Existence of speculative bubbles when time-horizons are finite

This note extends the existing literature on speculative bubbles by allowing for arbitrary trading sequences. As our main result we prove that bubbles may exist in a myopic rational expectations equilibrium (Radner 1979) if and only if every agent expects infinitely many trading opportunities to exist. For finite horizons our finding implies the possible existence of bubbles under the plausible bounded rationality condition that every agent believes he will not end-up with holding the asset when the bubble bursts.Speculative behavior, bounded rationality, Lebesgue integral

The effects of strikes in the South African gold mining industry on shareholder value

Thesis (M.Com. (Accounting))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Accountancy, 2012.The recent spate of strikes in the mining sector in South Africa has created a perceived nervousness amongst shareholders. Within the mining sector in South Africa, gold mining is of significance historically and economically. This study aims to assess the impact of strikes on shareholder value in the gold mining industry during the period beginning January 2007 and December 2012, and uses the popular event study methodology developed by Ball and Brown (1968). The effect of the announcement and duration of the strike on the share price was tested. Significant negative cumulative abnormal returns were observed during the announcement of the strike. The impact of the announcement of protected strikes compared to unprotected strikes on the share price was compared. Although both types of strikes had a negative impact on shareholder value, an unprotected strike had less of an impact on shareholder value compared to a protected strike. This observation is of particular significance given the recent increase in unprotected strikes. Strikes with a duration of 15 days or longer resulted in smaller negative cumulative abnormal returns as opposed to strikes which lasted for less than 15 days

Renal impairment in HIV infected patients receiving tenofovir-based antiretroviral therapy in a South African hospital

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the branch of Internal Medicine Johannesburg, 2017Objective: There is limited data describing acute kidney injury (AKI) in HIV-infected adult patients in resource-limited settings where increasingly, tenofovir (TDF), which is potentially nephrotoxic, is prescribed. We describe risk factors for, and prognosis of AKI in HIV-infected individuals receiving and naïve to TDF. Methods: This was a prospective case cohort study of hospitalized HIV-infected adults with AKI (as defined by the 2012 KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for AKI) stratified by TDF exposure. Adults (≥18 years) were recruited: clinical and biochemical data was collected at admission; their renal recovery, discharge or mortality was ascertained as an in-patient and, subsequently, to a scheduled 3-month follow-up. Results: Amongst this predominantly female (61%), almost exclusively black African cohort of 175 patients with AKI, 93 (53%) were TDF exposed; median age was 41 years (IQR 35-50). Median CD4 count and VL and creatinine at baseline was 116 cells/mm3 and 110159 copies/ml, respectively. A greater proportion of the TDF group had severe AKI on admission (61% v 43% p=0.014); however, both groups had similar rates of newly diagnosed tuberculosis (TB) (52%) and NSAID (32%) use. Intravenous fluid was the therapeutic mainstay; only 7 were dialyzed. Discharge median serum creatinine (SCr) was higher in the TDF group (p=0.032) and fewer in the TDF group recovered renal function after 3-months (p=0.043). 3-month mortality was 27% in both groups but 55% of deaths occurred in hospital. Those that died had a higher SCr and more severe AKI than survivors; TB was diagnosed in 33 (70%) of those who died. Conclusions: AKI was more severe and renal recovery slower in the TDF group; comorbidities, risk factors and prognosis were similar regardless of TDF exposure. Because TB is linked to higher mortality, TB co-infection in HIV-infected patients with AKI warrants more intensive monitoring. In all those with poor renal recovery, our data suggests that a lower threshold for dialysis is needed.MT201

The discharging ear: A practical approach

No Abstract

Breakfast consumption and the relationship to to socio-demographic and lifestyle factors of undergraduate students in the School of Health Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Master of Science in Dietetics and Human Nutrition. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2017.Introduction: Breakfast is commonly regarded as the most important meal of the day. The consumption of breakfast has been linked to various health benefits, and is widely acknowledged in available literature. There is improved nutrient intake in those who consume breakfast compared to those who skip breakfast. Consumption of breakfast leads to positive health behaviour, improved stress management, feeling energetic and making less unhealthy snack choices. On the other hand, neglecting breakfast can have negative implications, such as fatigue and decreased concentration. Furthermore, skipping breakfast is positively correlated with obesity risk. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity in South Africa could be linked to poor breakfast consumption habits and requires further investigation. Several studies have illustrated a high prevalence of breakfast skipping amongst the university student population worldwide, due to affordability and time management. It could be assumed that students studying towards qualifications in health sciences would be more inclined towards regular breakfast consumption, as part of a healthy lifestyle; however, further research is required to investigate this. Due to the paucity of data amongst South African university health science students, this study aimed to investigate breakfast consumption and the relationship to socio-demographic and lifestyle factors of undergraduate students in the School of Health Sciences, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Aim: To investigate breakfast consumption and the relationship to socio-demographic and lifestyle factors of undergraduate students in the School of Health Sciences at UKZN. Objectives: • To investigate breakfast consumption and the factors that influence breakfast consumption in undergraduate students in the School of Health Sciences at UKZN. • To determine the socio-demographic and lifestyle profile of undergraduate students in the School of Health Sciences at UKZN. • To determine if there was a correlation between breakfast consumption, socio-demographic profile, lifestyle indicators and Body Mass Index (BMI) among undergraduate students in the School of Health Sciences at UKZN. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on undergraduate students in the School of Health Sciences at UKZN, based at the Westville campus. A self-administered questionnaire consisting mainly of close-ended questions was used to collect data. Weight and height measurements were taken and used to calculate BMI. Results: Most participants were between 19 to 20 years of age, were females, lived at the university residence and were in their first year of study. Most reported their health status to be good or fair, did not smoke or consume alcohol and were physically active. Breakfast was consumed by 82.1% (n=284), however, only 50.5% (n=143) consumed it daily. Breakfast consumption was associated with lower levels of fatigue and higher levels of alertness. Ready to eat or instant breakfast cereals, tea or coffee, eggs and leftovers were popular breakfast choices. Reasons for consuming breakfast included: to satisfy hunger, for energy, to be alert, prevent fatigue and for health reasons. Breakfast was skipped due to a lack of time and a lack of appetite. A significant number of those who did not eat breakfast were in their third year of study, were smokers and consumed fast foods or take-away foods frequently. Daily breakfast intake was found among a significant proportion of Indian and white participants, those who lived at home and those whose parents or family were responsible for purchasing groceries. This study found no relationship between breakfast consumption and BMI. Conclusion: The majority of students at the School of Health Sciences at UKZN consumed breakfast; however, not all consumed it regularly. Breakfast was consumed to achieve satiety, provide energy, be alert, prevent fatigue and for health reasons. Barriers to breakfast consumption included a lack of time and a lack of appetite. There was no relationship between breakfast consumption and BMI. Given its health and nutritional benefits, regular breakfast consumption should be encouraged among university students

Methyldopa combined with prindolol in the treatment of severe hypertension

In a clinical trial of 30 patients suffering from severe hypertension (diastolic blood pressure above 130 mmHg) the combination of methyldopa and prindolol produced a satisfactory drop in blood pressure; a further 2 patients were satisfactorily controlled with the addition of furosemide 40 mg daily. Side-effects were few, and this trial was characterised by the absence of postural hypotension; this combination did not enhance central nervous system side-effects. A synergistic effect between methyldopa and ,a-adrenergic blocking agents as regards their hypotensive effect may exist, and the combination may be a better alternative to use than sympatholytic agents such as guanethidine or bethanidine sulphate in the treatment of severe hypertension.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 1608 (1974

WHEN RELEVANCE DECENTERS CRITICALITY: THE CASE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL CRIME, VIOLENCE AND INJURY LEAD PROGRAMME

Following the formal demise of political apartheid in SouthAfrica in 1994, critical and community-centred psychologistshave tended to obtain relevance through alignment with thetenets of social justice and the larger democratic project. Thisarticle draws on the experiences of the Crime, Violence andInjury Lead Programme (CVI) to illustrate how particularformulations of scientific and social relevance function tomarginalize criticality and critical scholarship. The authorsuggests that relevance without criticality produces forms ofintellectual activity that privilege empiricist traditions, perpetrate a binary between research and research translation, andreproduce the myth that intervention work is atheoretical.The review of the CVI serves as a reminder of the challengesinherent in enactments of critical psychology. Among themany issues that critical psychology oriented initiatives likeCVI have to contend with is the task of developing theoreticaland other resources to move between co-operation and critiquein the service of democratic development