A time series analysis of U.K. construction and real estate indices

This study assess the nonlinear behavior of U.K. Construction and Real Estate indices. Standard unit root tests show that both time series are I(1) processes. However, the empirical results show that the returns series for both indices deviate from the null hypothesis of white noise. Moreover, we have found evidence of nonlinearity but strong evidence against chaos for the returns series. Further tests show that the source of nonlinearity is rather different. Hence, the Construction index returns series displays weak nonlinear forecastability, typical of nonlinear deterministic processes, whereas the Real Estate index could be characterized as a stationary process about a nonlinear deterministic trend

Valuation implications of pharmaceutical companies' R&D regulatory approval notifications

This paper examines shareholder wealth effects surrounding applications to, and approvals by, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for firms listed on the New York (NYSE) and London (LSE) stock exchanges. Applications to the FDA for drug approvals significantly increase shareholder wealth for NYSE firms only. The increase is driven by applications for enhancements to existing drugs, with the market anticipating the application, thus suggesting information leakage. FDA approvals also significantly increase shareholder wealth in both markets. However, there is no evidence of information leakage and the significant post-event abnormal returns support the attention-grabbing hypothesis. Enhanced drug approvals are value-relevant for both markets, which highlights the contribution of real-options to firm value

In film, I too sing, America: exploring the lived experiences of Black male filmmakers

This study is about the lived experiences of Black male filmmakers’ global identity, and representation. This study is pertinent as Black males are often portrayed as stereotypical characters when they are much more meaningful people to society. Black male creators’ stories are being told but not by them and not from the perspective of how they want to be seen while contextualizing the humanity of Black male film creators. This study explored two research questions: What are the lived experiences of being a Black male creator in the film industry? And to what extent do Black males feel their identity is represented based on their experiences in the film industry? The method of data collection included 10 interviews and surveys with Black male film creators in the roles of writers, directors, actors, and producers. I employed a research design of ethnography that is central to me as the PI and as a Black male film filmmaker. The interviews contained 6 questions and the surveys have 4 Likert item prompts. The study relied on 5 central tenets: Lived Experience, Global Identity, Representation, Emotion, and Race to categorize emergent themes. The theoretical frameworks used for this study are Critical Race Theory (CRT), African American Male Theory (AAMT), and Intersectionality. Among the findings were that Black males would rather tell their own stories than to be represented in ways that discredit their identities and lived experiences. This means that Black males require spaces of belonging exclusive to themselves, as well as among other groups of diversity and inclusion

Ethnicity and Territory: Cultural and Political Autonomy for African Descended Colombians through Law 70

Colombia has the second largest African descendant population in all South America due to the transatlantic slave trade that stripped millions from their homeland and brought them to present day Colombia. While African descendants have been a part of the region’s history for over five centuries, it was not until 1993 with the establishment of Law 70 that the Colombian government acknowledged the culture and rights of African descendants. This thesis analyzes the historical, social, and political underpinnings of Law 70, its implementation, and aftereffects. I argue that Law 70 acknowledges a lived identity of rural African descended Colombians as the mechanism for Black communities to obtain rights. The thesis addresses the deep connection between ethnicity and territory, and how Law 70 recognizes that, for rural African descendants, ancestry, culture, and territory, cannot be separated. Law 70 codified a legal transition from a racial to an ethnic frame, which was necessary for African descendants to live their difference and be recognized by the nation

Clothing and Identity: Ga Deities and Spiritual Responsibilities

This paper examines the components of clothing among the individual priests/priestesses of the various Ga deities. Nortey (2008) and Field (1962) have made some notable inroads in this research area, however, no/little attention has been paid to the dress code of the individual priest/priestess. Again there are no distinctions or clarification with clothes relating to the training period and ordination of these servants, as well as costumes designated for festive occasions, healing, worship/veneration of their gods and their day-to-day activities. This paper addresses these gaps through interviews and participant observation. Data were collected from people of selected Ga communities, especially Teshie, Tema and Nungua. The article argues that each Ga deity is symbolized with specific costumes and accessories and thus, requires the servant to be adorned accordingly, regardless of his/her sex. The use of specific clothing items also empowers the priest/priestess spiritually during healing. This article adds to the seemingly scanty literature on Ghanaian costume history, to improve teaching and learning and to enhance creative development among students, lecturers in the arts, ethnographers, sociologists, costumiers and stage/film/video directors. It also suggests that costume designers should check the clothing background of each deity, to avoid creating stereotyped priests/priestesses. Keywords: costume, deity, clothing, servant, priest/priestess, Ga

Drug Biotransformation Enzyme Interactions Studies with Curcumin, Curcumin analogues and other Plant-derived Components

Vermeulen, N.P.E. [Promotor]Commandeur, J.N.M. [Copromotor

Cash flow forecast for South African firms

This paper applies models in the extant literature that have been used to forecast operating cash flows to predict the cash flows of South African firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Out-of-sample performance is examined for each model and compared between them. The reported results show that some accrual terms, i.e. depreciation and changes in inventory do not enhance cash flow prediction for the average South African firm in contrast to the reported results of studies in USA and Australia. Inclusion of more explanatory variables does not necessarily improve the models, according to the out-of-sample results. The paper proposes the application of moving average model in panel data, and vector regressive model for multi-period-ahead prediction of cash flows for South Africa firms

Pulsar: Design and Simulation Methodology for Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation in Photonic Network-on-Chip Architectures in Heterogeneous Multicore Systems

As the computing industry moved toward faster and more energy-efficient solutions, multicore computers proved to be dependable. Soon after, the Network-on-Chip (NoC) paradigm made headway as an effective method of connecting multiple cores on a single chip. These on-chip networks have been used to relay communication between homogeneous and heterogeneous sets of cores and core clusters. However, the variation in bandwidth requirements of heterogeneous systems is often neglected. Therefore, at a given moment, bandwidth may be in excess at one node while it is insufficient at another leading to lower performance and higher energy costs. This work proposes and examines dynamic schemes for the allocation of photonic channels in a Photonic Network-on-Chip (PNoC) as an alternative to their static-provision counterparts and proposes a method of simulating and selecting the characteristics of a dynamic system at the time of design as to achieve maximum system performance in a Photonic Network-on-Chip for a given application type

Beyond Ethnic Traditions: Philosophies and Socio-cultural Relevance of the Ashanti and the Ewe Kente cloths

The socio-cultural symbolisms and aesthetics of the Ghanaian kente cloth has for years gained respect and recognition both locally and abroad. It has been used to define royalty, prominence and class. Its uniqueness is also seen in celebrating special occasions such as, birth, initiation, marriage, burial as well as honouring people for their patriotism. This paper examines the background of the Kente cloth in Ghana; addressing the diverse views of some schools of thought with regards its origin. (Fianu 2002; Ahiagble 2004). The paper explains the Ashanti’s and the Ewe’s hold on the Kente cloth as well as investigates the uses and the philosophies aligned with the motifs, and the reasons for creating the designs. By means of interviews and content analysis, the paper reports that both the Ashanti and Ewe Kente have their own uniqueness, but ultimately they have common functions with regards the symbols and meanings, as well as their use during rites of passage.  The paper further establishes that though aesthetic lines may arguably be drawn between the kente of the two societies, there are no boundaries when projecting royalty as well as norms and virtues. Key words: kente, philosophies, Ashanti, Ewe, norms, virtues, rites of passage

Archeological and Historic Survey of Ga Costumes: 15th-18thcentury

This paper surveys the archaeological discoveries of Ga costumes and adornments from the 15th-18th century. It also highlights the historical and the socio-cultural evidence of their costumes and adornments, make-up, headdresses/hairstyles, in terms of sex, status and so on. An important way of looking at the strength and dynamics of a creative art is by examining its earliest periods. This allows the researcher or reader to get a glimpse of the ‘life’ or chronology of that creative work, in order to draw tangible conclusions and provide helpful suggestions. In this pursuit this paper employs interviews, as well as historical and archaeological accounts by some early European travelers to the Guinea Coast around 1600, in addition to some oral traditions. Even though scanty, it was observed that clothing differentiated the poor from the rich, and also designated occupation, mood and the status of royals. The paper concludes by recommending further research, documentation and also calls on traditional leaders to help sensitize the people through seminars, workshops and durbars. Key Words: Ga people, history, clothing, costume, adornment, centur