Pet distribution modelling: Untangling the invasive potential of Trachemys dorbigni (Emydidae) in the Americas

Human activities have been changing the global biogeographic patterns by the introductions of invasive species. For reptiles, the invasion rate increase of non-native species is remarkably related to the pet trade, especially for freshwater turtles. Here we estimated the invasive potential of the South American turtle Trachemys dorbigni in the Americas using a combination of climatic and human activity variables. We built species distribution models based on data from the native and invasive ranges, using the ensemble model from five different algorithms (GAM, MAXENT, BRT, RF and GBM). We compared the two models’ performance and predictions, one calibrated with only climatic variables (climate-driven), and the second also included a descriptive variable of human activity (climate plus human-driven). Suitable areas for T. dorbigni covered occurrence areas of its congeners and highly diversified ecoregions, such as the eastern USA, the islands of Central America, and the south eastern and eastern Brazilian coast. Our results indicate that human activities allow T. dorbigni to establish populations outside of its original climatic niche. Including human activity variables proved fundamental to refining the results to identify more susceptible areas to invasion and to allow the efficient targeting of prevention measures. Finally, we suggested a set of actions to prevent T. dorbigni becoming a highly impacting species in the areas identified as more prone to its invasion.

Influence Planning and Budgeting Activities on Organizational Performance at Denpasar Bali City Government Bureau

This study aimed to determine the effect of the Planning and Budgeting Activity variables on Organizational Performance at the Denpasar Bali City Government Bureau. Formulation of the problem in the research, namely whether there is an effect of planning and budgeting activities together on organizational performance at Denpasar Bali City Government Bureau. The research method uses a survey with a quantitative correlational approach with a saturated sampling technique. In this study, the number of samples was 37 respondents. Based on the results of the research that has been done, it can be concluded that from the results of the discussion and research, namely: The results of the joint analysis of the influence between planning and budgeting activities on organizational performance conclude that the effect shown by the correlation coefficient r of 0.831 is a very strong positive correlation.

Disease Activity in Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (DMARD) Naïve Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients in A Subset of Karachi Population

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive inflammatory disease affecting the joints with a marked impact upon functional capacity of the patient. The working ability of RA patients can be preserved if the disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy is initiated early in the course of disease. The objective of our study was to compare the disease activity variables in DMARD-naïve seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (SPRA) and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (SNRA) patients and to determine correlations between the disease activity variables in RA. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited n=90 patients from Rheumatology Clinic from May 2020 to October 2020. The rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide levels (ACCP), erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) were clinically measured. Disease activity variables including the tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), health assessment questionnaire-disability index (HAQ-DI) and disease activity score of 28 joints (DAS28) were consistently calculated. Patients were divided into seropositive RA group and seronegative RA group, based on RF and ACCP. Chi squared test and Pearson correlation were applied, p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: High HAQ-DI and DAS28-ESR scores were found in SPRA than in the SNRA patients and were statistically significant (p=0.000, p=0.054). TJ-28 and SJ-28 counts were higher in SPRA but were not statistically significant. There was a significant correlation of DAS28 with TJ-28 (r=0.816, p-value = 0.000), with SJ-28(r=0.801, p-value = 0.000) and HAQ-DI (r=0.517, p-value = 0.000). Conclusion: Evaluation of inflammatory markers and functional disability was found significant (p=0.000) in determining the disease activity compared to presence of autoantibodies in DMARD naïve RA patients. Keywords: Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drug; Arthritis; Rheumatoid Factor; Autoimmune Diseases.

Model Analisis Solvabilitas, Aktifitas dan Profitabilitas Terhadap Nilai Pasar Saham dengan Share Traded sebagai Variabel Intervening pada Perusahaan Sub Sektor Food And Baverages di Bursa Efek Indonesia Periode 2014 – 2019

This study is to look at the performance of food and baverages companies, by looking at the relationship between solvency variables, activities, and profitability to the stock market value with share traded as intervening variables in the food and baverages sub-sector on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during the period 2014-2019. This study uses the first free variable which is a solvency variable that is projected with debt to asset ratio indicator and debt to equity ratio. This study uses the second free variable which is the activity variable that is projected with total asset turnover, fixed asset turnover and inventory turnover. The third free variable is the profitability variable that is projected with indicators of return on asset, return on equity, net profit margin and gross profit margin. Bound variables are variable stock market value that is projected with price earning ratio indicator, price book value, and earning per share. Intervening variable is share traded with indicator volume traded, value traded, frequency traded and days traded. The research sample used is a group of food and baverages sub-sector stocks during the 6-year observation period, starting from 2014 - 2019, which has financial statements with complete research indicators, financial statements using the value of rupiah currency, namely as many as 16 issuers. This research is in the form of explanatory research and data analysis using Partial Least Square using Smart PLS 3.0 software The results show, solvency variables have no effect on share traded, activity variables affect share traded, profitability variables have no effect on share traded, solvency variables have no effect on stock market value, activity variables have no effect on stock market value, profitability variables affect stock market value, solvency variables have no effect on the value of the stock market, activity variables have no effect on the value of the stock market with share traded as intervening variables, profitability variables have no effect on the value of the stock market with share traded as intervening variables, share traded variables have no effect on the value of the stock market.

Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Diet as Mediators of the Association Between TV Time and BMI in Youth

Purpose: This study examined dietary indicators, sedentary time, and physical activity as potential mediators of the association between TV time and BMIz in youth. Design: Cross-sectional study in 2 independent samples of youth. Setting: Data collection occurred by mail and telephone for adolescents and either at home or in medical settings for children. Sample: 928 youth ages 12-16 and 756 youth ages 6-12 and a parent. Measures: TV time, snacking/eating while watching TV, and a 3-day dietary recall were assessed via child/parent report. Physical activity and sedentary time were assessed by accelerometer wear. Analysis: Direct and indirect associations (through 8 diet and activity variables) of TV time with BMIz were tested in boys and girls in each sample. Results: TV time had a positive association with BMIz in 6-12 year old boys and girls. Direct associations emerged between TV time and the diet/activity variables, and between diet/activity variables and BMIz. Snacking/eating while watching TV had a significant positive association with BMIz in younger boys and mediated the association between TV time and BMIz ( β = .06, p = .019; 25% attenuation). Conclusions: Snacking/eating while watching TV may be a possible reason TV time is consistently associated with obesity in youth. Targeting reductions in TV time and associated snacking could improve health impacts.

Responses of Economic News on Asset Prices: A Study of Indian Stock Index Futures

The study examines the role of economic news surprises on the volatility of the returns of the Indian Index futures market. Theoretical literature posits that news arrivals influence price discovery. In similar lines, we investigated the relationship between economic news releases, trading activity variables, and returns volatility. We find that economic news surprises and trading activity variables significantly affect returns volatility. However, among volume and news surprises, economic news surprises are much stronger informational signals, and the news surprises effects are found seemingly asymmetric in the index futures contract.

Pengaruh Aktivitas Pengendalian terhadap Risiko Penyalahgunaan Aset pada Bank Perkreditan Rakyat (BPR)

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of control activities on the risk of asset misappropriation in Rural Credit Banks (BPR). This study uses a survey method using some questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed to 30 BPR employees in most Jabodetabek areas. The collected questionnaires were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Control activity variables are adopted from the COSO internal control framework. Control activity variables are devided into three sub-variables. Asset misappropriation in this study uses indicators from the previous studies. Measurement of control activity variables and risk of asset misappropriation in this study using a likert scale, 1 means strongly disagree and 5 means strongly agree. The results of the study indicate that the development of internal control activities has an effect on the risk of asset misuse in BPR. While the variable development of technology-based control activities and the variable realization of control activities have no effect on the risk of misuse of assets in BPR.

ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING ACTIVITIES IN BRAND LOYALTY WITH BRAND AWARENESS AS INTERMEDIATE VARIABLES (STUDY ON TRAVELOKA BRAND)

Social media marketing is a process of strategy and methods for building the influence, reputation and brand of a company in the community of potential customers, readers, or supporters. Company. The objectives of this study are: (1) To examine the effect of social media marketing activities on brand loyalty on the Traveloka brand? (2) To test the effect of social media marketing activities on brand awareness of brands on the Traveloka brand, and (3) To examine the effect of social media marketing activities on brand loyalty and brand awareness as intermediary variables on the Traveloka brand ?. This study uses a survey method with primary data collection techniques. The research population is potential customers and the public who have seen social media marketing activities carried out by Traveloka Applications. The results showed that there was a significant influence between social media marketing activity variables on the Traveloka brand loyalty in Medan. There is a significant influence of social media marketing activity variables on the Traveloka brand awareness in Medan. There is a significant influence of social media marketing activity variables on the Traveloka brand awareness in Medan.