No description available.

Jeigu įmonė patiria nuostolių dėl savo darbuotojų rūkymo, vadovybė gali imtis priemonių, skatinančių darbuotojus mesti rūkyti, tuo pagerinant įmonės ekonominius rodiklius. Lietuvoje tyrimų, siejančių rūkymą ir įmonės ekonomiką, atlikta nebuvo. Darbo tikslas: nustatyti ryšį tarp rūkymo ir dėl jo patiriamo nedarbingumo, bei su tuo susijusiais organizacijos ekonominiais rodikliais. Uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti rūkymo paplitimą organizacijoje X; 2. Susieti rūkymo įpročius su buvusiu darbuotojų nedarbingumu; 3. Nustatyti galimą pagalbos metantiems rūkyti ekonominį efektą. Tyrimo metodika: anketinė apklausa, dalyvavo 182 organizacijos X (toliau organizacija) darbuotojai. Laikino nedarbingumo organizacijoje analiz���. Statistinė duomenų analizė atlikta, naudojant SPSS 12.0 programinį paketą. Rezultatai: rūkymo paplitimas organizacijoje yra 42,9 procento. Vyrų tarpe rūkymo paplitimas siekia 43,9 proc., o moterų tarpe – 36 proc. Vienam rūkančiam organizacijos darbuotojui tenka 1,144 (p=0,003) laikino nedarbingumo dėl ligos atvejo daugiau, nei ner��kan��iam organizacijos darbuotojui. Vienam rūkančiam organizacijos darbuotojui tenka 4,971 (p=0,012) praleistos dėl laikino nedarbingumo dėl ligos darbo dienos daugiau, nei nerūkančiam organizacijos darbuotojui. Organizacija dėl savo darbuotojų rūkymo per metus vidutiniškai praranda 58164,6 lito Išvados: pagalbos metantiems rūkyti ekonominis efektas organizacijoje būtų teigiamas. Vienas, metęs rūkyti, darbuotojas organizacijai galėtų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / If organization suffers losses because of employees smoking, the administration can encourage employees to give up smoking and improve economic indicators of organization. There were no researches done, relating smoking and economy of organization, in Lithuania. Aim of study: to find the link between smoking and temporary incapacity, which is related to economic indicators of organization. Objectives: 1. To estimate smoking prevalence in organization X; 2. To find the link between smoking habits and previous temporary incapacity of employees; 3. To estimate a possible economic effect of helping those, who are giving up smoking. Methods: questionnaire was answered by 182 employees of the organization. The analysis of a temporary incapacity in the organization. Data was analysed using SPSS 12.0 programe. Results: smoking prevalence in the organization is 42,9 percent. Smoking prevalence among men reaches 43,9 percent, among women – 36 percent. One smoking employee of the organization gets 1,144 (p=0.003) temporary incapacity cases more, than non smoking employee. One smoking employee of the organization gets 4.971 (p=0.012) temporary incapacity days more, than non smoking employee. The organization suffer an average loses of 58164.6 Lithuanian litas every year, because of the employees smoking. Conclusions: the economic effect of helping those, who are giving up smoking, would be positive. One employee of the organization could save 559.28 Lithuanian litas every year if he... [to full text]

MSc (Zoology) / Department of Zoology / The adverse ecological effects of landscape modification by humans are well known and continue to be studied. Habitat disturbances arising from such modifications result in various levels of biodiversity loss. Amongst mammals, large carnivores are usually the first to disappear, leaving a gap in the trophic pyramid. However, ecologically adaptive small carnivores, free from the effects of intraguild predation can readily fill this gap (i.e. mesopredator release). In highly productive disturbed habitats, small mammals may thrive, reaching densities that can support an abundant and diverse suite of small carnivores. After frequent sightings of serval (Leptailurus serval) on the highly disturbed Sasol Synfuels Operations property, three camera trap surveys were conducted between 2014 and 2015 to study its ecology. The resulting data was subsequently used to study the site’s small carnivores. Multispecies occupancy modelling was used to determine detection (p) and occupancy (ψ) probabilities and estimate species richness across the study area. Site-specific covariates were then modelled against abundance values to identify any correlations. Out of 23 small carnivore species predicted to occur on the site, 11 were detected. Spatially, estimated species richness was highest in disturbed habitats, while it was slightly lower in Grassland possibly due to undersampling. Detection and occupancy probabilities were low (except for serval), with interspecies variations. It is suspected that this is the result of survey bias towards serval. The only covariate showing any significant effect was livestock presence, negatively affecting serval occupancy. Estimated species richness was used as a proxy to identify high- or low-predation areas. Within these areas, three vegetation treatments were selected (low, medium and high cover). Small mammal foraging behaviour under varying predation pressures within these treatments was then studied using the giving-up density (GUD) framework. Differences in GUDs were examined using generalised linear mixed models (GLMM). Small mammal trapping in the study area showed that four-striped grass mouse (Rhabdomys sp.; diurnal) and multimammate mouse (Mastomys sp.; nocturnal) were dominant. Nocturnal GUDs were lower than diurnal, which is interesting as four-striped grass mice are more abundant than multimammate mice. This indicates that density alone does not influence GUDs. Additionally, no significant difference in GUDs was observed between predation and vegetation treatments. I suggest that observed GUDs are linked to individual or combined impacts of interspecific differences in foraging behaviour, metabolic requirements or temporal variations in perceived predation pressure. GUDs also varied between surveys, being lower in mid- compared to early winter. This might be attributable to decreased availability of food and greater metabolic requirements in mid-winter. The results show that modified landscapes (such as the study site) can contribute to biodiversity conservation, especially of small carnivores, the adaptability of which allows them to flourish in disturbed habitats. Under favourable conditions, ecologically flexible small mammal species seem to be unaffected by the risks associated with an abundance of small carnivores. While the processes governing the dynamics of predator and prey communities in disturbed systems are not entirely clear, the conservation potential of such areas cannot be ignored and deserves more attention from researchers. / NRF

The perception of increased predation risk by nocturnal mice and other small mammals has been shown to reduce activity levels, particularly in foraging effort. Various cues of predation risk have been used in previous studies, but few have assessed the potential interactions between different types of cues. I conducted field, laboratory, and enclosure experiments using predator scents, artificial light, and microhabitat variables to determine the effects of direct and indirect cues of predation risk on foraging behavior in wild nocturnal mice. Experimental foraging trays served as artificial resource patches, and giving-up densities were measured in order to test for foraging persistence in patches exposed to cues of predation risk. Cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus) were used in laboratory and enclosure trials, and were the most common mice present at the sites used for field trials. Although previous foraging studies have used other Peromyscus species, this species has not been tested, but ranges over densely populated areas of the United States where artificial light could potentially affect its behavior. In outdoor and laboratory enclosures, cotton mice showed no aversive response to bobcat urine, cloths rubbed on cats, or snake sheds, but did exhibit avoidance of cat fur and artificial light. In the field experiment, mice showed a strong preference for covered microhabitats, but did not avoid bobcat urine or artificial light. Foraging in artificial resource patches also increased throughout the duration of the field experiment, possibly coinciding with a reduction in naturally-available forage. Mice in this population appear to use cover as their primary means of avoiding detection or capture by predators, though they do avoid artificial light and at least one fur-derived odor when their available options for escape are reduced.

Non-consumptive effects that predators have on prey are important to ecosystems. The perceived risk of predation can alter feeding behavior. Giving-up density (GUD) experiments have been a foundational method to evaluate perceived predation risk, but rely on the assumption that food preferences are absolute. However, nutritional preferences are context dependent and can change with risk. In my first chapter, I used spiders and grasshoppers to test the hypothesis that covariance in nutritional preferences and risk may confound the interpretation of GUD experiments. My results demonstrate that predation risk and nutritional preferences covary and can confound interpretation of GUD experiments. In my second chapter, I use a behavioral observation experiment to further explore non-consumptive effects, as well as the movement of prey in response to predation risk.

Urbanization, as it transforms natural biotic systems into human-dominated landscapes, is recognized as one of the greatest threats to biodiversity throughout the world. Furthermore, urban dwellers are becoming increasingly disconnected with the natural world. Here I investigate whether residential landscape designs that mimic the natural environment can provide habitat for native birds. First I uncover some of the patterns of bird distribution in residential yards by incorporating habitat features, urbanization measurements and socioeconomic factors with bird monitoring data into a multivariate analysis. The results indicate that native birds associate with neighborhoods with native plants and shrubs, neighborhoods closer to desert tracts, and higher income neighborhoods. Very few bird species associate with low income and predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods. Additional analyses based on social survey data demonstrate that residents notice the varying levels of bird variety in their neighborhood. Second, I address whether perceived habitat quality differs between residential landscape designs by testing foraging decisions at artificial food patches. Birds foraging in yards landscaped with native plants consume fewer resources than birds foraging in exotic landscaped yards. This suggests that alternative food sources are more available in the native landscaped yards, indicating better quality habitat. Third, I investigate the relationship between native bird diversity and neighborhoods with a Homeowner Association (HOA). Neighborhoods with an HOA have higher native bird diversity, perhaps due to an active and enforceable landscape maintenance plan. I suggest an HOA adapt features from the Sustainable Sites Initiative to further improve habitat conditions for native birds and other wildlife. Results from the Dissertation support the implementation of native landscaping in residential yards to help reverse the loss of urban biodiversity. Consequentially, these landscapes will provide positive opportunities for urban dwellers to reconnect with the natural world.

No description available.

A majority of the arid grasslands in the western U.S. have been dramatically altered by anthropogenic influences resulting in degradation and desertification. Within the arid grasslands of North America a guild of burrowing herbivorous rodents that includes kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp.) and prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) is often considered integral to arid grassland maintenance. As part of the larger guild of burrowing herbivorous rodents, kangaroo rats are considered to be an important keystone guild whose role as ecosystem engineers and habitat modifiers complements that of prairie dogs. Together these species organize and structure arid grassland ecosystems and the biodiversity therein, by providing a mosaic of microhabitat patches, thus increasing overall heterogeneity. In an area where black-tailed prairie dogs (C. ludovicianus) were reintroduced, I used Giving-up Density (GUD) to assess the indirect effects black-tailed prairie dogs might have on the foraging patterns of resident kangaroo rats (D. spectabilis and D. merriamii). My objective was to compare and contrast kangaroo rat foraging GUD within and along the boundary of a on a recently established black-tailed prairie dog colony with that in the surrounding unmodified native habitat. This enabled assessment of whether black-tailed prairie dogs had an influence on the perceived quality of the habitat by kangaroo rats. Kangaroo rats visited off-colony feeding trays more frequently, and collected a greater mean mass of seed per tray as well. This indicates that the kangaroo rats perceived the area off the prairie dog colony as having a lower foraging cost than on the colony or along the colony edge. I conclude that from the perspective of the seed-eating kangaroo rat, the colony is not viewed as high quality habitat. What impact the reintroduction and management of one keystone species might have on another keystone species deserves additional consideration as we attempt to restore arid grassland ecosystems.

Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Zoology, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 31-35).

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T18:22:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maria Glalcy Fequetia.pdf: 852136 bytes, checksum: 58a0816e1dae23193a7c6d3063aaca23 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-18 / Secretaria da Educação do Estado de São Paulo / Technological advances have brought about a revolution in education. The advantages resulting from the distance learning, temporal ruptures and spacers have been established as key factors for professionals who seek an online course, an alternative to the continuity of their education. Moreover, following this movement, there is a major challenge in the permanence and completion of these courses by individuals. The purpose of this research was to study about the phenomenon of giving up by analyzing the messages of the course participants leavers of Contemporary Reading and Writing Practices offered online for learning supervisors, technical-pedagogical assistants (ATPs), coordinators and teachers of Secondary and High Schools of the São Paulo, Brazil, state school system. The theoretical lens that guided this study was divided into three parts: the first one related to the processes of Reculturing , Restructuring and Retiming proposed by Fullan (1996.1997); the second one related to the development of autonomy and processes of change from studies of Freire (1996), Nicolaides (2003), Sprenger (2004), Benson (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011) and Collins (2008); and the third one related to the question of time as a problematizing factor. Through a qualitative analysis of messages, it was possible to observe what conflicts in Reculturing, Restructuring and Retiming put themselves as providers of the phenomenon of giving up and the connections between these processes, the development of autonomy and the time factor. It was also possible, through these links, to map a set of conceptions of what would to study online: which postures are more appropriate, structural requirements which must be fulfilled, which the modes of interaction are more effective for each context, and more / Os avanços tecnológicos têm propiciado uma revolução no campo educacional. As facilidades advindas do ensino a distância , as rupturas temporais e distanciais têm se consolidado como fatores decisivos pelos profissionais que procuram, num curso online, uma alternativa para a continuidade de sua formação. Por outro lado, acompanhando esse movimento, nota-se um desafio muito grande na permanência e conclusão desses cursos pelos indivíduos. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo um estudo sobre o fenômeno da desistência através da análise das mensagens de participantes desistentes do curso Práticas de Leitura e Escrita na Contemporaneidade, oferecido na modalidade online para supervisores de ensino, assistentes técnico-pedagógicos (ATPs), professores-cordenadores (PCs) e professores do Ensino Fundamental II e Ensino Médio da rede pública estadual de São Paulo. A lente teórica que orientou este trabalho foi divida em três partes: a primeira em relação aos processos de Reculturação, Reestruturação e Reorganização Temporal propostos por Fullan (1996,1997); a segunda em relação ao desenvolvimento da autonomia e os processos de mudança a partir dos estudos de Freire (1996), Nicolaides (2003), Sprenger (2004), Benson (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011) e Collins (2008); e a terceira em relação à questão do tempo como fator problematizador. Através de uma análise qualitativa das mensagens, foi possível verificar que conflitos nos processos de Reculturação, Reestruturação e Reorganização Temporal colocam-se como propiciadores do fenômeno da desistência e quais as ligações entre esses processos, o desenvolvimento da autonomia e o fator tempo. Foi possível também ,através dessas ligações, mapear um conjunto de concepções do que seria o estudar online: quais posturas são mais adequadas, quais necessidades estruturais devem ser atendidas, quais os modos de interação mais efetivos para cada contexto, entre outros