Entrepreneurial ecosystem : Islamic leadership model - an exploration of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sultanate of Oman

Oman’s economic growth and development have recently shifted from the declining oil-dependent economy to other diversified sources of income generation, such as enhancing the performance of entrepreneurship as an economic growth driver. One of the ways through which such economic goals can be achieved is through the efficient management of entrepreneurial ecosystems. However, the review of existing literature features limited details in terms of how entrepreneurial ecosystems work in reality, as well as in terms of policy-related challenges in the management of entrepreneurial ecosystems. By conducting interviews on 36 participants consisting of 18 policy makers and 18 entrepreneurs, the present research established that even though there are some positive factors that support the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem (such as the existence of the support systems, networks, and connectivity), there are a lot of challenges that are hindering efficiency with regards to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Oman. The most noted challenges to the effective management of entrepreneurial ecosystems are policy vulnerability and the government’s use of a top-to-bottom approach in policy and decision-making that do not involve or engage entrepreneurs, creating, in return, a disconnect and lack of balance in the ecosystem. Low stakeholder engagement and poor implementation of set policies also hinder entrepreneurship in the country. Thus, this study recommends an Islamic leadership management (ILM) approach to the management of entrepreneurial ecosystems. In this regard, effective management can be attained when skills are developed through inclusion and information sharing, incorporating religious principles such as fairness in policy making towards building institutional links, respecting cultural aspects such as diversity for an adaptive ecosystem, prioritizing strong relationships leading to effective networks, and viewing humans as custodians of earthly resources leading to equitable allocation of resources in the ecosystem. Additionally, an adaptive co-management approach can help reinforce the Islamic model as it emphasizes on learning-by-doing, relationships and the capacity of the communities and resource users.Oman’s economic growth and development have recently shifted from the declining oil-dependent economy to other diversified sources of income generation, such as enhancing the performance of entrepreneurship as an economic growth driver. One of the ways through which such economic goals can be achieved is through the efficient management of entrepreneurial ecosystems. However, the review of existing literature features limited details in terms of how entrepreneurial ecosystems work in reality, as well as in terms of policy-related challenges in the management of entrepreneurial ecosystems. By conducting interviews on 36 participants consisting of 18 policy makers and 18 entrepreneurs, the present research established that even though there are some positive factors that support the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem (such as the existence of the support systems, networks, and connectivity), there are a lot of challenges that are hindering efficiency with regards to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Oman. The most noted challenges to the effective management of entrepreneurial ecosystems are policy vulnerability and the government’s use of a top-to-bottom approach in policy and decision-making that do not involve or engage entrepreneurs, creating, in return, a disconnect and lack of balance in the ecosystem. Low stakeholder engagement and poor implementation of set policies also hinder entrepreneurship in the country. Thus, this study recommends an Islamic leadership management (ILM) approach to the management of entrepreneurial ecosystems. In this regard, effective management can be attained when skills are developed through inclusion and information sharing, incorporating religious principles such as fairness in policy making towards building institutional links, respecting cultural aspects such as diversity for an adaptive ecosystem, prioritizing strong relationships leading to effective networks, and viewing humans as custodians of earthly resources leading to equitable allocation of resources in the ecosystem. Additionally, an adaptive co-management approach can help reinforce the Islamic model as it emphasizes on learning-by-doing, relationships and the capacity of the communities and resource users

Mutagenic Effect of Sodium Azide on Seed Germination of Eruca sativa (L

Abs tract: Eruca sa t i v a is a very important crop of M adeterranean region, and highly us ed as s alad 3 in European countries. Sodium azide (NaN ) is a chemic a l mutagen, and widely us ed in crops to 3 improve their yield and quality traits. W e studied the effect of various concentrations of NaN ranged (1mM , 2mM , 3 mM , 4 mM and 5 mM ) on germination and seedling growth of Eruca at various time 3 intervals . The seeds treated at 5 mM of NaN , the percent germination profoundly affe c t e d o n d a ys 9 and 12 following its application for 120 min and 180 min of time intervals . The h ig h e s t and lowest % germin a t io n was found for 30 min and 180 min of time intervals, whilst seeds were treated at same 3 3 concentration of NaN . The radicle and coleoptile length were decreased as the concentration of NaN increas ed, and highly affected at concentratio n s 3 mM, 4 mM and 5 mM res pectively. M ore variation was found on radicle length than that of coleoptile leng t h a t s a me c o n centrations and at same time intervals

Anaesthetic management of supratentorial tumor craniotomy using awake-throughout approach

The authors are reporting an anaesthetic management of patient presenting with left parietal lobe space occupying lesion and scheduled for Awake-craniotomy. Awake-throughout approach using scalp block was planned. Among techniques reported for keeping patient awake during the surgery, this one is really underutilized. The successful conduct requires thorough preoperative assessment and psychological preparation. We used powerpoint presentation as a preoperative teaching tool. The anatomical landmark technique was used to institute scalp block, where individual nerves were targeted bilaterally. Patient remained stable throughout and participated actively in intraoperative neurological monitoring. Postoperative period showed remarkable recovery, better pain control, and shorter length of stay in hospital

Frequency of intraoperative hypotension after the induction of anesthesia in hypertensive patients with preoperative angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

Introduction: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an important target in the treatment of hypertension. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. ACE inhibitors not only treat hypertension but also decrease morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients and in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The discontinuation of ACE inhibitors before the surgery is still controversial. To assess the current magnitude of the problem in our population, we aimed to conduct this study, which evaluated the frequency of intraoperative hypotension after the induction of anesthesia in controlled hypertensive patients with preoperative ACE inhibitors.Material and methods: This descriptive case series study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in a developing country after approval from the Ethics Review Committee. A total of 115 adult patients, from 16 to 60 years of age, who have undergone elective surgery, have controlled hypertension on the desired drugs for at least six months, have no history of any cardiac event, and have taken the drug on the morning of the surgery, were included in the study after written consent. The demographic data of the patients were entered into the proforma. Preoperative systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure were recorded by the researcher or an assignee in the preoperative holding area. The patients were followed in the recovery room by the team conducting the study until 10 minutes after the arrival of the patient in the recovery room. All statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences version 19 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). p-value ≤0.05 was considered significant.Results: Of the 115 patients, 56 (48.7%) patients were in the age group between 51 and 60 years of age; 38 patients were between the ages of 41 and 50 years and only 21 patients were 40 years or less. On gender, 68 patients were female and 47 were male. According to body mass index (BMI), the majority of the patients were in the overweight group, amounting to 53 (46%), and 86 (74.78%) patients were known diabetics. Overall, 77 (66.96%) of the patients developed intraoperative hypotension with 41 (35.65%) patients requiring the use of vasopressors in order to correct the hypotension. No statistically significant difference was found between demographic and clinical variables.Conclusion: Intraoperative hypotension is more frequent in patients with controlled hypertension on ACE inhibitors although more studies need to be conducted on a larger population in order to determine a more definitive result

Reviews and syntheses: Biological weathering and its consequences at different spatial levels - from nanoscale to global scale

Plant nutrients can be recycled through microbial decomposition of organic matter but replacement of base cations and phosphorus, lost through harvesting of biomass/biofuels or leaching, requires de novo supply of fresh nutrients released through weathering of soil parent material (minerals and rocks). Weathering involves physical and chemical processes that are modified by biological activity of plants, microorganisms and animals. This article reviews recent progress made in understanding biological processes contributing to weathering. A perspective of increasing spatial scale is adopted, examining the consequences of biological activity for weathering from nanoscale interactions, through in vitro and in planta microcosm and meso-cosm studies, to field experiments, and finally ecosystem and global level effects. The topics discussed include the physical alteration of minerals and mineral surfaces; the composition, amounts, chemical properties, and effects of plant and microbial secretions; and the role of carbon flow (including stabilisation and sequestration of C in organic and inorganic forms). Although the predominant focus is on the effects of fungi in forest ecosystems, the properties of biofilms, including bacterial interactions, are also discussed. The implications of these biological processes for modelling are discussed, and we attempt to identify some key questions and knowledge gaps, as well as experimental approaches and areas of research in which future studies are likely to yield useful results. A particular focus of this article is to improve the representation of the ways in which biological processes complement physical and chemical processes that mobilise mineral elements, making them available for plant uptake. This is necessary to produce better estimates of weathering that are required for sustainable management of forests in a post-fossil-fuel economy. While there are abundant examples of nanometre- and micrometre-scale physical interactions between microorganisms and different minerals, opinion appears to be divided with respect to the quantitative significance of these observations for overall weathering. Numerous in vitro experiments and microcosm studies involving plants and their associated microorganisms suggest that the allocation of plant-derived carbon, mineral dissolution and plant nutrient status are tightly coupled, but there is still disagreement about the extent to which these processes contribute to field-scale observations. Apart from providing dynamically responsive pathways for the allocation of plant-derived carbon to power dissolution of minerals, mycorrhizal mycelia provide conduits for the long-distance trans-portation of weathering products back to plants that are also quantitatively significant sinks for released nutrients. These mycelial pathways bridge heterogeneous substrates, reducing the influence of local variation in C : N ratios. The production of polysaccharide matrices by biofilms of interacting bacteria and/or fungi at interfaces with mineral surfaces and roots influences patterns of production of antibiotics and quorum sensing molecules, with concomitant effects on microbial community structure, and the qualitative and quantitative composition of mineral-solubilising compounds and weathering products.Patterns of carbon allocation and nutrient mobilisation from both organic and inorganic substrates have been studied at larger spatial and temporal scales, including both ecosystem and global levels, and there is a generally wider degree of acceptance of the "systemic" effects of microorganisms on patterns of nutrient mobilisation. Theories about the evolutionary development of weathering processes have been advanced but there is still a lack of information connecting processes at different spatial scales. Detailed studies of the liquid chemistry of local weathering sites at the micrometre scale, together with upscaling to soil-scale dissolution rates, are advocated, as well as new approaches involving stable isotopes

Attributes of modal choice in an industrial-based urban area: A case study on Savar Paurashava

Road transportation does an excellent job of connecting Savar's inner and outer areas, but it might be difficult for commuters to decide which mode of transportation to employ because residents of Savar come from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. It is necessary to do in-depth research on the characteristics of people in the study region who choose different modes of transportation to achieve the goal of selecting a certain mode for their travel. Where a person lives can have a significant impact on their typical patterns of travel behavior. People who live closer to the center of things have access to a wider variety of amenities than those who live further away, and as a consequence, their travel patterns are distinct from one another. The study's findings indicate that several factors, including income, age, gender, and vocational qualities and goals, influence a commuter's preferred method of transportation. When it comes to selecting a mode of transportation, the most predictable factors to take into account are trip time and cost. After conducting research, it was found that most excursions are made from this place to Motijheel, Tejgaon, and Savar Export Processing Zone for their services, businesses, and jobs, respectively

Assessing Molecular Signature for Some Potential Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Cultivars from Saudi Arabia, Based on Chloroplast DNA Sequences rpoB and psbA-trnH

Phoenix dactylifera L. (date palm), being economically very important, is widely cultivated in the Middle East and North Africa, having about 400 different cultivars. Assessment of date cultivars under trading and farming is a widely accepted problem owing to lack of a unique molecular signature for specific date cultivars. In the present study, eight different cultivars of dates viz., Khodry, Khalas, Ruthana, Sukkari, Sefri, Segae, Ajwa and Hilali were sequenced for rpoB and psbA-trnH genes and analyzed using bioinformatics tools to establish a cultivar-specific molecular signature. The combined aligned data matrix was of 1147 characters, of which invariable and variable sites were found to be 958 and 173, respectively. The analysis clearly reveals three major groups of these cultivars: (i) Khodary, Sefri, Ajwa, Ruthana and Hilali (58% BS); (ii) Sukkari and Khalas (64% BS); and (iii) Segae. The economically most important cultivar Ajwa showed similarity with Khodary and Sefri (67% BS).The sequences of the date cultivars generated in the present study showed bootstrap values between 38% and 70% so these sequences could be carefully used as molecular signature for potential date cultivars under trading and selection of genuine cultivars at the seedling stage for farming

ADAMTS19-associated heart valve defects: Novel genetic variants consolidating a recognizable cardiac phenotype

Recently, ADAMTS19 was identified as a novel causative gene for autosomal recessive heart valve disease (HVD), affecting mainly the aortic and pulmonary valves. Exome sequencing and data repository (CentoMD) analyses were performed to identify patients with ADAMTS19 variants (two families). A third family was recognized based on cardiac phenotypic similarities and SNP array homozygosity. Three novel loss of function (LoF) variants were identified in six patients from three families. Clinically, all patients presented anomalies of the aortic/pulmonary valves, which included thickening of valve leaflets, stenosis and insufficiency. Three patients had (recurrent) subaortic membrane, suggesting that ADAMTS19 is the first gene identified related to discrete subaortic stenosis. One case presented a bi-commissural pulmonary valve. All patients displayed some degree of atrioventricular valve insufficiency. Other cardiac anomalies included atrial/ventricular septal defects, persistent ductus arteriosus, and mild dilated ascending aorta. Our findings confirm that biallelic LoF variants in ADAMTS19 are causative of a specific and recognizable cardiac phenotype. We recommend considering ADAMTS19 genetic testing in all patients with multiple semilunar valve abnormalities, particularly in the presence of subaortic membrane. ADAMTS19 screening in patients with semilunar valve abnormalities is needed to estimate the frequency of the HVD related phenotype, which might be not so rare

Role of Nemolizumab and Omalizumab in management of atopic dermatitis: A review

BackgroundNemolizumab (CIM331) is a monoclonal antibody that binds the IL-31 receptor α component. This inhibits IL-31 from acting on neurons that constrains the initialization of the sense of pruritus in cases of atopic dermatitis.AimsTo summarize the results of reported studies evaluating the role of nemolizumab and omalizumab in management of atopic dermatitis.Methods This is a systematic review was carried out, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and EBSCO that examining randomized controlled trials, observational, and experimental studies which study role of nemolizumab in management of atopic dermatitis.Results The review included 8 randomized studies reported efficacy of both nemolizumab and omalizumab for management of atopic dermatitis.ConclusionOther studies with large numbers of patients with AD are necessary to define the adverse effects of both drugs in the treatment of AD

The development and validation of a scoring tool to predict the operative duration of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: The ability to accurately predict operative duration has the potential to optimise theatre efficiency and utilisation, thus reducing costs and increasing staff and patient satisfaction. With laparoscopic cholecystectomy being one of the most commonly performed procedures worldwide, a tool to predict operative duration could be extremely beneficial to healthcare organisations. Methods: Data collected from the CholeS study on patients undergoing cholecystectomy in UK and Irish hospitals between 04/2014 and 05/2014 were used to study operative duration. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was produced in order to identify significant independent predictors of long (> 90 min) operations. The resulting model was converted to a risk score, which was subsequently validated on second cohort of patients using ROC curves. Results: After exclusions, data were available for 7227 patients in the derivation (CholeS) cohort. The median operative duration was 60 min (interquartile range 45–85), with 17.7% of operations lasting longer than 90 min. Ten factors were found to be significant independent predictors of operative durations > 90 min, including ASA, age, previous surgical admissions, BMI, gallbladder wall thickness and CBD diameter. A risk score was then produced from these factors, and applied to a cohort of 2405 patients from a tertiary centre for external validation. This returned an area under the ROC curve of 0.708 (SE = 0.013, p  90 min increasing more than eightfold from 5.1 to 41.8% in the extremes of the score. Conclusion: The scoring tool produced in this study was found to be significantly predictive of long operative durations on validation in an external cohort. As such, the tool may have the potential to enable organisations to better organise theatre lists and deliver greater efficiencies in care