Student Government: Developing a Student Government in an Urban Elementary School

School community is critically important for healthy adolescent development. School connectedness has been found to be even more powerful than family connectedness in terms of protection against acting out behaviors in adolescence (Harrison & Narayan, 2003 ). Increasing student involvement in urban elementary settings through student government would unify students, communities, parents and staff. Establishing a student government in an urban school setting promotes student voice, student interest and helps tie community and staff together. The importance of belonging is essential in providing a safe and productive educational environment

Towards Quantifying Relevant Land Cover Change: A Case Study in the Central Flyway of the Monarch Butterfly

Over the past 20 years notable decreases in monarch butterfly populations have led researchers to begin evaluating the landscape for changes and seeking out opportunities for enacting conservation programs to better support their survival. The monarch butterfly has recently come under consideration for listing under the Endangered Species Act which has created a need for a more informed view of the landscape through which the migrate and breed, the central United States. In this research three spatially-explicit models are explored using the most applicable datasets currently available to address pressing policy and land manager decisions regarding monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation. Using the Cropland Data Layer (CDL) and National Land Cover Data (NLCD) datasets, individually and combined, the ability to to evaluate landscape change, annual and decadal, from 2008 – 2017 is evaluated. The CDL and NLCD both present unique data integration challenges for reliably estimating land use change on an annual basis for all land cover types, and for augmenting additional feature data, such as soil productivity and transportation networks that represent valuable target areas for monarch and pollinator research. The result of these spatially-explicit model trials are a more informed process for quantifying uncertainty and moving toward thoughtful inclusion of CDL data in annual change metrics that identifies land conversion for a broad number of categories, including grassland/pasture. The results of these models begin to identify a more consistent and transferrable process for addressing policy and land manager decisions regarding monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation delivery

Insurance Risk Management: A Correlate of Economic Growth in Nigeria

This study empirically investigate the impact of insurance risk management through the window of claims payment on the growth in the output level of Gross Domestic Product in Nigeria. Claims payment-economic growth model patterned after multivariate regression, causality and dynamic model of linear formation were estimated and analyzed. The analysis reveal that, in the long run, insurance claims paid on fire, Accident, motor vehicle, employers’ liability and marine policies significantly impact on the output level of Gross Domestic Product in Nigeria. Indemnification successes ginger up the productive quality of existing stock of capital and ensure the continuity of businesses in the economy thereby boosting output performance. The author recommend improved insurance awareness, patronage and prompt claims payments. Keywords: Risk Management, Economic Growth, Nigeria

Capital Market Development and Economic Growth: Evidence from the Mint Countries

Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey are 4 countries referred to as the ‘MINT’, and have been predicted to be gigantic economies by 2050. Leading Authors and researchers have argued in various studies that financial development is an engine to economic growth, and it is expected that this will drive the realisation of the predictive outcome of these countries. The study thus focuses on how capital market development as a subset of financial development has directly translated to economic growth of the MINT for a 13-year period of 2000—2012, through the composition of a balanced panel dataset comprising capital market activity variables of market capitalisation ratio to gross domestic product (GDP), number of listed securities and value of transactions as ratios of GDP and gross fixed capital formation respectively; with key economic growth indicators of change in GDP, gross domestic savings relative to GDP and gross fixed capital formation relative to GDP. The results reveal that number of listed securities is the most impacting capital market development measure on economic growth of the MINT as a group. This indicator was seen to be negative and significantly related to GDP, but positive and significantly related to gross domestic savings and gross fixed capital formation ratios to GDP. Statistical evidence further shows that Indonesia is mostly affected positively by capital market development, especially since it both increases gross domestic savings and gross fixed capital formation ratios. It is recommended that the study’s timeframe should be elongated in other to conduct long run econometric analysis that can be more valid and reliable. Keywords: Capital market development, economic growth, market capitalisation, value of transactions and gross domestic product (GDP

Determinants of Initial Public Offer Underpricing in the United Kingdom: Pre and Post Financial Crisis Evidence

Initial Public Offer Under-pricing is a global phenomenon that is continuously experienced in various countries and capital markets with well-established theories supporting the concept. The present study investigates the determinants of Under-pricing before and after the financial crisis on 341 UK issues between 2003 and 2013 and also attempted to analyse their long run performance defined as one year after their listings. Four econometric models were specified using secondary data sourced from Thomson Reuters’ database. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression technique was used for estimation. The results reveal that Initial Public Offer Under-pricing was most in 2004 with 92 issues having first day initial returns averaging 145%, and the total of 341 issues were 62% for the 10 years period. Major causes of Under-pricing identified include size of the issue and market capitalization of firm before offer, which was also seen to impact on buy-and-hold returns in the long run. The ex-ante uncertainty theory is therefore supported in part and the Authors recommend that future research studies should examine why the High Technology industry is seen to be less risky after the financial crisis, and to also elongate the time frame for long run performance analysis. Keywords: IPO, Underpricing, UK, Offer price, First day return, Underwriter

April fool’s day : does the CPA reintroduce the exceptio doligeneralis?

Modern law of contract in South-Africa can be seen as a dynamic field of law. It encompasses key principles such as freedom of contract, autonomy, good faith and public policy. These principles are seen as important concepts that underlie the substantive law of contract. The Consumer Protection Act, introduced in 2008 and operational since 31 March 2011, has contributed to this dynamic field of law. Unfortunately the uncertainties regarding the application of widely articulated definitions associated with the act remain a concern. Many legal academics have tried to alleviate the possible difficulties posed by the application of the CPA by means of constructive criticism, in-depth analysis of practical aspects and submissions to the legislator during the past three years. The exceptio doligeneralis has offered similar protection for consumers in circumstances where it seemed as if no remedy would provide a similar equitable outcome. This defence was available when a plaintiff wanted to enforce legal action in circumstances that are unconscionable. The defendant could raise these circumstances as a defence to the action of enforcement. The potential difficulties associated with the CPA are not entirely similar to the uncertainties created by the application of the exceptio doli in the past. The widely articulated definitions present a bigger problem of uncertainty. This may in certain circumstances be to the detriment of the consumer. Consumers are afforded rights in terms of the CPA but it does not necessarily mean that the enforcement of these afforded rights is in place. There are technical difficulties regarding the interpretation of terms such as “agreement”, “unfair tactics” or “pressure” to name but a few. There are still no guidelines provided to assist consumer tribunals to adhere to the purpose of the act in a fair and organised manner. The question that arises is whether these afforded rights seem better than what it actually is; leaving us to believe that the common law regarding consumer protection can be codified. This study is an attempt to demonstrate that the CPA might not have the desired outcome as initially anticipated. The CPA unfortunately, in my opinion, represents an April fool’s day. Sections 40, 48 and 51 of the CPA will perhaps have a similar effect than the exceptio doligeneralis. These sections offer protection to a consumer if there are unfair, unreasonable or unjust circumstances. The widely articulated sections create an inclusive protecting mechanism rather than excluding. Any contract, term or clause thereof will be interpreted in such a way to benefit a consumer. It is submitted that it will not be possible to attach precise meanings to concepts such as good faith, public interest or fairness. There will always be a different understanding in a particular language and within a variation of context. The main goal to be achieved, the rules of the law of contract should reflect attempts to achieve a balance between fundamental principles such as fairness and good faith, and economic policies such as economic efficiency and the facilitation of honest market participation.Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2013.Mercantile Lawunrestricte

Perceived Child Regard, Parenting Stress, and Depressive Symptoms of Nonresidential and Residential Stepmothers

The dynamics of the modern blended family is a topic of considerable interest in family research. The purpose of this quantitative study was to understand how parental stress, perceived parental regard, and depressive symptoms affect nonresidential and residential stepmothers. Family Systems Theory provided an appropriate lens for this research study. An analysis of covariance was used to determine whether differences existed between nonresidential and residential stepmothers in terms of parental stress, perceived parental regard, and depressive symptoms. The second goal was to determine whether the covariates of age, ethnicity, household income, time spent stepparenting, and the number of biological and stepchildren affected the variables in a meaningful way. The participants selected for the study were both nonresidential and residential stepmothers, 18 years and older. Participants completed a web-based survey that administered three different instruments: The Perceived Child Regard Questionnaire, the Parental Stress Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised. A total sample size of 94 nonresidential stepmothers and 79 residential stepmothers completed the survey. Results indicated no significant differences in parental stress and depressive symptoms due to custody status. However, there was a significant effect noted between nonresidential and residential stepmothers pertaining to perceived child regard. These findings provide a valuable direction for researchers who wish to further explore stepfamily concepts especially concerning variables that may attribute to the differences in custody status and perceived child regard. As well as provide psychoeducation for stepfamilies and their community

Animals In Kindergarten

One of the key elements in a child's educational experience is their learning environment. As an educator I am always looking for ways to help the student take an active role in his or her education. To do this I have tried many different things to enhance the learning environment any way possible. This study focused on one particular element of that environment that was lacking actual hands on research. I looked at whether classroom animals enhanced the development of children in a kindergarten class. With a specific look at whether animals in the class effected a child's develop of empathy behavior. First, I must acknowledge the support of, Dr. Mona Lane, my graduate adviser, whom without, this would not have been possible. Her guidance, advice and patience throughout this study were unmeasurable. Gratitude and appreciation is also extended to the other committee members, Dr. Kathryn Castle and Dr. Arlene Fulton for their support and words of wisdom. I am blessed by being surrounded by many wonderful people. My friends, co-workers, and family members, to numerous to mention here, but all are included in my heart felt thanks that helped take up slack when 1 could not meet all my commitments and shared kind words as we went through many hurdles throughout this process. With special gratitude and thanks to my parents, J. C. and Carol Bowles because they always believed in me and continued to support me physically as well as financially throughout my extended education. I thank my assistant, Tamra Woodell that allowed me to leave my classroom early and be absent other times with no worries about my duties as a teacher and for being a great friend and partner. Last but not least my husband, Frank and daughter Renee' for their support and putting up with me hogging the computer and missing ballgames, church and just hanging out with them. I thank my Heavenly Father and pray "I hope this is it.

Perceived child regard, parenting stress, and depressive symptoms of nonresidential and residential stepmothers

An analysis of covariance was used to determine whether differences existed between nonresidential and residential stepmothers regarding parental stress, perceived parental regard, and depressive symptoms. The participants selected for the study were both nonresidential and residential stepmothers, 18 years and older. Participants completed a web-based survey that administered three different instruments: The Perceived Child Regard Questionnaire, the Parental Stress Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised. A total sample size of 94 nonresidential stepmothers and 79 residential stepmothers completed the survey. Results indicated no significant differences in parental stress and depressive symptoms due to custody status. However, there was a significant effect noted between nonresidential and residential stepmothers about perceived child regard