Management Tool

The predation activity of the invasive Burmese python (Python molurus bivi- tattus ) was evaluated using probability and the economic costs associated with current federal and state values for endangered species. The objective was to provide a realistic valuation of the associated costs of Burmese py- thon predation in southern Florida ecosystems for use as both a policy and management

The manuscript entitled: “Dynamics and distribution of natural and human-caused coastal hypoxia” by Nancy Rabalais and co-authors contains an exhaustive revision of hypoxic systems. It covers both oceanic and coastal areas as well as suboxic and even anoxic systems such as the Black Sea and the Cariaco Basin. The ms also discusses the ecological implications of hypoxia and analyzes future scenarios of changes (including local and global scales). Thus, the title does not reflect the content of the ms, nor does the abstract reflect the analysis, interpretation, or comparisons therein. Rather, the latter is a description of two kinds of hypoxic systems (i.e., natural and human-induced hypoxia). C3349

This paper attempts to analyze the correlates of (1) aggregated and disaggregated indices of common property forest management (CPFM) as perceived by households, and (2) the decision to grow trees and the number of trees grown with the objective of looking at the effect of CPFM. We used data collected in 2007 from a sample of rural households in the

This study aimed at better understanding of the characteristics of feeding and breeding practices smallholder farmers adopt in intensifying their dairy production. Use of hired labour for fodder gathering, growing of fodder crops and purchase of feeds increased with increasing intensification, but Bos taurus breeds did not respond to increasing feeding intensification while Bos indicus cattle responded, calving at earlier age and yielding more milk. Overall, first calving occurred at 32 months, but days open prolonged to 250 days with milk yield of 4 litres per day of calving interval. A principal component analysis extracted six feeding and breeding components, explaining 71.79% of the total variations in feeding and breeding practices for dairy intensification. The six components were labelled: non- intensified feeding and breeding; breeding decisions based-intensification; high external resource based-intensification; moderate resource based-intensification; resource poor based-i...

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on various modes of Islamic finance and examines their risk and other characteristics by conducting a selective literature review.Design/methodology/approachDue to the Islamic prohibition of interest and in compliance with injunctions on permissible trade contracts, the savings and investment contracts offered by Islamic banks have a different risk profile than those of conventional banks. This gives rise to a number of regulatory issues pertaining to capital adequacy and liquidity requirements. Operational issues also arise as Islamic banks are limited in their choice of risk and liquidity management tools such as derivatives, options and bonds. All these issues are theoretically examined and various performance indicators of two Islamic banks are also examined to compare them with traditional banks that practice mark up pricing.FindingsThe balance sheets and various performance indicators show that there is evidence that Islamic banks i...

Diagnosis of pregnancies is an important management tool for the Iberian lynx Conservation Breeding Program, a program geared to recover the world's most endangered felid. Non-invasive methods such as fecal hormone analyses are not applicable to the lynx, since fecal progestin does not follow the typical pregnancy pattern of felids. Therefore, we aimed to test whether urine can be used as an alternative substance for pregnancy diagnosis in the Iberian lynx. Progesterone immunoreactive metabolites were determined in urine samples of pregnant and non-pregnant females before and during breeding season. Additionally, we used the Witness Relaxin test to determine relaxin in blood and urine. No differences were found in progestin concentrations determined in urine samples collected from pregnant and non-pregnant animals between day 1 and 65 following mating. Although the Witness Relaxin test was positive in serum samples collected from animals between day 32 and 56 of pregnancy, it fa...

SUMMARY Our various levels of government handle a colossal amount of data which are needed to perform critical tasks in state administration for equity and good governance in a most efficient manner. However this may not be realizable where available data cannot be matched with necessary management tools to create desired results. With the increasing functions of Local Government authorities for instance, it is required to operate with optimal efficiency to be able to satisfy the ever increasing needs of its residents. There is therefore need for a management system that will bring about desired effectiveness in the administration. The Geographical Information System (GIS) already provides the required data management capabilities for land administration. This paper looks into this System's application to rent management, being one of the most critical revenue generating means for any county or local authority. It developed procedures and methods for its implementation vis-à-vi...

ABSTRACT: The Indonesian small construction enterprises are considered giant in numbers, ie, about 100,000 contractors, but dwarf in performance of managing their construction projects. Besides they lack of skilful and professional human resources, small contractors have also limited knowledge and tools for managing project, eg, project management software. The research was aimed to develop a simple, affordable and powerful computer application for planning and controlling construction projects by small ...

Nowadays organizations work to improve their software development process, with a purpose to reduce costs, improve quality and increase planning reliability. That is why decision making pertaining to role assignment in software engineering developing projects is one of the most important factors that affect the software development process in organizations. We should not only consider individual’s abilities and capabilities for better team performance but also consider knowing their personality traits to carry out the most suitable role in an effective working team. Through compilation of studies with RAMSET (Role Assignment Methodology for Software Engineering Teams) methodology some personalities and typologies have been identified to perform certain type of roles, thus helping us build a better, cohesive and less conflictive team. Our methodology based on personality has revealed appropriate and adequate personality patterns for assignment of best advisable performing roles in so...

This study investigates belief in company paternalism as an indicator of the "right type" for line managers in leading Japanese corporations. In five companies, 1,075 line managers were surveyed about their belief in company paternalism, their experience with both the formal and informal career-development systems within their company, their working relationships with their immediate superior (LMX), and their overall job satisfaction. Results indicated that belief in company paternalism contributed as hypothesized to formal career investments, informal career investments (including both self-investment and supervisor investment), LMX, and overall job satisfaction. These relationships held true both before and after experiences with the formal career-development system were controlled. Implications of right type for American organizations are discussed.

The blue-billed curassow, Crax alberti, is a critically endangered endemic bird from the northern part of Colombia, mainly subjected to habitat loss and subsistence hunting. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to compare the conservation status of forested areas, habitat of the blue-billed curassow, in 15 municipalities of the northeastern region of Antioquia for two different time periods (1986 and 2002). The developed application using digital cartography, allowed the classification of eight zones defined for the study area in order to analyze conservation priorities. Recommendations are made as well for future applications of GIS as a management tool for threatened species in Colombia.

The positive situation currently experienced by bui lding industry, towards to an industrialization and rationalization, is the resul t of various new technologies of production and management emerged in the 90s, in order to enhance the competitiveness of firms, increase the flexibility in the final products and improve the quality of these. One of these philosophies, specif ically the one is against waste and seeks to add value to the product by understanding needs of the final customer, is known as lean construction. In accord to this, the objective of this study is to propose, through a case study in C. Rolim Engenharia Ltda. ( Brazilian building company), guidelines for internal evaluations at the construc tion site about the level of application, implementation and consolidation of th is philosophy in a company that already has embedded in its organizational culture. The methodology for the development of this proposal includes: characteriza tion of the company which will be ev...