No / The roadside vegetation in some counties of north England (north and west Yorkshire) was studied to determine the community structure according to the British National Vegetation Classification (NVC) and main environmental factors influencing its composition. The data from Phytosociological survey (699 quadrats) and from the physico-chemical analyses of 233 soil samples from 35 sites were obtained. Both the classification (TWINSPAN & MATCH) and ordination programs (Canonical Correspondence Analysis) were used. The roadside vegetation is mainly dominated by few grasses (Arrhenatherum elatius, Festuca rubra, Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne, Poa trivialis, Elymus repens, Holcus lanatus) and their associated herbs (Cirsium arvense, Heracleum sphondylium, Urtica dioica). Five NVC Mesotrophic grassland communities (Arrhenatheretum elatioris community MG1, Lolium perenne-Cynosurus cristatus grassland MG6, Lolium perenne leys MG7, Holcus lanatus-Deschampsia cespitosa grassland MG9, Festuca rubra-Agrostis stolonifera-Potentilla anserina grassland MG11) and one Upland Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, U4 were identified which in general, exhibited good fit with the typical NVC units.

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Problem discussion – we identified the gap concerning the lack of researches in exploring the impacts of both business and social networks in B2B companies’ internationalization process based on the network model proposed by Johanson and Mattsson (1988), especially taking the Chinese environmental factors into consideration. Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore the importance of environmental factors and networks for B2B companies to internationalize into the Chinese market. Methodology – The thesis adopts the abductive approach and employs a qualitative research strategy. In order to obtain relevant information, multiple case study is chosen. The primary data are collected through semi-structured interviews with three Swedish B2B companies. Secondary data such as scientific articles, reports and books are also used in this thesis. Findings – Firstly, this thesis concludes that B2B companies’ business activities in internationalization process in China are influenced by four environmental factors: cultural, legal, economic and political factor. Secondly, business networks have impacts on the process of international extension, penetration and international integration, whereas the impacts of social networks are clearer in the phase of penetration. Thirdly, in China, there is no clear distinction between business- and social networks, but the building of trust is important in developing networks. Besides, B2B companies have to rely on their local employees when utilizing Guanxi in business activities. Managerial Implications – The managers should not only focus on the advantages, but also constantly perceive the risks in the Chinese market. Besides, managers could also take specific advantages of their Chinese employees’ social networks. Furthermore, managers should connect and coordinate the networks in different countries. Finally, managers could rely on their local employees to utilize Guanxi in business interactions. Theoretical Contribution – Firstly, this thesis identifies four key market environmental factors and their impacts for companies’ business activities in the Chinese market. Secondly, this thesis contributes to Johanson and Mattsson’s (1988) network approach by elaborating on the impacts of both business- and social networks in the three phases respectively. Thirdly, this thesis proposes a new conceptualized model that provides a deeper understanding and a clearer demonstration of the importance of environmental factors and networks when firms internationalize into global markets. Limitations – The results of this thesis might be limited to generalize to all kinds of market segments or industries. Moreover, in this thesis, the impacts of social networks are only identified in the phase of penetration. Keywords - Internationalization process, B2B companies, Environmental factor, Business network, Social network, Network approach, Impacts of network, the Chinese market

<p>Introduction: Among the Asia Pacific markets, Vietnam is the fastest growing market. However, despite the high growth, the competition in Vietnam is stiff as the main competitor as Unilever, L’Oreal, Johnson & Johnson and P&G occupy the market. Therefore, cosmetic company need effective marketing plan to cope with strong competition.</p><p>Problem Statement: “How can cosmetic companies successfully plan a marketing strategy in the Vietnamese cosmetic market for its skin care product line?”</p><p>Purpose: To study (1) Market’s environment which includes economic, legal, and culture aspects; (2) Market’s Competition which includes marketing strategy of existing cosmetic companies; and (3) Consumers’ demands which contains demographic, psychographic elements and marketing mix.</p><p>Research tools: Interview, field study and secondary data</p><p>Finding & analysis: The market environment in Vietnam in term of economic, legal and culture is favorable. The consumers demand in skin care products of the Vietnamese is increasing. However, the competition is high. Therefore, the newcomer should be competitor oriented.</p><p>Recommendation: However, there are some sections that are less competitive: (1) low price moisturizing, (2) low price acne products and (3) low-price, middle-price and high-price suncare products. The cosmetic company should design their marketing mix to serve this section.</p>

Introduction: Among the Asia Pacific markets, Vietnam is the fastest growing market. However, despite the high growth, the competition in Vietnam is stiff as the main competitor as Unilever, L’Oreal, Johnson &amp; Johnson and P&amp;G occupy the market. Therefore, cosmetic company need effective marketing plan to cope with strong competition. Problem Statement: “How can cosmetic companies successfully plan a marketing strategy in the Vietnamese cosmetic market for its skin care product line?” Purpose: To study (1) Market’s environment which includes economic, legal, and culture aspects; (2) Market’s Competition which includes marketing strategy of existing cosmetic companies; and (3) Consumers’ demands which contains demographic, psychographic elements and marketing mix. Research tools: Interview, field study and secondary data Finding &amp; analysis: The market environment in Vietnam in term of economic, legal and culture is favorable. The consumers demand in skin care products of the Vietnamese is increasing. However, the competition is high. Therefore, the newcomer should be competitor oriented. Recommendation: However, there are some sections that are less competitive: (1) low price moisturizing, (2) low price acne products and (3) low-price, middle-price and high-price suncare products. The cosmetic company should design their marketing mix to serve this section.

Significant warming of Arctic and northern regions is ongoing and may greatly alter the carbon cycle of these regions. During the International Polar Year, an extensive study was carried out in the Eastern Canadian subarctic and Arctic in order to characterize CO2 and CH4 exchanges from these potentially sensitive ecosystems. The main objectives of this study were to identify the land cover and environmental factors leading to greatest CO2 and CH4 emissions in a highly heterogeneous subarctic landscape, to quantify interannual variability in the net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE) in subarctic forest tundra and investigate the weather conditions that increase net uptake of CO2, and finally, to evaluate the general trends of mid-summer NEE along a latitudinal gradient spanning from 55° to the 72° north. At the landscape level, CO2 and CH4 exchanges showed large variability. Although CH4 emissions were greatest in wetlands, their areal coverage is small in the Kuujuarapik area and limited the influence of these CH4 sources. At the ecosystem level, large-scale atmospheric processes controlled growing season length and cumulative growing degree days which greatly influenced annual and seasonal NEE trends. The subarctic forest tundra near Kuujuarapik was a net source of CO2 in all 3 study years but the source strength was least with the greatest growing degree days while the length of the snow-free period appeared to be less important. Across a latitudinal gradient covering subarctic forest tundra to Arctic tundra, variations in summer NEE could be linked to surface organic carbon content with higher net CO2 uptake at sites with greater soil organic carbon. Warmer days tended to correlate with smaller daily net CO2 uptake (or greater net CO2 losses) but overall, warmer growing seasons reduced the net losses of CO2 on an annual basis. Carbon fluxes in Eastern Canadian subarctic and Arctic regions are highly variable in space and time but these observations help establish a baseline for future examinations of how these carbon exchanges may change with further warming.

Some previously described environmental associations for atopic eczema may be due to reverse causation. We explored the role of reverse causation by comparing individual- and school-level results for multiple atopic eczema risk factors. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (i.e, ISAAC) Phase Three surveyed children in schools (the sampling unit) regarding atopic eczema symptoms and potential risk factors. We assessed the effect of these risk factors on atopic eczema symptoms using mixed-effect logistic regression models, first with individual-level exposure data and second with school-level exposure prevalence. Overall, 546,348 children from 53 countries were included. At ages 6–7 years, the strongest individual-level associations were with current paracetamol use (odds ratio [OR] = 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37–1.54), which persisted at school-level (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.10–2.21), early-life antibiotics (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.34–1.48), and early-life paracetamol use (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.21–1.36), with the former persisting at the school level, whereas the latter was no longer observed (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.00–1.82 and OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.69–1.28, respectively). At ages 13–14 years, the strongest associations at the individual level were with current paracetamol use (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.51–1.63) and open-fire cooking (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.33–1.62); both were stronger at the school level (OR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.84–3.59 and OR = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.52–3.73, respectively). Association with exposure to heavy traffic (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.27–1.36) also persisted at the school level (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.07–1.82). Most individual- and school-level effects were consistent, tending to exclude reverse causation. / Revisión por pares

A extração de produtos florestais é uma estratégia de sustento importante para populações que vivem próximas a remanescentes de florestas tropicais. Entre estes produtos, a carne silvestre é fonte importante de proteína e renda monetária. A sobreçaca, no entanto, pode levar à extinção local de espécies, comprometendo a integridade das florestas tropicais e o sustento de populações humanas. Como consequência, pode também levar à diminuição do valor atribuído às florestas pelos moradores, incentivando a sua conversão a outras formas de uso da terra. Sabe-se que fatores econômicos, como renda monetária e riqueza, são determinantes importantes da caça e do consumo de carne silvestre. Porém, tem sido sugerido que o efeito destes indicadores econômicos dependa do contexto ambiental - em especial, a cobertura florestal, associada à disponibilidade de animais para caça e a distância ao centro urbano, associada ao acesso a outras fontes de renda e proteína - e do contexto cultural, em particular, a região de origem dos moradores. No entanto, estudos prévios não consideraram todos estes fatores simultaneamente. Além disso, pouco ainda se sabe sobre qual o valor atribuído às florestas por populações rurais e sua relação com a caça e o consumo de carne silvestre. Através de questionários estruturados aplicados por meio de entrevista à população rural de uma região extensa e heterogênea na Amazônia oriental, esta tese teve como objetivos investigar: (i) o efeito de fatores ambientais em maior escala como determinantes da caça e do consumo de carne silvestre (Capítulo 1); (ii) a importância relativa e as interações entre fatores em escalas distintas - econômicos, culturais e ambientais - na determinação da caça e do consumo de carne silvestre (Capítulo 2) e; (iii) se a caça e o consumo de carne silvestre, bem como o desmatamento, que pode comprometer esse recurso, estão associados à percepção do valor das florestas (Capítulo 3). No Capítulo 1, os resultados indicam que fatores ambientais são determinantes mais importantes da caça do que do consumo de carne silvestre, que é mais frequente que a caça, sugerindo a relevância do compartilhamento e/ou comércio como formas de obtenção de carne silvestre. Enquanto o consumo de carne de silvestre foi um pouco mais frequente em áreas remotas e mais florestadas, a caça foi mais frequente em áreas mais florestadas, mas também em áreas mais próximas a centros urbanos. Assim, os resultados sugerem que é improvável que a pressão de caça diminua com a crescente migração para áreas urbanas que hoje se observa na Amazônia. O Capítulo 2 traz evidências de que o consumo de carne silvestre, e principalmente a caça, dependem não só do contexto ambiental, mas também do cultural, e que os efeitos de indicadores econômicos dependem de fatores ambientais. A caça e o consumo de carne silvestre foram mais frequentes nas famílias de origem na região Amazônica, entre aqueles que dependem mais de atividades de subsistência, e ambos aumentaram com a renda monetária em áreas próximas a centros urbanos e/ou menos florestadas, mas diminuíram com a renda monetária em áreas remotas e/ou florestadas. Isto sugere que o sucesso de intervenções econômicas que visem tanto à redução da pobreza quanto à conservação da biodiversidade depende do contexto ambiental, e é muito mais provável em áreas mais florestadas e remotas. Os resultados do Capítulo 3 indicam que a quantidade de carne silvestre consumida influencia positivamente a percepção do valor utilitário da floresta, enquanto que a quantidade de florestas remanescentes no entorno influencia positivamente a percepção de seu valor intrínseco. Assim, para além de estratégias que visem o bem-estar humano via incentivos econômicos, há oportunidade para iniciativas que considerem outros aspectos do bem-estar associados aos serviços providos pela floresta - sejam recursos como a carne silvestre ou benefícios culturais e estéticos. Ao mesmo tempo, os resultados apontam o potencial de um perigoso ciclo de desvalorização da floresta, em que o desmatamento leva a diminuição da percepção do seu valor, que, por sua vez, pode agravar o desmatamento, indicando a urgência de investimentos em iniciativas de conservação nas paisagens mais alteradas / The extraction of forest products is an important livelihood strategy for human populations living in and around tropical forest remnants. Among these products, bushmeat is an important source of protein and monetary income. However, overhunting can lead to local species extinction, compromising the integrity of tropical forests and the livelihoods of human populations. As a consequence, it can also lead to a decrease in the value local people attribute to forests, further promoting land conversion. It is well known that economic factors, such as monetary income and asset-wealth, are important drivers of bushmeat hunting and consumption. However, it has been suggested that the effect of economic factors depend on the environmental context - especially forest cover, associated with game availability, and distance to urban centers, associated with alternative sources of protein and income - and on the cultural context, particularly the region of origin of residents. Nevertheless, previous studies did not consider all these factors simultaneously. In addition, little is known about the value attributed to forests by rural populations and its association with bushmeat hunting and consumption. Using questionnaire-based interviews with the rural population of a wide heterogeneous region in eastern Amazonia, this thesis aimed at investigating (i) the effects of large-scale environmental factors as drivers of bushmeat hunting and consumption (Chapter 1); (ii) the relative importance and interactions between factors at different scales - economic, cultural and environmental - in driving bushmeat hunting and consumption (Chapter 2) and; (iii) whether bushmeat hunting and consumption, as well as deforestation, which may compromise this resource, are associated with the perception of forest values (Chapter 3). In Chapter 1, the results indicate that environmental factors are more important drivers of hunting than of bushmeat consumption, which is widespread, suggesting significant bushmeat sharing and/ or trading. While bushmeat consumption was slightly more likely in remote and more forested areas, hunting was more likely in more forested areas but also in areas closer to urban centers. These results suggest that hunting pressure is unlikely to decrease with the increasing migration to urban areas nowadays observed in the Amazon. Chapter 2 brings evidences that bushmeat consumption, and especially hunting, depend not only on the environmental context but also on the cultural context, and that the effects of economic variables depend on environmental factors. Bushmeat hunting and consumption were more likely in households with Amazonian origin, with greater reliance on subsistence activities and both increased with monetary income in less remote and/or less forested areas, but decreased with monetary income in more remote and/or more forested areas. This result suggests that the success of economic interventions aiming at both poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation depend on the environmental context, and is more likely in more forested and remote areas. The results of Chapter 3 indicate that the amount of consumed bushmeat positively influences the perception of forest instrumental value, while forest cover in the surroundings positively influences the perception of forest intrinsic value. These results suggest that, beyond strategies that aim at human well-being through economic incentives, there is opportunity for initiatives that consider other aspects of well-being associated with services provided by forests - whether resources such as bushmeat or cultural and aesthetic benefits. At the same time, the results suggest the potential for a dangerous reinforcing cycle of forest depreciation, in which deforestation erodes perceptions of forest values, which may in turn facilitate further deforestation, indicating the urgent need to invest in conservation initiatives in more altered landscapes

A extração de produtos florestais é uma estratégia de sustento importante para populações que vivem próximas a remanescentes de florestas tropicais. Entre estes produtos, a carne silvestre é fonte importante de proteína e renda monetária. A sobreçaca, no entanto, pode levar à extinção local de espécies, comprometendo a integridade das florestas tropicais e o sustento de populações humanas. Como consequência, pode também levar à diminuição do valor atribuído às florestas pelos moradores, incentivando a sua conversão a outras formas de uso da terra. Sabe-se que fatores econômicos, como renda monetária e riqueza, são determinantes importantes da caça e do consumo de carne silvestre. Porém, tem sido sugerido que o efeito destes indicadores econômicos dependa do contexto ambiental - em especial, a cobertura florestal, associada à disponibilidade de animais para caça e a distância ao centro urbano, associada ao acesso a outras fontes de renda e proteína - e do contexto cultural, em particular, a região de origem dos moradores. No entanto, estudos prévios não consideraram todos estes fatores simultaneamente. Além disso, pouco ainda se sabe sobre qual o valor atribuído às florestas por populações rurais e sua relação com a caça e o consumo de carne silvestre. Através de questionários estruturados aplicados por meio de entrevista à população rural de uma região extensa e heterogênea na Amazônia oriental, esta tese teve como objetivos investigar: (i) o efeito de fatores ambientais em maior escala como determinantes da caça e do consumo de carne silvestre (Capítulo 1); (ii) a importância relativa e as interações entre fatores em escalas distintas - econômicos, culturais e ambientais - na determinação da caça e do consumo de carne silvestre (Capítulo 2) e; (iii) se a caça e o consumo de carne silvestre, bem como o desmatamento, que pode comprometer esse recurso, estão associados à percepção do valor das florestas (Capítulo 3). No Capítulo 1, os resultados indicam que fatores ambientais são determinantes mais importantes da caça do que do consumo de carne silvestre, que é mais frequente que a caça, sugerindo a relevância do compartilhamento e/ou comércio como formas de obtenção de carne silvestre. Enquanto o consumo de carne de silvestre foi um pouco mais frequente em áreas remotas e mais florestadas, a caça foi mais frequente em áreas mais florestadas, mas também em áreas mais próximas a centros urbanos. Assim, os resultados sugerem que é improvável que a pressão de caça diminua com a crescente migração para áreas urbanas que hoje se observa na Amazônia. O Capítulo 2 traz evidências de que o consumo de carne silvestre, e principalmente a caça, dependem não só do contexto ambiental, mas também do cultural, e que os efeitos de indicadores econômicos dependem de fatores ambientais. A caça e o consumo de carne silvestre foram mais frequentes nas famílias de origem na região Amazônica, entre aqueles que dependem mais de atividades de subsistência, e ambos aumentaram com a renda monetária em áreas próximas a centros urbanos e/ou menos florestadas, mas diminuíram com a renda monetária em áreas remotas e/ou florestadas. Isto sugere que o sucesso de intervenções econômicas que visem tanto à redução da pobreza quanto à conservação da biodiversidade depende do contexto ambiental, e é muito mais provável em áreas mais florestadas e remotas. Os resultados do Capítulo 3 indicam que a quantidade de carne silvestre consumida influencia positivamente a percepção do valor utilitário da floresta, enquanto que a quantidade de florestas remanescentes no entorno influencia positivamente a percepção de seu valor intrínseco. Assim, para além de estratégias que visem o bem-estar humano via incentivos econômicos, há oportunidade para iniciativas que considerem outros aspectos do bem-estar associados aos serviços providos pela floresta - sejam recursos como a carne silvestre ou benefícios culturais e estéticos. Ao mesmo tempo, os resultados apontam o potencial de um perigoso ciclo de desvalorização da floresta, em que o desmatamento leva a diminuição da percepção do seu valor, que, por sua vez, pode agravar o desmatamento, indicando a urgência de investimentos em iniciativas de conservação nas paisagens mais alteradas / The extraction of forest products is an important livelihood strategy for human populations living in and around tropical forest remnants. Among these products, bushmeat is an important source of protein and monetary income. However, overhunting can lead to local species extinction, compromising the integrity of tropical forests and the livelihoods of human populations. As a consequence, it can also lead to a decrease in the value local people attribute to forests, further promoting land conversion. It is well known that economic factors, such as monetary income and asset-wealth, are important drivers of bushmeat hunting and consumption. However, it has been suggested that the effect of economic factors depend on the environmental context - especially forest cover, associated with game availability, and distance to urban centers, associated with alternative sources of protein and income - and on the cultural context, particularly the region of origin of residents. Nevertheless, previous studies did not consider all these factors simultaneously. In addition, little is known about the value attributed to forests by rural populations and its association with bushmeat hunting and consumption. Using questionnaire-based interviews with the rural population of a wide heterogeneous region in eastern Amazonia, this thesis aimed at investigating (i) the effects of large-scale environmental factors as drivers of bushmeat hunting and consumption (Chapter 1); (ii) the relative importance and interactions between factors at different scales - economic, cultural and environmental - in driving bushmeat hunting and consumption (Chapter 2) and; (iii) whether bushmeat hunting and consumption, as well as deforestation, which may compromise this resource, are associated with the perception of forest values (Chapter 3). In Chapter 1, the results indicate that environmental factors are more important drivers of hunting than of bushmeat consumption, which is widespread, suggesting significant bushmeat sharing and/ or trading. While bushmeat consumption was slightly more likely in remote and more forested areas, hunting was more likely in more forested areas but also in areas closer to urban centers. These results suggest that hunting pressure is unlikely to decrease with the increasing migration to urban areas nowadays observed in the Amazon. Chapter 2 brings evidences that bushmeat consumption, and especially hunting, depend not only on the environmental context but also on the cultural context, and that the effects of economic variables depend on environmental factors. Bushmeat hunting and consumption were more likely in households with Amazonian origin, with greater reliance on subsistence activities and both increased with monetary income in less remote and/or less forested areas, but decreased with monetary income in more remote and/or more forested areas. This result suggests that the success of economic interventions aiming at both poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation depend on the environmental context, and is more likely in more forested and remote areas. The results of Chapter 3 indicate that the amount of consumed bushmeat positively influences the perception of forest instrumental value, while forest cover in the surroundings positively influences the perception of forest intrinsic value. These results suggest that, beyond strategies that aim at human well-being through economic incentives, there is opportunity for initiatives that consider other aspects of well-being associated with services provided by forests - whether resources such as bushmeat or cultural and aesthetic benefits. At the same time, the results suggest the potential for a dangerous reinforcing cycle of forest depreciation, in which deforestation erodes perceptions of forest values, which may in turn facilitate further deforestation, indicating the urgent need to invest in conservation initiatives in more altered landscapes

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