Price Strategy, Market Orientation, and Business Performance in the Hotel Industry

This study seeks to study the relationship between market orientation and business performance and to evaluate the mediating effect of adopting a low-price strategy in this relationship in the hotel industry. A sample from the Spanish and Portuguese hotel industry is used. Results show that the effect of market orientation on business performance is positive and direct. On the other hand, the results do not confirm the mediating effect of a strategy based on low-price in the strength of this relationship. Moreover, results indicate that a price strategy based on low-price is negatively related to hotel business performance.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Natural variability of geochemical conditions, biogeochemical processes and element fluxes in sediments of the CCZ

During RV SONNE cruise SO239 in March/April 2015 five sites in the area of the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCZ) in the eastern equatorial Pacific were visited as part of the JPI Oceans pilot action Ecological Aspects of Deep-Sea Mining“. Here, we present a comparable study on (1) the redox zonation in the sediments induced by the input flux of organic matter, (2) biogeochemical reactions including the driver of organic matter degradation and (3) diagenetic manganese redistribution and implications for manganese nodule formation

Drivers of Iron Cycling in Sediments of the sub-Antarctic Island South Georgia

Sediments of sub-Antarctic islands have been proposed to be important contributors to natural iron fertilization in the Southern Ocean [1, 2]. This potential contribution depends on biogeochemical processes within the sediment that may result in an iron benthic flux, most likely related to the degradation of organic matter (OM). Yet, the OM degradation pathways vary strongly among different sedimentary settings. We elucidate the role of environmental factors on the prevailing biogeochemical pathways and reaction rates at three contrasting sites of South Georgia, using comprehensive solid-phase and pore-water analyses, as well as transportreaction modelling. Samples were obtained along a transect from a glacial fjord towards the shelf during cruise ANTXXIX/ 4 of RV POLARSTERN in 2013. Oxygen penetration depth at all sites is <1 cm. Sediments recovered within the fjord are dominated by dissimilatory iron reduction (DIR) and show very high dissolved Fe2+ concentrations of up to 760 μM, while sulfide was not detected. In addition, Fe reduction below the sulfate/methane transition was observed. High input of reactive iron phases, possibly enhanced by bioturbation and bubble ebullition, appear to favour DIR as the dominant metabolic process for OM degradation in the basin like fjord. Shelf sediments outside the fjord are sulfidic throughout, with H2S formed primarily by anaerobic oxidation of methane. The conversion of Fe oxides into Fe sulfides significantly alters the initial sediment composition along the shelf, and impact the availability of iron to the water column. OM is of marine origin at all three sites (C:N~7), indicating that Fe oxide availability and reactivity rather than the carbon source determine whether iron or sulfate reduction dominantes. [1] Moore & Braucher (2008) Biogeosciences 5, 631-656. [2] Borrione et al., (2014) Biogeosciences 11, 1981–2001

Concerns about global phosphorus demand for lithium-iron-phosphate batteries in the light electric vehicle sector

A 'Matters Arising' article, arising from: Xu, C. et al. (2020). Future material demand for automotive lithium-based batteries. Communications Materials 1: 99

Global regionalized characterization factors for phosphorus and nitrogen impacts on freshwater fish biodiversity

Inefficient global nutrient (i.e., phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N)) management leads to an increase in nutrient delivery to freshwater and coastal ecosystems and induces eutrophication in these aquatic environments. This process threatens the various species inhabiting these ecosystems. In this study, we developed regionalized characterization factors (CFs) for freshwater eutrophication at 0.5 × 0.5-degree resolution, considering different fates for direct emissions to freshwater, diffuse emissions, and increased erosion due to agricultural land use. The CFs were provided for global and regional species loss of freshwater fish. CFs for global species loss were quantified by integrating global extinction probabilities. Results showed that the CFs for P and N impacts on freshwater fish are higher in densely populated regions that encompass either large lakes or the headwaters of large rivers. Focusing on nutrient-limited areas increases country-level CFs in 51.9 % of the countries for P and 49.5 % of the countries for N compared to not considering nutrient limitation. This study highlights the relevance of considering freshwater eutrophication impacts via both P and N emissions and identifying the limiting nutrient when performing life cycle impact assessments

Evidence for a palaeo-subglacial lake on the Antarctic continental shelf

Subglacial lakes are widespread beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet but their control on ice-sheet dynamics and their ability to harbour life remain poorly characterized. Here we present evidence for a palaeo-subglacial lake on the Antarctic continental shelf. A distinct sediment facies recovered from a bedrock basin in Pine Island Bay indicates deposition within a low-energy lake environment. Diffusive-advection modelling demonstrates that low chloride concentrations in the pore water of the corresponding sediments can only be explained by initial deposition of this facies in a freshwater setting. These observations indicate that an active subglacial meltwater network, similar to that observed beneath the extant ice sheet, was also active during the last glacial period. It also provides a new framework for refining the exploration of these unique environments

Effects of Nitrogen Emissions on Fish Species Richness across the World’s Freshwater Ecoregions

The increasing application of synthetic fertilizer has tripled nitrogen (N) inputs over the 20th century. N enrichment decreases water quality and threatens aquatic species such as fish through eutrophication and toxicity. However, the impacts of N on freshwater ecosystems are typically neglected in life cycle assessment (LCA). Due to the variety of environmental conditions and species compositions, the response of species to N emissions differs among ecoregions, requiring a regionalized effect assessment. Our study tackled this issue by establishing regionalized species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) of freshwater fish against N concentrations for 367 ecoregions and 48 combinations of realms and major habitat types globally. Subsequently, effect factors (EFs) were derived for LCA to assess the effects of N on fish species richness at a 0.5 degree × 0.5 degree resolution. Results show good SSD fits for all of the ecoregions that contain sufficient data and similar patterns for average and marginal EFs. The SSDs highlight strong effects on species richness due to high N concentrations in the tropical zone and the vulnerability of cold regions. Our study revealed the regional differences in sensitivities of freshwater ecosystems against N content in great spatial detail and can be used to assess more precisely and comprehensively nutrient-induced impacts in LCA

Natural spatial variability of depositional conditions, biogeochemical processes and element fluxes in sediments of the eastern Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean

The manganese nodule belt within the Clarion and Clipperton Fracture Zones (CCZ) in the abyssal NE Pacific Ocean is characterized by numerous seamounts, low organic matter (OM) depositional fluxes and meter-scale oxygen penetration depths (OPD) into the sediment. The region hosts contract areas for the exploration of polymetallic nodules and Areas of Particular Environmental Interest (APEI) as protected areas. In order to assess the impact of potential mining on these deep-sea sediments and ecosystems, a thorough determination of the natural spatial variability of depositional and geochemical conditions as well as biogeochemical processes and element fluxes in the different exploration areas is required. Here, we present a comparative study on (1) sedimentation rates and bioturbation depths, (2) redox zonation of the sediments and element fluxes as well as (3) rates and pathways of biogeochemical reactions at six sites in the eastern CCZ. The sites are located in four European contract areas and in the APEI3. Our results demonstrate that the natural spatial variability of depositional and (bio)geochemical conditions in this deep-sea sedimentary environment is much larger than previously thought. We found that the OPD varies between 1 and 4.5 m, while the sediments at two sites are oxic throughout the sampled interval (7.5 m depth). Below the OPD, manganese and nitrate reduction occur concurrently in the suboxic zone with pore-water Mn2+ concentrations of up to 25 µM. The thickness of the suboxic zone extends over depth intervals of less than 3 m to more than 8 m. Our data and the applied transport-reaction model suggest that the extension of the oxic and suboxic zones is ultimately determined by the (1) low flux of particulate organic carbon (POC) of 1–2 mg Corg m−2 d−1 to the seafloor, (2) low sedimentation rates between 0.2 and 1.15 cm kyr−1 and (3) oxidation of pore-water Mn2+ at depth. The diagenetic model reveals that aerobic respiration is the main biogeochemical process driving OM degradation. Due to very low POC fluxes of 1 mg Corg m−2 d−1 to the seafloor at the site investigated in the protected APEI3 area, respiration rates are twofold lower than at the other study sites. Thus, the APEI3 site does not represent the (bio)geochemical conditions that prevail in the other investigated sites located in the European contract areas. Lateral variations in surface water productivity are generally reflected in the POC fluxes to the seafloor across the various areas but deviate from this trend at two of the study sites. We suggest that the observed spatial variations in depositional and (bio)geochemical conditions result from differences in the degree of degradation of OM in the water column and heterogeneous sedimentation patterns caused by the interaction of bottom water currents with seafloor topography

Aplicación de las técnicas moleculares para diagnóstico de las enfermedades porcinas en Colombia.

Artículo basado en una revisión bibliográfica, en el cual se describe, en forma general, las aplicaciones más relevantes de los métodos moleculares para el diagnóstico de las enfermedades de los porcinos y se vislumbran las perspectivas de su aplicación en Colombia. Se exponen los fundamentos de la Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa (PCR) y se indican las aplicaciones específicas de esta prueba, en primer término, para la detección de bacterias, entre las cuales se citan: diagnóstico de la rinitis atrófica progresiva toxigénica, producida por Pasteurella multocida, detección de Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, a partir de bisopos nasales, y evaluación ante-mortem de cerdos afectados por enteropatía proliferativa porcina (EEP), cuyo agente causal se ha identificado como Lawsonia intracelludearis. En segundo término, se expone el diagnóstico del virus de la peste porcina clásica por medio de la PCR, así como también la detección del virus del síndrome reproductivo y respiratorio porcino (PRRS

Prevalencia de Trypanosoma vivax en bovinos de Villavicencio por pruebas parasitológicas directas y por inmunofluorescencia indirecta.

Para determinar la prevalencia de tripanosomiasis bovina en Villavicencio, Colombia, empleando la técnica indirecta de anticuerpos fluorescentes, a manera de comparación se utilizaron los métodos parasitológicos directos. Se examinaron 500 bovinos mayores de un año en 50 fincas escogidas al azar. Se encontraron 47 reactores positivos o una prevalencia real entre 6.8 y 9.4 por ciento, utilizando la prueba de inmunofluorescencia indirecta. No se encontraron animales positivos al emplear los métodos parasitológicos directos (preparación en fresco, frotis delgado, gota gruesa, centrifugación en tubo capilar o técnica de Woo). Lo anterior indica la ausencia de correlación entre los procedimientos utilizados. Se comprueba que los métodos parasitológicos directos son solo de ayuda en los casos que cursan con parasitemias detectables. Se puede afirmar que el Tripanosoma vivax es endémico en esta región tropical de Colombia, destacándose la importancia de la tripanosomiasis como enfermedad inmunodepresora y los posibles efectos que puede tener sobre los programas de vacunación que se realicen en los bovinos de esta zona. Los reactores positivos pueden ser reservorios potenciales de tripanosomas, los cuales podrían transmitirse dada la presencia de algunos insectos vectoresGanado de leche-Ganadería lech