An Annotated Checklist of Scarab Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from Northeastern Iowa

A survey of scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) was conducted during 2009 in the geographically distinct area of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties in extreme Northeast Iowa. Four plant communities distributed among 10 locations, including tallgrass prairie, mixed grassland and forest, oak-hickory forest, and pasture were sampled during 2009 using black light traps, banana- beer traps, rodent burrow pitfalls, manure-baited pitfalls, and gleaning. Additionally, previous specimen records were examined. Forty-nine scarab species were documented for Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, including five species not previously reported in Iowa. Mixed grassland and forest habitat contained the greatest scarab species richness (n=31); black light trapping yielded the greatest number of individual beetles and collected the most species

Statistical modelling to predict corporate default for Brazilian companies in the context of Basel II using a new set of financial ratios

This paper deals with statistical modelling to predict failure of Brazilian companies in the light of the Basel II definition of default using a new set of explanatory variables. A rearrangement in the official format of the Balance Sheet is put forward. From this rearrangement a framework of complementary non-conventional ratios is proposed. Initially, a model using 22 traditional ratios is constructed. Problems associated with multicollinearity were found in this model. Adding a group of 6 non-conventional ratios alongside traditional ratios improves the model substantially. The main findings in this study are: (a) logistic regression performs well in the context of Basel II, yielding a sound model applicable in the decision making process; (b) the complementary list of financial ratios plays a critical role in the model proposed; (c) the variables selected in the model show that when current assets and current liabilities are split into two sub-groups - financial and operational - they are more effective in explaining default than the traditional ratios associated with liquidity; and (d) those variables also indicate that high interest rates in Brazil adversely affect the performance of those companies which have a higher dependency on borrowing

The intestinal immunoendocrine axis:novel cross-talk between enteroendocrine cells and the immune system during infection and inflammatory disease

The intestinal epithelium represents one of our most important interfaces with the external environment. It must remain tightly balanced to allow nutrient absorption, but maintain barrier function and immune homoeostasis, a failure of which results in chronic infection or debilitating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The intestinal epithelium mainly consists of absorptive enterocytes and secretory goblet and Paneth cells and has recently come to light as being an essential modulator of immunity as opposed to a simple passive barrier. Each epithelial sub-type can produce specific immune modulating factors, driving innate immunity to pathogens as well as preventing autoimmunity. The enteroendocrine cells comprise just 1% of this epithelium, but collectively form the bodies' largest endocrine system. The mechanisms of enteroendocrine cell peptide secretion during feeding, metabolism and nutrient absorption are well studied; but their potential interactions with the enriched numbers of surrounding immune cells remain largely unexplored. This review focuses on alterations in enteroendocrine cell number and peptide secretion during inflammation and disease, highlighting the few in depth studies which have attempted to dissect the immune driven mechanisms that drive these phenomena. Moreover, the emerging potential of enteroendocrine cells acting as innate sensors of intestinal perturbation and secreting peptides to directly orchestrate immune cell function will be proposed. In summary, the data generated from these studies have begun to unravel a complex cross-talk between immune and enteroendocrine cells, highlighting the emerging immunoendocrine axis as a potential target for therapeutic strategies for infections and inflammatory disorders of the intestine

Operational research modelling to support healthcare operations management

One often proffered guide for OR model building is that the model should be made as simple as possible subject to meeting its purpose. In healthcare operations management the purpose of an OR model is often to persuade the appropriate stakeholders to modify a system in a way that (hopefully) turns out to be an improvement. Hence the choice of model can be very context-specific, depending very much who needs to be convinced of what. This general issue is examined via a brief description of five different modelling approaches that have been used to support operations management of outpatient clinics. The extent to which the approaches might be 'fit for purpose' in different is discussed

Reflections on queue modelling from the last 50 years

Queueing theory continues to be one of the most researched areas of operational research, and has generated numerous review papers over the years. The phrase 'queue modelling' is used in the title to indicate a more practical emphasis. This paper uses work taken predominantly from the last 50 years of pages of the Operational Research Quarterly and the Journal of the Operational Research Society to offer a commentary on attempts of operational researchers to tackle real queueing problems, and on research foci past and future. A new discipline of 'queue modelling' is proposed, drawing upon the combined strengths of analytic and simulation approaches with the responsibility to derive meaningful insights for managers

Inventory of Economic Understanding of Sky View High School Graduates, 1966

All societies are faced with the problems of what to produce, how to produce, and for whom to produce goods and services. To each of the many facets of each of these questions are many alternatives. The different economic systems in the world allow different segments or parts of the system\u27s population to select the answers to economic questions from the alternatives to the economic questions all systems face. The quality of the decisions made is of vital importance to the progress of the particular economic system

Attitudes of Young Adult Catholic Women Towards Religious Life and Related Issues

This study examines the attitudes of a sample of young adult Catholic women from Perth, Western Australia, towards women\u27s religious life in the apostolic tradition\u27. Respondents\u27 ages range from 18 to 35 years. Their attitudes towards other issues relating to religious life are also examined, including commitments: community: religious sisters: the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience: and social justice issues relevant to Australia. The study also analyses participants\u27 values and the relationship between these and their commitments. Differences in responses are highlighted through the concept of conservatism/liberalism and the framework of Fowler\u27s Stages of Faith Development is used to understand these differences