Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Finance and Investment in the faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Businesss School, University of the Witwatersrand, 2012. / Idiosyncratic considerations relevant to South Africa’s economic and legal framework, as well as determining factors taken from the financial markets and the asset being auctioned are used to critically review the current auction mechanism used by the South African government to borrow funds publicly. A logistic regression with panel data is used in the empirical analysis. The dependent variable has a dichotomous outcome of uniform-price and discriminatory auction mechanisms. Data from 43 different countries over the period 2005 to 2011 are used for the analysis. It was hypothesized that countries with higher uncertainty about the price of their public debt, should use the auction mechanism that reduces under-pricing. Results from the logit regression supported this view. Upon comparing South Africa’s profile with the logit regression results, alongside a review of the literature, it becomes apparent that the proposed model does not provide a definitive answer. However, the model does aid policymakers’ decision on which auction mechanism should be preferred over the other for South Africa.

Chinese left-handed are found to be very few, especially in terms of handwriting. The Chinese educational policy that fully entitles teachers in primary school to change the left-handed students to write with their right-hand, by nudging and even force, is found to be mainly blamed as the main cause. The thesis is to raise the ethical discussion and define this policy as being discriminatory against the left-handed by checking the features, definition and identification of discrimination, and reasons forming and supporting such a discriminatory policy will be taken into the major consideration as the source of discrimination. Therefore, the thesis is to propose solutions to help with the abolishment of the policy and the elimination of the prejudicial attitudes toward the left-handed, especially in terms of writing. The thesis itself, due to the limit of previous research and scientific support, has its own blindness or disadvantage, however, such a work could be helpful with the later discussion.

This study contributes to the discussion of managing tourism to a protected area in a developing country (Galapagos, Ecuador). The first part of the analysis provides quantitative data about preferences of tourists and potential impacts on park revenues from price discrimination. It uses the data from a choice experiment survey conducted in the summer of 2009 in which these four attributes of a tour of the Galapagos were described: tour length, depth of naturalist experience, level of protection of Galapagos from invasive species, and price of the tour. On average the Galapagos tourist would be willing to pay slightly more than 2.5 times for a trip with a high-level of environmental protection than for a trip that is equivalent on all other characteristics but has a lower level of environmental protection. The mean marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) for a trip with an in-depth naturalist experience is 1.8 times more than that for a trip with a less detailed naturalist experience but equivalent on other characteristics. The relatively inelastic demand for travel to the islands would allow managers to adjust access fees to shift the distribution of length of trips while not affecting the revenues. The second part of the analysis evaluates the influence on travel to the islands by depicting Galapagos as a standard market commodity as well as depicting it as an environmental commodity. This analysis compares the results obtained from two different choice experiment surveys given to tourists finishing their trip to Galapagos. One survey design portrays the archipelago as a standard holiday island destination while the other design highlights the uniqueness and vulnerability of the islands’ biodiversity and the challenges that tourism poses to the islands’ conservation. Results suggest that additional information modified an individual's decision-making process. In the first design case (which excludes environmental information), the influence of attributes such as length and depth of natural experience is attenuated. The MWTPs estimated for these attributes are smaller in absolute terms although differences on the MWTP are not statistically significant.

En diskussion om könsdiskriminerande reklam har pågått sedan 1970 – talet. Än idag har det inte reglerats om könsdiskriminerande reklam och det har passerat ca 40 år. Det har pågått i sådan lång tid på grund av att experter i området har uttryckt att könsdiskriminerande reklam skyddas utav grundlagen. Könsdiskriminerande reklam anses skyddas av tryck- och yttrandefriheten på grund av att sådan reklam innehåller värderingar och åsikter. När det handlar om reklam, förväntas det omfattas av marknadsföringslagen, men lagen omfattar inte könsdiskriminerande reklam. Detta kom marknadsdomstolen (MD) fram i ett fall som heter MD 1976:8 och menade att marknadsföringslagen skyddar enbart konsumenter och näringsidkare, men inte konsumenternas integritet var för sig. För att handskas med könsdiskriminerande reklam har näringslivet skapat en självreglering, som heter Reklamombudsmannen (RO). RO har till uppgift att göra en bedömning om vad som kan uppfattas som könsdiskriminerande reklam enligt Internationella Handelskammarens regler. När RO kommer fram till att en marknadsföring är könsdiskriminerande, så är dessa besluten inte bindande. RO:s sanktioner är enbart att publicera överträdelsen. Uppsatsens uppgift är att antingen verifiera eller falsifiera argumenten om lagstiftning är möjlig och om RO:s arbete fungerar. Detta har skett i uppsatsen genom att ha frågeställningen, ”Skulle en lagstiftning mot könsdiskriminerande reklam strida mot grundlagen eller Marknadsföringslagen 2008:486 (MFL)?”. Denna frågeställning utreds med hjälp utav den rättsdogmatiska metoden.  Problemen i att lagstifta om könsdiskriminerande reklam finna inte enbart i juridiken, utan det finns även ett problem ur ett samhällsperspektiv genom konsekvenser av en sådan lagstiftning. Enligt lag så får en sådan framställning fortfarande ske. För att utreda om samhället har ett behov av en lagstiftning i området har främst ett rättsociologiskt och en empirisk perspektiv använts. Att lagstifta i området skapar ett samhällspåverkan och samhällsmarkering. Könsdiskriminerande reklam motverkar exempelvis jämställdheten och dess utveckling. Uppsatsen kommer utreda om en lagstiftning kommer hjälpa eller hämma samhället. Det som sägs i uppsatsen är bland annat att det finns en riska att med en lagstiftning att färre ärenden prövas och att lagstiftningen inte skulle följa samhällsutvecklingen. Därav lyder den andra frågeställningen att ”Bör det finnas en lagstiftning om könsdiskriminerande reklam, eller kan samhället handskas med detta?”. Könsdiskriminerande reklam motarbetas genom näringslivets egenåtgärder, med andra ord RO. Men räcker det att enbart RO handskas med könsdiskriminerande reklam och att det inte finns en lagstiftning i området. Hur har det funkat för stiftelsen hittills. Här kommer det göras en sammanställning på vad som hittills har bedöms som könsdiskriminerande reklam, genom att ta upp flera exempel på marknadsföring. Detta för att få en förståelse kring hur RO arbetar i praktiken och för att besvara på frågeställningen ”Hur väl fungerar RO:s arbete emot könsdiskriminerande reklam?”.  Reklam som är könsdiskriminerande skapar båda samhälleliga och juridiska problem. En diskussion pågår genom hela uppsatsen och det kommer inte finnas en enkel lösning till hands.

Apesar da dor femoropatelar (DFP) apresentar alta incidência e prognóstico desfavorável, sua etiologia permanece obscura e seu diagnóstico clínico e funcional indefinido. Acredita-se que uma das causas da DFP seja a alteração na ativação dos músculos vasto medial (VM) e vasto lateral (VL), porém são escassos os estudos que investigam parâmetros eletromiográficos no domínio da frequência destes músculos. Portanto, o objetivo é analisar parâmetros da frequência, obtidos por dois métodos de processamento, para identificação de padrões eletromiográficos em mulheres com DFP que apresentem elevada capacidade discriminatória, correlação com a dor e que possam ser considerados como fator de risco. O sinal eletromiográfico dos músculos VM e VL de 80 mulheres (40 mulheres assintomáticas e 40 mulheres com DFP) foi coletado durante a subida de escada. Considerou-se para análise o sinal eletromiográfico correspondente à componente vertical da força de reação do solo (Fz) e à loading rate (LR) da Fz. Os parâmetros eletromiográficos foram comparados entre os grupos e testados quanto à (ao) reprodutibilidade, capacidade discriminatória, associação com a dor e fator de risco. Os resultados evidenciaram que os parâmetros eletromiográficos correspondentes à Fz e a LR da Fz são reprodutíveis e estão alterados em pacientes com DFP. Entretanto, os parâmetros do sinal eletromiográfico correspondente à Fz apresentaram valores altos de correlação com a dor e capacidade discriminatória quando comparados ao segundo processamento. Além disso, a alteração eletromiográfica, representada pela banda de frequência entre 45 e 96 Hz do VL, mostrou ser um possível fator de risco para DFP. Os achados deste estudo mostram uma nova abordagem na interpretação e aplicabilidade das alterações eletromiográficas dos músculos VM e VL, evidenciando que alterações de controle neuromuscular devem ser consideradas no processo de avaliação, tratamento e prevenção da DFP. / Despite the patellofemoral pain (PFP) has high incidence and unfavorable prognosis, its etiology remains unclear and clinical diagnosis indefinite. It is believed that one of the causes of PFP is the muscle activation altered of the vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL), however there are few studies that investigate electromyographic parameters in the frequency domain in these muscles. Therefore, the purpose is to analyze parameters of the frequency domain, using two different processing methods, to identify electromyographic patterns in women with PFP that have high discriminatory capacity, correlation with pain and that could be a risk factor. The electromyography signal of the VM and VL muscles of the 80 women (40 pain-free women and 40 women with PFP) was collected during stair ascend. Electromyography signal related to vertical ground reaction force (Fz) and loading rate (LR) of Fz was considered to analysis. Electromyography signal was compared between groups and tested about the reliability, discriminatory capacity, correlation with pain and risk factor. Results evidenced that electromyography signal related to Fz and LR are reliable and altered in women with PFP. However, electromyography signal related to Fz has higher values of correlation with pain and discriminatory capacity than electromyography signal related to LR. Furthermore, the altered electromyography signal, represented by the frequency between 45 and 96Hz of the VL muscles, may be consider a risk factor for PFP. Findings of this study show a new approach for understanding and applicability of the altered electromyography signal of the VL and VM muscles, evidencing that changes in the neuromuscular control should be considered in the assessment, management and prevention of the PFP.

Following the 1992 LA Riots, the LAPD underwent institutional reform, with Community-Policing as a lead programmatic effort to bridge tensions between the community and the LAPD. Conceptually, Community-Policing was designed to improve community relations and create shared responsibility. Following the early 90’s, several programming efforts were made to support the Community-Policing approach. Following the reform period, one must wonder whether Community-Policing proves effective. In order to assess the effects of community-policing, this paper is formatted as a Case Study, conducted in Watts, California. The Watts Case Study analyzes the effectiveness of Community-Policing, and how Community-Policing has shaped community-police relations over time.

This dissertation analyzes the effects of Latino immigration on the representation of Latinos and African-Americans on local school boards and attempts to explain under what conditions Latino immigrants provoke opposition among whites. I consider two measures of representation based on representative bureaucracy—the membership of Latinos and African-Americans on school boards and bias in the responsiveness of white school board members toward these two groups. Whites as the major racial group in the U.S. have been the subject of much intergroup relations research focusing on competition for scarce resources, perceived threat and group biases (e.g., Evans and Giles, 1986; Giles and Evans, 1985, 1986; Esses, Jackson and Armstrong, 1998), and I also focus on their racial behaviors as voters in school board elections and as school board members. I consider Latino immigration in this research because emerging evidence suggests that Latino immigration poses a growing threat to whites, leading them to shift their support from Latinos to a countervailing group, such as African-Americans (e.g., Meier and Stewart, 1991; Rocha, 2007). First, I examine whether Latino immigration into a community affects the support of white citizens for Latino or African-American membership on school boards. Second, I examine whether white school board members also are influenced by Latino immigration in their responsiveness to Latino and African-American parents. It is likely that the reactions of whites to Latino immigration are conditioned by their preexisting racial attitudes, so this dissertation also tests competing theories of community racial climate—group threat and group contact. I expect that racial tensions within a community should moderate the influence of Latino immigration on these two forms of Latino and African-American representation. Overall, this dissertation expands the study of representative bureaucracy by combining past research on community racial climates with conditions influencing minority representation. In addition to examining the determinants of passive representation, this dissertation links expectations of the racial behavior of white citizens with the behavior of white school board members by considering the possibility that school board members express “discriminatory intent” (Mendez and Grose, 2014) on non-policy related matters. A better understanding of the determinants of public officials’ personal biases should help to explain the targeting of substantive policy benefits to minorities, which is the focus of much other representative bureaucracy research. While I base my analysis of school board membership on inferences of white voter behavior from aggregate election results, I directly measure white school board member responsiveness using data gathered from a novel randomized field experiment and e-mail audit design. Representative bureaucracy researchers have called for more of this type of individual-level data to help explain minority advocacy (Bradbury and Kellough, 2011).

This study investigates the perceptions different groups of hearing impaired adults have of the difficulties experienced in the acquisition and retention of satisfactory employment. A societal reactions perspective is adopted: departures from 'standard' communicative competence which violate expected norms of interaction are heavily sanctioned in our society. Those who 'deviate' in this respect tend to be negatively categorised in a fairly uniform manner. Thus the mildly impaired suffer similar imputations of deviance as those more severely impaired, variations being of degree rather than of kind, Despite this common categorisation, however, the hearing impaired adopt differing strategies to deal with stigma according to their skill in achieving 'standard' communicative 'competencies'. The semi-closed field of employment was chosen as illustrative of my arguments, as the hearing impaired must contend daily with a hearing environment. Participant observation activities were combined with in-depth interviewing of fifty respondents, covering a diverse range of clinical loss, age of onset and communication skills. My major speculation was confirmed. Respondents, as a group, felt under-involved, if not totally segregated from participation in economic goals by the stereotyping and stigma reactions their handicap was perceived to elicit from work colleagues and employers. Outcomes, however differed according to skill in communicative performance, although the work setting constrained options overall for successful strategy management. Other findings include the power of informal labellers to instigate deviant outcomes; the situational and sequential nature of deviance defining; the legitimation of limitations extrinsic to a respondent's handicap as intrinsic, and their rationalisation as 'insuperable obstacles'; and adherence by respondents to the work ethic. An appreciation of the commonalities of the deviantising process as applied to different groups of the hearing impaired is a pre-requisite for suggested anti-discriminatory legislation: to proscribe overt stigmatising behaviour, and ultimately eradicate stigma's 'small beginnings' at the level of individual interaction.

Apesar da dor femoropatelar (DFP) apresentar alta incidência e prognóstico desfavorável, sua etiologia permanece obscura e seu diagnóstico clínico e funcional indefinido. Acredita-se que uma das causas da DFP seja a alteração na ativação dos músculos vasto medial (VM) e vasto lateral (VL), porém são escassos os estudos que investigam parâmetros eletromiográficos no domínio da frequência destes músculos. Portanto, o objetivo é analisar parâmetros da frequência, obtidos por dois métodos de processamento, para identificação de padrões eletromiográficos em mulheres com DFP que apresentem elevada capacidade discriminatória, correlação com a dor e que possam ser considerados como fator de risco. O sinal eletromiográfico dos músculos VM e VL de 80 mulheres (40 mulheres assintomáticas e 40 mulheres com DFP) foi coletado durante a subida de escada. Considerou-se para análise o sinal eletromiográfico correspondente à componente vertical da força de reação do solo (Fz) e à loading rate (LR) da Fz. Os parâmetros eletromiográficos foram comparados entre os grupos e testados quanto à (ao) reprodutibilidade, capacidade discriminatória, associação com a dor e fator de risco. Os resultados evidenciaram que os parâmetros eletromiográficos correspondentes à Fz e a LR da Fz são reprodutíveis e estão alterados em pacientes com DFP. Entretanto, os parâmetros do sinal eletromiográfico correspondente à Fz apresentaram valores altos de correlação com a dor e capacidade discriminatória quando comparados ao segundo processamento. Além disso, a alteração eletromiográfica, representada pela banda de frequência entre 45 e 96 Hz do VL, mostrou ser um possível fator de risco para DFP. Os achados deste estudo mostram uma nova abordagem na interpretação e aplicabilidade das alterações eletromiográficas dos músculos VM e VL, evidenciando que alterações de controle neuromuscular devem ser consideradas no processo de avaliação, tratamento e prevenção da DFP. / Despite the patellofemoral pain (PFP) has high incidence and unfavorable prognosis, its etiology remains unclear and clinical diagnosis indefinite. It is believed that one of the causes of PFP is the muscle activation altered of the vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL), however there are few studies that investigate electromyographic parameters in the frequency domain in these muscles. Therefore, the purpose is to analyze parameters of the frequency domain, using two different processing methods, to identify electromyographic patterns in women with PFP that have high discriminatory capacity, correlation with pain and that could be a risk factor. The electromyography signal of the VM and VL muscles of the 80 women (40 pain-free women and 40 women with PFP) was collected during stair ascend. Electromyography signal related to vertical ground reaction force (Fz) and loading rate (LR) of Fz was considered to analysis. Electromyography signal was compared between groups and tested about the reliability, discriminatory capacity, correlation with pain and risk factor. Results evidenced that electromyography signal related to Fz and LR are reliable and altered in women with PFP. However, electromyography signal related to Fz has higher values of correlation with pain and discriminatory capacity than electromyography signal related to LR. Furthermore, the altered electromyography signal, represented by the frequency between 45 and 96Hz of the VL muscles, may be consider a risk factor for PFP. Findings of this study show a new approach for understanding and applicability of the altered electromyography signal of the VL and VM muscles, evidencing that changes in the neuromuscular control should be considered in the assessment, management and prevention of the PFP.

We experimentally study the effects of allotment - the division of an item into homogeneous units - in independent private value auctions. We compare a single-item, first-price auction with two equivalent treatments with allotment: a two-unit discriminatory auction and two simultaneous single-unit first-price auctions. We find that allotment mitigates overbidding, with this effect being stronger in the discriminatory auction. In the allotment treatments, we observe large and persistent bid spreading. Across treatments, the discriminatory auction is the least efficient and generates the lowest revenue.