The influx of youth abusing substances is a major problem. The effect of substance abuse may have far-reaching consequences for defining the vulnerability of the offending group as well as for contributing to the disaster risk faced by the community as a whole. The effects of substance abuse on young people have the potential to contribute to an increased vulnerability of this group. It becomes the responsibility of the family and community to bear the burden of its drug-afflicted members and the implications of their addiction. The study was conducted in Bekkersdal, which is a community that has a significant problem with youth abusing substances. The degree to which their abuse affects families and the broader community in terms of increasing risk has not been examined. The dissertation aims to evaluate the effect of substance abuse among the youth on the risk profile of the Bekkersdal community. According to Disaster Risk Reduction, one of the important activities of the state is to increase capacity of communities and households to minimize the risk that may occur and also most importantly, monitoring the likelihood of and the state of alertness to disasters that may occur. A qualitative, explorative research design was employed and data gathered using structured interviews involving 30 adults namely School Principals, Teachers, Community Social workers, Community Leaders, Religious Leaders, Disaster managers and a Nurse from the area. The interviews were analysed by means of themes. The research indicated that substance-abusing youth create conditions which undermine human, physical and social capital and hence contribute to instability in the livelihood-based system. It was also evident to this research that it encourages the importance of engaging community members in discussions about aspects that concern them which is an empowerment process in itself. As they become more involved, they also have hope that things will work better for them by actively rebuilding their own lives and communities. All the information gathered revealed the link between the negative impacts of substance abuse and its risk profile in the Bekkersdal community. / M Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The influx of youth abusing substances is a major problem. The effect of substance abuse may have far-reaching consequences for defining the vulnerability of the offending group as well as for contributing to the disaster risk faced by the community as a whole. The effects of substance abuse on young people have the potential to contribute to an increased vulnerability of this group. It becomes the responsibility of the family and community to bear the burden of its drug-afflicted members and the implications of their addiction. The study was conducted in Bekkersdal, which is a community that has a significant problem with youth abusing substances. The degree to which their abuse affects families and the broader community in terms of increasing risk has not been examined. The dissertation aims to evaluate the effect of substance abuse among the youth on the risk profile of the Bekkersdal community. According to Disaster Risk Reduction, one of the important activities of the state is to increase capacity of communities and households to minimize the risk that may occur and also most importantly, monitoring the likelihood of and the state of alertness to disasters that may occur. A qualitative, explorative research design was employed and data gathered using structured interviews involving 30 adults namely School Principals, Teachers, Community Social workers, Community Leaders, Religious Leaders, Disaster managers and a Nurse from the area. The interviews were analysed by means of themes. The research indicated that substance-abusing youth create conditions which undermine human, physical and social capital and hence contribute to instability in the livelihood-based system. It was also evident to this research that it encourages the importance of engaging community members in discussions about aspects that concern them which is an empowerment process in itself. As they become more involved, they also have hope that things will work better for them by actively rebuilding their own lives and communities. All the information gathered revealed the link between the negative impacts of substance abuse and its risk profile in the Bekkersdal community. / M Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Background: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a component of childhood nephrotic syndrome occurring in 10%-20% of all cases. Over time, 25%-50% of children with FSGS develop kidney failure disease. We followed a cohort of children with FSGS in order to delineate the risk profile of progression to kidney failure (KF). Methods: We evaluated patient data collected from 1977 to 2002 at a regional mid-Atlantic nephrology center in the United States. KF was defined primarily for those patients whose serum creatinine (SCr) value doubled compared with the SCr value from a previous visit. Patients who received dialysis or a kidney transplant were also defined as having KF. We analyzed patient data for those who had at least two visits with SCr values recorded. Various baseline characteristics of patients who had developed KF and those with no kidney failure (NKF) were compared. Hazard ratios and correlation were used to further investigate potential risk factors of the kidney failure. We also compared the inverse SCr trend for KF and NKF patients using weighted linear regression. Results: Thirty-four of 43 FSGS patients had adequate follow-up data. About 60% of the patients developed KF over the study period. The average age of the KF patients at diagnosis of FSGS was 9 years, and that of NKF patients 12 years (P=0.05). FSGS patients with KF had a significantly higher mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at baseline, compared to those with NKF (P<0.0001). Other baseline characteristics including race, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, urinary protein/creatinine ratio and calculated glomerular filtration rate (cGFR) were not significantly different. Baseline DBP was a significant risk factor in progression to KF (HR: 1.03; 95%CI: 1.01-1.06). Inverse SCr values were significantly decreased over time in KF patients (P=0.01). Conclusions: The data of this study indicate that children diagnosed with FSGS who are younger than 10 years and have elevated baseline DBP are more likely to develop kidney failure. The non-significant hazard ratios for other baseline characteristics including gender, race, and BMI are not instrumental risk factors. These results may help understand what may affect progression towards kidney failure in children with FSGS.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a costly and deadly disease in neonates. Composite risk for NEC is poorly understood and consensus has not been established on the relevance of risk factors. This two-phase study attempted to validate and test a neonatal NEC risk index, GutCheck(NEC). Phase I used an E-Delphi methodology in which experts (n=35) rated the relevance of 64 potential NEC risk factors. Items were retained if they achieved predefined levels of expert consensus or stability. After three rounds, 43 items were retained (CVI=.77). Qualitative analysis revealed two broad themes: individual characteristics of vulnerability and the impact of contextual variation within the NICU on NEC risk. In Phase II, the predictive validity of GutCheck(NEC) was evaluated using a sample from the Pediatrix BabySteps Clinical Data Warehouse (CDW). The sample included infants born<1500 grams, before 36 weeks, and without congenital anomalies or spontaneous intestinal perforation (N=58,818, of which n=35,005 for empiric derivation and n=23,813 for empiric validation). Backward stepwise likelihood-ratio method regression was used to reduce the number of predictive factors in GutCheck(NEC) to 11 and derive empiric weights. Items in the final GutCheck(NEC) were gestational age, history of a transfusion, NICU-specific NEC risk, late onset sepsis, multiple infections, hypotension treated with Inotropic medications, Black or Hispanic race, outborn status, metabolic acidosis, human milk feeding on both day 7 and day 14 (reduces risk) and probiotics (reduces risk).Discrimination was fair in the case-control sample (AUC=.67, 95% CI .61-.73) but better in the validation set (AUC=.76, 95% CI .75-.78) and best for surgical NEC (AUC=.84, 95% CI .82-.84) and infants who died from NEC (AUC=.83, 95% CI .81-.85). A GutCheck(NEC) score of 33 (range 0-58) yielded a sensitivity of .78 and a specificity of .74 in the validation set. Intra-individual reliability was acceptable (ICC (19) =.97, p<.001). Future research is needed to repeat this procedure in infants between 1500 and 2500 grams, complete psychometric testing, and explore unit variation in NEC rates using a comprehensive approach.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2014-09-26T20:16:40Z No. of bitstreams: 2 DISSERTAÇÃO DEFESA para ENCADERNAÇÃO.pdf: 1635861 bytes, checksum: 083d585897621019cb805696f185e4ac (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2014-09-26T21:25:17Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 DISSERTAÇÃO DEFESA para ENCADERNAÇÃO.pdf: 1635861 bytes, checksum: 083d585897621019cb805696f185e4ac (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-09-26T21:25:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 DISSERTAÇÃO DEFESA para ENCADERNAÇÃO.pdf: 1635861 bytes, checksum: 083d585897621019cb805696f185e4ac (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-04-11 / The itinerant sale of food ensures the access to food for the low income urban population. This informal activity, despite its contribution to food access due to the low cost and the convenience of its offer, is an alternative source of food which can pose health risks to the population. Therefore, it is positive due to its socio-economic and cultural importance and satiety of hunger but negative with regard to hygienic and sanitary issues. This study aims to establish the risk profile of ready-to-eat foods sold at street markets in the central region of Brazil. On the preparation of the risk profile, the information gathered must objectively and concisely describe the most relevant knowledge about the problem identified which can propose future actions. The study was a cross-sectional and descriptive with a quantitative approach at 22 street markets registered with the Municipal Economic Development Secretariat of Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. The data collection occurred in two phases (phase 1 and 2) interspersed by a training course. The data collection procedure involved the application of a checklist based on health legislation at the selected street markets stalls and sample collection of eight food groups for microbiological analysis. Participated in this study 229 points of sale of ready-to-eat food products and/or foods prepared at the place of consumption, in the period from July 2008 to May 2010. Traditional teaching and learning methodology was used to train the food handlers. Considering the results obtained in phases 1 and 2, from both the checklist and the microbiological analysis, it was possible to establish the risk profile of food products sold at these street markets. This profile could contribute to the future intervention actions with the targeted audience. The ready-to-eat foods sold at street markets showed relevant frequency of microbiological non-compliance with the current health legislation. This situation indicates the possibility of the presence of pathogenic bacteria in foods, and therefore, represents a risk to consumers. When establishing the risk profile for the consumption of foods sold by street vendors it is evident the need to develop intervention models with actions directed toward to the improvement of conditions of this activity, known as informal. / O comércio ambulante de alimentos garante o acesso à alimentação, para a população urbana de baixa renda. Essa atividade informal, apesar de contribuir com a acessibilidade ao alimento, devido ao baixo custo e pela praticidade de oferta, configura-se como alternativa alimentar, a qual pode oferecer riscos à saúde da população. Ela se apresenta positiva devido à sua importância socioeconômica, cultural e de saciedade da fome, mas negativa no que diz respeito às questões higiênicossanitárias. Este estudo tem o objetivo de estabelecer o perfil de risco dos alimentos prontos comercializados em feiras na região central do Brasil. Para a elaboração do perfil risco, as informações reunidas devem descrever, de forma objetiva e concisa, o máximo de conhecimentos relevantes sobre o problema identificado, o que permite a sugestão de futuras ações. O estudo foi do tipo transversal, de caráter descritivo com abordagem quantitativa em 22 feiras especiais cadastradas na Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico Municipal de Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil. A coleta de dados ocorreu em dois momentos (etapa 1 e 2) intercalados por um curso de capacitação. O procedimento de coleta envolveu a aplicação de checklist, baseado na legislação sanitária, nas barracas das feiras em questão e, da obtenção de amostras de oito grupos de alimentos destinadas às análises microbiológicas. Participaram do estudo 229 pontos de venda de produtos alimentícios prontos para o consumo e/ou preparados no local de consumação, no período de julho de 2008 a maio de 2010. Na capacitação junto aos feirantes foi utilizada a metodologia de ensino-aprendizagem tradicional. Considerando os resultados obtidos nas etapas 1 e 2, tanto do checklist como das análises microbiológicas, foi possível estabelecer o perfil de risco dos produtos alimentícios comercializados nestas feiras. Este perfil poderá contribuir para as ações futuras de intervenção junto ao público alvo. Os alimentos prontos comercializados nas feiras apresentaram relevante frequência de não conformidades microbiológicas com relação à legislação sanitária vigente. Esta situação indica a possibilidade da presença de bactérias patogênicas nos alimentos, e assim representa risco aos consumidores de alimentos nestes locais. Ao se estabelecer o perfil do risco para o consumo dos alimentos comercializados por ambulantes, fica evidente a necessidade de se desenvolver trabalhos de intervenção, com ações voltadas para a melhoria das condições de condução desta atividade dita informal.

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The content of this diploma paper is a view of the process of risk management in an insurance company in relation to applying the new concept of Solvency II. This paper is divided into three main parts. The opening part focuses on a risk profile of an insurance company, giving an overview and clasification of risks threatening an insurance company. The aim of this paper is to focus on method of Solvency II and especially on the consequences for insurance companies applying this method, which is contained in the second part of this paper. This paper also provides a complex view on the risk management process in an insurance company, its distinguishing phases with emphasis on the area of measuring risks and calculation of capital requirements. The risk management process is contained in the last part of this paper.

This diploma work is focused on a suggestion of private investor portfolio and suggestion of questionnaire to determine a risk profile of a provate investor. Apart from basic investments theory, the thesis briefly describes characteristics and parameters of particular asset classes and suggests and optimises a risk portfolio for a private investor. Furthermore, a survey of this risk profile is conducted, so that the investor can use it himself/herself in management of his investments to best full fill his/her expectations.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Technology: Language Practice, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2014. / The selection criteria common to all Fashion schools/departments/programmes both in South Africa and internationally, is the requirement for the applicants to pass an interview. Research confirms that in institutions where student selection includes an interview, the dropout rate is low. The need for this study arose because of the lack of structure of the current oral protocol or interview selection procedure in Fashion at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), and the need to include a larger number of previously disadvantaged applicants into the Fashion programme. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate the career life histories of the Fashion degree students at the DUT to identify a set of biographical variables that can be used for student selection. Underpinned by the Systems Theory Framework, this study adapted Tinto’s Longitudinal Model of Institutional Departure to investigate pre-entry attributes and interactions within family backgrounds, skills and abilities, and prior schooling that impact the goals and commitments of students. Narrative enquiry using semi-structured in-depth interviews provided data which were processed using the three-dimensional narrative analysis approach. Findings of this study indicate the importance of pre-entry attributes and personality type that is best suited to a career in fashion, and emphasised that intrinsic interests and talents are of primary importance. The results have important implications for student interview selection as it identifies suitable and prepared applicants who will complete and graduate in the minimum time, thereby potentially increasing throughput and output rates in Fashion. Based on the results, the researcher proposed a framework for a standardised and structured interview selection procedure in Fashion at the DUT which enables access to candidates who have the potential for a career in Fashion regardless of their socio-economic or cultural background. / D

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the role of the wholesale funding in the modern credit intermediation process and to estimate the possible impact of pro- posed regulation of the wholesale funding on lending activity of a bank or its risk profile. Throughout the analysis we used data set of 132-1167 banks from the European Union (number of banks depends on the hypotheses tested) during the period 2006-2012. We found that the banks that are more exposed to the whole- sale funding are able to increase their lending relatively more in comparison to the less exposed banks; this advantage is wiped out during the times of liquidity or collateral crunch. Results of defined simultaneous equation model suggest that stricter eligibility criteria, higher margins and introduction of 100% threshold for the Net Stable Funding Ratio will significantly decrease the wholesale funding ra- tio and thus limit the supply of loans. We consider those results alarming since the majority of European enterprises is financed by the financial intermediaries, not on the capital market and therefore additional limitation of the wholesale funding activities could negatively influence the overall economic activity within the Euro- pean Union. We discovered that the commercial banks tent to transfer the costs of the wholesale...