Market Orchestrators:The Effects of Certification on Platforms and Their Complementors

We study how a multisided platform’s decision to certify a subset of its complementors affects those complementors and ultimately the platform itself. Kiva, a microfinance platform, introduced a social performance badging program in December 2011. The badging program appears to have been beneficial to Kiva—it led to more borrowers, lenders, total funding, and amount of funding per lender. To better understand the mechanisms behind this performance increase, we study how the badging program changed the bundle of products offered by Kiva’s complementors. We find that Kiva’s certification leads badged microfinance institutions to reorient their loan portfolio composition to align with the certification and that the extent of portfolio reorientation varies across microfinance institutions, depending on underlying demand- and supply-side factors. We further show that certified microfinance institutions that do align their loan portfolios enjoy stronger demand-side benefits than do certified microfinance institutions that do not align their loan portfolios. We therefore demonstrate that platforms can influence the product offerings and performance of their complementors—and, subsequently, the performance of the ecosystem overall—through careful enactment of governance strategies, a process we call “market orchestration.

Wildlife in Airport Environments: Chapter 5 Excluding Mammals from Airports

To ensure aircraft safety, it is critical to exclude large mammal species such as deer (Odocoileus spp.), feral swine (Sus scrota), and coyotes (Canis latrans) from airport environments, as well as to consider thoroughly and carefully all available management methods. Airports are often located on or adjacent to undeveloped land that provides habitat for various species large enough to pose a direct hazard to aircraft. Unoccupied expanses of forage near runways provide deer with sufficient incentive to leave cover and occupy airport lands. Associated risk and tragic collisions have ranked deer as the most hazardous wildlife group to aviation (Dolbeer et al. 2000, DeVault et al. 2011), necessitating the evaluation of appropriate means for excluding them and other medium to large mammals (Dolbeer et al. 2000). Exclusionary fences are the most effective, long-lasting, and straightforward tool for eliminating risks posed by deer and other large mammals at airports; however, these fences can be costly to purchase, erect, and maintain. Fences provide a visual sense of security for airport managers but also can accomplish a measurable and statistically significant level of protection to aircraft at airports (DeVault et al. 2008). A variety of evaluations and experiments have been conducted on fence options. Determining the most appropriate fence for a specific setting to accomplish a desired outcome can be challenging. When reviewing this body of literature, airport managers must consider the level of motivation among deer or other species in the experiment and relate it to their situation. In this chapter we review a variety of fence applications for excluding medium to large mammals and provide recommendations

Are birds scared by rotating mirrors?

Blackbirds (Icteridae) create human health and safety concerns when roosting in large numbers near airports or other urban areas. Therefore, there is considerable demand for effective nonlethal techniques to deter these birds. We tested the effectiveness of rotating mirrors (Peaceful Pyramid®) to keep blackbirds away from decoy traps. Mirrors were in place on traps for 5 consecutive days with control traps having similar a device in place but without mirrors. The total number of birds captured in traps with clear mirrors and control traps did not (P = 0.62) differ. When red mirrors were used, the total number of birds captured was lower (P = 0.01) in treated than control traps. Similar (P ≥ 0.42) numbers of brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) were caught in control or traps treated with either clear or red mirrors. Fewer (P = 0.01) common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) were captured in traps with red mirrors as compared to control traps. Under the test criteria (i.e., food and flock attractants), Peaceful Pyramids®did not reduce the number of cowbirds captured in decoy traps. However, fewer birds, specifically common grackles, were captured at traps with red mirrors; we conclude that there was at least a species-specific initial reaction to red mirror

FACTORS RELATED TO FECAL ESTROGENS AND FECAL TESTOSTERONE IN CALIFORNIA SPOTTED OWLS

We estimated concentrations of fecal reproductive steroid metabolites in free-ranging California Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) during the breeding season. We collected fresh fecal samples (n= 142) from 65 individual owls in the Sierra Nevada during April–August of 2001. We developed and validated radioimmunoassay procedures to quantify fecal estrogen metabolites and fecal testosterone metabolites. We used an information- theoretic approach to identify factors that might influence fecal estrogen (E), fecal testosterone (T), and fecal estrogen:testosterone ratio (E:T ratio) levels during the owl’s breeding season. We hypothesized that factors related to sampling procedures, owl characteristics (sex, reproductive status), and habitat might influence fecal reproductive steroid levels. Our analyses suggested that sampling factors and owl characteristics, but not habitat variables, were related to fecal reproductive steroid levels in Spotted Owls. Our most supported models explained \u3c30% of the observed variation. Fecal testosterone levels were higher in male Spotted Owls than females, whereas E:T ratios were higher in females compared to males. High fecal estrogens were correlated with high fecal glucocorticoids in nonbreeding Spotted Owls, whereas fecal estrogens and fecal glucocorticoids were not related in breeding birds. Sampling influenced fecal reproductive steroid measures, and bias from small-mass fecal samples might partially explain these relationships. Noninvasive measurements of fecal reproductive steroids might be useful for sex determination and reproductive assessment of free-ranging Spotted Owls. However, more research is needed to understand the variability we observed in sex steroids before this technique can be effective in conservation studies

Efficacy of an Acoustic Hailing Device as an Avian Dispersal Tool

Bird strikes are a major safety and financial concern for modern aviation. Audible stimuli are common bird dispersal techniques, but their effectiveness is limited by the saliency and relevance of the stimulus. Furthermore, high ambient sound levels present at airfields might require that effective audible stimuli rely more on total volume (i.e., exceeding physiological tolerances) than ecological relevance. Acoustic hailing devices (AHD) are capable of sound output with a narrow beamwidth and at volumes high enough to cause physical discomfort at long distances. We tested the effectiveness of anAHD as a dispersal tool on freeranging birds recognized as hazardous to aviation safety at the Savannah River Site and Phinizy Swamp Nature Park in South Carolina and Georgia, USA, respectively, between October 2013 and March 2015. Our study design included experimental trials with timed-interval counts of birds directly before and after AHD treatment. For most species, counts of birds associated with treatment periods (use of AHD) and control periods (no use of AHD) occurred on different days. Sound treatments yielded variable success at dispersing birds. Specifically, AHD treatment was effective for dispersing vultures (Coragyps atratus and Cathartes aura) and gulls (Laridae), but ineffective for dispersing blackbirds (Icteridae), diving ducks (Aythya spp., Bucephala spp., Oxyura spp.), and coots (Fulica americana). Trials were conducted in a relatively quiet environment with birds that were unhabituated to excessive noise; thus, we cannot unequivocally recommend an AHD as a universally effective avian dispersing tool. However, future research should consider AHD testing integrated with other methods, as well as investigation of treatments that might be salient to specific target species

Report to the Chicago Park District on Conflicts with Ring-billed Gulls and the 2013 Integrated Ring-billed Gull Damage Management Project

The large ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) population in the City of Chicago has caused various conflicts including general nuisance, property damage, economic losses, and threats to human health and safety. Several studies have shown a relationship between ring-billed gulls and increased levels of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) in nearshore waters. Results of tests for E. coli have led to the issuance of swim advisories at Chicago beaches. The objectives of the Chicago Ring-billed Gull Damage Management Project were to (1) reduce the local production of ring-billed gulls, (2) reduce the severity of conflicts with gulls including the issuance of swim advisories, and (3) evaluate how limiting the production of gulls affects gull use of Chicago’s beaches. Since the beginning of the Chicago Ring-billed Gull Damage Management Project in 2007, USDA-WS established that oiling eggs with food-grade corn oil was a successful method in reducing gull production. Between 2007 and 2013, 89,278 ring-billed gull nests were rendered inviable. It is estimated that between 71,422 and 169,628 hatch-year ring-billed gulls have been prevented since the initiation of this project. Management of ring-billed gull nests has contributed to a significant reduction in hatch-year gull use of Chicago beaches. Since 2007, hatch-year gull use of beaches has declined by 85%, with all analyzed beaches showing a significant reduction. The combined observations of hatch-year and after hatch-year gull use of beaches illustrated a reduction in gulls compared to 2007 observation totals. Conflicts with landowners and land managers have been reduced as a result of our efforts to limit production of young gulls. The connection between ring-billed gulls and water quality is becoming more evident. It has been demonstrated that a relationship exists between gulls and the concentration of E. coli at beaches. During our seven treatment years and the prior (pretreatment) year, the Chicago Park District has routinely sampled for E. coli as a FIB to assess water quality. During the 2013 swim season the proportion of tests resulting in a swim advisory compared to 2006 (baseline year) declined at 13 of 14 beaches

EXPOSURE TIME OF ORAL RABIES VACCINE BAITS RELATIVE TO BAITING DENSITY AND RACCOON POPULATION DENSITY

Oral rabies vaccination (ORV) baiting programs for control of raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies in the USA have been conducted or are in progress in eight states east of the Mississippi River. However, data specific to the relationship between raccoon population density and the minimum density of baits necessary to significantly elevate rabies immunity are few. We used the 22-km2 US National Aeronautics and Space Administration Plum Brook Station (PBS) in Erie County, Ohio, USA, to evaluate the period of exposure for placebo vaccine baits placed at a density of 75 baits/km2 relative to raccoon population density. Our objectives were to 1) estimate raccoon population density within the fragmented forest, old-field, and industrial landscape at PBS; and 2) quantify the time that placebo, Merial RABORAL V-RG* vaccine baits were available to raccoons. From August through November 2002 we surveyed raccoon use of PBS along 19.3 km of paved-road transects by using a forward-looking infrared camera mounted inside a vehicle. We used Distance 3.5 software to calculate probability of detection function by which we estimated raccoon population density from transect data. Estimated population density on PBS decreased from August (33.4 raccoons/km2) through November (13.6 raccoons/km2), yielding a monthly mean of 24.5 raccoons/km2. We also quantified exposure time for ORV baits placed by hand on five 1-km2 grids on PBS from September through October. An average 82.7% (SD=4.6) of baits were removed within 1 wk of placement. Given raccoon population density, estimates of bait removal and sachet condition, and assuming 22.9% nontarget take, the baiting density of 75/ km\u27 yielded an average of 3.3 baits consumed per raccoon anti the sachet perforated

EXPOSURE TIME OF ORAL RABIES VACCINE BAITS RELATIVE TO BAITING DENSITY AND RACCOON POPULATION DENSITY

Oral rabies vaccination (ORV) baiting programs for control of raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies in the USA have been conducted or are in progress in eight states east of the Mississippi River. However, data specific to the relationship between raccoon population density and the minimum density of baits necessary to significantly elevate rabies immunity are few. We used the 22-km2 US National Aeronautics and Space Administration Plum Brook Station (PBS) in Erie County, Ohio, USA, to evaluate the period of exposure for placebo vaccine baits placed at a density of 75 baits/km2 relative to raccoon population density. Our objectives were to 1) estimate raccoon population density within the fragmented forest, old-field, and industrial landscape at PBS; and 2) quantify the time that placebo, Merial RABORAL V-RG* vaccine baits were available to raccoons. From August through November 2002 we surveyed raccoon use of PBS along 19.3 km of paved-road transects by using a forward-looking infrared camera mounted inside a vehicle. We used Distance 3.5 software to calculate probability of detection function by which we estimated raccoon population density from transect data. Estimated population density on PBS decreased from August (33.4 raccoons/km2) through November (13.6 raccoons/km2), yielding a monthly mean of 24.5 raccoons/km2. We also quantified exposure time for ORV baits placed by hand on five 1-km2 grids on PBS from September through October. An average 82.7% (SD=4.6) of baits were removed within 1 wk of placement. Given raccoon population density, estimates of bait removal and sachet condition, and assuming 22.9% nontarget take, the baiting density of 75/ km\u27 yielded an average of 3.3 baits consumed per raccoon anti the sachet perforated

Coming unmoored: Disproportionate increases in obesity prevalence among young, disadvantaged white women

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109980/1/oby20913.pd