Browsing by Subject "management"
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Item Application of vaccination protocols to manage beef cattle productivity and mitigate production risk(2010-01-16) Horne, Willy J.The U.S. beef industry is very large with many inter-connected facets. Nutrition and health are key components of a system striving to compete economically while striving to produce a high quality product. The decisions made in one part of the system may often determine outcomes in the other parts of the system. Therefore, it is necessary to look at the beef industry in a systems type of framework. Each management decision is likely tied to a result that may alter several other management questions. At the cow/calf level, producers must decide whether or not to vaccinate their calves. Vaccination leads to reduced disease incidence and severity in the feedyard, thus being beneficial to the feeder. However, if the feedlot does not respond economically in any way, producers may feel that it is not warranted to vaccinated calves. Pre-conditioning programs work in the same manner as they may have beneficial effects for the feeder but not for the harvester. Therefore, pre-conditioning may not be a program that is valued back to the farm level. Answers to these kinds of questions are hard to ascertain. Each segment has its own demands and drivers, which determine how much it can reward to other segments for their efforts. Because the market is continuously changing, the target rewards are changing as well. Therefore targets cannot be theorized, rather exact relationships should be shown. In this dissertation, it is intended to characterize the relationships vaccination protocols and other management strategies can have on various aspects of cattle performance in various industry segments.Item Behavioral Patterns of Common Bottlenose Dolphins in Galveston, Texas and Protection Strategy Development(2014-04-19) Rivard, Alexandria ElizabethThe objective of this study is to establish a protection strategy for common bottlenose dolphins in the Galveston, Texas area based on quantifiable behavioral patterns. This area is subjected to regular vessel traffic entering the commercial ship channels. I used The Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry at the entrance of the ship channels as a platform for assessing variations in dolphin group behavior. Over six months, I conducted 1,412 hours of observation. Resting behavior occurred significantly more frequently than expected in Bolivar; traveling, more frequently in the passage; and foraging more frequently in Galveston (p < 0.01). Traveling dominated in open water (p < 0.01). Foraging was most prevalent in the morning and resting in the evening (p < 0.01). Group size deviated significantly across the assessed factors in a negative binomial hurdle model (p < 0.01). Calves were equally common in all three zones (p > 0.01), but more common in foraging groups and less common in resting groups (p < 0.01). Groups with calves were most frequently found at intermediate distances to shore (p < 0.01), and in the morning time (p < 0.01). Vessel activity was highest in Galveston and lowest in Bolivar, and decreased from the morning to afternoon to evening (p < 0.01) Next, existing regulation, management, and educational outreach strategies were evaluated to determine their effectiveness, appropriateness, and applicability to marine mammals in Galveston Bay. In many cases, these strategies were insufficient to meet the unique needs of the Galveston area. Federal law enforcement officials are often overtaxed and unable to enforce existing laws; I advise that the State of Texas pass a state law for marine mammal protection and issue a voluntary dolphin rest zone in Bolivar. Existing management strategies are better suited to large corporations, but participation may be beyond the means of smaller companies. I propose a local ?Responsible Marine Business? program be instituted in Galveston to promote conservation on a local scale. Public education is critical to any conservation effort; I recommend a multi-pronged outreach, including public workshops, school programs, and educational signage installation to promote bottlenose dolphin protection and encourage ecotourism.Item Competencies of leadership professionals: a national study of premier leadership degree programs(Texas A&M University, 2007-04-25) Andenoro, Anthony ClydeThis study examined formal leadership degree programs and their ability to prepare professionals for leadership positions. This study provided data outlining the necessary competencies for leadership positions and examined the current activities and formal curriculum included in three premier formal leadership degree programs. This study also provided recommendations for the enhancement of current curriculum and methods in formal leadership degree programs to better facilitate the learning and empowerment of student populations interested in pursuing leadership positions. This study utilized qualitative research in order to study the interrelationships holistically. The data collected in this study provided insight into what leadership competencies were valued and taught by highly ranked diverse undergraduate and graduate academic programs. These programs were selected based on their reputation of excellence, faculty, and overall program experience. The gatekeepers and graduates of these highly motivated academic programs identified the necessary competencies for success after graduation in the leadership work force. This examination allowed for holistic impressions to be made about curriculum revision and enhancement that added to the foundation and future of leadership education. A purposive sample was used to maximize the range of specific information that could be attained from and about the context. The purposive sample allowed the researcher to purposely seek typical and divergent data and insights to capture the essence of the situation. The major findings of this study include the development of two competency sets necessary for successful practice within leadership positions. Etic competencies refer to those competencies relating to features or items targeted for development which can be considered outside of their role within a leadership system. Emic competencies refer to those competencies relating to features or items targeted for development with respect to their role within a leadership system. Based on the literature and respondent perspectives four recommendations can be made for the revision of leadership education. These revisions are expansion of current curricula, renewed focus and attention to global perspective, enhanced faculty development opportunities, and grounding in moral and ethical purpose. These four recommendations are solidified and integrated into practice through the Foundational Approach to Leadership Development Model.Item Impacts of Vessel Noise Perturbations on the Resident Sperm Whale Population in the Gulf of Mexico(2012-07-16) Azzara, AlysonThe Gulf of Mexico is home to two of the world?s ten busiest ports by cargo volume, the Port of New Orleans and the Port of Houston; and in 2008, these ports hosted a combined 14,000 ships, a number which is likely only to increase. Past research shows that this increase in shipping worldwide has historically lead to an increase in ambient noise level of 3-5dB per decade. Sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico are considered a genetically distinct, resident population. They have a preference for the Louisiana-Mississippi Shelf region which directly overlaps with the entrance to the Mississippi and the Port of New Orleans. Disruptions from vessel noise could influence feeding and breeding patterns essential to the health of the stock. Data used in this analysis were collected continuously over 36 days in the summer of 2001 from bottom moored Navy Environmental Acoustic Recording System (EARS) buoys. Results showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in noise level between hours with ships passing and hours without. Metrics for 56 ship passages were analyzed to compare duration of ship passage with duration of maximum received level (MRL) during ship passage. Results of that analysis showed an average ship passage of 29 minutes with average MRL lasting 23% of the ship passage and an average increase of 40dB. Lastly, click counts were made with the Pamguard. Click counts for ship passages were completed for 35 min and 17.5 min before and after the estimated closest point of approach (CPA) for each ship. Results showed a 36% decrease in the number of detectable clicks as a ship approaches when comparing clicks detected at intervals of both 35 minutes before and 17 minutes before the CPA; additionally, 22% fewer clicks were counted 30 min after the ship than 30 min before (results significant at the P=0.01 level). These results indicate a potential change in sperm whale behavior when exposed to large class size vessel traffic (e.g. tankers and container ships) from major shipping lanes. Recommendations for addressing this issue are discussed.Item Improvements and assessments of water auditing techniques(2009-05-15) Meyer, Sarah RuthWater auditing is an emerging method of increasing accountability for water utility systems. A water loss audit according to the methodology of the International Water Association (IWA) is applied to a major North American water utility, San Antonio Water System (SAWS), which is already a leader in conservation policies. However, some modifications to the auditing process are needed for this model?s application to a North American utility. These improvements to the IWA methodology include: calculating system input volume from multiple methods of measurements as well as numerous input points, incorporating deferred storage consumption (in this case aquifer storage and recovery) principles into the auditing process, calculating a volume of unavoidable annual real losses (allowable leakage) for a system with varied pressure zones, and defining procedures for assessing customer meter accuracy for a system. Application of the improved IWA audit method to SAWS discovered that its system input volume is being significantly undermeasured by current practices, current water loss control programs are very effective, customer accounting procedures result in large volumes of apparent loss, and current customer meter accuracy is adequate but could be marginally improved. Application of the audit process to the utility is beneficial because it facilitates increased communication between utility departments, assesses shortcomings in current policies, pin-points areas needing increased resources, and validates programs that are performing well.Item Management strategies for endangered Florida Key deer(Texas A&M University, 2004-09-30) Peterson, Markus NilsUrban development is of particular concern in the management of endangered Key deer (Odocoileous virginianus clavium) because highway mortality is the greatest single cause of deer mortality (? 50%), and the rural community of Big Pine Key, Florida constitutes the majority of Key deer habitat. Study objectives were to provide and synthesize management strategies useful in the recovery of Key deer. Specifically, I (1) used simulation modeling to evaluate effects of fetal sex ratios (FSR) on Key deer population structure, (2) evaluated the most efficient and socially acceptable urban deer capture methods, (3) evaluated changes in fawn survival, mortality agents, and range size between 1968-2002, and (4) conducted an ethnography of the human population on Big Pine Key to ascertain cultural dynamics within the community and provide guidelines for community based management of Key deer. Key deer were radio-collared (n = 335) as part of 2 separate field studies (1968-1972, 1998-2002), and mortality and survey estimates were collected throughout the entire period (1966-2002). During 1990-2002, I used an ethnographic approach to analyze the conflict surrounding Key deer management and explored how conflict and moral culture applied to this endangered species. These data were used to address my study objectives. I found the most commonly cited FSR (2.67:1, male:female) for Florida Key deer to be inaccurate. A male biased FSR of 1.45:1 was more probable. Modified drop and drive nets were appropriate methods for urban deer capture because they are passive, silent, fast, generally accepted by the public, and yielded low mortality and injury rates. Between 1968-2002 Key deer fawn survival increased in tandem with human development while range sizes decreased. This suggests a positive, but not sustainable, relationship between fawn survival and development. I found disputants on Big Pine Key divided into 2 moral cultures, 1 grounded in stewardship and the other in private property rights. Successful management strategies for the Key deer require understanding and addressing issues at several levels including: Key deer demographics, community perspectives, and cultural norms. Collectively this information can be used by wildlife managers to improve the management and recovery of Key deer.Item Population dynamics and management of free-roaming cats(Texas A&M University, 2006-08-16) Hill, Paige McGeeWith an estimated 400 million domestic cats worldwide, free-roaming cats issues are of global importance due to animal welfare and public health concerns, as well as impacts on native wildlife through predation, competition and disease transmission. Though these impacts have been well documented, no research has evaluated the ecology and population dynamics of unmanaged, free-roaming cat populations using radio-telemetry. My objectives were to (1) compare population demographics (survival, fecundity and annual ranges/movements) among sex and ownership classifications (feral, semi-feral, and owned), (2) evaluate mark-resight and distance sampling for estimating cat abundances in urban areas, and (3) evaluate the effectiveness and costs associated with euthanasia and trap/treat/neuter/release (TTNR) programs for controlling urban cat populations. I radio-collared free-roaming cats (feral, n = 30; semi-feral, n = 14; owned, n = 10) in Caldwell, Texas (October 2004-2005). I found (1) increased levels of ownership or feeding reduce free-roaming cats?? ranges and movements while increasing survival and fecundity, (2) distance sampling resulted in precise abundance estimates providing an alternative to estimating urban cat densities, and (3) both euthanasia and TTNR may effectively reduce free-roaming cat numbers if implemented at high rates (>50% of population treated) the first year. I recommend euthanasia be implemented in ecologically sensitive areas and TTNR in areas lacking public support for lethal control. Population control solutions should include public education to increase awareness of cat issues and impacts, and pre- and post-implementation monitoring plans.Item Practices, perceptions and performance: a Texas cooperative study(Texas A&M University, 2006-04-12) Hagerman, Amy D.Agricultural cooperatives are a unique form of business whose performance is tied closely to the financial health of their farmer members. The changing business environment in Texas and other parts of the Midwest has put strain on farm and ranch owners as well as the cooperatives that serve them. As margins diminish and customer base grows smaller, cooperatives must become more financially efficient to remain economically viable. This study was aimed at identifying those operational decisions and company characteristics that separate successful, growing cooperative agribusinesses from stagnant ones through empirical analysis. In addition, through the use of directed acyclic graphs and econometric techniques, the study sought to explain the connection of manager practices and perceptions to organizational performance. The analysis was based on a survey of managers in the state of Texas operating a diverse group of agricultural cooperatives. It did not include financial or utilities cooperatives. The results indicated that successful cooperatives were larger in size, had a smaller number of close competitors, and perceived loyalty to be a large issue for the cooperative. Strategic planning was utilized equally by successful and stagnant cooperatives. Successful cooperatives were more apt to have a formal equity redemption plan, but this did not appear to have a significant impact on financial performance. The directed graphs showed a strong impact of manager perceptions in the area of member loyalty and performance. Further econometric analysis brought us to the conclusion that performance group and perceptions have some measurable impact in the areas of competition and loyalty. This is evidenced by the coefficients of the slope and intercept shifters for performance group being different from zero. An understanding of the factors that have the greatest impact on performance, such as competition and loyalty, can assist cooperative management teams in making operational decisions to mitigate their greatest risks and weaknesses, leading to a stronger financial position.Item Sister Act: Understanding Sorority Women's Communication About Condom Use(2011-10-21) Hernandez, Rachael A.Young women?s sexual health is declining. Sorority women face an intersectionality of risk for the negative consequences of sexual activity because of college attendance, sex, and age. The influence of peer communication about condom use can provide a buffer to the risk these women face. I investigated this communication through focus groups, using the theory of communication privacy management and grounded theory to understand focus group findings. The results revealed themes regarding characteristics of communicators and context of communication including communication topic and setting. The women use strategies, boundaries and rules to negotiate communication privacy and engage in comfortable communication. Additionally, the women seek to maintain a good reputation for their social group, and follow explicit and implicit rules to do so. The implication of this analysis includes improvements in sorority and college student sexual health programming and continued research on communication in social support organizations like sororities.Item Site-specific strategies for cotton management(Texas A&M University, 2005-08-29) Stabile, Marcelo de Castro ChavesThe use of site-specific data can enhance management decisions in the field. Three different uses of site-specific data were evaluated and their outcomes are promising. Historical yield data from yield monitors and height data from the HMAP (plant height mapping) system were used to select representative areas within the field, and areas of average conditions were used as sampling sites for COTMAN, a cotton management expert system. This proved to be effective, with predicted cutout dates and date of peak nodal development similar to the standard COTMAN approach. The HMAP system was combined with historical height data for variable rate application of mepiquat chloride, based on the plant growth rate. The system performance was evaluated, but weather conditions in 2004 did not allow a true evaluation of varying mepiquat chloride. A series of multi-spectral images were normalized utilizing the soil line transformation (SLT) technique and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was calculated from the transformed images, from the raw image and for the true reflectance images. The SLT technique was effective in tracking the change in true reflectance NDVI in some images, but not all. Changes to the soil line extraction program are suggested so that it more effectively determines soil lines.Item The Effects of Woody Plant Management on Habitat Conditions, Plant Demography, and Transplantation Success of the Endangered Orchid Spiranthes parksii Correll(2014-05-09) Bruton, Richard KyleSpiranthes parksii Correll is a federally endangered species endemic to 13 counties of the Post Oak Savanna in Central Texas. Approximately 700 S. parksii are located on the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency?s (BVSWMA) Twin Oaks landfill property in Grimes County, Texas. The opportunity to study S. parksii was created through the mitigation requirements set forth by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on the property. Studies were designed to assess the effect of woody plant management on the target species with the overall goal of enhancing the establishment, growth, and reproductive success of S. parksii. Evergreen midstory shrub removal and woody patch clearing to produce varying sized open grassland and woody patches to increase edge effect were studied to determine their influence on habitat for S. parksii. S. parksii were transplanted from at risk areas to permanently protected areas to evaluate potential effective procedures for transplanting of the species. Seasonal variability in S. parksii and Spiranthes spp. numbers were common across all studies, however, flower production in the fall was positively correlated with the summed January through March precipitation. In general, the removal of encroached woody plants resulted in a positive orchid response, though poor herbicide efficacy may limit this treatment effect in the long-term. Transplantation of S. parksii into areas which received woody plant management resulted in at least a 50% survival rate 3 years post-transplant.