<p>I study local shocks to consumer credit supply arising from the opening</p><p>of bank-related retail stores. Bank-related store openings coincide with</p><p>sharp increases in credit card placements in the neighborhood of the</p><p>store, in the months surrounding the store opening, and with the bank</p><p>that owns the store. I exploit this relationship to instrument for new</p><p>credit cards at the individual level, and find that obtaining a new</p><p>credit card sharply increases total borrowing as well as default risk,</p><p>particularly for risky and opaque borrowers. In line with theories of</p><p>default externality, I observe that existing lenders react to the</p><p>increased consumer borrowing and associated riskiness by contracting</p><p>their own supply. In particular, in the year following the issuance of a</p><p>new credit card, banks without links to stores reduce credit card limits</p><p>by 24-51%, offsetting most of the initial increase in total credit</p><p>limits.</p> / Dissertation

In this thesis, the issue which is discussed applies to effects of Business Intelligence (BI). They are described in more detail the benefits and potential use of BI in various application areas, namely finance, marketing, manufacturing, logistics, supply chain management, human resources, CI, web analytics, informatics, and CPM. There are a lot of effects which BI brings. They are divided into different categories, which are the effects of economic, customer, personnel and increasing the analytical process and performance. BI provides many benefits to all of mentioned application areas. But in each of them it may occurs some problems which may involves the introduction of BI into different areas. The main goal is to review the possibilities of planning and analysis of BI effects. I would like to make the readers acquainted with effects which are brought together with BI applications, with the structure based on the application areas and based on the categories mentioned here. All of the effects are collected from the case studies and others sources mentioned in the end. The main contribution is the unified view to the effects which brings the implementation of BI to the enterprise. At each of the effects are mentioned the main dimensions needed to monitor during analysis, and importance to the enterprise during its planning. This thesis can be used as a basis for the next topics connected with the effects of BI or with the application areas.

Magister Artium (Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science) - MA(SRES) / Coaches have been found to have a remarkable influence on the physical and psychological development on their athletes and that their main responsibility is to help their athletes perform at their maximum level and reach goals that they could not attain on their own. Coaches are responsible for developing athletes’ mental, physical, technical, and tactical abilities, and in addition to all of these responsibilities, they are also expected to win. The coach-athlete relationship can thus be regarded as the conveying of technical skills and mentoring from coach to athlete. Despite the responsibilities of a coach, the athlete-coach relationship is fundamental in the process of coaching because its nature is likely to determine the athlete’s satisfaction, self-esteem and performance accomplishments. The aim of this study was to investigate female university track and field athletes’ lived experiences within the athlete-coach relationship to gather psychological effects relating to performance. The objectives were to explore the lived experiences of female university athletes within the athlete-coach relationship, investigate the psychological effects, and explore the impact it has on performance within the athlete-coach relationship. The researcher adopted the qualitative research method approach using the phenomenology design to explore and obtain a better understanding into the psychological effects of the athlete-coach relationship on an athletes’ performance. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data. Following the interviews, all data was analyzed using the 3+1C’s conceptualized model as the theoretical framework. This model was used as it defines the coach-athlete relationship as a situation in which coaches and athletes’ closeness, commitment, and complementarity are co-orientated. The 3+1C’s model explored the athlete-coach relationship from the athlete’s perspective which elicited positive and negative psychological and performance effects within the athlete-coach dyad. The research findings of this thesis it can be concluded that the behaviours of coaches have an influence on female athletes’ psychological state as well as performance; and found that when coaches and athletes work together to achieve goals the relationship is more likely to be successful and the athlete is more likely to achieve goals. Furthermore it was concluded that affective emotional feelings of female University athletes are important in developing an effective athlete-coach relationship and facilitating positive psychological effects.

Thesis (MTech (Nature Conservation))--Cape Technikon, 2003. / The study was carried out on two adjacent farms on the plains of the Nama Karoo near Beaufort West. The impacts of three grazing treatments (a) zero grazing (b) non-selective grazing (c) conventional grazing, on plant diversity and certain vegetation parameters were compared. Unpredictable and variable rainfall and major disturbance events such as droughts drive vegetation change in the Nama Karoo. Major recruitment events are rare and can determine Karoo vegetation composition for many years. The diversity of plant species plays an important role in determining vegetation composition during major recruitment events and following drought or disturbance such as grazing. Grazing can influence the composition, abundance and seed production of Karoo plants and in so doing influence the future abundance of desirable and undesirable forage species. These changes may only become evident over long periods, but small changes in vegetation as a response to grazing treatment can accumulate considerably over time.On the farm Elandsfontein, studies have shown that non-selective grazing leads to a higher plant turnover rate, resulting in more vigorous and productive plants, and improved ecosystem functioning. However there is no evidence of this grazing system promoting or reducing plant diversity. The aim of this study was to test whether the non-selective grazing system promoted or reduced plant diversity compared to no grazing and conventional grazing. The hypothesis was that there were no differences between the grazing treatments in terms of plant diversity or any of the vegetation parameters measured. To evaluate this hypothesis, plant data were collected from the three grazing treatments using the Modified-Whittaker vegetation sampling method. The method was further modified for this study to allow for accurate abundance measurements rather than estimates, and an increased area for recording species richness. Using various diversity indices that incorporate species richness and the proportional abundance of species, plant diversity values for each treatment were obtained. No differences in terms of plant diversity were found between the treatments. A significant difference between treatments was found in the density of plants, particularly in perennial grasses and shrubs. Canopy cover percentage did not differ for individual species or as total cover between the treatments.

Ketamine has shown promise as a novel treatment for depression and as a means to investigate the biology of depression. The drug effectively and rapidly treats depressed patients with the effects lasting approximately 1 week. However, concerns about ketamine’s efficacy do exist because of the inadequacy of blinding procedures used in existing trials. A dose of 0.5 mg/kg has been found to be most effective. Prolonged ketamine infusions have not extended the antidepressant effect beyond the timeframe of a regular infusion. Repeat infusions may be successful in extending ketamine’s effect, but definite conclusions cannot yet be made in this regard. Combination treatment with escitalopram and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) hold promise, as does the development of an intranasal formulation. Ketamine has shown additional efficacy as an acute anti-suicide treatment. Side effects from a single administration usually fade within a few hours and commonly include dissociation, elevations of blood pressure, nausea, and anxiety. Less data is available on the side effects caused by repeated ketamine infusions. Concerns exist regarding genitourinary, hepatic, and cognitive side effects after repeated infusions, as well as a risk of addiction. Research on ketamine’s mechanism of action has focused on the glutamate system in the brain. Ketamine may act by inhibiting release of γ–aminobutyric acid (GABA) from interneurons, activating intrasynaptic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs), increasing mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling, enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) production, inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), blocking extrasynaptic N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), and promoting synaptogenesis and neuroplasticity. The two existing ketamine stereoisomers, (R)- versus (S)-ketamine, have different actions and potentially different efficacies and side effect profiles. Ketamine also produces regional changes in brain activity and connectivity. These include decreased burst firing in the lateral habenula (LHb), increased activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and alterations in the amygdala’s response to angry and happy faces. Ketamine has the potential to be developed into a novel and useful clinical tool in the treatment of depression and to advance the understanding of the biology of depression.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. 2014. / The aim of this dissertation was to determine the likely impacts that planting woodlands would have on the storage, transport and discharge of mine water and contaminants, over a plume originating from the West Complex tailings storage facility within the Vaal River mine lease. The hydrological model MIKE SHE was run on a grid comprising of 120m square cells, for a pre-woodland period from 2001 to 2010. Sulphate was used as an indicator of the contaminant plume concentrations and transport across the study area. Six future woodland planting scenarios (2025 to 2034) were then simulated to determine the effects of mature Searsia lancea, Eucalyptus dunnii and Tamarix usneoides, and different planting scenarios on the contaminant plume. Results indicated that planting these deep-rooted species will be effective in decreasing the groundwater levels, groundwater flux and the quantity of contaminants reaching the river. Before tree water and contaminant uptake can be further modelled with improved accuracy within MIKE SHE, the limitations of the use of only one contaminant uptake value for the vegetation needs to be overcome, so that different uptake rates among different tree species can be shown.

Master of Arts - Arts / Background: With the increasing prevalence of stroke in developing countries, like South Africa, the long-term care of stroke patients living with disabilities has substantial consequences for caregivers and their respective families. Method: This study investigated caregiver perceptions of their experiences, as well as familial implications due to the incidence of stroke within the family system. The assessment, in the form of a semi-structured interview, described the experiences post-stroke as perceived by six primary caregivers. It additionally addressed the challenges the South African context adds to these experiences. This was conceptualised within a systems and biopsychosocial framework, enabling the caregiver and family to be considered in a comprehensive and holistic manner. Results: Prominent themes associated with the caregiving of a stroke patient included: role changes, relationship disruptions within the family system, occupational and social implications, fatigue, anxiety, depression, as well as financial problems. An additional sub theme was that the emotional impact on the family system was greater in cases where younger children were involved. However, social support increased the caregivers’ ability to cope and this additionally assisted the rest of the family in their adjustment. Caregiver experiences were exacerbated by the inadequate support structures available within the South African context, with the lack of post-stroke education being an issue of great concern. Conclusions: Practical implications of this study are discussed, along with considerations of the limitations of the study and suggestions for future research.

Thesis advisor: Peter Ireland / Upon reaching the effective end of conventional monetary policy, the Zero-Lower Bound, the Federal Reserve Board began to utilize a non-conventional expansionary monetary policy involving Large Scale Asset Purchases. Under this policy, large quantities of agency and federal debt is purchased using the reserves of the Federal Reserve Bank’s balance sheet. This policy is frequently referred to as Quantitative Easing or, more simply, QE. This paper considers the effects and sustainability of the Federal Open Market Committee’s use of Large Scale Asset Purchases on the prices and yields of financial assets within the U.S. Financial Markets. Our analysis presents evidence that while QE was initially effective in lowering the yields of agency and federal debt, the downward pressure on yields was not sustainable over time. Additionally, we find that the effects of QE spilled-over into additional asset classes within the financial markets including corporate fixed-income and equities. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2018. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Departmental Honors. / Discipline: Economics.

For centuries Aloe vera has been exploited for several verified and unverified medicinal uses such as wound healing, treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers and for its many biological effects including anti-microbial, laxative, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory activities. Studies have generally focused on its effects in vitro and in adults. When nursing mothers use Aloe vera extracts, their suckling infants are at risk of indirect exposure to Aloe vera via breast feeding or directly as dietary/health supplements. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of the neonate is sensitive to dietary manipulations during the suckling period with long lasting effects that can be irreversible. Thus babies may be at risk if administered Aloe vera extracts directly as dietary supplements or indirectly via breast milk. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of orally administered aqueous and alcohol extracts of Aloe vera on growth performance, the morphometry and morphology of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs, and liver function of suckling rats. Suckling Sprague-Dawley rats (77), males (n=38) and females (n=39) of 6 days old were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups and given once daily by oral gavage a suspension of lyophilized crude alcohol or aqueous extracts of Aloe vera suspended in distilled water. Group I (control) was gavaged with distilled water (vehicle). Group II received a low dose of the aqueous extract (AqL) at 50mg. kg-1; Group III received a high dose of the aqueous extract (AqH) at 500mg. kg-1; Group IV received a low dose of the alcohol extract (AlcL) at 50mg. kg-1 whilst Group V received a high dose of the alcohol extract (AlcH) at 500mg. kg-1. The extracts and distilled water were 2 administered at a volume of 10ml.kg-1. The pups remained with their dams for the duration of the study and after 8 days on the treatments, the pups were humanely killed to harvest their tissues for measurements and physiological analysis. All data were expressed as mean ± SD and analyzed by one way ANOVA, the values were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05 and then a Bonferroni Post hoc test was applied. The suckling rats fed respectively with high doses of AlcH and AqH had a significantly higher body mass gain than the other groups (p < 0.05, one way ANOVA). Linear growth as measured by tibial length was significantly increased in the AqH group compared to the other groups. There was no significant difference in the mass and relative density of the tibia bones of the rats from the different treatment groups. The differences in growth could not be attributed to circulating concentrations of the somatotrophic hormone, Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) which was not significantly different between the groups. The treatments did not result in any significant differences in lengths, and mass of the small and large intestine, however the caecum was significantly enlarged (hypertrophy of muscularis, submucosa and mucosa) in the rats that received the Aloe vera extracts. Although, there was no significant difference in the mass of the rats’ livers, the lipid and glycogen content were significantly higher (p < 0.001) for the AqH group compared to the other groups. Histologically, the hepatocytes showed enlarged nuclei, granular cytoplasm and dilated sinusoids for AqH and AlcH as compared to the control group. An indirect assessment of liver function by measurement of blood concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine amino transaminase (ALT) did not reveal a significant difference between the groups. The non fasting concentration of metabolic substrates (glucose and triglycerides) was also not significantly different between the groups. The pups given high doses of the extracts had a significantly greater (p < 0.05) thymus mass (hyperplastic) than the other groups. The short term administration of Aloe vera extracts has shown a growth promoting effect, enhanced hepatic storage of metabolic substrates and hypertrophy of the caecum and thymus of neonatal rats. These effects need to be explored further to enhance animal production and health.

Introduction: Alcohol is an indirect contributor to HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. Alcohol users in general, and heavy, episodic drinkers in particular, are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour. Interventions promoting the reduction of alcohol use in conjunction with sex are likely to enhance the HIV prevention response. However, little is known about the relationship between different dimensions of alcohol use and risky sexual behaviour in the general adult population in South Africa. The overall aim of this study was to examine the relationship between alcohol dependence, binge drinking and frequency of drinking in the past month and risky sexual behaviour among males and females aged 16-55 years in South Africa in 2012. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data from a nationally representative cross-sectional study of males and females aged 16-55 years in 2012. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between alcohol use and risky sexual behaviour. Three nuanced measures of alcohol use were used – alcohol dependence, binge drinking, and frequency of drinking in the past month. The outcomes examined included multiple sexual partners (MSP) in the past 12 months, MSP in the past month, transactional sex, age-disparate sex and condom use at last sex. Results: Some 10,034 respondents (n=4,065 males and n=5,969 females) were interviewed. This study found that for males, there was no significant relationship between alcohol dependence and risky sexual behaviour. For females, those who were alcohol dependent were more likely to have received money/gifts in exchange for sex. Binge drinking and frequency of drinking in the past month were associated with risky sexual behaviour for both males and females. For males, binge drinking was associated with: MSP in the past 12 months (AOR: 1.93, 95% CI 1.37 - 2.72), providing gifts/money in exchange for sex (AOR: 1.53, 95% CI 1.01 - 2.33), and having a sexual partner five or more years younger than themselves (AOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.09 - 1.89). An interaction between binge drinking and self-efficacy for resisting MSP was positively associated with MSP in the past month. Frequency of drinking in the previous month was associated with all five outcome variables and a dose response relationship was present. An interaction between frequency of drinking and self-efficacy for resisting MSP was positively associated with MSP in the past month. For females, binge drinking was associated with: MSP in the past 12 months (AOR 1.93, 95% CI 1.37-2.72), MSP in the past month (AOR 1.79, 95% CI: 1.03 - 3.10), and receiving money/gifts in exchange for sex (AOR 3.10, 95% CI 1.45 - 6.62). An interaction between binge drinking and self-efficacy for resisting MSP was positively associated with MSP in the 12 past months. Frequency of drinking was associated with MSP in the past month. A dose response relationship was evident with females who drank more frequently in the past month being more likely to have had MSP in the past 12 months. This study found high levels of non-drinking (62.80%) but high levels of hazardous drinking among those who drank. Males were more likely to drink and to display hazardous drinking patterns. In general males were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour, although males were more likely to have used a condom at last sex. Conclusions: Overall this study has described the patterns and prevalence of alcohol use and risky sexual behaviour in the general population in South Africa. It has demonstrated gender-specific relationships between various types of alcohol use and risky sexual behaviour and has new insights into the complex relationship between these two phenomena. Results suggest that the drinking environment facilitates high-risk sexual encounters. Findings from this study can be used to design and implement future interventions to address this important risk factor for HIV.