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Effects of Aspect and Altitude on Scorpion Diversity Along an Environmental Gradient in the Soutpansberg, South Africa
Journal of Arid Environments 113 (2015) 114e120 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Arid Environments journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jaridenv Effects of aspect and altitude on scorpion diversity along an environmental gradient in the Soutpansberg, South Africa * Stefan Hendrik Foord a, , Vhuhwavho Gelebe b, Lorenzo Prendini c a Department of Zoology, South African Research Chair on Biodiversity Value & Change and Centre for Invasion Biology, School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa b Department of Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa c Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192, USA article info abstract Article history: Landforms with steep environmental gradients provide natural laboratories for studying regional dy- Received 15 November 2013 namics of diversity. The Soutpansberg range in South Africa presents contrasting habitats and climatic Received in revised form conditions on its northern and southern slopes. Scorpions are well adapted to arid environments, with 6 October 2014 greatest diversity in temperate deserts, but few studies have investigated the effects of aspect and Accepted 8 October 2014 altitude on scorpion diversity. We surveyed scorpion diversity along an altitudinal transect across the Available online Soutpansberg by actively searching for scorpions during the night and day. Patterns of scorpion diversity along the transect were compared to those of ants and woody plants. Unlike these taxa, scorpions Keywords: fi Scorpions exhibited a signi cant difference in species richness between slopes; higher on the arid northern slope, Richness and greater at lower than higher altitudes. -
Assessing Ricardian Equivalence
WORKING PAPERS ASSESSING RICARDIAN EQUIVALENCE Roberto RICCIUTI* Dipartimento di Economia Politica, Università di Siena Piazza San Francesco 7, 53100 Siena, Italy E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT This paper reviews the literature on Ricardian equivalence. This hypothesis may be interpreted as a generalisation to the short and the long run of the theories which put no weight on the real effects of public policies on aggregate demand. We argue that Ricardian equivalence relies on both permanent income hypothesis and the fulfilment of the intertemporal government budget constraint. The theoretical literature emphasises several reasons for departures from this hypothesis. However, the empirical literature is inconclusive. When Ricardian equivalence is tested in a life-cycle framework the hypothesis is usually rejected, while when the empirical analysis is based on optimising models, it is usually accepted. JEL Classification: E62 – H31 – H62 – H63 Keywords: Fiscal Policy, debt, taxes, goverment spending * Simon Wren-Lewis introduced me to the topic. Alberto Dalmazzo, Peter Diamond and John Seater provided useful comments. I thank them retaining the property rights of any mistakes. March 2001 In point of economy, there is no real difference in either of three modes: for twenty millions in one payment, one million per annum for ever, or 1,200,000 for 45 years, are precisely the same value; but people who pay taxes never so estimate them, and therefore do not manage their private affairs accordingly. We are too apt to think that war is burdensome only in proportion to what we are at the moment called to pay for it in taxes, reflecting on the probable duration of such taxes. -
Convenience Matters Serving the New Mexican Consumer
The Retail and Consumer Industry in Mexico May 2016 Convenience matters Serving the new Mexican consumer In this report 2 Mexico: Stability amidst global volatility 4 More than just tequila: Significance of the retail and consumer sector 8 More pesos in the pocket: The sector takes off 12 Convenience matters 16 In the shadows: The vast informal market 22 Building capability muscles and aligning your operating model 29 The winning concoction: Local knowledge, global expertise 31 Unlocking the enablers for growth www.pwc.com/gmc Foreword As the world’s developing markets face a Arguably, retail and consumer reflects There are excellent examples of such time of volatility, Mexico stands out as the opportunities emerging from the companies in Mexico. A retailer like one of the key markets weathering the duality of the Mexican economy better FAMSA has managed to properly storm. It is doing so through sustained than any other sector: balance the risk required to serve this evolution and slow but steady growth more informal segment of consumers, in many dimensions. The retail and • Modern format retail stores and through a combination of deep consumer sector is one industry which multinational franchises such as consumer knowledge and alternative has the potential to exceed Mexico’s Walmart and Starbucks are constantly contact channels, while also leveraging average national future growth. This growing and developing, alongside its traditional stores and offerings, not will be driven by a combination of the resilient traditional ‘changarros’ just to gain access to these new economic and socio-demographic and adapted concepts such as OXXO consumers, but also to earn increased trends, the progressive implementation and Farmacias Similares. -
Nber Working Paper Series Consumption and Saving
NBER WORKING PAPER SERIES CONSUMPTION AND SAVING: MODELS OF INTERTEMPORAL ALLOCATION AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC POLICY Orazio P. Attanasio Guglielmo Weber Working Paper 15756 http://www.nber.org/papers/w15756 NATIONAL BUREAU OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH 1050 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138 February 2010 We are grateful to a very large number of people for a number of different reasons. Our thinking about the issues discussed in this paper has been particularly influenced by a set of people, several of whom have been co-authors in several projects. They include: Rob Alessie, James Banks, Richard Blundell, Martin Browning, Angus Deaton, Hamish Low, Tom MaCurdy, Costas Meghir and Luigi Pistaferri. We have discussed many of the issues covered in this paper (and sometimes disagreed) with them. We certainly learned a lot from them. We are very grateful to three referees for comments and suggestions, and to the editor, for comments, suggestions, and incredible patience! The first author’s research was partly financed by the ESRC Professorial Fellowship RES-051-27-0135. The second author thanks ESRI, Cabinet Office, Tokyo, for hospitality, and many useful comments. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research. NBER working papers are circulated for discussion and comment purposes. They have not been peer- reviewed or been subject to the review by the NBER Board of Directors that accompanies official NBER publications. © 2010 by Orazio P. Attanasio and Guglielmo Weber. All rights reserved. Short sections of text, not to exceed two paragraphs, may be quoted without explicit permission provided that full credit, including © notice, is given to the source. -
It Was Seen Increase in Scorpion Stings, in Kurak and Yarı Kurak Regions
Received: December 7, 2004 J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis. Accepted: May 30, 2005 V.11, n.4, p.479-491, 2005. Published online: October 30, 2005 Original paper - ISSN 1678-9199. Mesobuthus eupeus SCORPIONISM IN SANLIURFA REGION OF TURKEY OZKAN O. (1), KAT I. (2) (1) Refik Saydam Hygiene Center, Poison Research Center, Turkey; (2) Department of Infectious Diseases, Health Center of Sanliurfa, Turkey. ABSTRACT: The epidemiology and clinical findings of scorpion stings in Sanliurfa region of Turkey, from May to September 2003, were evaluated in this study. Mesobuthus eupeus (M. eupeus) plays a role on 25.8% of the scorpionism cases. This study also showed that intoxications caused by M. eupeus in the southeast of Anatolia region were seen in hot months of the summer, especially on July. Females and people above 15 years old were mostly affected and stung on extremities. Intense pain in the affected area was observed in 98.7% cases, hyperemia in 88.8%, swelling in 54.6%, burning in 19.7%, while numbness and itching were seen less frequently. In our study, the six most frequently observed symptoms were local pain, hyperemia, swelling, burning, dry mouth, thirst, sweating, and hypotension. In this study involving 152 M. eupeus toxicity cases, patients showed local and systemic clinical effects but no death was seen. Autonomic system and local effects characterized by severe pain, hyperemia and edema were dominantly seen in toxicity cases. KEY WORDS: Mesobuthus eupeus, Turkey, scorpionism, epidemiology, clinical symptoms. CORRESPONDENCE TO: OZCAN OZKAN, Veterinary Medicine Laboratory, Refik Saydam Hygiene Center, Poison Research Center, 06100 Ankara, Turkey. -
The Spider Club News
The Spider Club News Editor: Joan Faiola June 2009 - Vol.25 #2 Contents 2. Who are we? 2. Mission statement 2. Contact details 3. From the hub – Chairman’s letter 3. From the Editor 4. Notice of Annual General Meeting 2009 5. Events Reports: 5. Lapalala – Easter 2009 7. Hartebeesfontein Conservancy Open Day 2nd May 8. Website News – Spider of 2009 9. New Books: Harvestmen and Dominican Amber Spiders 10. Scientific News 10. Further Study on Clitaetra irenae 11. Spider Evolution Developments – new Attercopus findings 11. Comment on Tegenaria Agrestis 13. Scorpion Envenomation – an Introduction : by Alistair Mathie 17. Shop Window 18. Diary of Events 20-21. SCSA Nomination form AGM 2009 and directions to WSNBG Spider Club News June 2009 Page 1 Who are we? The Spider Club of Southern Africa is a non-profit-making organisation. Our aim is to encourage an interest in arachnids – especially spiders and scorpions - and to promote this interest and the study of these animals by all suitable means. Membership is open to anyone – people interested in joining the club may apply to any committee member for information. Field outings, day visits, arachnid surveys and demonstrations, workshops and exhibits are arranged from time to time. A diary of events and outings is published at the end of this newsletter. Mission Statement “The Spider Club provides a fun, responsible, social learning-experience, centred on spiders, their relatives and in nature in general.” Our Contact Details www.spiderclub.co.za P. O. Box 1126 Randburg 2125 Committee members -
Scorpion Stings and Venoms
Scorpion stings and venoms The term scorpionism is the medical term used to describe the syndrome of scorpion stings. We focus here on the thick-tailed scorpions in the family Buthidae, which are the most dangerous scorpions in South Africa (See Dangerous scorpions: how to identify them). Find out here about how to prevent being stung, the signs and symptoms of scorpionism, and scorpionism management. Introduction In South Africa we are fortunate to have a fascinating and diverse scorpion fauna and yet a low incidence of scorpionism, unlike areas in the south-western U.S.A., Mexico, east-central South America, north Africa, the Middle East and India where the incidence of serious scorpion envenomation is high. Worldwide, there are about 100,000 cases of scorpion envenomation resulting in approximately 800 deaths per year. Locally more than 95% of cases of scorpionism results in no more than local pain lasting from several minutes to about 4 hours with most of the Ischnurid stings resulting in no more than a pin prick. In South Africa there are only 1 to 4 deaths a year resulting from Parabuthus envenomation (nothing in comparison to car, crime, sport or health related deaths). Parabuthus capensis. [image N. Larsen ©] Parabuthus transvaalicus. [image L. Prendini ©] A case study of 42 serious scorpion envenomations, occurring in western Cape over 5 summers (1986/7 to 1991/2), recorded 4 fatalities of children. Parabuthus granulatus was found to be the main culprit, responsible for 3 deaths. Parabuthus capensis was the alleged culprit of the fourth death but as the specimen was lost it cannot be verified. -
Electrophysiological Effects of Fractions Isolated from the Venom of Parabuthus Granulatus on Calcium Channels in Cardiac Myocytes
Electrophysiological effects of fractions isolated from the venom of Parabuthus granulatus on calcium channels in cardiac myocytes agister Scientiae in Physiology at the sity, Potchefstroom Supervisor: Prof. K. Dyason Co-supervisor: Mr. J.L. du Plessis 2004 Potchefstroom I would like to thank The Almighty Father for the blessings, opportunities and talent He provided me to make my studies successful. I would like to thank my supervisor, Prof. Karin Dyason. Without her sacrifices, expert knowledge, time and guidance, the completion of my dissertation would not have been possible. To my family, who supported me in many ways. Their guidance and encouragement were the most appreciated. To my husband, a special word of thanks for supporting me through the difficult times during the study. A word of thanks to the following persons: Mrs. Carla Fourie, not only for the isolation of the ventricular myocytes, but also for the knowledge and support during the two years of this study. Dr. Francois van der Westhuizen (subject group Biochemistry), for his assistance in determining the fiaction protein concentrations. Prof. Lourival Possani for the separation of the fraction and subfiactions. Prof. J.J. van der Walt, for his continuous interest and valuable input. Contents Abbreviations and symbols .................................................................................. i List of figures and tables .................................................................................... iv OPSOMMING ...................................................................................................... -
TESE André Felipe De Araujo Lira.Pdf
UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE PERNAMBUCO CENTRO DE CIÊNCIAS BIOLÓGICAS PROGRAMA DE PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO EM BIOLOGIA ANIMAL ANDRÉ FELIPE DE ARAUJO LIRA INFLUÊNCIA DO GRADIENTE BIOCLIMÁTICO ENTRE A FLORESTA ATLÂNTICA E CAATINGA SOBRE A DIVERSIDADE-BETA E PADRÃO ESPAÇO-TEMPORAL DE ESCORPIÕES (ARACHNIDA: SCORPIONES) NO ESTADO DE PERNAMBUCO Recife 2018 ANDRÉ FELIPE DE ARAUJO LIRA INFLUÊNCIA DO GRADIENTE BIOCLIMÁTICO ENTRE A FLORESTA ATLÂNTICA E CAATINGA SOBRE A DIVERSIDADE-BETA E PADRÃO ESPAÇO-TEMPORAL DE ESCORPIÕES (ARACHNIDA: SCORPIONES) NO ESTADO DE PERNAMBUCO Tese apresentada ao Programa de Pós- Graduação em Biologia Animal da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, como requisito parcial para a obtenção do título de doutor em Biologia Animal. Orientadora: Profa. Dra. Cleide Maria Ribeiro de Albuquerque Recife 2018 Dados Internacionais de Catalogação na Publicação (CIP) de acordo com ISBD Lira, André Felipe de Araújo Influência do gradiente bioclimático entre a Floresta Atlântica e Caatinga sobre a diversidade-beta e padrão espaço-temporal de escorpiões (Arachnida: Scorpiones) no Estado de Pernambuco/ André Felipe de Araújo Lira- 2018. 120 folhas: il., fig., tab. Orientadora: Cleide Maria Ribeiro de Albuquerque Tese (doutorado) – Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Centro de Biociências. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal. Recife, 2018. Inclui referências 1. Escorpião 2. Mata Atlântica 3. Pernambuco I. Albuquerque, Cleide Maria Ribeiro de (orient.) II. Título 595.46 CDD (22.ed.) UFPE/CB-2018-395 Elaborado por Elaine C. Barroso CRB4/1728 ANDRÉ FELIPE DE ARAUJO LIRA INFLUÊNCIA DO GRADIENTE BIOCLIMÁTICO ENTRE A FLORESTA ATLÂNTICA E CAATINGA SOBRE A DIVERSIDADE-BETA E PADRÃO ESPAÇO-TEMPORAL DE ESCORPIÕES (ARACHNIDA: SCORPIONES) NO ESTADO DE PERNAMBUCO Tese apresentada ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Área de Concentração Biodiversidade, da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, como requisito parcial para a obtenção do título de doutor em Biologia Animal. -
A Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve Based on a Revision of Zonation
A BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION STRATEGY FOR THE VHEMBE BIOSPHERE RESERVE BASED ON A REVISION OF ZONATION Compiled by the Conservation Task Team of the VBR September 2018 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 BACKGROUND 1.1 Status quo…………………………………………………………………. 3 1.2 Proposals in the Strategic Environmental Management Guidelines (SEMP)…………………………................................... 4 2 A BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PLAN FOR THE VBR BASED ON REZONING OF THE CORE, BUFFER AND TRANSITIONAL ZONES. 2.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………… 5 2.2 Vegetation types and their conservation………………...... 6 2.3 A summary of the conservation status and targets of vegetation types …………………………………………………..... 13 2.4 Proposed conservation expansion to reach the targets for vegetation types …………………………………………………... 15 2.4.1 Stewardship Programme ……………………………………………….... 16 2.4.2 The Blouberg- Makgabeng Communal area ……………………. ..17 2.4.3 The eastern Soutpansberg ……………………………………………….. 18 2.5 Consolidation of the proposed expansion areas into a single core conservation area ………………………………… 22 2.6. A proposed new transitional zone 2.7 Buffers ………………………………………………………………………. 23 2.8 Species conservation 2.8.1 Plants ……………………………………………………………………………….. 23 2.8.2 Mammals (excluding bats) ……………………………………………….. 29 2.8.3 Bats ………………………………………………………………………………….. 36 2.8.4 Birds ………………………………………………………………………………… 36 2.8.5 Reptiles ……………………………………………………………………………. 37 2.8.6 Amphibians .......................................................................................... 39 2.8.7 Butterflies ............................................................................................ -
2009: April-June-PPRI NEWS
Plant Protection Research Institute April-June 2009 No 80 PLANT PROTECTION NEWS Newsletter of the Plant Protection Research Institute (PPRI), an institute in the Natural Inside this issue: Resources and Engineering Division of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Chromolaena webpage 1 ARC-PPRI hosts international Chromolaena webpage: IOBC webpage upgraded and moved Biosystematics 2-6 Pesticide Science 7 Chromolaena is one of the worst invasive alien plant species in the world. Globally, programmes Weeds Research 8-11 to control it biologically have been undertaken since the 1960s and, in many parts of the world, it is now under some degree of control. 11 Insect Ecology The International Organization for Biological Plant Pathology and 12 Control of Noxious Plants and Animals (IOBC) Microbiology set up a Working Group on chromolaena in the 1990s, and a webpage was set up some time 13 later, hosted by universities in Australia. Technology transfer Given that most research on chromolaena bio- control is currently being conducted by ARC- PPRI in South Africa, and that the convenorship of the IOBC Working Group is also here, the To access this webpage, go to www.arc.agric.za webpage has now been upgraded and moved, to and click on the ‘Chromolaena’ Quick Link, or go be hosted by the ARC. It contains information on directly to http://www.arc.agric.za/home.asp? all aspects of chromolaena biocontrol globally, pid=5229 and will be updated regularly. Contact: Dr Costas Zachariades at Zacha- [email protected]. Editorial Committee Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman (ed.) Hildegard Klein Almie van den Berg Ian Millar Marika van der Merwe Tanya Saayman Petro Marais Elsa van Niekerk Lin Besaans General inquiries Plant Protection Research Institute Private Bag X134 Queenswood 0121 South Africa e-mail: [email protected] website: http://www.arc.agric.za © Information may be used freely with acknowl- edgement to the source. -
China's Consumer Market
China’s Consumer Market: Opportunities and Risks A Deloitte Research Study Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................. 1 The consumer economy .............................................................. 1 The distribution sector .............................................................. 14 Changing landscape for distribution ....................................... 17 Strategic requirements for success .......................................... 20 Concluding thoughts ................................................................. 20 About Deloitte Research Deloitte Research, a part of Deloitte Services LP, identifies, analyzes, and explains the major issues driving today’s business dynamics and shaping tomorrow’s global marketplace. From provocative points of view about strategy and organizational change to straight talk about economics, regulation and technology, Deloitte Research delivers innovative, practical insights companies can use to improve their bottom-line performance. Operating through a network of dedicated research professionals, senior consulting practitioners of the various member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, academics and technology specialists, Deloitte Research exhibits deep industry knowledge, functional understanding, and commitment to thought leadership. In boardrooms and business journals, Deloitte Research is known for bringing new perspective to real-world concerns. 26 Deloitte Research – China’s Consumer Market: Opportunities and