scholarly journals Situation of COVID-19 in Brazil in August 2020: An Analysis via Growth Models as Implemented in the ModInterv System for Monitoring the Pandemic

Author(s):  
Giovani L. Vasconcelos ◽  
Gerson C. Duarte-Filho ◽  
Arthur A. Brum ◽  
Raydonal Ospina ◽  
Francisco A. G. Almeida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Author(s):  
Mario Lesina ◽  
Lovorka Gotal Dmitrovic

The paper shows the relation among the number of small, medium and large companies in the leather and footwear industry in Croatia, as well as the relation among the number of their employees by means of the Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficient. The data were collected during 21 years. The warning zone and the risk zone were determined by means of the Statistical Process Control (SPC) for a certain number of small, medium and large companies in the leather and footwear industry in Croatia. Growth models, based on externalities, models based on research and development and the AK models were applied for the analysis of the obtained research results. The paper shows using the correlation coefficients that The relation between the number of large companies and their number of employees is the strongest, i.e. large companies have the best structured work places. The relation between the number of medium companies and the number of their employees is a bit weaker, while there is no relation in small companies. This is best described by growth models based on externalities, in which growth generates the increase in human capital, i.e. the growth of the level of knowledge and skills in the entire economy, but also deductively in companies on microeconomic level. These models also recognize the limit of accumulated knowledge after which growth may be expected. The absence of growth in small companies results from an insufficient level of human capital and failure to reach its limit level which could generate growth. According to Statistical Process Control (SPC), control charts, as well as regression models, it is clear that the most cost-effective investment is the investment into medium companies. The paper demonstrates the disadvantages in small, medium and large companies in the leather and footwear industry in Croatia. Small companies often emerge too quickly and disappear too easily owing to the employment of administrative staff instead of professional production staff. As the models emphasize, companies need to invest into their employees and employ good production staff. Investment and support to the medium companies not only strengthens the companies which have a well-arranged technological process and a good systematization of work places, but this also helps large companies, as there is a strong correlation between the number of medium and large companies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 302-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Peggy McFall ◽  
Lars Bäckman ◽  
Roger A. Dixon

Background: Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a prominent genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and a frequent target for associations with non-demented and cognitively impaired aging. APOE offers a unique opportunity to evaluate two dichotomous comparisons and selected gradations of APOE risk. Some evidence suggests that APOE effects may differ by sex and emerge especially in interaction with other AD-related biomarkers (e.g., vascular health). Methods: Longitudinal trajectories of non-demented adults (n = 632, 67% female, Mage = 68.9) populated a 40-year band of aging. Focusing on memory performance and individualized memory trajectories, a sequence of latent growth models was tested for predictions of (moderation between) APOE and pulse pressure (PP) as stratified by sex. The analyses (1) established robust benchmark PP effects on memory trajectories, (2) compared predictions of alternative dichotomous groupings (ε4- vs ε4+, ε2- vs ε2+), and (3) examined precision-based predictions by disaggregated APOE genotypes. Results: Healthier (lower) PP was associated with better memory performance and less decline. Therefore, all subsequent analyses were conducted in the interactive context of PP effects and sex stratification. The ε4-based dichotomization produced no differential genetic predictions. The ε2-based analyses showed sex differences, including selective protection for ε2-positive females. Exploratory follow-up disaggregated APOE genotype analyses suggested selective ε2 protection effects for both homozygotic and heterozygotic females. Conclusion: Precision analyses of AD genetic risk will advance the understanding of underlying mechanisms and improve personalized implementation of interventions.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
Ivan Bjelanovic ◽  
Phil Comeau ◽  
Sharon Meredith ◽  
Brian Roth

A few studies in young mixedwood stands demonstrate that precommercial thinning of aspen at early ages can improve the growth of spruce and increase stand resilience to drought. However, information on tree and stand responses to thinning in older mixedwood stands is lacking. To address this need, a study was initiated in 2008 in Alberta, Canada in 14 boreal mixedwood stands (seven each at ages 17 and 22). This study investigated growth responses following thinning of aspen to five densities (0, 1000, 2500, 5000 stems ha−1 and unthinned (control)). Measurements were collected in the year of establishment, and three and eight years later. Mortality of aspen in the unthinned plots was greater than in the thinned plots which were not significantly different amongst each other. Eight years following treatment, aspen diameter was positively influenced by thinning, while there was no effect on aspen height. The density of aspen had no significant effect on the survival of planted spruce. Spruce height and diameter growth increased with both aspen thinning intensity and time since treatment. Differentiation among treatments in spruce diameter growth was evident three years from treatment, while differentiation in height was not significant until eight years following treatment. Yield projections using two growth models (Mixedwood Growth Model (MGM) and Growth and Yield Projection System (GYPSY)) were initialized using data from the year eight re-measurements. Results indicate that heavy precommercial aspen thinning (to ~1000 aspen crop trees ha−1) can result in an increase in conifer merchantable volume without reducing aspen volume at the time of harvest. However, light to moderate thinning (to ~2500 aspen stems ha−1 or higher), is unlikely to result in gains in either deciduous or conifer merchantable harvest volume over those of unthinned stands.


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