bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel approach for managing change in warehouse processes via integration of business process re-engineering and interval-valued hesitant fuzzy DEMATEL
Authors: Kalender Zeynep Tuğçe
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to present a new approach to managing process changes in uncertain conditions. The proposed approach is applied in one of the largest production companies in Turkey to manage the changes in their warehouse processes which formed after the merger.

Design/methodology/approach

In the model, interval-valued hesitant fuzzy the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (IVHF-DEMATEL) methodology is integrated into one of the most used BPR tools, change matrix. The main focus of the proposed model is to increase both flexibility and applicability in uncertain conditions. Thus, while the change matrix enables companies to be agile and responsive to changes, IVHF-DEMATEL provides a better way to continuously evaluate and determine critical processes, and strategies to align with evolving conditions.

Findings

Initial analysis revealed two major problems, the slowness of shipments caused by the increase in costs and the confusion in the organizational structure. However, the conventional methods fall short of effectively determination of critical objectives in terms of dealing with uncertainty. Therefore, a comprehensive roadmap for managing the change is developed with the integration of IVHF-DEMATEL and change matrix so that a successful transition is achieved.

Originality/value

It is believed that the study will contribute to the existing literature by providing a novel approach in which the IVHF-DEMATEL methodology is integrated into the change matrix. Also, the study provides a guideline for practical applications by presenting a step-by-step implementation of the model.
Analyzing the performance of hull and water jet propeller under mooring conditions: effects of shallow water depths and varying inflow speeds
Authors: Zhang Lingfei , Hou Longfeng , Tao Yihao
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Water jet propulsion is widely used in various military and civilian fields due to its advantages of simple structure and high propulsion efficiency. The process of mooring involves utilizing specially designed equipment to secure a ship at a designated berth. During the process of water jet propulsion, the single propeller operates within a complex and turbulent three-dimensional flow. Hence, studying the coupling between the water jet propeller and the hull is critical to comprehending the characteristics of the device and the distribution of the flow field in detail.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, we conducted computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based self-propulsion calculations to evaluate the interaction between the hull and the propeller. We subsequently analyzed the propeller's performance and the forces acting on the hull to understand how the presence or absence of the hull influenced the water jet propeller. Finally, we performed calculations and analysis of the cavitation characteristics of the coupling between the hull and the water jet propeller, considering different rotational speeds and water depths at the bottom of the pool.

Findings

The study demonstrated that the presence of the hull boundary layer under the hull-propeller coupling condition led to reduced uniformity of propeller inlet flow and lower efficiency of the propulsion pump. However, it also increased the bias toward low-flow conditions. Additionally, increasing the impeller speed led to a gradual increase in the cavitation volume within the water jet propeller, resulting in a gradual decrease in the propeller's performance.

Originality/value

This research provides the technical support required for effective design and operation of water jet propulsion systems. This paper involves studying and analyzing the performance and flow field of the coupling between the hull and propeller under mooring conditions with a specified hull model.
Exploring the link between principal instructional leadership and differentiated instruction in an understudied context: the role of teacher collaboration and self-efficacy
Authors: Hammad Waheed , Hilal Yara Yasser , Bellibaş Mehmet Şükrü
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Research has provided powerful evidence that what teachers do in the classroom matters most for the learning of students. Evidence also suggests that school leaders can make a significant difference to student learning via their influence on teachers' attitudes, beliefs and classroom practices. The purpose of this study was to examine if/how principal instructional leadership practices affect differentiated instruction in Omani schools, and understand the role that teacher collaboration and self-efficacy play in this dynamic.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze data collected from a sample of 496 teachers working in public schools in Muscat, Oman.

Findings

The findings revealed no direct association between principal instructional leadership and differentiated instruction. Instead, the effects of principal instructional leadership on differentiated instruction were achieved indirectly through the mediation of teacher collaboration and teacher self-efficacy. Collaboration was also found to have a positive influence on the teachers' self-efficacy beliefs.

Originality/value

The significance of this study stems from its relevance to the educational developments unfolding not only in Oman, but in the Gulf region at large. Recent reviews of educational administration and leadership research in the Gulf states indicate the scarcity of empirical research investigating the relationship between principal leadership and teacher practices. This is problematic as it creates a gap in our knowledge of the factors that can support ongoing school improvement initiatives in the region. More specifically, we expect our findings to guide current educational reforms aimed at raising education quality via promoting effective teaching and learning in Omani schools.
The impact of ethical accounting practices on financial reporting quality: the moderating role of religiosity
Authors: Koufie Samuel , Tetteh Lexis Alexander , Kwarteng Amoako , Fosu Richard Amankwa
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of ethical accounting practices on financial reporting quality by using the extended theory of planned behaviour (ETPB) and integrating religiosity as a moderating variable.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey method, data was obtained from 371 chartered accountants who were in good standing as of April 2023. The collected data were then analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between ethical accounting practices (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and ethical judgement) and financial reporting quality of accounting practitioners. Furthermore, a moderation test was conducted, which demonstrated that religiosity enhances the positive correlation between ethical accounting constructs (attitude, subjective norm and ethical judgement) and financial reporting.

Practical implications

Leading by example, top-level management should actively promote a culture of religiosity that prioritises integrity and adherence to financial reporting requirements.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the very few ethics studies in accounting that demonstrates that the application of the ETPB improves financial reporting quality in a context fraught with allegations of moral breaches by accountants.
Current clinical practice of Irish physiotherapists and occupational therapists in the assessment and treatment of spasticity in adults
Authors: Manning Deirdre , Campbell Mairead , Horgan Frances
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to understand the clinical practice of physiotherapists and occupational therapists in the Republic of Ireland in the assessment and treatment of spasticity in adults, to inform and improve spasticity management practice. This study also aims to describe therapists’ knowledge, confidence and perceived barriers in the management of spasticity.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross sectional survey design study was completed, and respondents were recruited through an online survey.

Findings

In total, 92 respondents from a wide range of clinical settings revealed there is considerable variation in services available nationally for adults presenting with spasticity. There were significant inconsistencies across all areas of practice. The majority of respondents (94%) did provide intervention to patients with spasticity, yet three quarters did not have access to a specialist spasticity clinic, and the majority (82%) did not feel they were providing sufficient treatment intensity for spasticity.

Originality/value

These findings provide a unique insight into the assessment and treatment practices of Irish physiotherapists and occupational therapists. These results demonstrate the need for further upskilling and specialist high-quality spasticity services nationally.
Dealing with intervening factors in the patient engagement
Authors: Saut Ana Maria , Ho Linda Lee , Berssaneti Fernando Tobal
Published: May 2024

Purpose

There is evidence that quality improvement projects developed with the participation of patients and family members are more likely to result in a sustainable change. To identify the intervening factors is an important step in promoting and supporting patient and family members’ engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was carried out with 90 hospitals. A total of 35 intervening factors were evaluated by the healthcare professionals from the quality area using a Likert scale. Factor analysis was applied to identify the relationship among the factors and cluster analysis and the standardized scores for each new latent variable were obtained to observe the association between them and hospitals profile. Cluster analysis allowed to group the hospitals with similar responses and to analyze whether there was any association with the profile of the institutions.

Findings

A total of ten intervening factors are identified: two in the financial dimension, five in the structural and three in the personal and cultural. The standardized scores of latent variables suggest that the financial factors could be affected by the hospital capacity. The structural factors could be impacted by the accreditation status, location (region) and administrative control (ownership). And the personal and cultural factors could be by the location and dominant organizational culture. All of factors are influenced by the performed quality management activities. The cluster analysis allowed the identification of three groups in the financial dimension, and four in the other two dimensions. Except for the accreditation status in the personal and cultural dimension, no evidence of association between the groups and the variables raised to characterize the profile of the hospitals was found.

Originality/value

The study contributed to identify the relationship among the intervening factors turning possible to simplify and reduce them more comprehensively than those originally identified in the literature and at the same time maintaining the representativeness of the original variables.
Movement and binding control strategy based on a new type of rebar-binding robot
Authors: Shen Dong Huan , Guo Shuai , Duan Hao , Ji Kehao , Jiang Haili
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The paper focuses on the issue of manual rebar-binding tasks in the construction industry, which are marked by high labor intensity, high costs and inefficient operations. The rebar-binding robots that are currently available are not fully mature. Most of them can only bind one or two nodes in one position, which leads to significant time wastage in movement. Based on a new type of rebar-binding robot, this paper aims to propose a new movement and binding control that reduces manpower and enhances efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The robot is combined with photoelectric sensors, travel switches and other sensors. It is supposed to move accurately and run in a limited area on the rebar mesh through logical judgment, speed control and position control. Machine vision is used by the robot to locate the rebar nodes and then adjusts the binding-gun position to ensure that multiple rebar nodes are bound sequentially.

Findings

By moving on the rebar mesh with accuracy, the robot meets the positioning accuracy requirements of the binding module, with experimental testing accuracy within 5 mm. Furthermore, its ability to bind four rebar nodes in one place results in a high efficiency and a binding effect that meets building standards.

Originality/value

The innovative design of the robot can adapt itself to the rebar mesh, move accurately to the target position and bind four nodes at that position, which reduces the number of movements on the mesh. Repetitive and heavy rebar-binding tasks can be efficiently completed by the robot, which saves human resources, reduces worker labor intensity and reduces construction overhead. It provides a more feasible and practical solution for using robots to bind rebar nodes.
Sustainable development goals disclosure and analyst forecast quality
Authors: Nicolò Giuseppe , Zampone Giovanni , Sannino Giuseppe , Polcini Paolo Tartaglia
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between corporate sustainable development goals (SDGs) disclosure and analyst forecast quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on a sample of 95 Italian-listed companies preparing the mandatory non-financial declaration (NFD) according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards over a five-year period (2017–2021), corresponding to an unbalanced sample of 438 observations. Analyst forecast quality was proxied by earnings forecast accuracy (FA) and earnings forecast dispersion (FD), built on data retrieved from the Refinitiv database. A manual content analysis was performed on NFDs to derive an SDG disclosure score (SDGD) for each sampled company.

Findings

This study provides empirical evidence suggesting that voluntary SDG disclosure matters to the capital market in that it helps enhance the information environment of companies, evidenced by improved analyst forecast quality. In particular, this study highlighted that SDG disclosure positively influences analyst FA while negatively affecting analyst FD.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on the Italian context, which has idiosyncratic characteristics regarding the structure of the financial market, the composition of corporate ownership and experience in non-financial reporting practices.

Practical implications

This study indicates to corporate managers that following GRI standards may represent the right way to better integrate SDG disclosure in corporate non-financial reports and increase the relevance of such information for investors and other capital market participants.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that empirically examines the association between SDG disclosure and analyst forecast quality.
The nexus of employees’ in-role and extra-role behaviour and customer service: the moderating role of gender
Authors: Attiogbe Esther Julia Korkor , Acquah Hannah , Asante Rejoice Esi , Sarpong Emelia
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper investigates the influence of employees’ extra-role and in-role behaviours on customer service alongside the moderating role of gender.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs the theory of behavioural intentions, cross-sectional survey design and quantitative approach to collect the data from 426 purposively sampled workers and customers of oil marketing companies. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation and the hierarchical regression model in SPSS.

Findings

The results indicate that employees’ extra-role behaviour has a significant positive effect on customer service while employees’ in-role behaviour has no significant effect on customer service. It is also established that gender of staff can significantly moderate the relationship between extra-role behaviour and customer service such that the behaviour of female staff has greater effect on customer service than their male counterparts. However, the gender of staff has no moderating effect on the relationship between in-role behaviour and customer service.

Practical implications

The findings imply that female staff should be allowed to directly engage customers more often than male staff to promote superior customer service. Managers should continuously improve upon the behaviour of employees through orientations, workshops and mentoring. Behaviour stimuli such as awards, appreciations and recognition for best workers would have to be encouraged to induce employees to act beyond their prescribed-roles.

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate how staff behaviours (in-role and extra-role) impact customer service, with gender of the employees as a moderator. This paper contributes to literature by empirically confirming the differential influence of employees’ extra role and in-role behaviours on customer service and the effectiveness of gender as a moderator on the relationship between extra-role behaviour and customer service from a developing country perspective and an industry where there is dearth of research.
Identifying rejuvenation strategies in micro tourism destinations: the case of Kaş
Authors: Aydın Birgül , Aksöz Emre Ozan
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This research paper aims to identify and provide insights into rejuvenation strategies in Kaş as a microtourism destination based on the views of stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The research utilizes a single-case design, applying an inductive approach to analyze data collected from semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data.

Findings

The inductive thematic analysis yields nine different main themes: product transformation, integrated sustainable development strategies, cooperation, promotion through the right channels, stable tourism policy, selective tourism strategy, tourism awareness, access to tourist movements and management and tools for monitoring the quality and sustainability of tourism.

Practical implications

This research offers practical recommendations for regional authorities, residents and business stakeholders to foster sustainable tourism development by addressing resource utilization and existing challenges in the rejuvenation of Kaş.

Originality/value

This research contributes to theory by addressing the lack of applied research on the rejuvenation process in micro-tourism destinations, using Kaş (Turkey) as a case study. It identifies and emphasizes the unique challenges in microdestinations, enhancing our understanding and filling a critical knowledge gap. The identified rejuvenation strategies in Kaş are positioned to serve as a model for similar destinations, emphasizing their distinctive characteristics and challenges.
Hard and soft governance mechanisms for large projects. A historical perspective
Authors: Giorgino Maria Cleofe , Barnabè Federico
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Drawing motivation from the greater exposure to uncertainty and condition changes that affect large projects due to their long lifecycle, this paper aims to investigate how the time factor affects the use of governance mechanisms to pursue the success of these projects.

Design/methodology/approach

To pursue its aim, the article applies the dichotomization between the hard and soft mechanisms of project governance to the analysis of a historical case study, whose findings are organized over the short, medium and long periods. The case selected is referred to the peculiar water system, made up of tunnels named “bottini,” that was in use in Siena (Italy) as the old aqueduct. Specifically, the study focuses on the project of expansion of this water system that was realized during the 14th century for the construction of the “Bottino maestro di Fontegaia.”

Findings

This article highlights the different relevance that, during the lifecycle of large projects, is assumed by hard and soft governance mechanisms, with the former having main relevance in a short and medium period, and the latter usually emerging in the medium period and, subsequently, playing a growing role for the project success in the long period.

Originality/value

The article contributes to the literature on large projects by providing novel insights about how the time factor impacts the governance of these projects. Furthermore, the case study, with its unique history, highlights the relevance of combining effectively the hard and the soft dimensions of project governance to pursue success.
Blocked out: reflections on the potential of intensive modes of teaching to enhance post-COVID-19 graduate employability in large-scale educational settings
Authors: Dixon Laura , Makin Valerie
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper explores the potential that block teaching offers to enhance employability in the context of large-scale classes. It suggests that block teaching, with its condensed structure, necessitates curriculum innovation, fosters participatory learning and peer-to-peer networking, and has been shown to increase student focus and enhance engagement and attainment, especially amongst diverse learners. As these are the same challenges that large-scale teaching faces, it is proposed that intensive modes of delivery could be scaled up in a way that may help to mitigate such problems as cohorts in business schools continue to increase in size.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on secondary research and provides an overview of literature that looks at block teaching, followed by that which explores the challenges of large-scale teaching contexts. It compares and contrasts the gaps in both to suggest a way that they could be combined.

Findings

The paper provides key insights into changes in the contemporary landscape of teaching within UK business schools, which have seen increasingly large cohorts and draws out the key strengths of intensive modes of delivery, which include helping students to time manage effectively, encouraging curriculum innovation and the creation of participatory learning opportunities as well as providing closer personal relationships between students and staff. Outlining some of the well-documented issues that can arise when teaching larger cohorts, the paper suggests that scaling up blocked delivery may offer a new way help to overcome them.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research approach, the research results are subject to generalisation. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions in large-scale teaching scenarios.

Practical implications

This paper includes implications for the development of innovative modes of teaching in the context of large cohorts, an experience that is increasingly common amongst British business schools and beyond.

Originality/value

This paper brings together two bodies of literature for the first time – that of intensive modes of teaching and that focuses on large-scale teaching contexts – for the first time to show how the former may help to overcome some of the key issues arising in the latter.
Augmented reality: the key to unlock customer engagement potential
Authors: Ganesan Muruganantham , Kumar B. Dinesh
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of customer perceptions of Augmented Reality (AR) attributes such as augmentation, interactivity and vividness on attitudes towards AR mobile apps, virtual product and behavioural intentions. Also, the mediation role of customer engagement in the effect of perceptions of AR attributes on attitudes and behavioural intentions is examined using the Theory of Interactive Media Effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a cross-sectional design. A total of 456 valid data were collected from the Millennials and Generation Z cohorts using purposive sampling. The conceptual framework was assessed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and Partial Least Squares-Multi Group Analysis (PLS-MGA).

Findings

The research revealed that customer perceptions of AR features such as augmentation, interactivity and vividness significantly influenced customer engagement, leading to favourable attitudes towards both the AR mobile app and the Virtual product as well as behavioural intentions. Furthermore, the study substantiates the role of customer engagement as a mediator in the relationship between customer perceptions of AR attributes and both attitudinal and behavioural outcomes.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to investigate the significance of perceived augmentation as an antecedent to customer engagement and the mediating role of customer engagement on the influence of perceptions of AR attributes on attitudinal and behavioural intention.
Performance management system components and the role of the management accountant
Authors: Bruesch Antje , Quinn Martin
Published: May 2024

Purpose

While extant research does mention performance management systems as antecedent to a management accountant’s role, and that there is tension between both, there is little detailed research. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the extent to which a performance management system interacts with the role of a management accountant.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a cross-sectional field study, using interviews with paired management accountants and operative managers in 16 multinational organisations in Germany. The perspectives of both management accountants and operative managers are analysed separately. The role episode model theoretically informs the study.

Findings

The findings reveal management accountants distinguish between three roles of scorekeeping, controlling and business support, similar to prior literature. By contrast, operating managers are concerned with the value-adding and non-value-adding character of activities and thus support a dichotomy of management accountants’ roles. Drawing upon the role episode model, this study elucidates the interplay between performance management systems and the roles of management accountants, which encompass both role-taking and role-making dynamics. Additionally, this study contributes to management control literature by operationalising the components of a performance management system framework and linking them to the role of management accountants, as proposed by role antecedents in previous literature. The study also uncovers factors influencing role-taking and role-making, alongside examining the repercussions of role consensus or conflict based on the interaction with the operating manager.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is subject to the normal limitations of case study research and generalisation. The findings may also be influenced by the cultural context of the study.

Originality/value

An updated role episode model is presented, highlighting further performance management systems’ components. The study also reveals factors enabling and/or inhibiting the management accountants’ business support role and the impact of role consensus/conflict.
A framework for business continuity management in a multiactor context
Authors: Hassel Henrik , Cedergren Alexander
Published: May 2024

Business continuity management (BCM) is an analytic process capable of fostering the resilience of critical societal functions. While previous research on BCM primarily has focused on its applications within individual organizations, today's modern society involves networks of interdependent actors collectively delivering these essential functions to end users. This necessitates an expansion of BCM to accommodate a multiactor context. Critical considerations that need to be addressed in multiactor BCM involve shared use of a common, finite resource by several actors, or situations where an alternative continuity solution is relied upon by more than one actor, but its capacity is insufficient for simultaneous use by all. The aim of this paper is to propose a framework for multiactor BCM. The framework expands upon existing ISO 22301 standards to outline how BCM can be approached for the multiactor context. It diverges from the conventional BCM approach conducted by individual actors and embraces a societal safety perspective, facilitating the definition of a common analytic focus and promoting high conceptual harmonization. While acknowledging potential practical barriers, the framework facilitates the connection of BCM efforts from different actors with minimal additional analytic efforts. The overarching goal of the framework is to provide increased understanding of the continuity of the multiactor system, specifically focusing on its ability to deliver the most critical products or services to end users. Based on this understanding, the aim is to identify ways to further improve the continuity, for example by identifying and ranking critical products or services, identifying resources or alternative continuity solutions that many actors depend on in delivering their critical products and services. Finally, the paper addresses lingering challenges and highlights success factors necessary for the effective application of the framework.
Racism in healthcare: We need to talk
Authors: Kehoe Vincent
Published: May 2024

In order to tackle racism in healthcare, it must be rooted out, carefully and mindfully, by all those who work in the field. Of late, there is much talk to enact institutional change; however, I believe there is a paucity of commentary to encourage individual responsibility. Here I present a personal experience which I believe illustrates a frequent occurrence whereby racism is falsely identified in a person. Given the obvious negative connotations associated with being a racist, the chance for further conversation to understand one another is denied. I call for a more personal call to action for each and every healthcare professional. I urge my colleagues to be mindful with the use of racist and to take a breath before presiding judgement. You might be surprised as to what you learn from other when they are given the chance.
Structure and composition of microbial communities in the water column from Southern Gulf of Mexico and detection of putative hydrocarbon‐degrading microorganisms
Authors: Valencia‐Agami Sonia S. , Cerqueda‐García Daniel , Gamboa‐Muñoz Abril M. , Aguirre‐Macedo M. Leopoldina , García‐Maldonado José Q.
Published: May 2024

This study assessed the bacterioplankton community and its relationship with environmental variables, including total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration, in the Yucatan shelf area of the Southern Gulf of Mexico. Beta diversity analyses based on 16S rRNA sequences indicated variations in the bacterioplankton community structure among sampling sites. PERMANOVA indicated that these variations could be mainly related to changes in depth (5 to 180 m), dissolved oxygen concentration (2.06 to 5.93 mg L−1), and chlorophyll‐a concentration (0.184 to 7.65 mg m3). Moreover, SIMPER and one‐way ANOVA analyses showed that the shifts in the relative abundances of Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus were related to changes in microbial community composition and chlorophyll‐a values. Despite the low TPH content measured in the studied sites (0.01 to 0.86 μL L−1), putative hydrocarbon‐degrading bacteria such as Alteromonas, Acinetobacter, Balneola, Erythrobacter, Oleibacter, Roseibacillus, and the MWH‐UniP1 aquatic group were detected. The relatively high copy number of the alkB gene detected in the water column by qPCR and the enrichment of hydrocarbon‐degrading bacteria obtained during lab crude oil tests exhibited the potential of bacterioplankton communities from the Yucatan shelf to respond to potential hydrocarbon impacts in this important area of the Gulf Mexico.
Metagenomic analysis of microbial consortia native to the Amazon, Highlands, and Galapagos regions of Ecuador with potential for wastewater remediation
Authors: Guadalupe Juan José , Pazmiño‐Vela Miguel , Pozo Gabriela , Vernaza Wendy , Ochoa‐Herrera Valeria , Torres Maria de Lourdes , Torres Andres F.
Published: May 2024

Native microbial consortia have been proposed for biological wastewater treatment, but their diversity and function remain poorly understood. This study investigated three native microalgae‐bacteria consortia collected from the Amazon, Highlands, and Galapagos regions of Ecuador to assess their metagenomes and wastewater remediation potential. The consortia were evaluated for 12 days under light (LC) and continuous dark conditions (CDC) to measure their capacity for nutrient and organic matter removal from synthetic wastewater (SWW). Overall, all three consortia demonstrated higher nutrient removal efficiencies under LC than CDC, with the Amazon and Galapagos consortia outperforming the Highlands consortium in nutrient removal capabilities. Despite differences in α‐ and β‐diversity, microbial species diversity within and between consortia did not directly correlate with their nutrient removal capabilities. However, all three consortia were enriched with core taxonomic groups associated with wastewater remediation activities. Our analyses further revealed higher abundances for nutrient removing microorganisms in the Amazon and Galapagos consortia compared with the Highland consortium. Finally, this study also uncovered the contribution of novel microbial groups that enhance wastewater bioremediation processes. These groups have not previously been reported as part of the core microbial groups commonly found in wastewater communities, thereby highlighting the potential of investigating microbial consortia isolated from ecosystems of megadiverse countries like Ecuador.
Harnessing large language models for coding, teaching and inclusion to empower research in ecology and evolution
Authors: Cooper Natalie , Clark Adam T. , Lecomte Nicolas , Qiao Huijie , Ellison Aaron M.
Published: May 2024

Large language models (LLMs) are a type of artificial intelligence (AI) that can perform various natural language processing tasks. The adoption of LLMs has become increasingly prominent in scientific writing and analyses because of the availability of free applications such as ChatGPT. This increased use of LLMs not only raises concerns about academic integrity but also presents opportunities for the research community. Here we focus on the opportunities for using LLMs for coding in ecology and evolution. We discuss how LLMs can be used to generate, explain, comment, translate, debug, optimise and test code. We also highlight the importance of writing effective prompts and carefully evaluating the outputs of LLMs. In addition, we draft a possible road map for using such models inclusively and with integrity.

LLMs can accelerate the coding process, especially for unfamiliar tasks, and free up time for higher level tasks and creative thinking while increasing efficiency and creative output. LLMs also enhance inclusion by accommodating individuals without coding skills, with limited access to education in coding, or for whom English is not their primary written or spoken language. However, code generated by LLMs is of variable quality and has issues related to mathematics, logic, non‐reproducibility and intellectual property; it can also include mistakes and approximations, especially in novel methods.

We highlight the benefits of using LLMs to teach and learn coding, and advocate for guiding students in the appropriate use of AI tools for coding. Despite the ability to assign many coding tasks to LLMs, we also reaffirm the continued importance of teaching coding skills for interpreting LLM‐generated code and to develop critical thinking skills.

As editors of MEE, we support—to a limited extent—the transparent, accountable and acknowledged use of LLMs and other AI tools in publications. If LLMs or comparable AI tools (excluding commonly used aids like spell‐checkers, Grammarly and Writefull) are used to produce the work described in a manuscript, there must be a clear statement to that effect in its Methods section, and the corresponding or senior author must take responsibility for any code (or text) generated by the AI platform.
Trichoderma harzianum enhances root biomass production and promotes lateral root growth of soybean and common bean under drought stress
Authors: Battaglia Marina E. , Martinez Sergio I. , Covacevich Fernanda , Consolo Verónica F.
Published: May 2024

Drought stress (DS) is one of the main environmental stresses that determines crop productivity. It has been estimated that DS depresses over 40%–60% of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production worldwide, respectively. Although different agronomic strategies are sometimes implemented, the current goal in sustainable agriculture could involve the inoculation with native microorganisms to mitigate DS effects. A potential fungal candidate is Trichoderma, which is recognized as a ubiquitous soil inhabitant with growth‐promoting and biocontrol potentiality. However, its potential for mitigating the stress for water deficit is less well‐documented. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of inoculation with native Trichoderma harzianum strains on soybean and common bean growth under contrasting conditions of water availability. Seeds were independently inoculated (or not) with IB‐J15 and IB‐363 strains, and plants were submitted to DS or were kept under optimal irrigation (well‐watered, WW). In both legumes, the most evident effect after being inoculated was the modification of plant root architecture, the increase in root area and the development of lateral roots in plants under WW and DS conditions. In soybean, both Trichoderma strains had a positive inoculation response, both fresh and dry root biomass increased under WW, and remarkably under DS conditions. The main effect was an increase of about 110% in root dry weight under WW and, about 330% in DS in plants inoculated with IB‐J15 strain, meanwhile, plants inoculated with IB‐363 increased root dry weight 60% in WW and 177% in DS conditions. Notably in soybean, the inoculation with both Trichoderma strains increased the root area more than 70% in both WW and DS conditions. Common beans inoculated with IB‐363 under WW conditions, reached a positive inoculation responsiveness of around 247% in shoot dry weight biomass, and under WW both strains increased the root area more than 50%. Further, IB‐363 increased leaf area by 25% in WW and 72% in DS. Additionally, the in vitro co‐culture between both Trichoderma strains and nodulating Rhizobium etli and Bradyrhizobium japonicum E109 showed compatibility between microorganisms, since no inhibition of their growth was observed. We emphasize that plants inoculated with Trichoderma showed better resistance to water deficit, as seen by redistribution of photosynthates, prioritizing mainly, the development of the root system. © 2024 Association of Applied Biologists.
Population pharmacokinetic modelling and simulation of tranexamic acid in adult trauma patients
Authors: Stitt Gideon , Spinella Philip C. , Bochicchio Grant V. , Roberts Ian , Downes Kevin J. , Zuppa Athena F.
Published: May 2024

Aims

The aim of this study is to describe the disposition of tranexamic acid (TXA) in adult trauma patients and derive a dosing regimen that optimizes exposure based on a predefined exposure target.

Methods

We performed a population pharmacokinetic (popPK) analysis of participants enrolled in the Tranexamic Acid Mechanisms and Pharmacokinetics in Traumatic Injury (TAMPITI) trial (≥18 years with traumatic injury, given ≥1 blood product and/or requiring immediate transfer to the operating room) who were randomized to a single dose of either 2 or 4 g of TXA ≤2 h from time of injury. PopPK analysis was conducted using nonlinear mixed‐effects modelling (NONMEM). Simulations were then performed using the final model to generate estimated plasma TXA concentrations in 1000 simulated participants. Dosing schemes were evaluated to determine maintenance of TXA plasma concentrations >10 mg/L for ≥8 h after administration of the initial dose.

Results

TXA PK was best described by a two‐compartment model with proportional residual error and allometric scaling on all parameters. Platelet count, skeletal muscle oxygen saturation measured by near‐infrared spectroscopy and interleukin‐8 concentration were significant covariates on TXA clearance. Based on simulations, a 2 g IV bolus dose, repeated 3 h later, best achieved the target exposure.

Conclusions

According to simulations from a popPK model of TXA, a 2 g IV bolus with a repeated dose 3 h later would be most likely to maintain concentrations >10 mg/L for 8 h in >95% of adult trauma patients and should be considered for patients with ongoing haemorrhage.
How mothers talk to their children about failure, mistakes and setbacks is related to their children's fear of failure
Authors: Peterson Elizabeth R. , Sharma Tanvi , Bird Amy , Henderson Annette M. E. , Ramgopal Varun , Reese Elaine , Morton Susan M. B.
Published: May 2024

Background

Many people fear failure and making mistakes. This fear can be transmitted from parents to children, suggesting that parental communication regarding failures and setbacks may play a critical role in shaping a child's perception of mistakes.

Aims

In this study, we investigated how everyday parent‐child conversations about setbacks influence children's fear of making mistakes.

Sample

Drawing on the large pre‐birth Growing Up in New Zealand cohort, we focused on a sub‐sample of 231 mother‐child dyads who engaged in a recorded conversations about a "recent disappointment or setback" when the children were 8 years old.

Method

Conversations between mothers and children about the recent disappointments were coded to identify whether parents recognised or acknowledge their child's emotional response, if action plans were discussed, and the types of resources that the child could draw on. The children also completed a questionnaire about their global self‐worth and their fear of making mistakes.

Results and Conclusions

The discussion of clear action plans, in the absence of a discussion about collaborative resources, was found to be associated with an increased fear of making mistakes among children. Conversely, when mothers clearly acknowledged their child's emotions and discussed ways to work collaboratively with their child on future problems, there was a notable decrease in the child's fear of mistakes. However, it is noteworthy that many mothers in our study either minimally acknowledged or dismissed their child's emotions(40%), rarely discussed action plans (55%), or collaborative resources (79%)when discussing the recent setback.
Quantifying farm sustainability through the lens of ecological theory
Authors: Storkey Jonathan , Maclaren Chloe , Bullock James M. , Norton Lisa R. , Redhead John W. , Pywell Richard F.
Published: May 2024

The achievements of the Green Revolution in meeting the nutritional needs of a growing global population have been won at the expense of unintended consequences for the environment. Some of these negative impacts are now threatening the sustainability of food production through the loss of pollinators and natural enemies of crop pests, the evolution of pesticide resistance, declining soil health and vulnerability to climate change. In the search for farming systems that are sustainable both agronomically and environmentally, alternative approaches have been proposed variously called ‘agroecological’, ‘conservation agriculture’, ‘regenerative’ and ‘sustainable intensification’. While the widespread recognition of the need for more sustainable farming is to be welcomed, this has created etymological confusion that has the potential to become a barrier to transformation. There is a need, therefore, for objective criteria to evaluate alternative farming systems and to quantify farm sustainability against multiple outcomes. To help meet this challenge, we reviewed the ecological theories that explain variance in regulating and supporting ecosystem services delivered by biological communities in farmland to identify guiding principles for management change. For each theory, we identified associated system metrics that could be used as proxies for agroecosystem function. We identified five principles derived from ecological theory: (i) provide key habitats for ecosystem service providers; (ii) increase crop and non‐crop habitat diversity; (iii) increase edge density: (iv) increase nutrient‐use efficiency; and (v) avoid extremes of disturbance. By making published knowledge the foundation of the choice of associated metrics, our aim was to establish a broad consensus for their use in sustainability assessment frameworks. Further analysis of their association with farm‐scale data on biological communities and/or ecosystem service delivery would provide additional validation for their selection and support for the underpinning theories.
Immediate versus early loading of immediately placed bone‐level tapered dental implants with hydrophilic surface in full arch maxillary rehabilitation: A pilot randomized clinical trial with 2‐year follow‐up
Authors: Marković Aleksa , Todorović Ana , Glišić Mirko , Marković Jovana , Ilić Branislav , Janjić Bojan , Mišić Tijana , Trifković Branka , Vučić Uroš , Šćepanović Miodrag , Dard Michel M.
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to compare implant stabilities between the immediate and early loaded, immediately placed bone‐level tapered dental implants in the maxilla and to evaluate marginal bone loss (MBL), oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL), and patient satisfaction at a 2‐year follow‐up. A pilot, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted on 24 maxillary failing dentition patients. The bone‐level tapered implants of 12 patients were immediately loaded with temporary restorations, while the other 12 patients did not receive any kind of temporization. Implant‐supported screw‐retained complete porcelain‐fused‐to‐metal prostheses were delivered to all patients in the seventh postoperative week. The insertion torque values of implants assigned to the immediate and early loading groups were 33.0 ± 4.87 and 29.26 ± 8.31 Ncm, respectively. The dynamics of implant stability changes from implant placement up to a 2‐year follow‐up were similar for both groups (Penguin®, p = 0.268; Ostell®, p = 0.552), while the MBL was at submillimeter level. The cumulative implant survival rate was 91.80% for immediately loaded implants and 97.22% for early loaded implants, without significant difference (p = 0.162). The total score on the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire significantly decreased over time in both groups, indicating improvement in OHRQoL (p < 0.001), and the high level of patient satisfaction remained after 2 years of function regardless of a loading protocol. Both loading protocols, immediate and early, of six immediately placed bone‐level tapered dental implants are an adequate treatment choice for fixed rehabilitation of the maxillary failing dentition.