scholarly journals Demographic parameters of southern right whales off South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 161-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter B. Best ◽  
Anabela Brandão ◽  
Doug S. Butterworth
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
Adult Female ◽  
First Year ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Right Whale ◽  
Increase Rate ◽  
Southern Right Whales ◽  
Female Survival ◽  
Calving Intervals

Aerial counts of right whale cow-calf pairs on the south coast of South Africa between 1971 and 1998 indicate an annual instantaneouspopulation increase rate of 0.068 per year (SE = 0.004) over this period. Annual photographic surveys since 1979 have resulted in 901resightings of 550 individual cows. Observed calving intervals ranged from 2-15 years, with a principal mode at 3 years and secondarymodes at 6, 9 and 12 years, but these make no allowance for missed calvings. Using the model of Payne et al. (1990), a maximum calvinginterval of 5 years produces the best fit to the data giving a mean calving interval of 3.12 years (95% confidence interval: 3.07, 3.17). Thesame model produces an estimate for adult female survival rate of 0.983 (95% CI: 0.972, 0.994). The Payne et al. (1990) model is extendedto incorporate information on the observed ages of first reproduction of grey-blazed calves, which are known to be female. This allows theestimation of age at first parturition (median 7.88 years 95% CI 7.17, 9.29). Updates of estimates and confidence intervals for the otherdemographic parameters are: adult female survival rate 0.986 (0.976, 0.999); first year survival rate 0.913 (0.601, 0.994) and instantaneouspopulation increase rate 0.071 (0.059, 0.082). These biological parameter estimates are shown to be compatible with the observed increaserate of the population without the need to postulate immigration.

Managing Pro Forma Stock Option Expense under SFAS No. 123

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Balsam ◽  
Haim A. Mozes ◽  
Harry A. Newman
Keyword(s):  
Small Firms ◽  
Stock Option ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
First Year ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Option Value ◽  
Income Statement ◽  
Options Value ◽  
Pro Forma

We investigate whether footnote disclosures under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123 are managed in 1996, the first year that the disclosure was required. The 1996 phase-in of SFAS No. 123 provided firms with a unique opportunity to manipulate the pro forma disclosure in the initial years. SFAS No. 123 allows firms discretion in estimating the value of their stock option grants and in allocating that value across accounting periods. Although we find little evidence that firms manage the estimated value of their option grants, we find that firm-specific incentives affect how that value is allocated. Specifically, firms that provide high levels of either CEO compensation or stock option compensation relative to performance allocate a smaller proportion of the options' value to the 1996 pro forma expense, apparently to reduce criticism of that compensation. Small firms and firms that recently went public also allocate a smaller proportion of option value to the 1996 pro forma expense, apparently to increase perceptions of their profitability. We conjecture that firms were less likely to manage the value of the options granted than the allocation of that value in 1996 because the parameter estimates underlying the reported option value must be disclosed in the footnote, whereas the inputs to the allocation computation are not disclosed. These results, which suggest that firms manipulated pro forma stock option expense when their estimate choices cannot be observed, have implications for both standard setters and financial statement users. In particular, the FASB's current deliberations on the transition from footnote disclosure to income statement recognition for stock options should consider additional disclosures to minimize unobservable choices. More generally, the FASB may reduce potential manipulation by requiring expanded disclosures about the choices used in computing both pro forma and reported numbers.

scholarly journals Performance in grade 12 mathematics and science predicts student nurses’ performance in first year science modules at a university in the Western Cape

Curationis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katlego D.T. Mthimunye ◽  
Felicity M. Daniels
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Life Science ◽  
Student Nurses ◽  
First Year ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mathematics And Science ◽  
First Year Student

Background: The demand for highly qualified and skilled nurses is increasing in South Africa as well as around the world. Having a background in science can create a significant advantage for students wishing to enrol for an undergraduate nursing qualification because nursing as profession is grounded in scientific evidence.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive validity of grade 12 mathematics and science on the academic performance of first year student nurses in science modules.Method: A quantitative research method using a cross-sectional predictive design was employed in this study. The participants included first year Bachelor of Nursing students enrolled at a university in the Western Cape, South Africa. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to analyse the data by using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences versions 24. Descriptive analysis of all variables was performed as well as the Spearman’s rank correlation test to describe the relationship among the study variables. Standard multiple linear regressions analysis was performed to determine the predictive validity of grade 12 mathematics and science on the academic performance of first year student nurses in science modules.Results: The results of this study showed that grade 12 physical science is not a significant predictor (p > 0.062) of performance in first year science modules. The multiple linear regression revealed that grade 12 mathematics and life science grades explained 37.1% to 38.1% (R2 = 0.381 and adj R2 = 0.371) of the variation in the first year science grade distributions.Conclusion: Based on the results of the study it is evident that performance in grade 12 mathematics (β = 2.997) and life science (β = 3.175) subjects is a significant predictor (p < 0.001) of the performance in first year science modules for student nurses at the university identified for this study.

A longitudinal study of senescence in a pinniped

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre A Pistorius ◽  
Marthán N Bester
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Adult Female ◽  
No Reduction ◽  
Marion Island ◽  
Mirounga Leonina ◽  
Elephant Seals ◽  
Reproductive Senescence ◽  
Southern Elephant Seals ◽  
Female Survival ◽  
Breeding Seasons

To measure the prevalence of senescence in southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina Linn.) at Marion Island, changes in adult-female survival and breeding probabilities with age were quantified. Mark–recapture data that had been collected over a 17-year period were analysed using recently developed software to obtain likelihood estimates of survival and capture probabilities. With recapture effort constant over the study period, capture probabilities during the breeding seasons were used as indices of breeding probabilities. Longevity in the population was assessed from the resighting of tagged and hence known-age individuals. Less than a 1% difference between prime-age survival and post prime age survival was found over 8 cohorts of marked females. In addition, no reduction in survival of very old individuals was detected, suggesting the absence of senescence in terms of reduced survival in southern elephant seals. No evidence of reproductive senescence in terms of reduced breeding probability with age was detected. Mortality throughout the population therefore resulted in no individuals surviving to the age where physiological decline would become a mortality agent or result in failure to breed. Five percent of female southern elephant seals survived to age 10 and 0.5% to age 17.

Renal transplantation in the first year of life: the treatment of choice for infants with end-stage renal disease.

1992 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
pp. S228
Author(s):  
J S Najarian ◽  
P S Almond ◽  
M Mauer ◽  
B Chavers ◽  
T Nevins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Failure ◽  
Renal Transplantation ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
Living Donor ◽  
Patient Survival ◽  
First Year ◽  
End Stage Renal Failure ◽  
End Stage ◽  
First Year Of Life ◽  
Patient Survival Rate

The treatment of choice for end-stage renal failure within the first year of life is controversial. Between September 1970 and February 1991, we performed 28 kidney transplants (27 primary, 1 retransplant, 23 living donor, 5 cadaver) in infants less than 1 yr of age (mean, 7 +/- 2 months; range, 6 wk to 12 months). The 1-yr patient survival rate for living donor recipients was 100% versus 20% for cadaver recipients (P = 0.0001). The 1-yr graft survival rate for living donor recipients was 96% versus 20% for cadaver recipients (P = 0.001). The 1-yr patient survival rate for cyclosporin A (CSA) recipients (N = 12) was 100% versus 75% for non-CSA recipients (P = 0.03). The 1-yr graft survival rate for CSA recipients was 92% versus 75% for non-CSA recipients (P = 0.08). There was no difference in the number of rejection episodes or serum creatinine levels in CSA versus non-CSA recipients. Compared with pretransplant values, the mean posttransplant standard deviation scores (SDS) for height (N = 18), weight (N = 22), and head circumference (N = 8) improved: height SDS from -1.9 to -1.5 (not significant); weight SDS from -2.5 to 0.6 (P less than 0.0005); head circumference SDS from -2.0 to -0.7 (P = 0.01). Because no other renal replacement therapy can match these results, we conclude that renal transplantation is the treatment of choice for infants with end-stage renal failure.

Financing the Market-Based Redistribution of Land to Disadvantaged Farmers and Farm Workers in South Africa: Recent Performance of the Land Reform Credit Facility

2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lyne ◽  
Paul Zille ◽  
Douglas Graham
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Land Reform ◽  
Farm Workers ◽  
First Year ◽  
Private Land ◽  
Mortgage Loans ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Credit Facility ◽  
Flow Problems ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

This paper compares the results of public and private land redistribution in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It identifies problems that constrain access to the land market, and describes recent efforts to address the liquidity problem associated with mortgage finance. The Land Reform Credit Facility (LRCF) was launched by government in May 1999 to help alleviate cash flow problems on farms purchased by disadvantaged buyers and financed with mortgage loans from commercial banks. The LRCF does not offer subsidies. Rather it offers loans with deferred or graduated repayment schedules to reputable banks and venture capital investors who finance, on similar terms, equity-share projects and land purchased by aspiring farmers. The paper outlines the LRCF experience and considers reasons for its promising start. The loan target of R15 million (US$2.15 million) set for the first year was reached after only eight months.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of riluzole in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato Puccioni Sohler ◽  
Gabriel Pinto Mendonça ◽  
Rodrigo Cesar Carvalho Freitas ◽  
José Roberto Ribas
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Placebo Treatment ◽  
First Year ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Mesh Terms ◽  
Student Test ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Background: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron degenerative disease with high mortality and few therapies. One of these is riluzole, inspite of uncertainty effectiveness. Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate the survival rate associated with the use of this medication in the treatment of ALS. Methods: The study was based on a narrative review of the scientific articles that used randomized controled trials with riluzole for ALS. We selected articles published in english during the period of January 1th, 2000 to December 31th, 2020. The MeSH terms “amyotrophic lateral sclerosis” or “motor neuron disease” and “riluzole” or “rilutek” were used in Pubmed and Lilacs databases. Studies that used only patients with advanced stage ALS were excluded. The t-Student test between sample means was applied to determine the significance of the difference between the survival time (years) of the riluzole and placebo treatment, for a 95% confidence level. Results: through the search, four articles were obtained (Table 1). Conclusion: Data analysis showed that riluzole is only effective in the first year. From the second onward, it does not exceed the results of the placebo.

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