Microcystins (MCYSTs) that accumulated in different organs of the freshwater fish Oreochromis niloticus, collected from a fish farm in Egypt containing heavy blooms of Microcystis aeruginosa, were investigated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The distribution of MCYSTs in the organs varied significantly. The highest MCYST level was recorded in the guts (821 ng/g fresh weight), followed by the livers (531.8 ng/g) and kidneys (400 ng/g). Smaller amounts of MCYST were detected in muscles (102 ng/g). The present study suggests that fish farms should be monitored for the presence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms to minimize the exposure of fish to potent hepatotoxins.
Integration of various theories is essential to completely understand and explain strategic alliances in a supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework by integrating the features of transaction cost theory, resource-based theory, contingency theory, social exchange theory, and Kelley's personal relationship theory and test the framework through empirical research. The present study addresses the impact of strategic alliance motives, environment, asset specificity, perception of opportunistic behavior, interdependence between supply chain partners, and relational capital on strategic alliance outcomes. Besides, the study has also tested the role of relational capital as a central mediating construct. A sample of 2156 companies representing different industries in manufacturing in Malaysia was selected for the distribution of questionnaire. We tested the structural model using structural equation modeling (SEM). Based on the results, we conclude the following significant relationships: (1) strategic alliance motives and perception of opportunistic behavior on interdependence and relational capital, (2) interdependence on relational capital, (3) environment on strategic alliance motives, (4) relational capital on strategic alliance outcomes, and (4) the mediating role of relational capital. The current study adds significantly to the body of knowledge on strategic alliances and can help managers identify factors that influence the success of strategic alliances and provide a proper direction to develop robust and effective collaborative relationships between supply chain partners.
PurposeThe aims of this paper are: to argue the role of Kelley's personal relationship theory (PRT) in explaining the maintenance and success of alliance outcomes; to argue the inclusion of communication between supply chain partners as a major component of relationship capital in addition to trust and commitment; to test the impact of interdependence between supply chain partners on strategic alliance outcomes; and to test the role of relationship capital as a mediating construct between interdependence.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was constructed and sent to 2,156 supply chain managers in Malaysia. The questionnaire captured three constructs: interdependence – task, goal and reward; relationship capital – trust, commitment, and communication; and strategic alliance outcomes – goal, value‐creation, and re‐evaluation. The companies were selected randomly from the Federation of Malaysian Manaufacturers (FMM) directory. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe major findings are: communication must be included as a major component of relationship capital in addition to trust and commitment; Kelley's PRT plays a prominent role in explaining the maintenance and success of strategic alliance outcomes; interdependence has a significant relationship with relationship capital; relationship capital has a significant relationship with strategic alliance outcomes; and relationship capital acts as a pure mediator between interdependence and strategic alliance outcomes.Originality/valueThis research contributes significantly to the theoretical and empirical developments that enrich the strategic alliance literature.
The aim of this study is to compare the various Halal certification bodies around the world based on the criteria for Halal certification. As the process of awarding Halal certificates varies among the certification bodies, it is pertinent to identify the differences between these selected certification bodies to gauge the gap existing among them. This study will also identify the position of JAKIM, which is the main Halal certification body in Malaysia, among the other main certification bodies around the world. Nine categories were identified in awarding Halal certification to companies. Comparative analysis was then used to see the differences that exist between these certification bodies. The results of the analysis indicate that, based on the nine categories identified, JAKIM is the strictest body in awarding Halal certification to companies.
Most research works on the production frontier in aquaculture focus on efficiency measurement using either Stochastic Production Frontier (SPF) or Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The studies on productivity growth in aquaculture were limited, perhaps due to lack of time-series data. Nevertheless, total factor productivity analysis (TFP) in fish farms has started gaining popularity in recent years. In addition, the majority of the efficiency studies have centered on technical efficiency analysis but substantial increases in the output levels can be fully realized through improving overall economic efficiency. Therefore, this review suggests that future research should estimate all three efficiency indices (i.e., technical, allocative and economic efficiencies).
Toxic cyanobacteria occur worldwide in aquatic ecosystem, and their toxins have adverse effects on most aquatic organisms. However, some species of green algae can grow and flourish at environmentally relevant concentrations of microcystins (MCYSTs). Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the possible adaptive response of two representatives of green algae, Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus quadricauda to these toxins. Growth and antioxidative biomarkers of these algae were studied over a 14-day exposure to different concentrations of pure microcystin-LR (MCYST-LR) and crude MCYSTs. Both pure and crude MCYSTs significantly decreased the growth of the two algae compared to control cultures during the first 3 days of incubation. Meanwhile, increases in glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and lipid peroxidation, and decreases in glutathione (GSH) were also observed in toxin-treated cultures. All growth and biochemical variables were restored to control levels after 3 days of incubation and remained at levels near to those of control cultures during the remaining period of experiment. The changes in these variables correlated with polysaccharide contents of toxin-treated cultures, indicating the involvement of these polysaccharides in protecting the algal cells against MCYST-induced oxidative stress. The results of in vitro assay of antioxidant activity revealed that these polysaccharides had different activities, depending on their sulfate contents. This study provides an evidence for the first time that polysaccharides play a protective role in some microalgae against MCYST-induced oxidative stress.
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