction, data presentation, drawing conclusions, and verification. The research findings showed that the ecopreneur is implementing dual logics, combining ecological and economic logics into one business perspective. The commitment to dual logic implies on the ecopreneurial firm and how the hybrid firm deal with the complexity within and outside the organization. The ecopreneur also works actively to improve their circumstances, in terms of affecting the field to better prioritize the ecological logic by raising public engagement and developing eco-innovation product. Ecopreneur’s commitment in dual logic was implemented in some business’s strategy such as production, technology, human resources, marketing, and finance. Keywords: binstitutional logic, hybrid firm, ecopreneurship, household waste
Counseling Individuals of Color Who Have Experienced Race Based Trauma: Counselors’ Experiences with Identifying, Training, Treating, Policy, and Perceived Competency

ii Acknowledgments. iii List of Tables . vii Chapter 1 . 1 Purpose of Study . 7 Significance of Study . 8 Research Questions . 10 Definitions of Terms . 10 Chapter 2 . 12 Race . 13 Definition of Race . 15 Race Compared to Culture and Ethnicity . 16 Health Disparities Related to Race . 16 Racism . 17 Individual, Institutional, and Cultural Racism . 19 Racism Controversy . 20 Post Racial Era Ideology . 21 Overt Acts of Racism . 22
A Qualitative Content Analysis of SME Governance: Linking SME Governance and Growth Research

We examined scholarly and practitioner work to identify a definition of governance relevant to the small business enterprise. In addition, we reviewed growth articles to identify frequently used growth indicators and make inferences to governance literature. In order to ensure that these terms and variables are embedded in practice we examined 12 cases of Dutch SME firms in the process of growth using a textual analysis methodology. In addition, we interviewed 15 accountants/advisors on their experiences with Dutch SME firms as their clients. The combination of a thorough literature review with the collected surveys and interviews from two independent sources (SME owners/managers and SME accountants/advisors) allows us to triangulate data. We provide a tentative framework identifying nine preliminary governance categories.
Macao or Macau? A case of tourism brand image confusion among Taiwan travellers?

The competition to entice potential visitors to a destination or take a particular type of vacation is intense. It has been found that a key determinant on whether a traveller chooses to visit a destination or not is based on brand image perceptions. The issue of image perceptions becomes an increasingly difficult subject with Macao, with attempts to change its negative and entrenched image of being a sole gaming destination in order to widen its tourism segments, such as business tourism. The Macao Government's main tourism development strategies have been the liberalisation of the gaming industry, investment in heritage conservation and the use of a seamless array of yearly events in the hope of enhancing its regional and international reputation. Yet there are several tourism stakeholders in Macao each sending out their own particular messages and with the possibility of destination brand image confusion for Macao. This research examined the image perceptions of the Taiwan traveller of Macao and found that image perceptions still rested on Macao as a gambling city with adult entertainment as well as a transit city. They held low perceptions of Macao as a heritage city or place to have a meeting. These findings have serious implication for repositioning Macao's image in the development strategy of its tourism industry.
Digital enrollment architecture and retirement savings decisions: Evidence from the field

Increasingly, U.S. employees are being asked to assume responsibility for saving for retirement through employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement plans. Unfortunately, a large share of Americans are under-saving, and expected to be unprepared for retirement. Recent work from behavioral scientists provides evidence that choice architecture and default effects can play a powerful role in improving retirement savings choices. Despite employees’ frequent use of digital devices to make initial enrollment decisions, there is a comparative lack of evidence regarding the impacts of digital design interfaces on retirement choices. This thesis presents new evidence from three large-scale field studies which document how employees respond to aggressive plan defaults, and small scale changes to the design of online enrollment interfaces. Chapter 1 presents evidence that aggressively set defaults (7% to 10%) result in increased contribution rates, without decreasing employee enrollment, relative to conventional (6%) default rates. Chapter 2 documents that higher planned escalator rates (of 2% or 3%) increase contribution rates, without adversely impacting enrollment. Finally, Chapter 3 presents evidence that employees’ initial enrollment decisions may be heavily influenced by non-economic features, including the use of visual elements like color, the standardization of language, and the salience of previously disclosed plan details. The studies in this thesis identify three distinct strategies that policymakers and employers can use to encourage higher savings.
PENGARUH ASIMETRI INFORMASI, KUALITAS AUDIT, LEVERAGE, LIKUIDITAS, DAN PROFITABILITAS TERHADAP BIAYA MODAL PERUSAHAAN DENGAN KOMITE AUDIT SEBAGAI VARIABEL MODERASI

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh asimetri informasi, kualitas audit, leverage, likuiditas, dan profitabilitas terhadap biaya modal dengan komite audit sebagai variabel moderasi. Sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia periode 2014 hingga 2018. Dengan menggunakan purposive sampling, didapatkan jumlah perusahaan yang menjadi sampel dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 22 perusahaan dengan total 110 pengamatan. Model analisis data yang digunakan adalah regresi berganda data panel dengan menggunakan software Eviews. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, hanya kualitas audit dan komite audit yang berpengaruh negatif signifikan terhadap biaya modal, sedangkan asimetri informasi, leverage, likuiditas, dan profitabilitas tidak mempunyai pengaruh signifikan terhadap biaya modal. Variabel moderasi komite audit dalam penelitian ini terbukti hanya memperkuat pengaruh antara variabel kualitas audit terhadap biaya modal, sedangkan pengaruh moderasi komite audit terhadap pengaruh variabel asimetri informasi, leverage, likuiditas, dan profitabilitas terhadap biaya modal tidak terbukti mempunyai pengaruh yang signifikan.
The Use of Operations Research in Decisions Made by Bank Managers in Saudi Arabia

The current paper examines strategies that bank managers use in decision-making and seeks to determine awareness level of operations research (O.R.) techniques among bank top management. The study assesses the implementation of the techniques by 46 senior managers in banks in Alhasa, Saudi Arabia, by using survey and statistical methods to test research hypotheses. The survey was designed to collect information about the use of decision-making techniques, the implementation of computers and specialized programs for decision-making, the current status and obstacles that limit the application of decision-making techniques, ways to enhance the use of such tools and the socio-demographic profile of bank managers and employees. The results reveal bank manager's respondents typically felt a need to employ and apply decision analysis techniques. It was also found that the respondents generally favoured the establishment of a training center to enhance O.R. practices that would be a part of the qualifications of future bank's employees.
Do We Insure Our Most Valuable Asset, Ourselves? A study of students' insurance habits

ii Preface . ii 1. Introduction . 1 1.1 Thesis Purpose . 2 1.2 Structure of the Paper . 2 2. Theoretical Background . 3 2.1 Rationality and Utility . 3 2.1.1 Rationality . 3 2.1.2 Utility . 4 2.2 Expected Utility Theory . 5 2.2.1 Risk Profiles . 6 2.2.2 Criticism of Expected Utility Theory . 7 2.3 Prospect Theory . 8 2.3.1 Key Aspects of Prospect Theory . 8 2.3.2 The Value Function . 11 2.4 Framing Effects . 13 2.5 Heuristics and Biases . 15 2.5.1 Procrastination . 15 2.5. 2 Discount Over Time . 15 2.5. 3 Status Quo . 17 2.5. 4 Availability and Representativeness . 18 2.5. 5 Excessive Optimism and Overconfidence . 18 3. Related Research . 20 3.1 Low-Probability High-Loss Events . 20 3.2 Underlying Factors for Insurance Choices . 22 4. Methodology . 24 4.1 Data Collection . 24 4.2 Survey Design . 24 4.3 Participants . 27 5 Empirical Findings . 28 5.1 Probability Weighting for Gains and Losses . 28
Benzylcarbamothioethionate from root bark of Moringa oleifera Lam. and its toxicological evaluation (Bencilcarbamotioetionato de la raíz de Moringa oleifera Lam. y su evaluación toxicológica)

A new compound, benzylcarbamothioethionate (1), was isolated from the chloroform soluble fraction of the ethanolic extract of the root bark of Moringa oleifera Lam. Its structure was established on the basis of 1D and 2D-NMR and mass spectroscopy. The acute toxicity studies of chloroform extract and compound 1 were performed on Long Evan’s rats using four groups (two controls and two experimental). The hematological parameters such as the total RBC (red blood cell), total WBC (white blood cell), differential count of WBC, platelet count, hemoglobin and ESR (erythrocytes sedimentation rate) remained unchanged in both experimental and control groups. In case of biochemical study, SGPT (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase), SGOT (serum glutamateoxaloacetate transaminase), SALP (serum alkaline phosphatase), bilirubin, creatinine and blood urea of experimental groups were also similar to that of control groups. Histopathology of liver, kidney, heart and lung did not reveal acute toxicity. So this study revealed that both the chloroform soluble fraction and compound 1 of Moringa oleifera Lam. had no toxic effects in our experimental models.
On an Insider Trading Regulation of Unlocked Restricted Stocks in China

We examine a regulation in China that requires corporate insiders who wish to sell large amounts of unlocked restricted stocks to do so through the block trading system. The design of the regulation is suboptimal as it does not restrict counterparties of the insiders’ block sales from reselling the stocks. The evidence shows that retail market returns are lower after insider block sales than after insider retail sales, insider block sales signal poorer future earnings, and counterparties of insider block sales can gain from buying shares at a discount and quickly selling them to average investors in the retail market. The study attests the importance of the completeness and consistence of law and regulations. JEL Classification: G18, K22
Tracing Superior Non-Financial Performance to Knowledge Creation: An Empirical Study of Family Firms

and Abstract: Drawing on socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization model, an inquiry is affected to establish the association between family firms’ creation of knowledge and its effect on non-financial performance. Based on knowledge-based view, it is hypothesized that knowledge creation in firms has no significant effect on non-financial performance. A test of the hypotheses is executed with data collected from 75family firms based in Migori County, Kenya. Findings suggest that knowledge creation in firms contributes to superior levels of non-financial performance.
Valuation of Firm-Bank Relationships: A Test of the Delegated Monitoring Hypothesis.

In this thesis, we test the hypothesis that banks provide monitoring services that benefit client firm shareholders. We argue that if the value of firm-bank relationships stems from monitoring services provided by banks, then share price responses associated with announcements of bank loans should be cross-sectionally related to variables that proxy the degree of monitoring to which firms are already subject. Our sample differs from previous studies of bank debt , i m lounct-merit s in two key aspects: inclusion of NASDAQ firms, and inclusion of announcements carried by the newswlre but not the Wal1 Street Journal. Consistent with suggestions by Fama (1985) and Diamond (1985) and theoretical models In the accounting literature, we find that firm size is a significant determinant of capital market reactions to bank debt announcements— average share price responses are statistically positive only for small firms. Moreover, share price responses are negatively related to firm size within the small firm sample. We also find that initiations of bank debt generate statistically positive average share price responses, a result strikingly different from previous anomalous findings of statistical significance only for renewals of bank debt.
Understanding the Role of Information in the Evolution of Prices in Markets With Emerging Technology

Each of the following essays explores economic or strategic issues in a market with emerging technology. In each chapter, we study the dynamic evolution of prices – daily adjustments in used-car prices, price evolution of Bitcoin during its adoption, and price evolution of biotech drug candidates as they go through the drug-development process. In each case, major players’ information plays an essential role in shaping the price dynamics, which in turn drive other important strategic variables such as the timing of technology adoption and technology transfer. Chapter 1 develops a model of dynamic pricing with seller learning in the online used-car market. The model is estimated using novel panel data of a leading used-car dealership. We quantify that, while dealer’s average net profit per car in the estimation sample is around $1,150, the initial assessment is worth around $101 and the subsequent learning in the selling process helps improve the dealer’s profit by at least $269. These estimates suggest a potentially high return to taking the information-based approach to pricing idiosyncratic products. Chapter 2 studies the evolvement of Bitcoin prices during its adoption and how Bitcoin prices can be explained by market fundamentals such as Bitcoin transaction volume when used for payments and the evolution of beliefs about the likelihood that the technology will survive. Empirical evidence shows that as of mid-2015, active usage was not growing quickly, and that investors held the majority of Bitcoins. This implies that Bitcoin prices are likely to be more sensitive to investor beliefs than to current transaction volume. Chapter 3 develops a model to show that, when there is asymmetric information in the market, biotech companies are more likely delay transfer of drug candidates when they have plenty of financial resources. We test this hypothesis with a novel panel dataset that combines drugdevelopment history, licensing and acquisitions, and funding events. Overall, empirical evidence suggests that the market for ideas in the biopharmaceutical industry is operating reasonably well in the clinical-trial stage.
A Clean and Sustainable Future

In this paper, the four states along the U.S. border with Mexico are suggested to form an energy compact. To derive a settlement, two major model problems are built and solved. (1)Combine Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP), an Objective Evaluation Model(OPM) based on Max-Entropy and Grey Relation Analysis(GRA) to derive Sustainability Index(SI) for evaluation of energy usage of each state; (2)Integrate SI with Linear Programming Model(LPM) to design optimal goal for the compact. Finally, a development strategy of 28.6% Hydroelectricity, 34.5% Wind power, 16.3% Biomass, 20.6% Geothermal is given as the compact’s goal.
Could Online Gig Work Drive Economic Growth

The gig economy is defined as digital, servicebased, on-demand platforms which are characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts as opposed to permanent jobs (Greenwood et al., 2017). Approximately 33% of the workers in USA are part of the gig economy. A Federal Reserve Report (2017) puts a more conservative estimate, with 31% of the population engaged in gig-work. In a gig-world, there are two types of works: web-based work platform such as Freelancers and Upwork, which can be done from anywhere; and location-based work platform, which is done in the physical world through market-style apps such as Uber and Airbnb.1 Independent contractors use their skills or assets such as houses and cars, to complete tasks or gigs during a defined period of time to earn income.
Electricity market competition when forward contracts are pairwise efficient

This paper investigates competition in electricity markets when each pair of strategic firms exchanges forward obligations pairwise-efficiently. The gains from pairwise trade are specific to the counterparty, which can be horizontally- or vertically-related depending on whether it has access to flexibility in the spot market. The analysis shows that pairwise efficient forward trade rules out a bilateral oligopoly spot market where net buyers and net sellers strategically interact. Firms without flexibility close their position entirely in the forward market. Forward markets serve to absorb renewable energy shocks, even if forward contracts are unobservable and firms are risk-neutral.