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In this paper, we used data from publicly traded restaurant firms between 2000 and 2019 to test the effectiveness of multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) and logistic regression (logit) in predicting the probability of bankruptcy in the restaurant industry. We constructed various financial ratios extracted from the financial information and analyzed them to determine the optimal models. Our results show that liquid ratios (particularly the quick ratio), operating cash flow, and working capital emerge as the most crucial indicators of potential bankruptcy filings for restaurant firms. The results also show that the logit model performs better within the sample. However, both models exhibit similar predictive capacities with out-of-sample data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to address the issue of why students want to drop out from a course and suggests appropriate strategies to enhance student retention. Design/methodology/approach: A sample of 260 hospitality management students were surveyed based on both Tinto's model of student–institution integration and a theory of planned behavior on student departure. The research applies data mining and decision tree using the classification and regression trees (CART) method as an analytic tool to identify a group, discover relationships between groups and predict future events for segmentation. Findings: The results regarding the demographics indicate that the most critical factors of dropout included residency status, financial situation, quality of class and occupation. Research limitations/implications: This is a limited US sample, based on student perceptions only and not lecturer or institution perceptions. Originality/value: The paper provides empirical evidence of student perspective along with institutional and learning environment factors. It includes data from students who are currently enrolled (which previous literature has not covered) by testing student–institution integration and planned behavior on student departure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has been inconclusive in determining if men or women experience more job satisfaction. A global comparison examining extrinsic and intrinsic factors, work relations, and work–life balance determinants found few differences; however, work relations and work–life balance factors were more significant for male than female workers across occupations. The current study uses International Social Survey Program data representing 37 countries to explore differences in job satisfaction in the hospitality industry. Findings demonstrate that mean job-satisfaction scores for females are lower across hospitality occupations except for hotel receptionists, housekeeping supervisors, and hotel cleaners. Regression results revealed additional differences such as the significance of coworker relations, the negative impact of being discriminated against and harassed at work, working weekends, marital status, and supervisory status for women with autonomy, work stress, education, and employment relationship being more salient for men. Interesting work, work being useful to society, job security, pay, relations with management, and work interfering with family were significant for both males and females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information related to new bill of dual agency legislation introduced in Minnesota in 2019 that will allow retail brokers to conceal their dual agency status from consumers.

The article showcases remarkable Woodland artistry in the form of snake-shaped copper pendants found in Wisconsin, highlighting their historical significance and craftsmanship.

The start of a parenting journey in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) presents many stressors to parents. Previous research has shown parents of infants admitted to the NICU experience heightened stress, anxiety, and depression. Mental health support varies across Canadian NICUs with mixed results. One promising intervention that has not been explored in the NICU is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a behavioural therapy that has had positive mental health-related outcomes in similar parental populations. ACT differs from previous mental health interventions such as traditional Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as it involves mindfulness and acceptance to increase psychological flexibility. Increased psychological flexibility is linked to greater emotional well-being, a higher quality of life, and decreased stress, anxiety, and depression. There is a need for research investigating the utility of ACT in improving mental health outcomes for parents of preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the author discusses litigation over breach of fiduciary duty could help to stem self-dealing in the insurance industry. It also mentions enforcement actions by the Minnesota Department of Commerce have underscored both the prevalence of real estate title insurance kickbacks and the inadequacy of the available enforcement mechanisms. It also mentions Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act (RESPA) on residential real estate transactions.

Background: Proteolysis of matrix components, in particular elastin, is a major contributing factor to the development of lung diseases such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MMP-12 (macrophage elastase) is a protease known to be involved in the progression of lung disease. The relatively low abundance of MMP-12 has precluded the development of quantitative assays that can accurately measure MMP-12 protein levels and activity across cohorts of healthy and diseased individuals. Methods: Commercial antibodies were screened for performance in sandwich ELISA and capture FRET activity assay formats. Precision, accuracy, sensitivity, dilution linearity, and spike recovery were evaluated using sputum samples. Results: Total protein and capture FRET activity assays were developed that were sensitive enough to detect MMP- 12 in 37 of 38 donor sputum samples. A comparison of results between the two assays shows that a majority of sputum MMP-12 is in the active form. No differences were seen between normal, asthmatic, and COPD donors. Conclusion: Sensitive and quantitative assays for both MMP-12 activity and total protein in human induced sputum have been developed. These assays can be used to evaluate MMP-12 as a biomarker for lung disease, and to monitor efficacy of potential therapeutic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Seasonal variations in pore water and solid phase geochemistry were investigated in urbanized minerotrophic peat sediments located in southwestern Michigan, USA. Sediment pore waters were collected anaerobically, using pore water equilibrators with dialysis membranes (“peepers”) and analyzed for pH, alkalinity, dissolved ΣPO4 −3, ΣNH4 +, ΣS−2, SO4 −2, Fe+3, Fe+2, and Mn+2 at 1-2 cm intervals to a depth of 50 cm. Cores collected adjacent to the peepers during all four seasons were analyzed for reactive solid phase Fe according to extraction methods proposed by Kostka and Luther (1994). The association of Fe and trace metals (Mn, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Cd, U) with operationally defined solid phase fractions (carbonates, iron and manganese oxides, sulfides/organics and residual) was assessed for cores extracted during winter and spring using extraction methods proposed by Tessier et al. (1979, 1982). Pore water Fe and S data demonstrate a clear seasonal variation in redox stratification of these sediments. The redox stratification becomes more compressed in spring and summer, with relatively more reducing conditions closer to the sediment water interface (SWI), and less reducing conditions near the SWI in fall and winter. In the upper 10–15 cm of sediment, the pool of ascorbate extractable Fe, thought to be indicative of reactive Fe(III) oxides, diminishes during spring and summer, in agreement with seasonal changes in redox stratification indicated by the pore water data. Tessier extractions indicate that the total extractable quantity of all metals analyzed in this study decrease with depth, and that the majority of the non-residual Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Cd, and U is typically associated with the sulfide/organic fraction of the sediments at all depths. Non-residual Mn, in contrast, is significantly associated with carbonates in the upper 15–25 cm of the sediment, and predominantly associated with the sulfide/organic fraction only in deeper sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article outlines the policy and practice of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation (ITGLWF) with respect to multinationals in the sector. It concludes that while the multinational policy of the ITGLWF is in line with other global union federations, the negotiation of International Framework Agreements is proving to be a much harder objective to realize. This can, in part, be explained by an anti-union stance on the part of some multinationals, a plethora of existing voluntary initiatives, and possible collective employer resistance to such a development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing establishment of transnational information and consultation set in train by the European Works Council Directive of September 1994 is estimated to impact on approximately 25,000 employee representatives in some 1200 multinationals based in the EEA and beyond. This presents labour educators with enormous opportunities and challenges. Specific research questions which emerge in this context concern the extent to which such representatives have a set of generic and therefore transnational training needs in the area of skill, knowledge, and values/attitudes. Second, there is the extent to which existing methods of training needs identification are appropriate to detect and specify both individual and collective/organisational needs at this level. A third question concerns the prospects for transnational worker representatives to embed training needs analysis in their practice. This article attempts to shed some light on these questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT • This article considers key questions of control relating to language support for European Works Councils (EWCs). The degree of support for interpreting and translation, flexibility in the working language(s) and training provision can all have a considerable impact on the ability of transnational worker representatives to develop a workable communications framework. An analysis of the pattern of language provision confirms English as the lingua franca in EWCs. Preliminary findings on the way EWC delegates handle communication across language barriers suggest some pointers for future research into what may be a crucial variable in the development of transnational industrial relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information about several books related to economics. "Psychological Economics: Development, Tensions, Prospects," edited by Peter E. Earlisa collection of 15 chapters written by twelve academics in university economics departments, one professor of marketing and an economic psychologist. Some chapters are speculative, others more of a review. But the book is top-and-tailed by very useful and well written chapters by the editor. In the book "Economics: Between Predictive Science and Moral Philosophy," by James M. Buchanan, the essays are arranged in five sections devoted to methodological issues, individual choice, collective choice, morality and contractarianism, and the fiscal implications of the constitutional approach. A substantial minority of the papers are usefully reprinted from relatively inaccessible sources, but the majority are already easily available with the value of his collection limited to their convenient juxtapositioning. The book "Production, Distribution and Value: A Marxian Approach," by Robert Dixon presents and elaborates a simple model of income distribution with two commodities and two types of income.

This article analyses the findings from a pilot research project looking at the pattern of trade union education provision in Germany, Italy, Sweden and the UK. In each country the trade union movements are adapting their training systems to meet new challenges in often hostile economic and political climates. In spite of common problems there remain significant national differences in trade union education deriving from divergent traditions which we explore through a systems model which focuses on the key issues of national legislation, funding, training provision and accreditation. We conclude by suggesting the need for new research and policy agendas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews the book "Work and Learning: An Introduction," by Bruce Spencer and Jennifer Kelly.

An abstract of the article "Creative Destruction: Evidence From Initial Public Offerings" by Doug Miller, Tera Galloway and Jonathan Arthurs is presented.