Price discovery in the cryptocurrency option market : a univariate GARCH approach

Abstract:In this paper, two univariate generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) option pricing models are applied to Bitcoin and the Cryptocurrency Index (CRIX). The first model is symmetric and the other takes asymmetric effects into account. Furthermore, the accuracy of the GARCH option pricing model applied to Bitcoin is tested. Empirical results indicate that asymmetry is not an important factor to consider when pricing options on Bitcoin or CRIX, this is consistent with findings in the literature. In addition, the GARCH option pricing model provides realistic price discovery within the bid-ask spreads suggested by the market

Microbiology 2A (Sup)

Exam paper (Supplementary) for first semester 201

Energy Technology

Exam paper for second semester 201

Professional development needs of TVET college lecturers towards remote learning : implications for leadership

Abstract: Rapid technological development has affected the educational sector, prompting it to evolve and embrace technology as part of everyday teaching and learning. The coronavirus outbreak has exacerbated the need for educational institutions to transform from being 100% face-to-face learning institutions to ones that integrate ICT mechanisms as part of teaching and learning. As a result of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, universities were forced to suspend all contact learning activities and transition to online learning. However, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges had to come to a complete halt because they lacked response mechanisms in the form of infrastructure, and experienced and knowledgeable lecturers. In this study, the training and resource needs of TVET college lecturers are investigated. Moreover, lecturer training guidelines for remote learning are proposed for TVET college leaders. Employing a generic qualitative research approach, within the interpretivist worldview, data gathering was undertaken through qualitative surveys and semi-structured interviews. Seventy-three TVET college lecturers participated in the survey and three TVET college Heads of Department (HODs) were interviewed from a TVET college in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The findings were presented using a generic qualitative research design and reporting methods. The findings of the study revealed that TVET college leaders need to furnish lecturers with resources and training in the utilisation of remote learning prior to implementation. The appropriate resources and training needed were recommended. The study also found that owing to the differing nature of the vocational subjects offered at TVET colleges, the training and resource needs of lecturers differed and therefore recommended that TVET leaders cater for the individual and subject-related needs of the lecturers. The study also recommended a distributive leadership approach to assist with the resource and training needs of lecturers, through the formation of and reliance on campus and college committees comprising internal and external stakeholders. Furthermore, training guidelines were recommended to ensure that the training of lecturers is adequate, appropriate, accredited and meets global educational standards to make sure that lecturers become 21st-century transformative intellectuals.M.Ed. (Educational Leadership and Management

Comparative Study of Machine Learning Classifiers for Modelling Road Traffic Accidents

Abstract: Please refer to full abstract to view abstrac

Development of a Stock Price Prediction Framework for Intelligent Media and Technical Analysis

Abstract: Equity traders are always looking for tools that will help them maximise returns and minimise risk, be it fundamental or technical analysis techniques. This research integrates tools used by equity traders and uses them together with machine learning and deep learning techniques. The presented work introduces a South African-based sentiment classifier to extract sentiment from new headlines and tweets. The experimental work uses four machine learning models for fundamental analysis and six long short-term memory model architectures, including a developed encoder-decoder long short-term memory model for technical analysis. Data used in the experiments is mined and collected from news sites, tweets from Twitter and Yahoo Finance. The results from 2 experiments show an accuracy of 96% in predicting one of the major telecommunication companies listed on the JSE closing price movement while using the linear discriminant analysis model and an RMSE of 0.023 in predicting a significant telecommunication company closing price using encoder-decoder long short-term memory. These findings reveal that the sentiment feature contains an essential fundamental value, and technical indicators also help move closer to predicting the closing price

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of physiotherapists’ towards controlling Tuberculosis infection in southwest Nigeria

M.A. (Public Health)Abstract: Background: Despite the existence of national tuberculosis (TB) infection control guidelines, Nigeria still ranks among the top 10 high-burden countries for TB globally. This suggests TB infection control measures are not well implemented. The physiotherapists (PTs) are among health professionals that have direct contacts with patients. However, there is paucity of African research investigating knowledge, attitudes and practices of PTs regarding TB. Objective: The study sought to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of PTs’ towards controlling TB infection in the southwest Nigeria. The study further examined the associations of PTs’ KAP characteristics with age. Methods: A descriptive quantitative cross-sectional study involving 323 PTs practicing in the six states of Nigerian southwest zone was conducted. Participants were recruited using the probability simple cluster sampling technique. The participants were given a pre-coded structured self-administered questionnaire via electronic means. Data management and analysis were performed using EPINFO 7.2 and SPSS version 27. EPINFO 7.2 was utilized to calculate crude odds ratios (OR) while adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and corresponding confidence interval (CI) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression in SPSS to examine KAP characteristics associations with age categories (< 40 years and ≥ 40 years). Results: The mean age of the participants was 34.93 ± 9.51 years and 62.2% of them were males. The majority of the participants, 58.2%, 57.6% and 39.3% had low knowledge, negative attitude and poor practice regarding TB infection control respectively. Participants who were unsure whether TB patients with negative sputum smears could be considered infectious were significantly more likely to be below 40 years of age, (AOR 6.73, 95% CI 1.05 – 43.02). Those who correctly noted that having a TB suspect wear a surgical mask is necessary before a confirmed diagnosis, were significantly more likely to be below 40 years of age (AOR 6.19, 95% CI 1.30 – 29.50). Physiotherapists who had positive attitude regarding TB infection control were significantly less likely to be below 40 years of age (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.26 – 0.68). Participants who expressed strong agreement and strong disagreement regarding willingness to be have TB testing, were significantly less likely to be below 40 years of age (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03 – 0.53) and OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31 – 0.85) respectively. Physiotherapists who expressed strong disagreement regarding accepting approved TB vaccine were significantly less likely in crude analysis to be below 40 years of age (OR) 0.09, 95% CI (0.02 – 0.45). Participants who showed strong agreement regarding willingness to care for patients with TB, were significantly less likely to be below 40 years of age (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.29 – 0.84). PTs who never used an N95 respirator when collecting sputum from a patient and also in the TB consultation room were significantly more likely to be below 40 years of age (AOR 6.53, 95% CI 1.24 – 34.51) and AOR 8.75, 95% CI..

Actor-oriented self-organizing maps

Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract.M.Sc. (Computer Science

Gender equity in leading a South African private Higher Education Institution

Abstract: Significant gender inequity remains despite initiatives to increase the representation of women leaders in higher education. There is a scarcity of research focusing on gender equity in higher education leadership in the African context or reference to the standing of gender equity in private higher education institutions. Thus, this study sought to explore gender equity in leading a South African private higher education institution. Using a generic qualitative research approach, data collection was undertaken using semi-structured interviews, and a focus group with eight institutional leaders from a South African private higher education institution. The data from the study revealed that gender stereotypes persist in private higher education institutions, defining which roles women should hold and how they should be managed and regarded inside the institution. These gender biases are based on patriarchal attitudes that have cultural origins and impact the micropolitical culture of the institution. As a result, many women opt not to pursue leadership positions to protect themselves and their domestic responsibilities. As demonstrated by the study’s findings, there is no clear policy on leadership appointments, which has led to unfair practices in selecting leaders, such as an old boys club that advances male leaders. Women leaders face unequal treatment and must fight to be recognised and respected, often assuming masculine characteristics. Despite women numerically being the majority of the leaders in the institution, the study’s findings indicated that these women leaders’ responsibilities are primarily administrative. As a result, defining leadership and its responsibilities and context becomes significant. The benefits of attaining gender equity in leadership include being reflective of the student body, recruiting stronger female candidates for leadership roles, and growing the business. Some proposed strategies to achieve gender equity include formal mentorship and professional development plans, encouragement to take leadership roles, flexibility, and family-friendly policies. It is recommended that South African private higher education institutions establish a comprehensive, transparent policy on leadership and the support thereof, to advance gender equity in the leadership of these institutions. Key words: gender equity, leadership, private higher education, women leaders, policy.M.Ed. (Educational Leadership and Management