bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of sustainability strategies on small- and medium-sized enterprises in Zimbabwe
Authors: Majukwa Donnemore , Fan Susan K. , Dwyer Rocky J. 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThis qualitative multiple-case study aims to explore strategies that owners of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe use to sustain their businesses.Design/methodology/approachThe participants of this study consisted of owners of SMEs purposefully selected who were successful in implementing sustainable strategies for over five years. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant to gain a deeper understanding of their experience in implementing sustainable strategies for SMEs. The general systems theory, which specifies the relationship and interaction of a system and its environment, was applied as a framework to explain the sustainability strategies for SMEs in Zimbabwe.FindingsFour major themes emerged from data analysis: passion and dedication, quality of products and services, customer satisfaction and employing staff with the right skills.Practical implicationsThis study may lead owners of SMEs to create growth strategies for their businesses, increase revenue for the country and create long-term job opportunities for the communities.Originality/valueThe findings from the study addressed the gap on the existing literature and contribute to the body of knowledge on effective business practices, particularly for SMEs in Zimbabwe and other developing economies. The results of the study could catalyze a positive social change by improving workforce capabilities, creating awareness of the success of entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe and increasing the interest of financial institutions in lending to SMEs.
Environmental context shapes the long‐term role of nutrients in driving producer community trajectories in a top–down dominated marine ecosystem
Authors: Clausing Rachel J. , Phillips Nicole E. , Fong Peggy 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Two predominant anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems, nutrient enrichment and the removal of consumers, are predicted to interact in their effects on producer diversity. Yet, measures of diversity alone may not capture changes occurring in the underlying mechanisms structuring communities. Furthermore, evidence for these interactions in rocky intertidal systems is mixed and may be confounded by variable baseline productivity or short experimental durations that do not capture seasonality, environmental heterogeneity or successional processes.

We conducted a 2‐year experiment examining the main and interactive effects of nutrients and herbivores in a low‐productivity environment on the northern shore of Cook Strait near Wellington, New Zealand. We explicitly accounted for the small‐scale spatial environmental heterogeneity characteristic of rocky shores.

Rapid and dramatic shifts in diversity metrics and cover of algal communities in the first year were driven by removal of herbivores. Within 2 months of herbivore exclusion, open space decreased from >90% to <15%, regardless of nutrient addition, and both algal diversity and evenness plummeted while species richness rose.

In contrast to theoretical predictions, strong interactions between top–down and bottom–up forces on diversity were rare; rather, over time, the addition of nutrients negatively impacted diversity. Further, where herbivores were removed, nutrients inhibited succession beyond ephemeral forms, contrasting with the tolerance model of succession observed under ambient nutrients.

The effects of nutrients were only elucidated by accounting for variation in habitat complexity and seasonality, demonstrating that environmental heterogeneity can mask bottom–up processes. Moreover, shifts in relative species abundances revealed that after 10 months, nutrient addition caused increased community turnover regardless of herbivore presence or absence, indicating reduced stability not apparent in simple measures of diversity.

Synthesis. Our results suggest that nutrient addition and herbivore reduction exert strong but mostly independent control on community biodiversity, where context dependency in habitat complexity, seasonality and successional stage played key roles in determining community outcomes. These findings demonstrate the importance of longer‐term field studies incorporating environmental context and multiple metrics of diversity to reveal the mechanisms underlying effects of nutrient enrichment and herbivore loss on producer community structure.
Woody plant subregions of the Amazon forest
Authors: Silva‐Souza Karla J. P. , Souza Alexandre F. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

The Amazon forest covers 7.5 million km2 in nine countries, hosts 25% of the global biodiversity and is a major contributor to the biogeochemical and climatic functioning of the Earth system. Despite its global importance, a regionalization of the Amazon tree flora is still lacking. Clear and data‐driven delimitation of subregions is important for macroecological studies, to the identification of metacommunities and is a requisite for conservation planning.

We aimed at identifying and mapping plant species subregions and investigated their relationships with environmental, historical and human correlates. We provide the first woody plant regionalization of the entire Amazon forest using a data‐driven approach based on assemblage composition patterns.

We compiled data on woody species composition from 301 assemblages based on species occurrences. We then used unconstrained ordination, interpolation and clustering techniques to identify and map discrete woody subregions. Hierarchical clustering analysis was conducted in order to investigate the relationships between the identified subregions. We used multinomial logistic regression model and deviance partitioning to investigate the influence of environmental, historical and human factors on subregions distribution.

We identified 13 woody subregions in the entire Amazon forest. The hierarchical subregion classification showed a broad Andean‐Cratonic east–west division. Variation in subregions was explained jointly by human factors and spatial structure followed by environmental factors and spatial structure combined.

Synthesis. Our woody plant subregions differed from World Wildlife Fund ecoregions and physiognomic‐based maps, highlighting the importance of basing regionalizations on taxon‐specific groups and confirming that vegetation maps should not be used as proxies to plant diversity subregions. Our findings also confirm the need for multiple and extensive protected areas in the Amazon forest. The relevance of current climate factors in our study alerts to a profound impact that climate change could have on the spatial organization of the Amazon flora.
The Dangers of Decoupling: Earth System Crisis and the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’
Authors: Albert Michael J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe question of whether global capitalism can resolve the earth system crisis rests on the (im)possibility of ‘absolute decoupling’: whether or not economic growth can continue indefinitely as total environmental impacts shrink. Ecomodernists and other techno‐optimists argue for the feasibility of absolute decoupling, whereas degrowth advocates show that it is likely to be neither feasible in principle nor in the timeframe needed to ward off ecological tipping points. While primarily supporting the degrowth perspective, I will suggest that the ecomodernists have a wildcard in their pocket that hasn’t been systematically addressed by degrowth advocates. This is the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’, which refers to convergent innovations in biotechnology, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and other developments. However, I will argue that while these innovations may enable some degree of absolute decoupling, they will also intensify emerging risks in the domains of biosecurity, cybersecurity, and state securitization. Overall, these technologies will not only place unprecedented destructive power in the hands of non‐state actors but will also empower and incentivize states to create a global security regime with unprecedented surveillance and force mobilization capacities. This reinforces the conclusion that mainstream environmental policies based on decoupling should be reconsidered and supplanted by alternative policy trajectories based on material‐energetic degrowth, redistribution, and technological deceleration.
Occurrence and partial genetic characterisation of Lettuce big‐vein associated virus and Mirafiori lettuce big‐vein virus infecting lettuce in Jordan
Authors: Salem Nida' , Odeh Saja , Muslem Motasem Abu , Tahzima Rachid 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLettuce big‐vein disease (LBVD) is an economically damaging disease that occurs in most lettuce production areas worldwide. Several studies have associated LBVD with a complex of two viruses, Lettuce big‐vein associated virus (LBVaV) and Mirafiori lettuce big‐vein virus (MiLBVV). Both viruses are transmitted through soil by the zoospores of the chytridiomycete fungus Olpidium virulentus. During surveys carried out in two growing seasons from 2015 to 2016 in the main vegetable growing areas in Jordan (Jordan Valley, Jerash, and Madaba), 179 lettuce plants, 46 lettuce seedlings, and 56 weed plants were collected. RNA extraction was conducted from leaves of all samples. Associated viruses were identified using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) with specific primer pairs targeting part of the coat protein (CP) genes of LBVaV and MiLBVV. RT‐PCR results revealed that, out of 225 lettuce samples tested, 32 (14%) and 44 (20%) were singly infected with LBVaV and MiLBVV, respectively, and 73 (32%) samples were dually infected with LBVaV and MiLBVV. Overall, MiLBVV was detected in more lettuce samples (117) compared with LBVaV which was detected in 105 samples. Moreover, one sample of each weed species of Chenopodium murale and Sonchus oleraceus tested positive for MiLBVV and LBVaV, respectively. The partial nucleotide sequence of the CP genes of LBVaV and MiLBVV Jordanian isolates showed similarities to other isolates available in the NCBI database ranging between 93.9–100% and 88.3–100%, respectively. Nucleotide sequence comparison of the Jordanian isolates and inference from phylogenetic trees with strong support revealed well‐defined sub‐groups with little or no correlation with planting area or geographic origin. The occurrence of both viruses in lettuce plants was associated with the presence of resting spores and zoospores of Olpidium spp. in lettuce plants grown under field and growth chamber conditions. Lettuce plants inoculated with Olpidium spp. zoospores isolated from roots of symptomatic lettuce plants, developed LBVD‐symptoms. At 60 days post‐transplantation, both viruses were detected by RT‐PCR in most of the plants analysed. Biological and molecular assays together with the light microscopy observations of resting spores and zoospores of Olpidium spp., revealed the presence of LBVaV, MiLBVV, and O. virulentus in big‐vein diseased lettuce plants.
The influence of left ventricular assist device inflow cannula position on thrombosis risk
Authors: Ghodrati Mojgan , Maurer Alexander , Schlöglhofer Thomas , Khienwad Thananya , Zimpfer Daniel , Beitzke Dietrich , Zonta Francesco , Moscato Francesco , Schima Heinrich , Aigner Philipp 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) as a treatment method for heart failure patients has been steadily increasing; however, pathological studies showed presence of thrombi around the HeartWare ventricular assist device inflow cannula (IC) in more than 95% of patients after device explantation. Flow fields around the IC might trigger thrombus formation and require further investigation. In this study flow dynamics parameters were evaluated for different patient geometries using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Left ventricular (LV) models of two LVAD patients were obtained from CT scans. The LV volumes of Patient 1 (P1) and Patient 2 (P2) were 264 and 114 cm3 with an IC angle of 20° and 9° from the mitral‐IC tip axis at the coronal plane. The IC insertion site at the apex was central for P1, whereas it was lateral for P2. Transient CFD simulations were performed over 9 cardiac cycles. The wedge area was defined from the cannula tip to the wall of the LV apex. Mean velocity magnitude and blood stagnation region (volume with mean velocity <5 mm/s) as well as the wall shear stress (WSS) at the IC surface were calculated. Cardiac support resulted in a flow mainly crossing the ventricle from the mitral valve to the LVAD cannula for P2, while the main inflow jet deviated toward the septal wall in P1. Lower WSS at the IC surface and consequently larger stagnation volumes were observed for P2 (P1: 0.17, P2: 0.77 cm3). Flow fields around an LVAD cannula can be influenced by many parameters such as LV size, IC angle, and implantation site. Careful consideration of influencing parameters is essential to get reliable evaluations of the apical flow field and its connection to apical thrombus formation. Higher blood washout and lower stagnation were observed for a central implantation of the IC at the apex.
Coronary artery bypass surgery independently associates with retinal vascular oxygen saturation
Authors: Dinesen Sebastian , Jensen Pia S. , Bloksgaard Maria , Mey Jo De , S.Lindholt Jes , Rasmusssen Lars M. , Grauslund Jakob 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPurposeThe retinal vasculature is the only part of the microcirculation that can be directly studied by non‐invasive imaging. Based on the hypothesis that the systemic circulation is reflected in retinal vessels, we investigated if coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is related to changes in retinal vascular oxygen saturation (rSatO2).MethodsRetinal metabolism was evaluated by Oxymap T1, which simultaneously captures two retinal images at different wavelengths measuring the retinal arteriolar (raSatO2) and venular (rvSatO2) oxygen saturation. Three to 4 days after surgery, we measured the median rSatO2 after CABG in 38 patients and in 39 healthy controls (operated for cataract).ResultsCoronary artery bypass grafting patients had higher raSatO2 (median ± standard deviation 93.1 ± 6.7% versus 90.5 ± 11.2%, p = 0.001) and rvSatO2 (57.4 ± 8.3% versus 53.5 ± 15.4%, p = 0.048) compared to healthy controls. In multivariable linear regression models, raSatO2 independently associated with CABG (coefficient + 3.6% in CABG patients, p = 0.007), and rvSatO2 correlated with gender (coefficient + 9.4% for females, p = 0.001) and CABG (coefficient + 8.2% in patients with CABG, p = 0.001).ConclusionsComparing patients with and without cardiovascular disease, raSatO2 and rvSatO2 positively and independently associated with CABG, suggesting their potential as non‐invasive markers for coronary large artery disease.
The occurrence of reflexes and reactions in cattle following stunning with a captive bolt at the slaughterhouse
Authors: Vecerek Vladimir , Kamenik Josef , Voslarova Eva , Vecerkova Lenka , Machovcova Zuzana , Volfova Martina , Konvalinova Jarmila 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe difference in the frequency of the occurrence of reflexes/reactions in 355 cows (average weight 505.5 ± 7.9 kg) and 262 bulls (average weight 735.6 ± 8.4 kg) following stunning with a Matador SS 3,000 B trigger‐activated captive bolt gun (Termet) was determined. The stun shot more than 2 cm from the ideal position was found in 79.6% of animals. Vocalization, corneal reflex, rhythmic breathing, blinking, eyeball rotation and the absence of tongue protrusion occurred more frequently in bulls (p < .05). Spontaneous limb movements and nystagmus occurred more frequently in cows (p < .05). No difference between bulls and cows was determined in the occurrence of a response to painful stimuli or attempts to regain normal posture. No dependency was determined between the frequency of the occurrence of a reflex/reaction and the distance of the stun shot from the ideal point on the skull for any of the monitored signs. This study shows that the occurrence of reflexes/reactions following the stunning of cattle with a captive bolt is not only dependent on the position of the shot if placed within a 9 cm radius from the ideal point on the cattle skull.
Randomized study of the effect of gadopiclenol, a new gadolinium‐based contrast agent, on the QTc interval in healthy subjects
Authors: Funck‐Brentano Christian , Felices Mathieu , Le Fur Nathalie , Dubourdieu Corinne , Desché Pierre , Vanhoutte Frédéric , Voiriot Pascal 
Published: April 2020

AimsWe investigated the effect of gadopiclenol, a new gadolinium‐based contrast agent, on the QTc interval at clinical and supraclinical dose, considering the relative hyperosmolarity of this product.MethodsThis was a single centre, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐ and positive‐controlled, 4‐way crossover study. Forty‐eight healthy male and female subjects were included to receive single intravenous (i.v.) administrations of gadopiclenol at the clinical dose of 0.1 mmol kg−1, standard for current gadolinium‐based contrast agents, the supraclinical dose of 0.3 mmol kg−1, placebo and a single oral dose of 400 mg moxifloxacin.ResultsThe largest time‐matched placebo‐corrected, mean change from‐baseline in QTcF (ΔΔQTcF) was observed 3 hours after administration of 0.1 mmol kg−1 gadopiclenol (2.39 ms, 90% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35, 4.43 ms) and 5 minutes after administration of 0.3 mmol kg−1 (4.81 ms, 90%CI: 2.84, 6.78 ms). The upper limit of the 90% CI was under the threshold of 10 ms, demonstrating no significant effect of gadopiclenol on QTc interval. From 1.5 to 4 hours postdose moxifloxacin, the lower limit of the 90% CI of ΔΔQTcF exceeded 5 ms demonstrating assay sensitivity. Although there was a positive slope, the concentration–response analysis estimated that the values of ΔΔQTcF at the maximal concentration of gadopiclenol at 0.1 and 0.3 mmol kg−1 were 0.41 and 2.23 ms, respectively, with the upper limit of the 90% CI not exceeding 10 ms. No serious or severe adverse events or treatment discontinuations due to adverse events were reported.ConclusionThis thorough QT/QTc study demonstrated that gadopiclenol did not prolong the QT interval at clinical and supraclinical doses and was well tolerated in healthy volunteers. The positive slope of the QTc prolongation vs concentration relationship suggests that hyperosmolarity could be associated with QTc prolongation. However, the amplitude of this effects is unlikely to be associated with proarrhythmia.
Minimizing animal welfare harms associated with predation management in agro‐ecosystems
Authors: Allen Benjamin L. , Hampton Jordan O. 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTThe impacts of wild predators on livestock are a common source of human–wildlife conflict globally, and predators are subject to population control for this reason in many situations. Animal welfare is one of many important considerations affecting decisions about predation management. Recent studies discussing animal welfare in this context have presented arguments emphasizing the importance of avoiding intentional harm to predators, but they have not usually considered harms imposed by predators on livestock and other animals. Efforts to mitigate predation impacts (including ‘no control’ approaches) cause a variety of harms to predators, livestock and other wildlife. Successfully minimizing the overall frequency and magnitude of harms requires consideration of the direct, indirect, intentional and unintentional harms imposed on all animals inhabiting agricultural landscapes. We review the harms resulting from the management of dingoes and other wild dogs in the extensive beef cattle grazing systems of Australia to illustrate how these negative impacts can be minimized across both wild and domestic species present on a farm or in a free‐ranging livestock grazing context. Similar to many other predator–livestock conflicts, wild dogs impose intermittent harms on beef cattle (especially calves) including fatal predation, non‐fatal attack (mauling and biting), pathogen transmission, and fear‐ or stress‐related effects. Wild dog control tools and strategies impose harms on dingoes and other wildlife including stress, pain and death as a consequence of both lethal and non‐lethal control approaches. To balance these various sources of harm, we argue that the tactical use of lethal predator control approaches can result in harming the least number of individual animals, given certain conditions. This conclusion conflicts with both traditional (e.g. continuous or ongoing lethal control) and contemporary (e.g. predator‐friendly or no‐control) predation management approaches. The general and transferable issues, approaches and principles we describe have broad applicability to many other human–wildlife conflicts around the world.
The effect of patient‐managed stress dosing on electrolytes and blood pressure in acute illness in children with adrenal insufficiency
Authors: Chrisp Georgina L , Torpy David J , Maguire Ann M , Quartararo Maria , Falhammar Henrik , King Bruce R , Munns Craig F , Hameed Shihab , Rushworth R Louise 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundAdrenal crises (AC) are acute episodes of adrenal insufficiency (AI). Manifestations include hypotension and electrolyte disturbances. Glucocorticoid stress dosing (SD) can prevent AC progression, but its effect on physiological parameters has not been assessed in a ‘real world setting’.AimsTo assess the effect of prior self‐managed glucocorticoid dose escalation on physiological markers in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) presenting to hospital for an acute illness.MethodsAn audit of records of all children with CAH presenting to paediatric referral hospital between 2000 and 2015. Potassium, sodium and glucose levels, and hypotension were compared between children who had and had not used SD.ResultsThere were 321 attendances by patients with CAH and an acute illness during the study period. Any form of SD was used by 64.2% (n = 206); intramuscular (IM) hydrocortisone was used by 22.1% (n = 71) and oral only by 41.7% (n = 134). Use of SD (oral and/or IM) was associated with a significantly lower mean potassium level (4.02 ± 0.71 vs. 4.27 ± 0.79 mmol/l, P < .05). Linear regression analysis showed that age (beta: −0.04 years (95% CI −0.06, −0.02)), diarrhoea (beta: −0.41 (95% CI −0.06, −0.02)) and any form of stress dosing (oral, IM or both) (beta: −0.29 (95% CI −0.55, −0.04)) were each independently and significantly associated with potassium levels. SD was not significantly associated with sodium or glucose concentrations or with estimates of hypotension.ConclusionPatient‐initiated SD resulted in a significant reduction in hyperkalaemia and lowered mean potassium levels in paediatric patients with CAH but did not alter significantly sodium and glucose concentrations or incidences of hypotension.