bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Active Humans, Inactive Carnivores, and Hiking Trails within a Suburban Preserve
Authors: Bandak Sonny , Sarno Ronald , Peterson Michaela , Farkas Daniel , Grigione Melissa
Published: March 2020

As urban areas continue to proliferate, so does the demand for outdoor recreation. Hiking trails permeate almost all remaining forest fragments within highly urbanized areas. The effects of hiking trails on carnivores remain unclear, especially in the northeastern United States. Therefore, our objectives were to investigate the spatial and temporal activity patterns of mammalian carnivores in relation to distance from hiking trails. From 2011-2012, 236 camera stations were randomly deployed between trail and off-trail areas that covered an area of 4.8km2. A total of 3880 trap nights yielded 346 coyote (Canis latrans), 371 raccoon (Procyon lotor), 75 bobcat (Lynx rufus), and 78 red fox (Vulpes vulpes) detections. A consistent pattern of human avoidance by carnivores was observed in high human-use areas; although carnivores were detected more often on trails, detection was less likely during daytime than nighttime. We propose that within urban-forest fragments, trail-based recreation and habitat fragmentation may have similar impacts on carnivore spatio-temporal activity. Considering the top-down influence that coyotes have on ecosystem function (Henke and Bryant 1999), two approaches must be taken. First, efforts must be made to minimize the impacts of human recreation on carnivores through park management practices. Second, research and monitoring programs must be implemented to better understand the long-term effects that hiking trails have on carnivore activity and distribution.
Perceiving the effects of scale on command and control: A conceptual metaphor approach
Authors: McAleavy, BA (Hons), MSc, PhD Tony
Published: March 2020

Objective: This study investigates emergency manager’s perceptions of Command and Control to answer the question “how do emergency managers metaphorically interpret Command and Control?”Design: An interpretivist paradigm, verbatim transcription, and content and linguistic metaphor analysis were used within this study.Setting: Fifteen interviews per country, three per selected organization were conducted in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.Subjects: Purposive sampling identified suitable participants from key organizations engaged in emergency management at local, subnational, and national levels.Interventions: The study consisted of 30 semi-structured face-to-face interviews conducted within the work-place.Main Outcome Measure(s): The inductive and qualitative nature of the study resulted in a 300,000-word corpus of data from which the two posited theories emerged.Results: The UK Gold, Silver, Bronze model and the USA Incident Command System were considered tried and tested although they are conceptually misunderstood. Moreover, they are believed to be essential, scalable, and flexible. Able to manage the perceived chaos of increasing scales of disaster which contradicts the existing literature.Conclusions: Two conceptual metaphors are theorized to create flexible learning tools that challenge the entrenched nature of these findings. Command and Control as a Candle demonstrates the effects of increasing disaster scale on systemic efficacy. Command and Control as a Golden Thread illustrates problems caused by time, distance, resource depletion, and infrastructure degradation. These tools engender deeper more critical perspectives by linking theory to practice through metaphor to engender perceptual change.
Disaster debris management best practice case studies
Authors: Crowley, PhD Julia
Published: March 2020

Objective: To identify debris management best practices for planning and responding to debris-generating disaster events.Methodology: Four best practice county case studies were selected through the responses of emergency management directors to an initial survey about debris management. Interviews were setup with the emergency management directors, and additional interviewees were identified through snowballing. Interviews were conducted, transcribed, and coded to identify six themes.Results: The six themes that were identified through the coding include: debris management plans, challenges, collaboration, learning, communication, and debris operations. Case study interviewees identified their pre-event debris management plans as important for an effective and efficient debris management process. Interviewees also demonstrated a strong willingness to work together on debris management as well as an understanding of individual roles and responsibilities. Furthermore, interviewees address the concept of learning from past disaster events as a means of managing the uncertainty of disaster debris management.
Article: Tabletop exercise to prepare institutions of higher education for an outbreak of COVID-19
Authors: Wendelboe, PhD Aaron M. , Miller, JD, CRM Amanda , Drevets, MD Douglas , Salinas, MD Linda , Miller E. J. , Jackson Dalton , Chou, PhD Ann , Raines, JD Jill , Working Group Public Health
Published: March 2020

Preparing for public health emergencies is an ongoing process and involves a variety of approaches and tools. Tabletop exercises are one of the tools designed to simulate the emergence of a public health emergency and address some or all of the phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.1 They typically are designed to include participation of stakeholders from diverse and complementary backgrounds, including command, operations, logistics, planning, and finance.2 Effective tabletop exercises provide a plausible scenario that require cooperation and communication from these functional areas. Tabletops also require forward thinking and planning in a variety of scenarios. When a public health emergency occurs, decision makers may be overwhelmed with decisions that need their immediate attention. Tabletop exercises can provide a framework to help decision makers anticipate future challenges, which may provide the mental model encompassing knowledge and insights that inform both current and future decisions.
Labor Costs and Corporate Investment in Italy
Authors: Garcia-Macia Daniel
Published: March 2020

The recovery of private investment in Italy has lagged its euro area peers over the past decade. This paper examines the role of elevated labor costs in hindering the recovery. Specifically, labor costs rose faster than labor productivity prior to the global financial crisis and have remained high since, weighing on firms’ profits, capital returns, and thus capacity to invest. Empirical analysis provides evidence for the impact of wages on investment at the sectoral and firm levels. Sectoral wage growth seems unrelated to sectoral productivity growth, but is negatively associated with investment. Firm-level data permit a better identification—by exploiting the interaction between sectoral wage growth (exogenous to the firm) and the lagged labor share of the firm. A 1 percent increase in real wages is estimated to cause a 1/3 percent fall in fixed capital. Profits absorb only ½ of the cost increase, pointing to the role of liquidity constraints. These results highlight the need for labor market reform to reinvigorate investment, and thus labor productivity and job creation.
Uruguay
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Published: March 2020

Uruguay is in an enviable position in many respects. The country enjoys
political stability, strong governance and institutions, and a high degree of social
cohesion. Following a decade and a half of robust growth, the country boasts high per
capita income, low levels of poverty and inequality, and a resilient financial sector.
More recently, in a context of a volatile region and global uncertainties, challenges
have emerged. Growth, investment, and employment have slowed; inflation and
inflation expectations have remained persistently above target; fiscal accounts have
deteriorated, and debt has increased. The political and economic landscapes—with the
post-election mandate and a growth boost due to large private and infrastructure
investments—present an opportunity to address these challenges and preserve the
social compact for future generations.
Republic of Congo
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Statistics Dept.
Published: March 2020

A technical assistance mission in national accounting from the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) Regional Technical Assistance Center for Central Africa (AFRITAC
Central) visited Brazzaville during December 5–14, 2018 to support the National Statistics
Institute (INS) in its work on the national accounts estimates. The mission focused on an
analysis of the 2016 and 2017 annual national accounts finalized in accordance with the System
of National Accounts 1993 (1993 SNA). The analysis included a review of the information sources
used, the methods of calculation and extrapolation, and compliance with the 1993 SNA. The 2016
accounts are completed and finalized, including the summary tables – supply and use tables
(SUT), branch accounts, and integrated economic accounts table (IEAT); and the 2017 accounts
are still being finalized. The mission recommends that the national accounting officers improve
estimates based on the recommendations provided by the mission.1
Malaysia
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
Published: March 2020

Selected Issues
Austria
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
Published: March 2020

This note assesses and makes recommendations regarding bank resolution and crisis management arrangements. The scope of the assessment includes the institutional arrangements for recovery, resolution, and crisis management; the supervision of banks’ recovery plans; the legal regime for bank bankruptcy and resolution; resolution planning by the authorities and addressing impediments to resolution; assuring funding to support resolution; the two deposit guarantee schemes; and the government authorities’ collective preparedness to deal with financial crisis. The authorities relevant to this note are the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Financial Market Authority (FMA), and the Austrian National Bank (OeNB).
Main findings: Recovery and resolution planning are well advanced. Key impediments to resolution have been identified and are being addressed, yet adequate means to ensure sufficient funding in resolution remains to be determined. The legal framework is sound, although additional flexibility could be provided in the bankruptcy regime. The authorities’ collective contingency planning for financial crisis and testing of plans should be intensified. The following paragraphs elaborate on these and other matters.
Austria
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
Published: March 2020

The insurance sector is experiencing low growth, stemming mainly from life business and a prolonged low-interest-rate environment. While the total assets have increased in nominal terms, it has underperformed GDP growth. Some segments, in particular single-premium products in life insurance, are suffering from material declines of premiums. Insurers are coping with the challenges with large-scale mergers domestically and international expansions. The duration gap between asset and liabilities was one of the highest among the European peers. The average guaranteed rates remain high, while the investment returns continue to decline.
Tenth Periodic Monitoring Report On The Status Of Management Implementation Plans In Response To Board-Endorsed IEO Recommendations
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: March 2020

The Tenth Periodic Monitoring Report (PMR) on the Status of Management
Implementation Plans (MIPs) in Response to Board-Endorsed Independent Evaluation
Office (IEO) Recommendations assesses the progress made over the last year on actions
contained in 10 MIPs with open management actions.
The long-term trend and production sensitivity change in the US ozone pollution from observations and model simulations
Authors: He Hao , Liang Xin-Zhong , Sun Chao , Tao Zhining , Tong Daniel Q.
Published: March 2020

Abstract. We investigated the ozone pollution trend and its sensitivity to key
precursors from 1990 to 2015 in the United States using long-term EPA Air Quality System (AQS)
observations and mesoscale simulations. The modeling system, a coupled
regional climate–air quality model (CWRF-CMAQ; Climate-Weather Research Forecast and
the Community Multiscale Air Quality), captured well the summer
surface ozone pollution during the past decades, having a mean slope of
linear regression with AQS observations of ∼0.75. While the
AQS network has limited spatial coverage and measures only a few key
chemical species, CWRF-CMAQ provides comprehensive simulations to enable
a more rigorous study of the change in ozone pollution and chemical
sensitivity. Analysis of seasonal variations and diurnal cycle of ozone
observations showed that peak ozone concentrations in the summer afternoon
decreased ubiquitously across the United States, up to 0.5 ppbv yr−1 in major
non-attainment areas such as Los Angeles, while concentrations at certain
hours such as the early morning and late afternoon increased slightly.
Consistent with the AQS observations, CMAQ simulated a similar decreasing
trend of peak ozone concentrations in the afternoon, up to 0.4 ppbv yr−1, and
increasing ozone trends in the early morning and late afternoon. A monotonically
decreasing trend (up to 0.5 ppbv yr−1) in the odd oxygen (Ox=O3+NO2) concentrations are simulated by CMAQ at all daytime hours.
This result suggests that the increased ozone in the early morning and late
afternoon was likely caused by reduced NO–O3 titration, driven by
continuous anthropogenic NOx emission reductions in the past decades.
Furthermore, the CMAQ simulations revealed a shift in chemical regimes of
ozone photochemical production. From 1990 to 2015, surface ozone production
in some metropolitan areas, such as Baltimore, has transited from a
VOC-sensitive environment (>50 % probability) to a
NOx-sensitive regime. Our results demonstrated that the long-term
CWRF-CMAQ simulations can provide detailed information of the ozone
chemistry evolution under a changing climate and may partially explain the
US ozone pollution responses to regional and national regulations.
Neoglacial trends in diatom dynamics from a small alpine lake in the Qinling mountains of central China
Authors: Cheng Bo , Adams Jennifer , Chen Jianhui , Zhou Aifeng , Zhang Qing , Mackay Anson W.
Published: March 2020

Abstract. During the latter stages of the Holocene, and prior to anthropogenic global
warming, the Earth underwent a period of cooling called the neoglacial. The
neoglacial is associated with declining summer insolation and changes to
Earth's surface albedo. Although impacts varied globally, in China the
neoglacial was generally associated with a cooler climate and an attenuated
Asian summer monsoon. Few studies in central China, however, have explored
the impact of neoglacial cooling on freshwater diversity, especially in
alpine regions. Here we take a palaeolimnological approach to characterise
multi-decadal variability in diatom community composition, ecological guilds,
and compositional turnover over the past 3500 years from the alpine
Yuhuang Chi lake on Mount Taibai in the Qinling mountains. Diatoms in the high-profile guild dominate much of the record from 3500 to 615 cal BP,
which suggests that few nutrients in the lake were limiting overall, and
disturbance and herbivory were likely low. After 615 cal BP, low-profile
and planktic guild diatoms increase, suggesting greater turbulence in the
lake, alongside a decline in available nutrients. Diatom turnover highlights
periods in the lake history when deterministic processes structured diatom
communities. For example, an abrupt decline in turnover is coincident with
the shift from high- to low-profile diatoms at 615 cal BP, and this is likely
due to the onset of the Little Ice Age in the region. We suggest that Yuhuang Chi lake became more shallow during peak regional aridity, which led to
the short-lived community restructuring observed in the record.
An autonomous low-power instrument platform for monitoring water and solid discharges in mesoscale rivers
Authors: Nord Guillaume , Michielin Yoann , Biron Romain , Esteves Michel , Freche Guilhem , Geay Thomas , Hauet Alexandre , Legoût Cédric , Mercier Bernard
Published: March 2020

Abstract. We present the development of the River Platform for Monitoring Erosion (RIPLE) designed for monitoring at high temporal
frequency (∼10 min) of water discharge, solid fluxes (bedload
and suspended load) and properties of fine particles (settling velocity) in
mesoscale rivers, i.e. which drain mesoscale catchments (≈10–103 km2). This platform responds to a request to
continuously measure these variables in rivers using a single, centralized
device, and to do this in the most direct way possible. The platform integrates the
following instruments: (i) for water discharge, water level radar, and surface
velocity radar, digital cameras and an echo sounder; (ii) for fine sediment load,
turbidimeters and automatic samplers including the SCAF (a sediment settling
velocity characterization device); (iii) for bedload, a hydrophone; and (iv) for
water quality, a conductivity probe and water sampling. As far as water
discharge monitoring is concerned, priority has been given to non-intrusive
instruments to improve the robustness of the system. All the instruments are
driven by a data logger (Campbell® CR6), which
locally stores the data and then uploads them to a remote server every hour
during the day using a 3G modem. SMS (Short Message Service) alerts can be
sent depending on scheduled conditions (e.g. low battery voltage, water
level threshold, all samples of the automatic sampler collected). The
platform has been designed to be as autonomous as possible: it is powered by
a battery that is supplied by a solar panel. Limiting the power consumption of the
platform was one of the main technical challenges because of the quantity
of instruments integrated. A simple 100 W solar panel is sufficient to power
the entire platform, even during winter or low insulation conditions. A
user-friendly interface has been developed, enabling to visualize the data
collected by the platform from an internet connection. It is also possible
to remotely configure the platform within this interface, e.g. to
modify water sampling thresholds or alert thresholds. Finally, the platform
is relatively easy to move from one site to another, because its
installation requires little civil engineering. To date, RIPLE has been
tested on two rivers of the Alps in France: the Romanche river in Bourg
d'Oisans from September 2016 to July 2018 and the Galabre river in La
Robine sur Galabre since October 2018, demonstrating the proper functioning
of the platform.
Data assimilation of in situ and satellite remote sensing data to 3D hydrodynamic lake models: a case study using Delft3D-FLOW v4.03 and OpenDA v2.4
Authors: Baracchini Theo , Chu Philip Y. , Šukys Jonas , Lieberherr Gian , Wunderle Stefan , Wüest Alfred , Bouffard Damien
Published: March 2020

Abstract. The understanding of physical dynamics is crucial to
provide scientifically credible information on lake ecosystem management.
We show how the combination of in situ observations, remote sensing data, and
three-dimensional hydrodynamic (3D) numerical simulations is capable of
resolving various spatiotemporal scales involved in lake dynamics. This
combination is achieved through data assimilation (DA) and uncertainty
quantification. In this study, we develop a flexible framework by
incorporating DA into 3D hydrodynamic lake models. Using an ensemble Kalman
filter, our approach accounts for model and observational uncertainties. We
demonstrate the framework by assimilating in situ and satellite remote
sensing temperature data into a 3D hydrodynamic model of Lake Geneva.
Results show that DA effectively improves model performance over a broad
range of spatiotemporal scales and physical processes. Overall, temperature
errors have been reduced by 54 %. With a localization scheme, an ensemble
size of 20 members is found to be sufficient to derive covariance matrices
leading to satisfactory results. The entire framework has been developed
with the goal of near-real-time operational systems (e.g., integration into
meteolakes.ch).
Keeping Up Textual Appearances: The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001
Authors: Giddens Thomas
Published: March 2020

In legal discourse and practice, concerns regarding the appearance of text focus almost exclusively on questions of legibility. There is little analysis of law’s textual form beyond matters of practical readability, indicating an underlying assumption that printed words are merely a vehicle for the transmission of law’s intellectual content. However, the UK’s Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 (SI No 561) (the ‘2001 Regulations’) prescribe the detailed regulation of the visual appearance of registration marks (or number plates) beyond that required for their practical operation. Through analysis of these regulations, this paper overturns the assumption that the significance of textual appearance is purely pragmatic by demonstrating the widespread importance of the visual form of writing within the regulatory praxis of the modern state—of which registration marks are a part. When we read the law, when we encounter a regulatory text, we are not just decoding intellectual content but are witnessing the appearance and repetition of sovereign power.
Plasticity on 'BRS 8381' Glycine max (L.) Merril Agronomic Attributes in Different Years of Cultivation in Roraima
Authors: Smiderle Oscar José , Menezes Pedro Henrique Santos de , Souza Aline Das Graças , Dias Thiago Jardelino , Gianluppi Daniel
Published: March 2020

Soy has high plasticity, which expands its capacity to adapt to different environmental and management conditions, through morphological changes in production components. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the effects of different densities of soybean cultivar BRS 8381 on agronomic characteristics. The experiment was implemented and conducted in a Cerrado area, in the Agua Boa of Embrapa Roraima experimental field. A randomized block design was used in a 2*4 factorial scheme, with four replications. The treatments consisted of two years of soybean cultivation (2015 and 2016), sown in four plant densities (10, 14, 18 and 22 plants per linear meter). Agronomic characteristics were evaluated: plant height; height of insertion of the first pod; stem diameter; number of nodes on the stem; number of pods per plant; number of branches per plant; dry mass of the plant; harvest index and grain yield. The highest average productivity of 'BRS 8381' soybeans in the Cerrado area of Roraima is obtained with a population of 387.448 plants per hectare. 'BRS 8381' plants at density 22 plants m-1 linear are not suitable for the Cerrado conditions of Roraima. The cv. BRS 8381 is influenced by rainfall and temperature factors in the Cerrado conditions of Roraima.
Non-destructive and Destructive Methods to Determine the Leaf Area of Zucchini
Authors: Pacheco Adriano Bicioni , Nascimento Jéssica Garcia , Moura Larissa Brêtas , Lopes Tárcio Rocha , Duarte Sergio Nascimento , Coelho Rubens Duarte , Marques Patricia Angélica Alves
Published: March 2020

Leaf area estimation is a very important indicator in studies related to plant anatomy, morphology and physiology, and in many cases, it is a fundamental criterion to understand plant response to input conditions. Although there are leaf area prediction models have been produced for some plant species, a leaf area estimation model has not yet been developed for the zucchini. The objective of this paper was to determine the leaf area based on destructive and non-destructive methods for zucchini. The accuracy of measurement methods was evaluated and compared to determinations of the leaf area by the scanning integration method (LICOR equipment LI 3100C), considered as standard procedure. Non-destructive methods consisted of digital photography and measurement of leaf dimensions (width and length) based on ImageJ software. The destructive methods used were a) leaf area integrator LI-3100C, b) determination of leaf mass and c) weighing of leaf discs punched from the leaves. According to statistical parameters that evaluate the performance of the analyzed methods: determination coefficient (R2), Pearson (r) correlation coefficient, Willmott agreement index (d) and Camargo and Sentelhas performance index (c) the parameters presented values higher than 0.8820, classifying the methods as very good, whereas the modeling efficiency index (NSE) and the percentage of bias (PBIAS) also classified the methods as very good (0.87≤NSE≤0.99; -4.80≤PBIAS≤1.40), except the ImageJ method without correction (NSE=0.77; PBIAS = -22.70).
Nietzsche's “Great Politics” and Zarathustra's New Peoples
Authors: Loschenkohl Birte
Published: March 2020

Scholars have long debated how best to understand Nietzsche's “great politics.” But they have hitherto neglected Nietzsche's own suggestion that Thus Spoke Zarathustra (Z) provides a “formula” for it. This article thus provides a fresh interpretation of “great politics” based on a reading of Z. It argues that “great politics” is concerned above all with the question of how to overcome humankind in its present form. Such overcoming does not have a specific goal. Rather, Z suggests that a continuous overcoming of the present is required in order to remain attuned to the nature of life itself and allow for human flourishing. In the “new peoples” Nietzsche anticipates, politics would take on a form that radically revalues many foundational assumptions of political philosophy. In offering a new understanding of “great politics,” this article therefore also suggests an answer to the question whether and in what sense Nietzsche is a political philosopher.
The German Online Editions of Nietzsche's Works: A User's Perspective
Authors: Colsen Marc
Published: March 2020

This article considers the two most important German online editions of Nietzsche's works, Nietzsche Source and Nietzsche Online, from a user's perspective. After a description of the print editions on which they are based (KGW and KGB), an assessment is made of their completeness, their textual reliability, the usefulness of their navigation menus and the usefulness of their search functions. The article finds that there are noteworthy differences in completeness and reliability, that the accessibility of the posthumous notes could be improved in both cases, and that Nietzsche Source has a better search function than Nietzsche Online. The ideal online edition would be an augmented mixture of both editions.
Obturator-Assisted Prolapse for Access to and Sampling of Colorectal Masses in Seven Dogs
Authors: Wolff Ewan , Van Vertloo Laura , Salisbury S. Kathleen , Childress Michael O.
Published: March 2020

The gold standard for diagnosis of colorectal masses is surgical biopsy; however, this is not always logistically or economically feasible. The authors present an alternative to established flexible and rigid endoscopic approaches when case limitations require such an approach. In seven dogs, after the identification of a mass on physical exam and computed tomographic evaluation, the colorectum was accessed using obturator-assisted prolapse to isolate discrete masses and perform shielded sampling via core needle biopsy. Histopathologic diagnosis was adequate for treatment planning in all dogs. No major complications were recorded 65–475 days after the procedure. This technique may be useful when traditional endoscopy and surgery for biopsy of colorectal masses is unavailable.
Combined Surgical, Radiation, and Medical Therapies for Osteochondrodysplasia in a Scottish Fold Cat
Authors: Nakajo Tetsuya , Fujita Yukihiro , Ichinohe Tom , Maruo Takuya
Published: March 2020

Osteochondrodysplasia affects both homozygous and heterozygous Scottish Fold cats, and various treatments have been attempted to control chronic pain and improve mobility in these animals. However, to date, there is no single effective treatment that can be used to treat all cats with Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia (SFOCD). A 4 yr old castrated Scottish Fold cat presented with plantar exostoses in the right hindlimb, the largest of which was caudal to the tarsometatarsal joint and had stretched the overlying skin, causing ulceration and bleeding. There was right hindlimb lameness. The cat was diagnosed with SFOCD, and the skin lesions were treated by excision of the exostoses, removal of the damaged skin, and wound closure. All extremities were treated with radiotherapy and subcutaneous pentosan polysulfate for chronic pain. The cat’s gait improved after surgery, and increased activity was noted after radiotherapy. There were no signs of excessive bone proliferation or adverse effects at 80 wk postoperatively. In conclusion, a combination of surgical, radiation, and medical therapies could be an effective treatment strategy for SFOCD with skin ulceration.
Upper Airway Obstruction Due to Primary Laryngeal Blastomycosis in a Dog
Authors: Van Vertloo Laura R. , Gettinger Melissa R. , Naiman Jaron H. , Haynes Joseph S.
Published: March 2020

A 9 yr old female spayed Labrador retriever presented for progressive dyspnea. Inspiratory stridor and inspiratory and expiratory dyspnea were present, consistent with an upper airway obstruction. A laryngeal exam revealed severe thickening of the arytenoid cartilages and masses associated with the arytenoids. A tracheostomy tube was placed, and the masses were biopsied. Histopathology showed pyogranulomatous inflammation secondary to Blastomyces dermatitidis. The dog was initially treated with amphotericin B and terbinafine in the hospital until the airway obstruction resolved and the tracheostomy tube could be removed. The dog experienced complete recovery after long-term treatment with itraconazole and terbinafine. This is the first report of laryngeal obstruction secondary to primary laryngeal blastomycosis in a dog. Blastomycosis should be considered for cases of obstructive laryngeal disease, and a good outcome can be achieved with antifungal treatment.
Association Between Exposure to Ehrlichia spp. and Risk of Developing Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs
Authors: Burton Wade , Drake Corie , Ogeer Jennifer , Buch Jesse , Mack Rebekah , McCrann Donald , Coyne Michael Joseph
Published: March 2020

Ehrlichiosis is a common vector-borne disease caused by Ehrlichia spp. This retrospective matched cohort study was performed to determine if dogs with Ehrlichia spp. antibodies had an increased incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Exposure to Ehrlichia spp. was defined as having an Ehrlichia spp. antibody–positive result recorded at any point in their available patient history. The outcome of CKD was defined as concurrent increased symmetric dimethylarginine (>14 µg/dL) and creatinine (>1.5 mg/dL) for a minimum of 25 days with inappropriate urine specific gravity (<1.030). Patients were matched using propensity score matching to control for age, geography, and breed. A total of 22,440 patients and controls in E canis–endemic regions of the United States were used in this analysis. Contingency tables were used to compare dogs with and without exposure to Ehrlichia spp.–infected ticks and CKD outcome. The relative risk of CKD for patients exposed to ticks carrying Ehrlichia spp. was found to be 2.12 (95% confidence interval [1.35–3.15], p < 0.0006). This study identified that testing positive for Ehrlichia spp. antibodies in E canis–endemic regions is associated with higher incidence of CKD in dogs.
Epidemiology of herpes zoster in the State of Qatar, 2012–2017
Authors: Al-Dahshan Ayman , Chehab Mohamad , Ganesan Nandakumar , Bansal Devendra , Farag Elmoubasher , Al-Romaihi Hamad
Published: March 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the epidemiological features of herpes zoster (HZ) in Qatar. Methods: This study was a retrospective review of all reported HZ cases received by the surveillance unit at the Ministry of Public Health, between January 2012 and December 2017. Results: A total of 2815 cases were reported during the study period. The mean incidence of HZ was estimated to be 19/100,000 population, which increased from 9.8/100,000 in 2012 to 36.2/100,000 in 2017. The ratio of male/female was about 4:1. HZ incidence overall was found to be highest in those aged ≥ 50 years. According to nationality, the mean incidence of HZ was estimated to be 79/100,000 among Qataris and 101/100,000 among expatriates. Additionally, more HZ cases were notified during the hot months. Conclusion: Such epidemiological data will contribute to the baseline information, which is necessary for effective preventive and control measures to be implemented in the country.
PERCEPÇÃO ECOLÓGICO-CONSERVACIONISTA DOS FREQUENTADORES DO PARQUE MUNICIPAL CECI CUNHA, ARAPIRACA, ALAGOAS
Authors: Silva Maria Renata Mariano , Da Silva Jecilãine Efigênia , Da Silva José Wesley Gabriel , De Sousa Taynara Alves , Silva Barbosa Renata Rikelly , Santos Jacielle Da Costa , Da Silva Rosineide Nascimento
Published: March 2020

O estudo da percepção ambiental é importante para a compreensão das inter-relações entre o homem e o ambiente. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar e percepção ecológico-conservacionista dos frequentadores do Parque Municipal Ceci Cunha, localizado no município de Arapiraca, Alagoas. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio da aplicação de questionário a 100 frequentadores, entre os meses de abril e maio de 2019. Os dados foram organizados em tabelas e gráficos no programa Microsoft Excel for Windows® e a análise realizada por meio de estatística descritiva. Verificou-se que: a maioria dos entrevistados era do sexo masculino (56%); a faixa etária variou entre 13 anos e 65 anos de idade; e os frequentadores apresentaram diferentes níveis de escolaridade. Quanto à percepção ecológico-conservacionista, quase todos os entrevistados consideram a presença de arborização um elemento importante para o meio urbano; a maior parte dos usuários considerou que o Parque Municipal Ceci Cunha não está em boas condições de conservação; a maioria pratica ações que ajudam na conservação desse espaço público, como o descarte adequado do lixo, entre outros. As informações obtidas sobre a percepção ambiental dos frequentadores do Parque são relevantes para nortear as políticas públicas.
ESTOQUES DE CARBONO E DIÓXIDO DE CARBONO EQUIVALENTE EM ÁRVORES DE RUA DE CIDADES BRASILEIRAS
Authors: Nunho dos Reis Allan Rodrigo , Biondi Daniela , Ivasko Junior Severo , Viezzer Jennifer , Ribeiro Botelho de Carvalho Maria Tamara , Zamproni Kendra
Published: March 2020

As árvores urbanas proporcionam diversos benefícios para as pessoas, com destaque para a sua contribuição para a mitigação da mudança do clima por meio da fixação do carbono durante a formação da sua biomassa. Este estudo buscou estimar o estoque de carbono e dióxido de carbono equivalente (CO2eq) em 600 árvores de cinco espécies (Tipuana tipu, Acer negundo, Ficus benjamina, Terminalia catappa, e Licania tomentosa) plantadas na arborização viária de três cidades brasileiras (Curitiba, Paraná; Itanhaém, São Paulo; e Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul). Para isso, foram utilizadas três equações alométricas desenvolvidas para as zonas climáticas seca e úmida, tendo o diâmetro à altura do peito e a altura total das árvores como variáveis independentes. Verificou-se que as equações para zonas secas estimaram com maior precisão o estoque de carbono, e que a espécie Tipuana tipu apresentou maior potencial para estocar carbono. Conclui-se que o desenvolvimento de equações que estimem com precisão o estoque de carbono é essencial para o conhecimento do potencial das árvores urbanas em contribuir com a mitigação dos efeitos da mudança do clima.
Patrimônio imaterial e o turismo étnico em comunidade indígena, em Iranduba, Amazonas
Authors: Santos Danielle Mariam Araujo dos , Carvalho Joelma Monteiro de , Tricárico Luciano Torres
Published: March 2020

O trabalho apresenta uma visão sobre a cultura indígena expressa por um grupo étnico e a relação deste patrimônio com o turismo étnico. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as expressões culturais indígenas na comunidade denominada de Sahu-Apé, localizada no município de Iranduba, na área metropolitana de Manaus, Amazonas-AM, como patrimônio imaterial e sua valorização diante da atividade turística. A pesquisa se caracterizou como descritiva e exploratória, de caráter qualitativo, tendo como principais instrumentos de coleta de dados o levantamento bibliográfico, observação direta e aplicação de entrevistas com perguntas abertas semiestruturadas. O resultado do estudo sinalizou que as expressões culturais, como patrimônio imaterial, os saberes tradicionais são produzidos pelo povo da comunidade Sahu-Apé e mostrou ser relevante a possibilidade como potencial para o turismo étnico. De rica mitologia, seus símbolos são marcadores da tradição cultural. O povo Sateré-Mawé desenvolve atividades turísticas e interagem naturalmente com o não indígena. Além de que, compreendem os impactos destas no seu cotidiano. Porém, para fortalecer o turismo étnico se faz necessário a criação de uma política de incentivo e promoção do turismo étnico, responsável, por meio da cultura.
Inquiry Into the Moroccan Private Equity Industry: A Proposal of an Adapted Value Creation Framework
Authors: Taleb Taoufik A. , Sadqi Abdessadeq
Published: March 2020

The Private Equity (PE) activity in Morocco has received so little attention until now. Aside from the professional association of PE in Morocco and other professional bodies concerned with the topic, the literature stream exploring the generation of value creation during a PE transaction is quite inexistent.The proposed paper is considered as the first attempt to tackle the value generation within a Private Equity transaction in the Moroccan context. We attempt during this paper to present a conceptual analysis of how PE firms may generate value on their portfolios level. Since data is a scarce resource in this field and especially in the context of emerging countries, we propose for this explanatory study to use the semi constructed interview with four major PE firms in the Moroccan landscape, which represents 50% of the PE transactions that occurred in the last three years, in order to (i) understand the general partners (GPs) decision-making process for a given transaction and (ii) explain what are the main value generation levers that are intended to be made into practice in order to maximize the value in a given transaction.
Financial and Non-financial Factors Affecting Board Size of the Listed Firms in Vietnam
Authors: Khuong Nguyen Vinh , Thu Phung Anh , Lieu Do Thi Thu , Anh Tran Thi Phuong , Giau Nguyen Thi My , Han Nguyen Mai , Mo Ngo Kim
Published: March 2020

The study contributes by providing empirical evidence on the extent to which financial and non-financial factors affect the size of the board of director of listed firms in Vietnam. Based on the data from 80 listed firms on the Vietnam’s stock market in 11 years from 2007-2017, using quantitative research method. We concluded that financial and non-financial factors affect board independence of listed firms in Vietnam. From the research results, it is recommended that listed companies have reasonable and effective corporate management policies, consistent with accounting policies at enterprises.
Transmission of Information of the Indonesian Dual Listed Shares
Authors: Anto Randi , Pangestuti Irene Rini Demi
Published: March 2020

Various studies have been carried out in relation to the behavior of dual listing stock prices, unfortunately, study on the effects of changes in dual listing stock prices on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) is still limited. Differences in trading time and stock exchange class between one stock exchange with another in different countries raise an opportunity for the accumulation of information when one of the exchanges is experiencing a closing trading period. Indonesian companies such as PT. Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (TLKM) whose shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and IDX experience the difference in time of their transaction which can affect the shares on the NYSE and on the IDX. This study conducted by using daily data from January 2018 to December 2018. This study found that there is a significant effect of changes in TLKM stock prices on the NYSE in (t-1) period to changes in TLKM stock prices on IDX in t-period. This finding proves that there was the existence of transmission of information between the stock exchanges utilized by investors.
The Effect of Inventory Turnover Period on the Profitability of Listed Nigerian Conglomerate Companies
Authors: Garba Sunusi , Mourad Boudiab , Chamo Muhammad Adamu
Published: March 2020

This study analyses the association concerning inventory turnover management and Nigerian conglomerate firms’ profitability. The study is used a historical panel data analysis. Data were generated from the yearly accounts of listed firms from 2007 to 2016. The population of the study consists of six conglomerate firms registered on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Feasible generalized least square (FGLS) regression was utilized as tools of analysis in the study. The findings establish that inventory turnover management affects Nigerian conglomerate companies’ profitability inversely associated to the profitability of the listed conglomerate firms in Nigeria. The study suggests that there must be regular stock-taking to determine eventually, the slothful stocks to dodge over venture in such stocks (if any). Furthermore, if there is no high demand for the goods the inventory needs to be reduce that are obsolescence. Management should also implement an extraordinary inventory management measures.
The Attributes of Dysfunctional Audit Behavior (DAB): Second Order Confirmatory Factor Analysis
Authors: Syam M. Ardiansyah , Djaddang Syahril , . Mulyadi , Ghozali Imam
Published: March 2020

This paper is intended to confirm the attributes of dysfunctional audit behavior (DAB). The attributes of dysfunctional audit behavior consist of under-reporting of time (URT), premature sign-off (PMSO), and time-budget pressure (TBP). We propose task complexity as a new attribute of dysfunctional audit behavior. The data was gathered from 367 senior auditors who work at Big-fourand Non-big four of 140 Public Accounting Firms that registered in Indonesian Public Accounting Association (IAPI). The data was processed using Second Order Confirmatory Factor Analysis (SEM-PLS) – SmartPLS3. The result of the study confirmed that the attributes of under-reporting of time (URT), positively, manifest the dysfunctional audit behavior. The attributes of premature-sign-off (PMSO), positively, manifest the dysfunctional audit behavior. The attributes of time-budget pressure (TBP), positively, manifest the dysfunctional audit behavior. The proposed factor, task complexity (TC) positively, manifests the dysfunctional audit behavior. The premature-sign-off is the most dominant factor reflecting/manifesting the dysfunctional audit behavior. The under-reporting of time (URT), premature sign-off (PMSO), time-budget pressure (TBP), and task complexity (TC) can be used as the predictor of dysfunctional auditor behavior (DAB). The higher the incidence of their attributes, the higher the potential incidence of dysfunctional audit behavior is.
Evaluation of maternal and neonatal outcomes in the case of preterm premature rupture of membranes and their relationship to prenatal maternal indicators: Across -sectional descriptive study
Authors: El-Kashif Mirfat Mohamed Labib , Fathy Azza Mohamed , Elsaba Howaida Amin Hassan Fahmy
Published: March 2020

Background and aim: Preterm premature rupture of membranes is one of the most important causes of pregnancy complication and a significant role in the occurrence of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The present study aims to evaluate the maternal and neonatal outcomes in the case of preterm premature rupture of membranes and their relationship to prenatal maternal indicators.Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to evaluate 68 pregnant women with a gestational age of 32 to before 37 weeks, and singleton pregnancy complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The data were collected by convenience sampling using standardized tools.Results: A linear correlation was used to show a correlation between maternal clinical indicators with the predictive maternal and neonatal outcome using a Spearman Rho correlation coefficient. The most significant neonatal outcomes are neonatal intensive care unit admission, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, and early neonatal sepsis. More than two-thirds of the studied women had expectant management, and less than one-fourth of them have postnatal sepsis.Conclusion and recommendation: The prenatal maternal indicators are the significant values for maternal and neonatal outcome in case of preterm premature rupture of membranes, so A further larger prospective study is recommended to demonstrate the difference in incidence, management protocol of preterm premature rupture of the membranes in the delivery and maternity health care services.
Continuity from adult-nursing practice to clinical training: Reviewing students’ clinical training experience
Authors: Shomura Masako , Okabe Haruka , Yaguchi Naho , Tejima Yoshie , Iwamoto Satoshi , Sakurai Daisuke , Ohyama Futoshi
Published: March 2020

Objective: In this study, we analyzed a sample of nursing students, focusing on their self-directed learning experiences as they completed a program comprising specialized exercises and examinations and clinical training. Through this, we aimed to identify means of improving nurses’ self-directed learning skills during nursing education.Methods: Sixty-six third-year university students underwent a six-week adult-nursing training involving participatory-type simulated-patient (SP) exercises and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), during which they maintained portfolios in which they noted their experiences and thoughts as they engaged in this education. We analyzed, through qualitative induction, the written data in these portfolios. We followed this by cross-sectionally integrating, using a chronological perspective, experiences reported by the same sample in previous research, consequently clarifying the structure of the students’ self-directed learning.Results: The students’ self-directed learning experiences during the adult-nursing training were divided into six classifications. Comparison of self-directed learning in participatory-type SP exercises, OSCE, and training, respectively, showed that few students applied their experience of the SP and OCSE exercises in training. However, during training they showed a strong ability to independently perform reviews of challenges that arose in actual practice and to engage in collaboration. They also showed increased desire to perform nursing.Conclusions: As the exercises and practice were not conducted consecutively, external experiences may have affected the continuity of the education, and hindered the students’ ability to maintain a sense of continuous development. Thus, encouraging students to regularly review their education may enhance their self-directed learning skills.