Long-Term Methods for High-Definition Image Maps of Benthic Surveys

AbstractCoral reef health assessment has relied on benthic photographic surveys as an essential measurement tool for decades. The emergence of gigapixel image (1 billion pixels) stitching technologies makes possible the creation of high-definition benthic image map surveys (HDBIMS). These image maps provide the traditional overall percentage coverage data. In addition, they allow zoom capabilities in such detail that scientists can, for example, count the polyps on a coral head. While the image maps are easily viewed over the Internet, they are challenging to produce. Numerous previous studies have contributed to the advancement of high-definition benthic survey methods. This ongoing HDBIMS study is focused on production methods that (1) produce the best image quality for the lowest cost, (2) provide accurate and repeatable results at any depth over time, and (3) utilize off-the-shelf (OTS) stitching software that allows accurate results that can be reviewed in the field. This structured approach to image acquisition, integrated with the OTS grid-oriented stitching software, produces highly accurate benthic image maps.

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Acute symptoms of mild to moderate COVID-19 are highly heterogeneous across individuals and over time

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofab090 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Thomas L Rodebaugh ◽

Madelyn R Frumkin ◽

Angela M Reiersen ◽

Eric J Lenze ◽

Michael S Avidan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Temporal Dynamics ◽

Survey Methods ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Clinical Deterioration ◽

Symptom Profiles ◽

Fluctuating Course ◽

The Common ◽

Symptom Changes ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background The symptoms of COVID-19 appear to be heterogenous, and the typical course of these symptoms is unknown. Our objectives were to characterize the common trajectories of COVID-19 symptoms and assess how symptom course predicts other symptom changes as well as clinical deterioration. Methods 162 participants with acute COVID-19 responded to surveys up to 31 times for up to 17 days. Several statistical methods were used to characterize the temporal dynamics of these symptoms. Because nine participants showed clinical deterioration, we explored whether these participants showed any differences in symptom profiles. Results Trajectories varied greatly between individuals, with many having persistently severe symptoms or developing new symptoms several days after being diagnosed. A typical trajectory was for a symptom to improve at a decremental rate, with most symptoms still persisting to some degree at the end of the reporting period. The pattern of symptoms over time suggested a fluctuating course for many patients. Participants who showed clinical deterioration were more likely to present with higher reports of severity of cough and diarrhea. Conclusion The course of symptoms during the initial weeks of COVID-19 is highly heterogeneous and is neither predictable nor easily characterized using typical survey methods. This has implications for clinical care and early-treatment clinical trials. Additional research is needed to determine whether the decelerating improvement pattern seen in our data is related to the phenomenon of patients reporting long-term symptoms, and whether higher symptoms of diarrhea in early illness presages deterioration.

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Measuring the Innovation of Economy throught Global and European Tools

MATEC Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/matecconf/201818404019 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 184 ◽

pp. 04019

Author(s):

Delia Marcela Pop ◽

Mircea Teodor Pop

Keyword(s):

Economic Development ◽

Comparative Analysis ◽

Measurement Tool ◽

Sustainable Economic Development ◽

Innovative Process ◽

Global Innovation ◽

Over Time

Global and European innovation assessment and measurement represents a means by which relevant analyses of the innovative process can be carried out, as well as long-term strategies that aim at sustainable economic development. Measurement of innovation is carried out by specialized bodies through specialized studies, using relevant indicators whose number and definition have been modified over time as needed. This paper proposes a comparative analysis of the assessments of a country performances in innovation by means of a global measurement tool (Global Innovation Index) and of a European one (European Innovation Scoreboard).

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Enhancing community welfare through improved water quality: a case for applying staggered pollution charges in the river Musi sub-basin of Andhra Pradesh, India

Water Policy ◽

10.2166/wp.2005.0028 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. 469-483

Author(s):

Tishya Chatterjee

Keyword(s):

Andhra Pradesh ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Pollution Prevention ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Environmental Damage ◽

Marginal Costs ◽

Community Acceptance ◽

Level Data ◽

Over Time

In conditions of severe water-pollution and dormant community acceptance of accumulating environmental damage, the regulator's role goes beyond pollution prevention and more towards remediation and solutions based on the community's long-term expectations of economic benefits from clean water. This paper suggests a method to enable these benefits to become perceptible progressively, through participatory clean-up operations, supported by staggered pollution charges. It analyses the relevant literature on pollution prevention and applies a cost-based “willingness to pay” model, using primary basin-level data of total marginal costs. It develops a replicable demand-side approach imposing charge-standard targets over time in urban-industrial basins of developing countries.

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The Short-Term and Long-Term Impacts of Sarbanes-Oxley Act on Composition and Characteristics of Corporate Board of Directors

International Journal of Financial Management ◽

10.21863/ijfm/2015.5.4.019 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Halil Kaya ◽

Gaurango Banerjee

Keyword(s):

Board Composition ◽

Corporate Boards ◽

Corporate Accountability ◽

Corporate Board ◽

Short Term ◽

Dual Roles ◽

Board Characteristics ◽

Sarbanes Oxley ◽

Over Time

The paper examines the Sarbanes-Oxley (2002) Acts immediate impact on board composition and characteristics as well as possible reversals in its impact over time. Effects on directors age and tenure are analyzed over the 2001-06 sample period. Female participation in corporate boards is also studied in the pre-SOX and post-SOX periods. The dual roles of directors in being a member of the board as well as serving as either CEO, CFO, Chairman, Co-Chair, Founder, or Lead Director of their respective companies is also examined. We observe a short-term impact of SOX on board compositions due to changes seen in board characteristics between 2001 (pre-SOX), and 2003-05 short-term period (post-SOX). Also, we observe a reversal of board characteristics in 2006 to pre-SOX levels implying that the effects of SOX on board composition were short-lived, and needs to be monitored over time to ensure adherence to corporate accountability guidelines over the long-term.

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A Downward Spiral? A Panel Study of Misinformation and Media Trust in Chile

The International Journal of Press/Politics ◽

10.1177/19401612211025238 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 194016122110252

Author(s):

Sebastián Valenzuela ◽

Daniel Halpern ◽

Felipe Araneda

Keyword(s):

News Media ◽

Panel Study ◽

Future Research ◽

Panel Survey ◽

Downward Spiral ◽

The Media ◽

Media Trust ◽

People’S Attitudes ◽

Over Time

Despite widespread concern, research on the consequences of misinformation on people's attitudes is surprisingly scant. To fill in this gap, the current study examines the long-term relationship between misinformation and trust in the news media. Based on the reinforcing spirals model, we analyzed data from a three-wave panel survey collected in Chile between 2017 and 2019. We found a weak, over-time relationship between misinformation and media skepticism. Specifically, initial beliefs on factually dubious information were negatively correlated with subsequent levels of trust in the news media. Lower trust in the media, in turn, was related over time to higher levels of misinformation. However, we found no evidence of a reverse, parallel process where media trust shielded users against misinformation, further reinforcing trust in the news media. The lack of evidence of a downward spiral suggests that the corrosive effects of misinformation on attitudes toward the news media are less serious than originally suggested. We close with a discussion of directions for future research.

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Personality dynamics at work: The effects of form, time, and context of variability

European Journal of Personality ◽

10.1177/08902070211017341 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 089020702110173

Author(s):

Nadin Beckmann ◽

Damian P Birney ◽

Amirali Minbashian ◽

Jens F Beckmann

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Cognitive Ability ◽

Temporal Stability ◽

Limited Evidence ◽

Short Term ◽

State Data ◽

The Status ◽

Over Time ◽

Trait Variability

The study aimed to investigate the status of within-person state variability in neuroticism and conscientiousness as individual differences constructs by exploring their (a) temporal stability, (b) cross-context consistency, (c) empirical links to selected antecedents, and (d) empirical links to longer term trait variability. Employing a sample of professionals ( N = 346) from Australian organisations, personality state data together with situation appraisals were collected using experience sampling methodology in field and repeatedly in lab-like settings. Data on personality traits, cognitive ability, and motivational mindsets were collected at baseline and after two years. Contingent (situation contingencies) and non-contingent (relative SD) state variability indices were relatively stable over time and across contexts. Only a small number of predictive effects of state variability were observed, and these differed across contexts. Cognitive ability appeared to be associated with state variability under lab-like conditions. There was limited evidence of links between short-term state and long-term trait variability, except for a small effect for neuroticism. Some evidence of positive manifold was found for non-contingent variability. Systematic efforts are required to further elucidate the complex pattern of results regarding the antecedents, correlates and outcomes of individual differences in state variability.

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Agritourism—A Business Reality of the Moment for Romanian Rural Area’s Sustainability

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13116313 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 6313

Author(s):

Ramona Ciolac ◽

Tiberiu Iancu ◽

Ioan Brad ◽

Tabita Adamov ◽

Nicoleta Mateoc-Sîrb

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Distribution Channels ◽

Scientific Paper ◽

Business Owners ◽

The Future ◽

Tourism Potential ◽

The Moment ◽

Managerial Experience ◽

Over Time

The agritourism activity can be a characteristic reality of the present, considering rural area’s sustainability, being at the same time a business reality for rural entrepreneurs and a “must have” for rural communities that have tourism potential. It is a form of tourism, through which the tourist can receive a qualitative product at a reasonable price, but also a field that can ensure sustainable development over time, being at the same time environmentally friendly. The purpose of this scientific paper is to identify the aspects that make agritourism “a possible business reality of the moment”, for Romanian rural area’s sustainability. We take into account the following areas: Bran-Moieciu area—considered “the oldest” in terms of agritourism experience, and Apuseni Mountains area, with a great inclination and potential for this activity. The study conducted for these two areas is focused on several aspects: the degree of involvement in agritourism activities, considering the number of years and managerial experience, the analysis of the types of activities/experiences offered by agritourism structures, the identification of the main reasons/motivations for the orientation towards agritourism and the manner in which this field is perceived. Aspects related to the marketing-finance part of the agritourism business are also taken into account: customers, distribution channels, financial sources, shortcomings observed by agritourism business owners and possible action directions so as to improve the activity/agritourism product. Agritourism may be “a possible business reality of the moment” for the studied areas and not only, but in the future, the entrepreneur/farmer must be constantly updated because of the changing situations that appear on the market, be able to make sustainable decisions for his/her own business, which in the future will ensure its viability and obviously its long-term profitability and development, and in the same time rural area’s sustainability.

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INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL SECTION: BORDERS, FRONTIERS, AND BOUNDARIES IN THE MAYA WORLD: CONCEPTS AND THEORY

Ancient Mesoamerica ◽

10.1017/s0956536120000061 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 453-460 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Christina Halperin ◽

Carolyn Freiwald ◽

Gyles Iannone

Keyword(s):

Special Section ◽

Economic Networks ◽

Maya Area ◽

Cultural Connections ◽

Over Time

AbstractThe Maya area has long been characterized as a mosaic of polities large and small, with cultural connections, linguistic dialects, ethnicities, and economic networks that shifted, expanded, and contracted over time. In this paper, we examine different ways of constructing boundaries. From physical demarcations in the landscape to habitual practices of interaction and affiliation, the lines that tied and divided were both unstable and multiple. We draw on definitions and theories from anthropology, history, and geography to review the concepts of borders, frontiers, and boundaries and their implications for the Maya area over the long term.

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A Holistic Framework for Evaluating Adaptation Approaches to Coastal Hazards and Sea Level Rise: A Case Study from Imperial Beach, California

Water ◽

10.3390/w13091324 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 1324

Author(s):

David Revell ◽

Phil King ◽

Jeff Giliam ◽

Juliano Calil ◽

Sarah Jenkins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sea Level Rise ◽

Sea Level ◽

Public Trust ◽

Adaptation Strategy ◽

Public Benefits ◽

Study Results ◽

Local Risk ◽

Over Time

Sea level rise increases community risks from erosion, wave flooding, and tides. Current management typically protects existing development and infrastructure with coastal armoring. These practices ignore long-term impacts to public trust coastal recreation and natural ecosystems. This adaptation framework models physical responses to the public beach and private upland for each adaptation strategy over time, linking physical changes in widths to damages, economic costs, and benefits from beach recreation and nature using low-lying Imperial Beach, California, as a case study. Available coastal hazard models identified community vulnerabilities, and local risk communication engagement prioritized five adaptation approaches—armoring, nourishment, living shorelines, groins, and managed retreat. This framework innovates using replacement cost as a proxy for ecosystem services normally not valued and examines a managed retreat policy approach using a public buyout and rent-back option. Specific methods and economic values used in the analysis need more research and innovation, but the framework provides a scalable methodology to guide coastal adaptation planning everywhere. Case study results suggest that coastal armoring provides the least public benefits over time. Living shoreline approaches show greater public benefits, while managed retreat, implemented sooner, provides the best long-term adaptation strategy to protect community identity and public trust resources.

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Development of a posterior sagittal anorectal surgical teaching model

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-021-02514-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

J. A. van Ling ◽

G. M. J. Bökkerink ◽

I. de Blaauw ◽

S. M. B. I. Botden

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Target Group ◽

Teaching Model ◽

Perineal Body ◽

Perineal Fistula ◽

Training Tool ◽

Surgical Teaching ◽

Long Term Prognosis ◽

Structured Approach

Abstract Background An Anorectal Malformation (ARM) is a rare congenital malformation, which requires proper correction to ensure the best long-term prognosis. These procedures are relatively infrequent and complex, in which a structured approach is important. Therefore, training on an affordable model could be beneficial. Methods A low-cost ARM model was developed. The base was reusable and the perineal body disposable. Both expert pediatric surgeons (Experts) and residents/fellows (Target group) were recruited for this study. After testing the model, they completed a questionnaire regarding the realism and didactic value of the model, using a 5-point Likert scale. Results Forty-four participants were recruited (Target group n = 20, Experts n = 24). The model has high mean scores of 3.8–4.4 for the total group and even higher on several aspects by the Target group. The experts regarded the haptics and manipulation of the fistula less realistic than the Target group (3.7 versus 4.3, p = 0.021 and 4.2 versus 4.6, p = 0.047). It was considered to be a very good training tool (mean 4.3), without significant differences between the groups. Conclusions These results show general consensus that this model is a potent training tool for the component steps of the repair of an ARM with recto-perineal fistula by sagittal approach.

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