The Future of Private Loans: Who is Borrowing, and Why?

Examines developments in private loans within the student lending industry, characteristics of loan borrowers, and trends that might impact the growth of private loans in the future

Environmental and fishing effects on the dynamic of brown tiger prawn (Penaeus esculentus) in Moreton Bay (Australia)

This analysis of the variations of brown tiger prawn (Penaeus esculentus) catch in the Moreton Bay multispecies trawl fishery estimated catchability using a delay difference model. It integrated several factors responsible for variations in catchability: targeting of fishing effort, increasing fishing power and changing availability. An analysis of covariance was used to define fishing events targeted at brown tiger prawns. A general linear model estimated inter-annual variations of fishing power. Temperature induced changes in prawn behaviour played an important role in the dynamic of this fishery. Maximum likelihood estimates of targeted catchability ($3.92 \pm 0.40 \ 10^{-4}$ boat-days$^{-1}$) were twice as large as non-targeted catchability ($1.91 \pm 0.24 \ 10^{-4}$ boat-days$^{-1}$). The causes of recent decline in fishing effort in this fishery were discussed.Comment: revised manuscript following reviewers comments + adding data and code for reader

Identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with beef cattle terrain-use in the western United States

2019 Spring.Includes bibliographical references.Beef cattle are drawn to areas with gentle terrain, which may result in heavy grazing near riparian zones and minimal grazing on rugged terrain. Traditional management tools to improve grazing distribution can be costly; therefore, genomic selection has been proposed as a means of improving beef cattle grazing patterns. The objective of this thesis was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with beef cattle terrain-use in the western U.S. Variant detection using RNA-sequencing data obtained from Angus cardiovascular tissues and Brangus reproductive tissues revealed 48 potential causative mutations in five genes that were previously associated with terrain-use indices: SDHAF3, RUSC2, SUPT20H, MAML3, and GRM5. In an additional study, Bayesian multiple-regression was performed using BovineHD genotypes and global positioning system (GPS) data collected from 80 beef cows managed in Arizona, Montana, and New Mexico. Results of this analysis suggested that beef cattle terrain-use was polygenic; however, additional observations were needed to validate the quantitative trait loci (QTL) identified. Subsequent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed for six terrain-use traits using BovineSNP50 genotypes and distribution data collected from a multi-breed population of cattle (n = 330) managed in the western U.S. These analyses identified 32 QTL and 29 putative candidate genes with diverse functions related to hypoxia, heat stress, feed efficiency, weight traits, energy metabolism, and lactation. In conclusion, results presented in this thesis suggested that terrain-use is polygenic and may be improved with genetic selection; however, additional studies are needed to further elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying terrain-use of beef cattle

Stakeholder Perceptions of Current Planning, Assessment and Science Initiatives in Canada’s Beaufort Sea

Over the past 30 years, the Beaufort Sea has been the site of many regional studies and planning efforts. Currently, three major initiatives are underway: the Integrated Regional Impact Study, which focuses on science; the Integrated Ocean Management Plan; and the Beaufort Regional Environmental Assessment. Despite the mounting pressures for offshore energy development in the region, little attention has been given to whether these initiatives facilitate a more coordinated and informed approach to planning, assessment, and decision making for such development. We examined stakeholder perceptions of the existing initiatives to ascertain whether and how they enable horizontal and vertical integration and how effectively they facilitate marine resource planning and decision making. The results show that three essentials of a more coordinated regional approach to planning for marine resources and offshore development are horizontal integration between management bodies, vertical integration from the strategic level and regional scale to the operational level and project scale, and an overarching vision for regional planning and development in the Beaufort Sea.Ces 30 dernières années, la mer de Beaufort a fait l’objet de nombreuses études régionales et de nombreux efforts de planification régionaux. En ce moment, trois grandes initiatives sont en cours : l’étude intégrée d’impact régional, qui est axée sur la science; le plan intégré de gestion de l’océan; et l’Évaluation environnementale régionale de Beaufort. Même si les pressions exercées en vue de la mise en valeur énergétique au large de cette région se font de plus en plus grandes, peu d’attention a été accordée à la possibilité de déterminer si ces initiatives facilitent une approche plus coordonnée et informée en matière de planification, d’évaluation et de prise de décisions relativement à une telle mise en valeur. Nous avons examiné les perceptions des diverses parties prenantes afin d’établir si et comment elles donnent lieu à l’intégration verticale et horizontale, et dans quelle mesure elles favorisent la planification des ressources de la mer et la prise de décisions à leur sujet. Selon les résultats, une approche régionale plus coordonnée en matière de planification des ressources de la mer et de mise en valeur au large comporte trois éléments essentiels, soit : l’intégration horizontale des organismes de gestion; l’intégration verticale, du niveau stratégique et de l’échelle régionale jusqu’au niveau opérationnel et à l’échelle du projet; et une vision déterminante en matière de planification régionale et de mise en valeur de la mer de Beaufort

Hegelian Inquiring Organizations: Guiding Principles, Design Guidelines, and IT Support

This paper continues the tradition (Courtney et al. 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999) of using the principles of inquiring systems design (Churchman, 1971) to suggest how effective learning organizations might be developed. Specifically, the paper proposes that Hegelian inquiring systems are well suited for “wicked” problems and knowledge work, and therefore that Hegelian inquiring organizations are well suited for the wicked environments of the new world of business (Malhotra, 1997, 2000). In addition, the paper shows how extant information technologies can support Hegelian inquiring organizations

Modulation of miRISC-mediated gene silencing in eukaryotes

Gene expression is regulated at multiple levels in eukaryotic cells. Regulation at the post-transcriptional level is modulated by variou