A Simple and Low-Cost Strategy to Improve Conidial Yield and Stress Resistance of Trichoderma guizhouense through Optimizing Illumination Conditions

Light is perceived by photoreceptors in fungi and further integrated into the stress-activated MAPK HOG pathway, and thereby potentially activates the expression of genes for stress responses. This indicates that the precise control of light conditions can likely improve the conidial yield and stress resistance to guarantee the low cost and long shelf life of Trichoderma-based biocontrol agents and biofertilizers. In this study, effects of wavelengths and intensities of light on conidial yield and stress tolerance to osmotic, oxidative and pH stresses in Trichoderma guizhouense were investigated. We found that 2 μmol photons/(m2 × s) of blue light increased the conidial yield more than 1000 folds as compared to dark condition and simultaneously enhanced conidial stress resistance. The enhanced conidial stress resistance is probably due to the upregulated stress-related genes in blue light, which is under the control of the blue light receptor BLR1 and the MAP kinase HOG1.

Implementation Model of Equity Participation in Regional Development Banks in Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to analyze the implementation of competitive advantage in equity participation in PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah for the period of October 2020 which is still in the category of Commercial Banks Based on Business Activities 1. Specifically, this research also tries to build the best implementation model for regional capital participation to PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah which is integrated with the planning and budgeting system and integrated with regional development priorities. We operate qualitative method which aims to get the real picture by developing a process analysis using direct data sources from informants totaling 27 people with very competent status in the field of regional capital participation at PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Bengkulu Province and Central Sulawesi Province. Creswell (2009) states that the research process involves questions and procedures that arise, data that is usually collected in a participant setting, data analysis that is constructed inductively from specific to general themes. The results of the study explain that competitive advantage is seen from the substance of the low cost strategy of 25 (twenty five) Regional General Treasurers as Regional Financial Management Officers, there are 20 (twenty) Regional General Treasurers as Regional Financial Management Officers stating that the implementation of competitive advantage is seen from the substance the low-cost strategy is still not optimal (80% of informants), and 5 (five) Regional General Treasurers as Regional Financial Management Officers explain that currently there is no implementation of the low-cost strategy in the series of processes for capital participation in the work area carried out by PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Bengkulu and in the work area of PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Sulawesi Tengah (20% Informants). The best implementation model to build the integration of the provincial/district/city government capital participation system into PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah in an optimal and regulatory manner with operations is: Phase 1, capital participation management is integrated with regional regulations on RPJMD, Restra SKPD documents, and RKPD documents. Stage 2, the management of equity participation is implemented in regional regulations concerning APBD, then realized and evaluated in the general meeting of shareholders and/or other coordination meetings.

Buddha Air: The Ace Airline of Nepal

This is a case study of a pioneering airlines company in the Nepalese aviation sector. The airlines came into full operation in 1997 by flying a brand new Beachcraft-1900D for a regular sightseeing to Mount Everest. When the airlines entered the field which was opened for the private sector by the government of Nepal in the early nineties, the country’s nascent aviation sector was in a state of take-off attracting a growing number of airline companies. Despite tough competition, the company expanded its fleet from a single aircraft to seven in number in 10 years of its operation. In 2008, the company purchased two ATR-42 aircrafts under the financial assistance of the International Finance Corporations (IFC/World Bank) and added a 70-seat ATR 72-212 in June 2010. With a range of aircrafts in its fleet, Buddha Air has today spread its wings to 13 destinations, including two international (1 seasonal and 1 charter flight) and 11 domestic destinations. After more than two decades of its service to the country’s civil aviation and tourism sector, Buddha Air was recognized as “the most successful airlines” for its sustained growth as well as for the safety and satisfaction of its customers. However, it had tackled with the price war in the face of higher cost of operations as a result of the increased number of airlines in this sector. Recalling the difficult situation due to the indiscriminate price competition, the Managing Director of the airlines, said that the pricing strategy was challenging and there was a strong urge for an unfair price competition from the rivals. “The low cost strategy as pursued by our competitors was not appropriate for our company as we had relatively higher cost of operation as we owned bigger aircrafts,” he said. While the price war remained a major hurdle in its operation, an attempt to venture into international flights was another challenge it encountered for the sustained growth of the airlines.

Impact of Porter’s Generic Strategy on Firm Performance with reference to Nepalese Retail Banking Sector

Porter’s generic strategies are the proven and pervasive strategic options in achieving competitiveness and better firm performance. This paper aims in examining the effect of Porter’s generic strategies (low-cost, differentiation, and focus) on firm performance in the context of Nepalese retail banks, a more competitive service industry. This study applies casual comparative research design and the data have been collected through administering questionnaire survey from 75 senior bank managers of 18 Nepalese commercial banks who being engaged in strategic affairs. The econometric model has been constructed to measure the expected effect of the strategies on firm performance. The descriptive analysis, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and multivariate regression analysis were conducted. The empirical results of correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis produced consistent results indicating positive associations between generic strategies and firm performance. The empirical results from regression analysis declared higher positive and significant impact of low-cost on firm performance. Similarly, positive effect of differentiation strategy and focus strategy on firm performance was reported. The findings suggested that pursuing low cost strategy provides more financial returns with comparison to differentiation and focus strategies. The finding also suggested for combination of low-cost and differentiation (and focus) strategies could provide better competitiveness and firm performance. Keywords: Generic Strategy, Low-cost strategy, Differentiation strategy, Focus strategy, Firm performance

Mycorrhizal fungi and phosphate fertilization in the production of Euterpe edulis seedlings

The present study evaluated the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on growth and nutrition of Euterpe edulis seedlings, supplemented or not with phosphate fertilization. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse. The randomized block design, consisted of a 3x2 factorial arrangement and 4 replicates, with two phosphorus doses (0 and 50 mg dm-3 of soil), two microbiological treatments (Rhizophagus clarus; laroideoglomus etunicatum; R. clarus + C. etunicatum) and control (without fungus). Sowing and inoculation occurred concurrently in 2 kg plastic bags. Height, collar diameter, leaf area, dry shoot mass, macronutrient content and mycorrhizal colonization percentage were determined after 226 days. Regarding mycorrhizal colonization percentage, R. clarus resulted significantly beneficial for the production of E. edulis seedlings. In the absence of phosphate fertilization, R. clarus and mixed inoculum increased all biometric variables and macronutrient contents in seedlings. Therefore, it is concluded that AMF inoculations provide beneficial effects for growth and nutrition of E. edulis seedlings, resulting in more vigorous plants at a low-cost strategy. Highlights: Rhizophagus clarus resulted significantly beneficial for the production of E. edulis seedlings and in the absence of phosphate fertilization, and mixed inoculum ( clarus + Claroideoglomus etunicatum) increased all biometric variables and macronutrient contents in seedlings. The AMF inoculations provide beneficial effects for growth and nutrition of E. edulis seedlings, resulting in more vigorous plants at a low-cost strategy. The AMF, a biological agent of mutualistic associations with plants, constitutes an innovative approach to sustainable agriculture, contributing to increase plant survival rate, a key-factor for the successful reintroduction and conservation of E. edulis, as well as for its commercial exploitation.

Effect of Business Intelligence on Competitive Advantage Case of Ankara IT Sector

The main purpose of this research is to examine the effect of business intelligence (BI) on competitive advantage in Ankara IT sector. For this purpose, we followed a qualitative research design phenomenology and conducted face-to-face semi-structured interviews with BI staff of 14 organizations defined according to criterion sampling method. We applied inductive qualitative content analysis to interview data. As a result, four main themes emerged: (1) BI adoption (2) competition, (3) organizations, and (4) recommendations. We found that BI has a positive effect on competitive advantage, but the nature of competition in sector is unfair and changeable according to the origin of the product. Leader foreign companies adopt differentiation strategy in gaining competitive advantage and there is a severe competition between the sector leaders. Companies that produce domestic BI solutions adopt low-cost strategy, but they are far away from the high-level competition among foreign companies. Government support and guidance are required for domestic BI solutions to be competitive.

Remote sensors of Vegetable Activity to protect areas resistant to low soil moisture

Corte de Madera has a high vegetable activity measured by satellite despite the extreme drought conditions of the State during the years 2020-2021. Napa Valley suffered a severe decline in vegetable activity just after the rainy season of 2020 in April. It happened before the wildfires that affect the region in August 2020. Dixie region had a declining rainy season of 2020 and 2021 (November to April). The wildfires started in August. Satellite images could be a low-cost strategy to build an Early Warning System for wildfires.

Feasibility of a Combined Mobile-Health Electrocardiographic and Rapid Diagnostic Test Screening for Chagas-Related Cardiac Alterations

Background: Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CChC) is the most common cause of death related to Chagas disease (CD). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a combined rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and electrocardiographic (ECG) screening in a remote rural village of the Bolivian Chaco, with a high prevalence of CChC. Methods: Consecutive healthy volunteers > 15 years were enrolled in the community of Palmarito (municipality of Gutierrez, Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia) in February 2019. All patients performed an RDT with Chagas Stat-Pak® (CSP, Chembio Diagnostic System, Medford, NY, USA) and an ECG by D-Heart® technology, a low-cost, user-friendly smartphone-based 8-lead Bluetooth ECG. RDTs were read locally while ECGs were sent to a cardiology clinic which transmitted reports within 24 h from recording. Results: Among 140 people (54 men, median age 38(interquartile range 23–54) years), 98 (70%) were positive for Trypanosoma cruzi infection, with a linear, age-dependent, increasing trend (p < 0.001). Twenty-five (18%) individuals showed ECG abnormalities compatible with CD. Prevalence of ECG abnormalities was higher in infected individuals and was associated with higher systolic blood pressure and smoking. Following screening, 22 (16%) individuals underwent clinical evaluation and chest X-ray and two were referred for further evaluation. At multivariate analysis, positive CSP results (OR = 4.75, 95%CI 1.08–20.96, p = 0.039) and smoking (OR = 4.20, 95%CI 1.18–14.92, p = 0.027) were independent predictors of ECG abnormalities. Overall cost for screening implementation was <10 $. Conclusions: Combined mobile-Health and RDTs was a reliable and effective low-cost strategy to identify patients at high risk of disease needing cardiologic assessment suggesting potential future applications.