The Survivability of Swedish Emergency Management Related Research Centers and Academic Programs : A Preliminary Sociology of Science Analysis

The Survivability of Swedish Emergency Management Related Research Centers and Academic Programs: A Preliminary Sociology of Science Analysis Despite being a relatively safe nation, Sweden has four different universities supporting four emergency management research centers and an equal and growing number of academic programs. In this paper, I discuss how these centers and programs survive within the current organizational environment. The sociology of science or the sociology of scientific knowledge perspectives should provide a theoretical guide. Yet, scholars of these perspectives have produced no research on these related topics. Thus, the population ecology model and the notion of organizational niche provide my theoretical foundation. My data come from 26 interviews from those four institutions, the gathering of documents, and observations. I found that each institution has found its own niche with little or no competition – with one exception. Three of the universities do have an international focus. Yet, their foci have minimal overlap. Finally, I suggest that key aspects of Swedish culture, including safety, and a need aid to the poor, help explain the extensive funding these centers and programs receive to survive. 

Essays in corporate risk management

This research investigates the factors that lead Latin American non-financial firms to manage risks using derivatives. The main focus is on currency risk management. With this purpose, this thesis is divided into an introduction and two main chapters, which have been written as stand-alone papers. The first paper describes the results of a survey on derivatives usage and risk management responded by the CFOs of 74 Brazilian non-financial firms listed at the São Paulo Stock Exchange (BOVESPA), and the main evidence found is: i) larger firms are more likely to use financial derivatives; ii) foreign exchange risk is the most managed with derivatives; iii) Brazilian managers are more concerned with legal and institutional aspects in using derivatives, such as the taxation and accounting treatment of these instruments, than with issues related to implementing and maintaining a risk management program using derivatives. The second paper studies the determinants of risk management with derivatives in four Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico). I investigate not only the decision of whether to use financial derivatives or not, but also the magnitude of risk management, measured by the notional value of outstanding derivatives contracts. This is the first study, to the best of my knowledge, to use derivatives holdings information in emerging markets. The use of a multi-country setting allows the analysis of institutional and economic factors, such as foreign currency indebtedness, the high volatility of exchange rates, the instability of political and institutional framework and the development of financial markets, which are issues of second-order importance in developed markets. The main contribution of the second paper is on the understanding of the relationship among currency derivatives usage, foreign debt and the sensitivity of operational earnings to currency fluctuations in Latin American countries. Unlikely previous findings for US firms, my evidence shows that derivatives held by Latin American firms are capable of producing cash flows comparable to financial expenses and investments, showing that derivatives are key instruments in their risk management strategies. It is also the first work to show strong and robust evidence that firms that benefit from local currency devaluation (e.g. exporters) have a natural currency hedge for foreign debt that allows them to bear higher levels of debt in foreign currency. This implies that firms under this revenue-cost structure require lower levels of hedging with derivatives. The findings also provide evidence that large firms are more likely to use derivatives, but the magnitude of derivatives holdings seems to be unrelated to the size of the firm, consistent with findings for US firms.

Variabilidade espacial de populações de Diatraea saccharalis em canaviais e sugestão de método de amostragem

A broca Diatraea saccharalis é uma das mais importantes pragas da cana-de-açúcar no Brasil. O manejo de áreas infestadas está embasado no controle biológico com Cotesia flavipes, cujas liberações são feitas em função da população de lagartas da praga em campo. Por esta razão, a estimativa desta população é de fundamental importância para o sucesso do programa de manejo. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar a variabilidade espacial de D. saccharalis em canaviais e sugerir um método de amostragem que permitisse uma estimativa adequada das populações em campo. Seis campos de aproximadamente 1 ha cada um foram amostrados, em grid retangular de aproximadamente 10 x 10 m, com ilhas. Cada ponto de amostragem foi representado pela coleta das formas biológicas da praga no interior dos colmos em 2 m de sulco. Na maioria das áreas, as populações de formas imaturas de D. saccharalis distribuíram-se de forma contagiosa, com alcance do semivariograma variando de 18 a 80 m. Com base no alcance médio, estimou-se em seis o número médio de pontos de amostragem por hectare que deveriam ser feitos para representar adequadamente a área. Este número foi menor do que o estimado utilizando parâmetros da estatística clássica. Sugere-se que, para estimativa das formas imaturas de D. saccharalis em canaviais, a amostragem seja feita em grid de 40 x 40 m, o que resulta em aproximadamente seis pontos de amostragem por hectare e permitirá, na maioria das áreas, efetuar levantamentos com independência e coeficientes de variação menores que 50%.

Dispersão de Orthezia praelonga Douglas, 1891 (Hemiptera: Ortheziidae) causada por equipamentos de pulverização em pomar de citros

A cochonilha O. praelonga é considerada uma importante praga dos citros no Brasil, e informações sobre a sua dispersão estão baseadas apenas em observações empíricas. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de equipamentos de pulverização comumente utilizados pelos citricultores na dispersão da praga. Armadilhas adesivas foram instaladas no solo e em vergalhões dispostos verticalmente às plantas de três linhas adjacentes em um talhão de citros contendo plantas infestadas pela praga. Foram adotados equipamentos utilizados para controle de pragas dos citros. A avaliação da dispersão foi realizada por meio da contagem de fêmeas, ninfas ou partes dos insetos aderidas às armadilhas adesivas. Os equipamentos Martignani e Bié foram capazes de lançar a praga a até 15 m, enquanto, para o equipamento Turbo Valência, detectaram-se fragmentos cerosos a até 22 m da máquina. Os equipamentos dotados de pistola não causaram qualquer dispersão da praga. Portanto, evidenciou-se que mesmo a utilização de equipamentos para controle de outras pragas pode favorecer a dispersão da cochonilha O. praelonga em pomares de citros, e isso deve ser considerado no aprimoramento do programa de manejo integrado de pragas dos citros.

Green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) associated with Melon Crop in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Popcorn (Zea mays L. var. everta) yield and yield components as influenced by the timing of broadcast flaming

Farmers are interested in producing popcorn under organic production systems and propane flaming could be a significant component of an integrated weed management program. The objective of this study was to collect baseline information on popcorn tolerance to broadcast flaming as influenced by propane dose and crop growth stage at the time of flaming. Field experiments were conducted at the Haskell Agricultural Laboratory of the University of Nebraska, Concord, NE in 2008 and 2009 using five propane doses (0, 13, 24, 44 and 85 kg ha(-1)) applied at the 2-leaf, 5-leaf and 7-leaf growth stages. Propane was applied using a custom-built research flamer driven at a constant speed of 6.4 km h(-1). Crop response to propane dose was described by log-logistic models on the basis of visual estimates of crop injury, yield components (plants m(-2), ears plant(-1), kernels cob(-1) and 100-kernel weight) and grain yield. Popcorn response to flaming was influenced by the crop growth stage and propane dose. Based on various parameters evaluated, popcorn flamed at the 5-leaf showed the highest tolerance while the 2-leaf was the most susceptible stage. The maximum yield reductions were 45%, 9% and 16% for the 2-leaf, 5-leaf and 7-leaf stages, respectively. In addition, propane doses that resulted in a 5% yield loss were 23 kg ha(-1) for the 2-leaf and 7-leaf and 30 kg ha(-1) for the 5-leaf stage. Flaming has a potential to be used effectively in organic popcorn production if properly used. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Alternativas para o controle de nematoides gastrintestinais de pequenos ruminantes

Sheep and goat farming requires an efficient management program, due to losses caused by parasites in susceptible animals. Many factors may collaborate to improve infection tolerance in the herd, such as: genetics, nutrition, physiological status, and age. The problem caused by resistance to antihelmintic agents has led to the spread of alternative techniques for parasite controls. The latest strategies include selective treatment with the FAMACHA method, phytotherapy, biological control with predatory fungi, and strategies that still await scientific confirmation, such as homeopathy, the dilution of resistance with the introduction of susceptible parasites, and the combination of drugs without antihelmintic effect. The main objective of these methods is to reduce the usage of antiparasitic agents, thus slowing the development of resistance and promoting the better use of effective products and newly released products. The objective of this article is to describe techniques for controlling nematodes in small ruminants, and it is aimed at technicians interested in increasing their knowledge about the mechanisms of resistance to antihelmintic agents as well as alternatives to the use of these products.

Greening the campus of a Brazilian university: cultural challenges

Purpose - This study examined the relationship between environmental management practices developed at a campus of a Brazilian university (University of Sao Paulo) and the greening of its organizational culture. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach - This article presents a theoretical background based on the concepts of environmental management, organizational culture and environmental management in higher education institutions. The main framework of this research is the model proposed by Harris and Crane.Findings - The studied university has an environmental management program that is sometimes constrained in the following ways: the university bureaucracy and hierarchy; the main performance indicators for lecturers and professors are based on scientific production and publication, giving them little time for complementary activities; and some units develop their own environmental management practices, but they are not disseminated as best practices for use by other units. Some academic units showcase the proactive actions of professors who incorporate environmental management into their daily activities. The general perception is that the phrase environmental management is almost synonymous with solid waste management.Originality/value - This research details the first Brazilian application of the Harris and Crane model. It contributes an original analysis of environmental management and green organizational culture of a Brazilian university, an organizational type that has seldom been studied to date.

Importância da segregação de materiais no gerenciamento de lixo hospitalar na área de hemoterapia

In recent years the environment and its effects on human life has been the subject of research. The scientific society organized to manage the problem of large amount of waste generated, discuss the degradation of the environment and point out possible solutions. The scarcity of references in the specific hemotherapy motivated this research. This study is an observational descriptive in order to raise the issue of hospital waste specific area of hemotherapy, presenting its latest ratings on Brazilian law also highlights the proposed Waste Management Program Health Service (PGRSS) Blood Center of Botucatu (HB) highlighting the importance of segregation of noble material in the generation of other therapeutic products using the technique of cleaner production (CP). The observational analysis of the reports shows a 20-fold increase in the amount of waste generated from 1993 to 2005, while the increase of manpower was 2.5 times. The increase in generation was due RSS hemocenter deployment of automated techniques, increased demand and improved sorting of waste. The technique implanted P + L in 2001 began using units of fresh frozen plasma, previously discarded after 12 months of storage, for the composition of new therapeutics for topical use, called bio dressing. In 10 years of implementation of this new technique, therapeutic products generated 535 patients benefited from micro-Botucatu.

Feral swine damage and damage management in forested ecosystems

Invasive feral swine (Sus scrofa) cause deleterious impacts to ecosystem processes and functioning throughout their worldwide distribution, including forested ecosystems in the United States. Unfortunately, many feral swine damage management programs are conducted in a piecemeal fashion, are not adequately funded, and lack clearly stated or realistic objectives. This review paper identifies damage caused by feral swine to forest resources and presents techniques used to prevent and control feral swine damage. Concluding points related to planning a feral swine damage management program are: (1) the value of using a variety of techniques in an integrated fashion cannot be overstated; (2) there is value in using indices for both feral swine populations and their damage pre and post management activities; (3) innovative technologies will increasing be of value in the pursuit of feral swine damage reduction; and (4) though not appropriate in every situation, there is value in involving the public in feral swine damage management decisions and activities.

Elk in Nebraska: Opportunity or Another Private-Public Land Conundrum

We conducted a comprehensive research project on elk in the Pine Ridge region of northwestern Nebraska from 1995 to 2002 to determine ecological factors that could be used to improve management and reduce damage. The population ranged from 120 to 150 animals, with an average calf:cow ratio of 0.5:1 and bull:cow ratio of 0.4:1. We located 21 radio-collared female elk 6,311 times during 1995 to 1997. Seasonal home ranges of 2 herds were 10 and 44 km2, while average annual home ranges of the herds were much larger (483 and 440 km2, respectively). All wintering areas (n = 21) and 80% of the calving areas (n = 22) were located on privately-owned land. Active timber harvest temporarily displaced elk, most notably during the calving season. Elk shifted home ranges in association with the seasonal availability of agricultural crops, in particular, alfalfa, oats, and winter wheat. Population models indicated that static levels of hunting mortality would lead to a stable population of about 130 elk over 10 years. Most landowners in the Pine Ridge (57%) favored free-ranging elk, but 26% were concerned about damage to agricultural crops and competition with livestock. Habitat suitability models and estimates of social carrying capacity indicate that up to 600 elk could be sustained in the Pine Ridge without significant impacts to landowners. We recommended an integrated management program used to enhance elk habitat on publicly-owned land and redistribute elk from privately-owned land.

Wildlife Risk Management at Vancouver International Airport

The Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the second busiest airport in Canada. YVR is located on Sea Island in the Fraser River Estuary - a world-class wintering and staging area for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds. The Fraser Delta supports Canada’s largest wintering populations of waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors. The large number of aircraft movements and the presence of many birds near YVR pose a wide range of considerable aviation safety hazards. Until the late 1980s when a full-time Wildlife Control Program (WCP) was initiated, YVR had the highest number of bird strikes of any Canadian commercial airport. Although the risks of bird strikes associated with the operation of YVR are generally well known by airport managers, and a number of risk assessments have been conducted associated with the Sea Island Conservation Area, no quantitative assessment of risks of bird strikes has been conducted for airport operations at YVR. Because the goal of all airports is to operate safely, an airport wildlife management program strives to reduce the risk of bird strikes. A risk assessment establishes the current risk of strikes, which can be used as a benchmark to focus wildlife control activities and to assess the effectiveness of the program in reducing bird strike risks. A quantitative risk assessment also documents the process and information used in assessing risk and allows the assessment to be repeated in the future in order to measure the change in risk over time in an objective and comparative manner. This study was undertaken to comply with new Canadian legislation expected to take effect in 2006 requiring airports in Canada to conduct a risk assessment and develop a wildlife management plan. Although YVR has had a management plan for many years, it took this opportunity to update the plan and conduct a risk assessment.

Demographic characterization of supervised dog and cat populations in Sao Paulo city, Brazil

This study aimed to estimate the owned dog and cat populations of Sao Paulo city using a complex sample with random selection in two stages. In each administrative district, six census sectors and 20 households in each sampled sector were visited from September 2006 to September 2009, totalizing 11,272 interviews. The human: dog ratio was 4.34 and the human: cat ratio was 19.33. The dog population was 2,507,401 and the cat population, 562,965. The dog population was composted of 52.7% males, while among the cat population it was 45.1%. The proportion of sterilized females (23.4% among dogs and 46.1% among cats) was higher than males (11.4% among dogs and 31.5% among cats). The mean age of dogs was 4.99 years, and for cats, 3.53 years. The proportion of restricted (without access to the street) dogs, 64.4%, was higher than restricted cats, 42.5%. The average number of animals/household was 1.60 for dogs and 1.69 for cats. The animal ownership is associated with cultural factors, therefore the characterization of canine and feline population is essential to implement an adequate animal population management program and zoonosis control.

Percepção do médico sobre pagamento por desempenho no gerenciamento de doenças cardiovasculares: o caso de uma operadora de plano de saúde

Desde os anos 50, os fatores de risco para as doenças cardiovasculares passaram a ser valorizados. O gerenciamento de doenças cardiovasculares (PGC) busca a construção da autonomia e melhoria da qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Em alguns países, para alcançar esses objetivos, tem sido apontada a utilização de programas de pagamento por desempenho (PPP) aos médicos como um dos elementos de melhoria nos processos e nos resultados dos pacientes e na condição de remuneração. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o ponto de vista dos médicos sobre a implantação dos pagamentos por desempenho vinculados ao PGC em uma operadora de plano de saúde. Trata-se de investigação de caráter qualitativo, do tipo estudo de caso, apresentando entrevistas semiestruturadas com médicos participantes ou não do PGC, em setembro de 2009, tendo como referência as ações implantadas em 2008. Foram entrevistados 23 médicos (14 homens e 09 mulheres). Como resultado foi observado que o incentivo financeiro é reconhecido pelos médicos como importante, mas não determinante da inclusão de pacientes no PGC. O principal motivo apresentado foi a organização do cuidado, no qual o paciente é mais bem acompanhado e controlado, e o trabalho médico, avaliado segundo parâmetros preestabelecidos. O PGC e o PPP têm potencial de transformação do cuidado em saúde. O trabalho multidisciplinar e a maior produtividade nos atendimentos no consultório foram os principais efeitos positivos identificados. Outros estudos são necessários para acompanhar a evolução e os efeitos do pagamento por desempenho no trabalho médico.

A process evaluation of the childhood lead poisoning prevention program in Houston, Texas, 1992--1995

A process evaluation of the Houston Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, 1992-1995, was conducted. The Program's goal is to reduce lead poisoning prevalence. The study proposed to determine to what extent the Program was implemented as planned by measuring how well Program services were actually: (1) received by the intended target population; (2) delivered to children with elevated blood lead levels; (3) delivered in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Program guidelines and timetables; and (4) able to reduce lead poisoning prevalence among those rescreened. Utilizing a program monitoring design, the Program's pre-collected computer records were reviewed. The study sample consisted of 820 children whose blood lead levels were above 15 micrograms per deciLiter, representing approximately 2.9% of the 28,406 screened over this period. Three blood lead levels from each participant were examined: the initial elevated result; the confirmatory result; and the next rescreen result, after the elevated confirmatory level. Results showed that the Program screened approximately 18% (28,406 of 161,569) of Houston's children under age 6 years for lead poisoning. Based on Chi-square tests of significance, results also showed that lead-poisoned participants were more likely to be younger than 3 years, male and Hispanic, compared to those not lead poisoned. The age, gender and ethnic differences observed were statistically significant (p =.01, p =.00, p =.00). Four of the six Program services: medical evaluations, rescreening, environmental inspections and confirmation, had satisfactory delivery completion rates of 71%-98%. Delivery timetable compliance rates for three of the six services examined: outreach contacts, home visits and environmental inspections were below 32%. However, dangerously elevated blood lead levels fell and lead poisoning prevalence dropped from 3.3% at initial screening to 1.2% among those rescreened, after intervention. From a public health perspective, reductions in lead poisoning prevalence are very meaningful. Based on these findings, the following are recommendations for future research: (1) integrate Program database files by utilizing a computer database management program; (2) target services at Hispanic male children under age 3 years living in the highest risk neighborhoods; (3) increase resources to: improve tracking and documentation of service delivery and provide more non-medical case management and environmental services; and (4) share the evaluation methodology/findings with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention administrators; the implications may be relevant to other program managers conducting such assessments. ^