Uncertainty, institutional structure and the entrepreneurial process

While there eltist numerous theories of entrepreneurship, we aim to construct an account that is thoroughly process-oriented and is thus consistent with non-teleological evolutionary foundations. To accomplish this, we combine theories of structural uncertainty with recent work in the theory of social institutions. From such a perspective, creatively thinking and acting e ntrepreneurial individuals can account for endogenous social change through their effect on institutions. Our approach helps to clarify many of the inconsistencies that arise in the existing entrepreneurial literature and we are able to clarify issues of entrepreneurial fai lure, self-employment versus entrepreneurship, entrepreneurs versus managers, and incentive for entrepreneurs in formal versus informal institutional settings

How safe are "safe" seats? A comparison of voluntary and compulsory voting systems

Many observers have expressed concern that low voter turnout reflects an acute shortcoming in democratic politics. One proposed remedy, making voting compulsory, has garnered increasing attention among academics over recent years. Our article focuses on some of the technical properties of compulsory voting rules (CVR) while ignoring the philosophical debate over whether voting should be an obligation or a right. Using basic probability analysis, we compare a voluntary voting rule (VVR) to a compulsory one. We show that, under certain conditions, an electoral seat or district can become safer - or less competitive- with the imposition of CVR. We also discuss some political implications of our analysis. For example, when generalized to, say, the national polical system, this result implies fewer competitive seats in a CVR compared to a VVR, everything else equal. We contend that, because fewer seats will be in play in a CVR, CVRs should exhibit lower turnover of seats. Also, political suppliers can be expected to more narrowly focus their attention - and resources - on this smaller set of competitive seats than we would expect under a VV

Chlamydia species in free-living Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) and Hoopoe (Upupa epops) in Egypt

Little information is available on the presence of chlamydia infection in wildlife. This study was conducted to assess the occurrence of chlamydiae in asymptomatic birds from two species of wild birds (Cattle Egret and Hoopoe) in Egypt. In the present study Chlamydiaceae was analyzed using Giemsa stain, Giménez stain, fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and PCR. The results of these techniques were compared with CFT for detecting Chlamydia psittaci antibodies among the examined birds. The results reveal that 96.4%, 81.8%, 89.1%, 80.0% and 58.2% of the examined samples were positive for chlamydiosis using PCR, Giemsa stain, Giménez stain, FA, and CFT respectively among Hoopoe. The percentages were 90.6%, 77.4%, 83.0%, 75.5% and 66.0% respectively for the previous tests among Cattle Egret birds. The results suggest that Cattle Egret and Hoopoe may be reservoir of Chlamydiaceae species and thus shed the organisms in their excreta. The shedding of chlamydiae by free living birds in Egypt may expose humans that come in contact with these birds to zoonotic risks

The occurrence of disinfectant and antibiotic-resistant genes in Escherichia coli isolated from chickens in Egypt

Aim: This work aimed to determine the occurrence of antibiotic and disinfectant resistance genes in Escherichia coli isolated from chickens in Egypt. Materials and Methods: Organs (liver, lung, heart, yolk sac, and bone marrow) of 1500 chicken samples were collected from diseased chickens suffered from colibacillosis with PM findings as CRD, diarrhea and omphalitis from different governorates of Egypt as: Giza, EL-Bahira, Fayoum, El-Dakahlia, El-Ismalia, and El-Sharkia during 2015-2016. These samples were labeled and transported immediately on ice to the Reference laboratory for quality control on poultry production (RLQP). The samples were cultured onto MacConkey agar and Eosin Methylene Blue Agar. Isolation and identification of the E. coli were performed based on morphology, cultural, staining, and biochemical properties. Antimicrobial resistance test was carried out using disk diffusion method. The PCR employing tetA, qacED1 and qacA/B were carried out for detection of these genes in isolated E.coli. Results: The prevalence of E. coli in chicken was 34%. Predominant serotypes of E. coli which serologically identified were O128, O111, O44, O158, and O2. Antibiotic susceptibility test of E. coli revealed that 100% of isolates were resistant to ampicillin, erythromycin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, while 73.53% and 38.23% of them were sensitive for colistin sulfate and levofloxacin, respectively. Antibiotic resistance genes as tetA gene were tested for isolated E. coli and detected by incidence rate of 91.18%. qac resistance genes resembling as qacED1 and qacA/B genes were detected in isolated E. coli 70.6% and 14.7%, respectively. Conclusion: E. coli isolated from chickens in Egypt was carried qac and antibiotic-resistant genes that affect the poultry industry

Emerging of coagulase negative staphylococci as a cause of mastitis in dairy animals: An environmental hazard

In Egypt, knowledge about the coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) involved in mastitic animals is limited. CNS have emerged to be pathogens causing intramammary infections in Egyptian dairy herds. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of CNS in dairy ruminants (cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats). A total of 884 quarter milk samples were investigated to study the prevalence of CNS among mastitic and subclinically mastitic cows, buffalo–cows, ewes and does in Egypt. Identification of the isolates was achieved using API staph test and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). CNS were isolated from the examined subclinical mastitic cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats with percentages of 16.6%, 59.4%, 50% and 55.6%, respectively. Staphylococcus xylosus, Staphylococcus cohnii, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococcus chromogenes, Staphylococcus lentus, Staphylococcus lugdunensis and Staphylococcus simulans were identified as CNS that recovered from the examined milk samples. The CNS as mastitis-causing agents could not be neglected as they can cause substantial economic losses