Management Activities Research Articles

Telework experience, frequency, and knowledge management during COVID-19 in Japan and the United States

Purpose This study investigates the relationship between telework frequency and knowledge management (KM) activity in Japan and the USA. By examining how telework impacts KM activity differently across these two countries, this study aims to provide insights into the design and implementation of effective telework policies tailored to specific cultural contexts. Design/methodology/approach Linear and quadratic regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between telework frequency and KM activity. Data was collected from samples in Japan and the USA, with respondents categorized based on prior telework experience. Various KM activities such as knowledge acquisition, sharing and application were measured using established scales. Findings In Japan, an inverted U-shaped relationship between telework frequency and KM activity was observed, with optimal activity occurring at four days of telework per week. Conversely, the USA demonstrated a linear relationship, indicating sustained KM activity across different telework frequencies. Notably, individuals with prior telework experience showed higher levels of KM activity compared to those without experience. Originality/value This study contributes to the understanding of how cultural differences influence the relationship between telework and KM activity, and ultimately learning. By highlighting the nuanced patterns observed in Japan and the USA, it emphasizes the importance of tailored telework policies and support mechanisms for effective KM in diverse cultural contexts. Future research could further explore additional explanatory variables and their impact on telework-related outcomes.

Comparison of translation algorithms in determining maximum allowable CTV shifts for Real-Time Gated Proton Therapy (RGPT) robustness evaluation in prostate cancers.

Real-Time Gated Proton Therapy (RGPT) is an active motion management technique that utilizes treatment gating and tumor tracking via fiducial markers. When performing RGPT treatment for prostate cancer, it is essential to account for the CTV displacement relative to the body in the clinical workflow. The workflow at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) includes bone matching via CT-CBCT images, followed by fiducial matching via pulsed fluoroscopy (soft tissue matching), and finally, a robustness evaluation procedure to determine if the difference is within an allowable tolerance. In this study, we compare two CTV translation methods for robustness evaluation: (1) an in-house translation algorithm and (2) the RayStation "simulate organ motion" Deformable image registration (DIR) algorithm. Nine RGPT prostate patient plans with CTV volumes ranging from 17.1 to 96.72 cm2 were included in this study. An in-house translation algorithm and "simulate organ motion" DIR RayStation algorithm were used to generate CTV shifts along R-L, I-S, and P-A axes between 10mm at 2mm steps. At each step, dose metrics, which include CTV Dmax, CTV D95%, and CTV D98%, were extracted and used as comparative metrics for CTV target coverage and hot spot evaluation. Across all axes, there were no statistically significant differences between the two algorithms for all three dose metrics: CTV Dmax (P=0.92, P=0.91, and P=0.47), CTV D95% (P=0.97, P=0.22, and P=0.33), and CTV D98% (P=0.85, P=0.33, and P=0.36). Further, the in-house translation algorithm evaluation time was less than 10s, two orders of magnitude faster than the DIR algorithm. Our results demonstrate that the simpler in-house algorithm performs equivalently to the realistic DIR algorithm when simulating CTV motion in prostate cancers. Furthermore, the in-house algorithm completes the robustness evaluation two orders of magnitude faster than the DIR algorithm. This significant reduction in evaluation time is crucial especially when preparatory time efficiency is of paramount importance in a busy clinic.

Gaps in legislation and communication identified as stakeholders reflect on 30×30 policy in Icelandic waters

Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs) recognize that various forms of management actions can contribute to biodiversity conservation. OECMs have been criticized for ambiguity, lack of criteria for evaluation and, thereby, inconsistent implementation. Nevertheless, many coastal states aim to evaluate current management actions as candidates for OECMs and count them toward numerical biodiversity conservation goals. Successful implementation requires careful examination of biodiversity benefits and estimation of the social impacts of such actions. There are numerous fisheries restricted areas within the Icelandic Exclusive Economic Zone, some with designated biodiversity conservation goals, whereas the Icelandic Act of Nature Conservation (60/2913) has rarely been used in marine waters. In the current study, complementary methods are used to broadly examine stakeholder views on the efficiency of current legislation, and future policy, to achieve numerical goals on biodiversity conservation. Despite documenting broad willingness of stakeholders to protect ocean space, gaps in legislation and communication are identified both through survey responses and in interviews with key informants. As a first study to document stakeholder perceptions on using fisheries legislation for the purpose of biodiversity conservation, the results have relevance for future policy on reporting fisheries legislation as OECMs, understanding stakeholder perceptions on different actions and, finally, to inform policy on stakeholder involvement, and outreach campaigns, as governments move forward to meet marine conservation goals.

Harmonising Terminology and Records of Plant Invasion Status Across Federally Managed Countries

Plant invasions are a major threat worldwide, posing significant ecological and economic threats. In federally managed countries—where policy implementation is divided among various jurisdictions under a central federal government—alien plant species pose an even more difficult challenge for management at the national scale due to the fragmented nature of information provided by independent jurisdictions. This has led to inconsistencies in the terminology used to describe species status along the introduction-naturalisation-invasion continuum and disparities in the classification reported by each jurisdiction. Such contrasting information impedes data interoperability at the national level, hampering efficient management and biosecurity actions. This highlights the urgent need for a harmonised framework to ensure data interoperability on biological invasions. Australia, with its rich endemism and federal structure, provides a robust case to harmonise disparate data sources. We first reviewed the different terminology frameworks proposed for biological invasions (either ecologically- or policy-based, emphasising, respectively, species' ability to overcome ecological barriers, and impact). We then integrated such frameworks to develop a harmonised framework of invasion terminology for Australia, while also considering the language used by states' Australian herbaria (Martín-Forés et al. 2024). To do so, we developed an R script to compare existing Australian data sources for vascular plant taxa, including the Australian Plant Census (APC), state and territory censuses, and the Australian Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (GRIIS). The script consists of a harmonised workflow that identifies mismatches in definitions and records among these sources, enabling us to propose prioritisation procedures to tackle these, and subsequently integrate information into a unified status for each species at the national scale (Martín-Forés et al. 2023b). The integration of these contrasting data culminated in the creation of a standardised dataset at the Australian national scale, the Alien Flora of Australia (AFA) (Martín-Forés et al. 2023a, Martín-Forés et al. 2023c). The AFA poses a significant advancement in the management of alien flora. The up-to-date information presented in the AFA can aid in early warning of species introduction, facilitate decision-making at various levels, and enhance national biosecurity. The associated script is ready to be implemented into new versions of the AFA with updated releases of any of the data sources, streamlining future efforts to track alien flora across Australia. The benefits of improving alien species data interoperability are numerous and far-reaching. Ensuring consistency in terminology and classification across jurisdictions is crucial for effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders and across different policy levels. Standardised data allow for more accurate monitoring and reporting of alien species, supporting the development of strategies at different jurisdictional levels for managing alien species, leading therefore to better-informed management decisions. Early detection and rapid response are critical components of effective biosecurity, and the AFA-harmonised dataset enables these actions by providing timely and accurate information at the Australian national scale. The implementation of the AFA and the associated R script represents a significant step forward in the harmonisation of data sources for detecting biological invasions in Australia. By ensuring consistency in terminology and classification, facilitating early detection and rapid response, and supporting collaborative efforts, harmonised data can enhance the effectiveness of management practices and facilitate conservation initiatives. However, this is just the beginning, as the workflows and script can be modified to suit any other federally managed country, alleviating the complex interplay of biosecurity regulations at different scales and among jurisdictions, enhancing the effectiveness of biosecurity measures. By adopting similar approaches, countries around the world can improve their capacity to manage alien species and protect their unique biodiversity. The model facilitates the sharing of information and best practices among jurisdictions within a given country, and among countries, thus fostering a collaborative approach to biosecurity both at national and international scales. Harmonising information on biological invasions also has important ecological implications, as alien species can disrupt ecosystems, outcompete native species, and alter habitat structure and function. By improving our ability to monitor and manage alien species, we can help protect biodiversity and maintain ecosystem services. Besides, the economic benefits are also significant, as alien species can cause substantial damage to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and other sectors, leading to costly control measures and economic losses. By providing a robust framework for data interoperability on biological invasions, we can reduce the economic impact of alien species by enabling synergies among jurisdictions, and therefore more efficient and targeted management efforts. Thus, harmonisation on biological invasions is crucial for effective biosecurity at the national and international levels. The creation of the AFA demonstrates the benefits of data interoperability, providing a model that can be adapted and implemented in other contexts.

Influence of stand characteristics and management activities on aboveground carbon storage in Japanese cedar and cypress plantations: Sustainable management implications

Tree plantations substantially sequester carbon in aboveground biomass and soil and serve as an alternative to forests in mitigating global warming. This study investigated the relationship between aboveground carbon and stand characteristics and management activities in two Japanese plantations (cedar and cypress) for their sustainable management viewpoint, which has not been studied before. Aboveground carbon stock ranged from 3.96 to 248.53 Mg C ha-1 in 9- to 188-year-old Japanese cedar and 7.09 to 119.17 Mg C ha-1 in 11- to 129-year-old Japanese cypress plantations. Annual aboveground carbon storage differed significantly between the two species. Aboveground carbon storage in Japanese cedar was affected by stand characteristics (e.g. soil moisture, electrical conductivity, soil texture especially sand and clay, site quality, and stem density) and management activities (e.g. initial silvicultural practices, stem exclusion practices, pest and wildlife management and land management). However, the same in Japanese cypress was affected by stand characteristics (e.g. soil moisture, electrical conductivity, soil texture especially sand, bulk density, site quality, stem density, and elevation) along with management activities (e.g. initial silvicultural practices, stem exclusion practices and land management). Therefore, continuous monitoring and periodic assessment of the stand characteristics and management activities may be taken into consideration in future policy-making decisions to promote aboveground carbon storage and climate change mitigation ability of these plantations in Japan on a sustained basis.

Psychometric properties of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire when used in early-career pharmacists with provisional registration

BackgroundThe Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) is a validated instrument used to explore participants’ perceptions of leadership and the Outcomes of leadership, participants’ evaluation of and satisfaction with leadership and willingness to put in extra effort. The factor structure of MLQ varies across studies. The aim was to explore the psychometric properties of the MLQ for early-career pharmacists rating their preceptor’s leadership. MethodsThe MLQ was administered to provisionally registered pharmacists during the final half of their 1 year of supervised practice. Confirmatory and Exploratory Factor Analysis (CFA & EFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were used to analyse the data. ResultsResponses were obtained from 430 participants (25% of all Australian pre-registration pharmacists at the time). CFA demonstrated that the original 9-factor model and a range of previously published models were poor fit for the data. EFA revealed that a good fit was a model with 4 factors named: Passive laissez-faire, Strategic visionary, Personalized, and Active management by exception. Passive laissez-faire and Active management by exception were consistent with previously published models. The Strategic visionary and Personalized factors were interpreted as 2 forms of transformational leadership that includes the provision of rewards depending on performance. A SEM of MLQ sub-scales predicting Outcomes of leadership explained 90.3% of variance. Personalized leadership was highly predictive (β = 0.743, P < 0.001) while the three other factors had negligible effects. ConclusionThe psychometric analyses demonstrated overlap of the original 9-factors. A more parsimonious 4-factor model fit the data well.

Information and Service Support of the Mechanism of Industry Functioning in the Single Digital Space

The functioning of industry in the context of the creation and development of a single digital space of the Russian economy requires the development of an appropriate mechanism, in which information and service support for the digitalization of business processes of industrial enterprises should play a key role. The purpose of this study is to build a model of the mechanism for the functioning of an industrial enterprise in a single digital space (hereinafter referred to as the SDS) as well as to characterize the information and service support for the control and governing functions of this mechanism. The categorical apparatus of the digital economy and digital technologies, methods of classification, comparative analysis, functional and systemic approaches were used as the methodological basis of the study. The results of the work were the construction of a conceptual model of the mechanism of functioning of an industrial enterprise in a single digital space, based on the principle of optimality and capable of adapting to the needs of a particular industrial enterprise, as well as the identification of the basic functions of the management activity of an industrial enterprise in the single digital space, and the characteristics of the information and service support mechanism, which is digital services (technologies) that ensure management activities and interaction of actors of the business ecosystem in the single digital space. The conclusions drawn from the results of the study can be applied in practice by the management of companies when developing their own mechanism and strategy for digitalizing business processes in order to increase the efficiency of functioning in the single digital space industry.

Commentary to Does Vesicoureteric Reflux diagnosed following prenatal urinary tract dilatation need active management? A narrative review

Commentary to Does Vesicoureteric Reflux diagnosed following prenatal urinary tract dilatation need active management? A narrative review

Doping-Engineered Piezoelectric Ultrathin Nanosheets for Synergistically Piezo-Chemocatalytic Antitumor and Antibacterial Therapies Against Cutaneous Melanoma.

The post-surgical melanoma recurrence and wound infections have persistently troubled clinical management. Piezocatalytic therapy features high efficiency in generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) for tumor therapy, but it faces limitations in piezoelectricity and redox-active site availability. Herein, Fe-doped ultrathin Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets (designated as Fe-UBTO NSs) with synergistically piezo-chemocatalytic activity are engineered for antitumor and antibacterial treatment against cutaneous melanoma. The doping-engineered strategy induces oxygen vacancies and lattice distortions in Fe-UBTO NSs, which narrows bandgap to enhance piezocatalytic 1O2 and H2O2 generation by improving the electron-hole pairs separation, hindering their recombination, and increasing oxygen adsorption. Moreover, Fe doping establishes a piezo-chemocatalytic system, in which the piezocatalysis enables the self-supply of H2O2 and expedites electron transfer in Fenton reactions, inducing increased ·OH production. Besides, the atomic-level thickness and expanded surface area enhance the sensitivity to ultrasound stimuli and expose more redox-active sites, augmenting the piezo-chemocatalytic efficiency, and ultimately leading to abundant ROS generation. The Fe-UBTO-mediated piezo-chemocatalytic therapy causes intracellular oxidative stress, triggering apoptosis and excessive autophagy of tumor cells. Moreover, this strategy accelerates wound healing by facilitating sterilization, angiogenesis, and collagen deposition. This work provides distinct options to develop doping-engineered ultrathin nanosheets with augmented piezo-chemocatalytic activity for postoperative management of cutaneous melanoma.

Exploring the use of Smart Mobile Devices and their applications for infocommunication and PKM in the personal lives of teachers

This article is part of a PhD research and investigates the impact of rapid technological evolution, focusing on the adoption of smart mobile devices (SMD), such as smartphones, tablets and laptops, and applications (app) in the personal lives of higher education professors in the area of Information Science. In addition, gaps are identified in existing research, emphasizing the need to understand how SMD is used in personal activities for personal knowledge management (PKM) practices and infocommunication. Specific objectives include identifying the most commonly used SMDs and apps, the frequency of such use, and how they are used for those practices. The methodology is qualitative, triangulating the integrative review with a questionnaire (N-10). The results point to interest in device ecologies for PKM and Info-communication, with communication apps (text and voice) and e-mail being the most important for teachers. It is hoped that the results of this study can contribute to the advancement of knowledge about the use of SMD by teachers and to the development of a generic descriptive model of infocommunicational behaviour and PKM that can be applied in other contexts.

CellKine clinical trial: first report from a phase 1 trial of allogeneic bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells in subjects with painful lumbar facet joint arthropathy

Abstract Background: Lumbar facet joint arthropathy (LFJA) is a major cause of low back pain (LBP), with current treatments offering limited long-term benefits. Bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) show promise due to their immunomodulatory and trophic effects, potentially addressing underlying degenerative processes in LFJA. Objectives: This initial report describes the outcomes of the first treated patient in an ongoing mutidisciplinary phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the safety and feasibility of intra-articular allogeneic BM-MSCs for painful LFJA. Methods: Following enrollment in our IRB-approved protocol, symptomatic LFJA was confirmed through double blocks on L4 and L5 medial branches. Two 1-mL syringes, each containing 10 million BM-MSCs, were prepared in the cGMP facility and administered bilaterally to the patient’s L4-L5 lumbar facet joints. The patient underwent standardized follow-ups, including clinical examinations and functional and imaging assessments for 2 years, utilizing patient-reported outcomes measurement information system—computer adaptive tests (PROMIS CATs), visual analogue scale, Oswestry disability index, work functional status and opioid pain medication use, and MR imaging Fenton–Czervionke score. Results: The patient tolerated the procedure well, with no drug-related adverse events during the study period. Pain, spine function, and work functional status improved at multiple follow-ups. This patient also reported improvements in mental and social health, along with a notable improvement in the grade of facet synovitis observed at the one-year follow-up MRI evaluation. Conclusions: This case report suggests the safety and feasibility of administering intra-articular allogeneic BM-MSCs, offering therapeutic benefits for pain management and functional activities.

RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTION ON MANAGEMENT BODIES’ SERVICE DELIVERABLES: THE CASE OF AFFORDABLE STRATA HOUSING IN KLANG VALLEY, MALAYSIA

The rapid urbanization in Malaysia has led to a significant increase in low-cost and low-medium-cost strata housing. However, managing these schemes presents unique challenges due to residents' financial constraints. Challenges often happen in this housing scheme, resulting in poor maintenance, overcrowding, and inadequate amenities, affecting residents' overall quality of life. The study aims to understand the challenges residents and management bodies face in these strata schemes and develop strategies for improving their management. This study helps identify primary issues and problems encountered by residents, assess their perceptions of their management body performance, and propose practical strategies for improving strata management practices. A mixed-mode methodology is employed utilizing primary data collected through questionnaire surveys of strata residents and analysed using SPSS. The findings highlight the differences between active and non-active management bodies in managing strata properties. This study highlights residents' perceptions that shed light on the difficulties in managing and maintaining affordable housing strata schemes, offering important information for formulating strategies to improve strata management practices in Malaysia.

Effect of a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention on body composition in people with osteoarthritis: Secondary analysis of the “Plants for Joints” randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveThe Plants for Joints (PFJ) intervention significantly improved pain, stiffness, and physical function, and metabolic outcomes, in people with metabolic syndrome-associated osteoarthritis (MSOA). This secondary analysis investigated its effects on body composition. MethodIn the randomized PFJ study, people with MSOA followed a 16-week intervention based on a whole-food plant-based diet, physical activity, and stress management, or usual care. For this secondary analysis, fat mass, muscle mass, and bone mineral density were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for all participants. Additionally, in a subgroup (n ​= ​32), hepatocellular lipid (HCL) content and composition of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were measured using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). An intention-to-treat analysis with a linear-mixed model adjusted for baseline values was used to analyse between-group differences. ResultsOf 66 people randomized, 64 (97%) completed the study. The PFJ group experienced significant weight loss (−5.2 ​kg; 95% CI –6.9, −3.6) compared to controls, primarily from fat mass reduction (−3.9 ​kg; 95% CI –5.3 to −2.5). No significant differences were found in lean mass, muscle strength, or bone mineral density between groups. In the subgroup who underwent MRI scans, the PFJ group had a greater reduction in HCL (−6.5%; 95% CI –9.9, 3.0) compared to controls, with no observed differences in VAT composition. ConclusionThe PFJ multidisciplinary intervention positively impacted clinical and metabolic outcomes, and appears to significantly reduce body fat, including liver fat, while preserving muscle mass and strength.

Rising temperatures and sinking hopes: An in-depth analysis of the interplay between climate change, land use patterns, and the desiccation of a global biosphere reserve

Global ecosystems and communities are significantly impacted by climate change and extreme events. The rapid desiccation of massive wetlands, which are essential for controlling water cycles, and biodiversity, preventing floods, and supplying essential ecosystem services, is one of the most upsetting effects. The once-largest lake in the Middle East, Lake Urmia, had a significant impact on ecology, economy, and human life contributing to climate regulation, species preservation, habitat conservation, tourism and recreation, and a wide range of other ecosystem services. The Ramsar Convention classified the lake as a Wetland of International Importance, and UNESCO designated it as a Biosphere Reserve. The ecological, agricultural, and societal challenges caused by rising temperatures, improper water resource management and overuse, enhanced salinity, and declining water levels have made Lake Urmia an acute symbol of environmental vulnerability. Using Landsat imagery, this study begins a thorough analysis of changes in the Lake Urmia basin from 1990 to 2020. The endeavor aims to develop effective conservation and restoration strategies by identifying the multiple reasons that led to its vulnerable situation. The study attempts to identify the role of precipitation, temperature trends, agricultural development, population growth, water consumption, evapotranspiration, and atmospheric salt and aerosol concentrations in the desiccation of the lake. This study presents a comprehensive knowledge of the complex interplay between climate change, human activity, and water management and may have implications for the holistic recovery of the lake. The findings have the potential to improve prognostic models and inform targeted mitigation strategies for not only Lake Urmia but also for other globally threatened wetlands.

Plastic ingestion in aquatic insects: Implications of waterbirds and landfills and association with stable isotopes

Wetlands provide numerous ecosystem services including freshwater purification. Nonetheless, their functionality is continuously impacted by many pollutants. Plastics are considered as an emerging threat for these ecosystems, but only recently have studies began to focus on plastic and microplastic (MP) contamination in wetlands, especially in biota. This study aims to investigate the abundance of MPs in two ubiquitous aquatic insect taxa (i.e. Corixidae (Hemiptera) and Chironomidae (Diptera)) collected in twelve zones within Mediterranean wetlands belonging to three basins located in Andalusia (south-west Spain). We compared MP contamination across basins and tested the proximity to landfills and presence of colonial waterbirds [i.e. white storks (Ciconia ciconia) and gulls (Larus michahellis and L. fuscus)] on MP abundance in aquatic insects. We also performed stable isotope analyses of nitrogen and carbon (δ15N and δ13C) to evaluate the potential association between MP abundance and isotopic values. We detected 571 suspected MPs (mostly blue fibers) in insects of different developmental stages (i.e., larvae, pupae, nymphs and adults). Polyesters and polypropylene were the most frequent polymers detected. The generalized linear mixed models indicated that MP abundance decreased with increasing distance from landfills; but it also increased in sites with birds that fed on landfills and roost in wetlands. When controlling for landfill effects, sites in the smallest basin (Guadalete) had lower MP contamination than those in Odiel-Tinto and the much larger (>15×) Guadalquivir. Moreover, we found a negative association between MPs items/g (or mean MPs) and 15N isotopes in adult corixids. Our findings showed that MP pollution is present in all the study areas, including strictly protected wetlands. The use of aquatic insects for biomonitoring of MP pollution can help identify priority areas for management actions to mitigate plastic pollution.

Research Data Management from Hungarian Perspective

In science and education, research data is a valuable resource that can be utilized and repurposed for future use. Research data management is crucial for successful research, as it can generate reliable and advantageous results and facilitate accurate decision-making. The systematic review study followed the PRISMA Statement standards for reporting. Data regarding research data management from a Hungarian perspective was collected from SCOPUS, Web of Science, and EBSCO databases on January 5th, 2024. Forty-one records were identified from SCOPUS, Web of Science, and EBSCO databases. After screening, the remaining 13 articles were included in this study. The Hungarian authors discussed four distinct research data management activities. The activities included data sharing, data citation, data curation, and data storage. Several additional data-related concepts, such as data governance, data quality, data literacy, and research data service, were also examined in this study.

IoT Sensor Based Cross-Basin Natural Ecological Environment QualityMonitoring and Modeling Simulation with Artificial Intelligence RemoteSensing and GIS

This study presents an integrated approach for monitoring and modelling the quality of crossbasin natural ecological environments using advanced techniques such as Markov Random Field Clustering Classification (MRF-CC), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Hidden Markov Models (HMM), and remote sensing. With key ecological parameters including water quality, biodiversity, habitat suitability, and land cover types across various scenarios and locations within a study area. The simulation results from MRF-CC revealed the significant impacts of different environmental scenarios and management actions, with restoration efforts showing improvements in ecological quality, while pollution mitigation and urbanization pressures led to declines. The simulation results from MRF-CC revealed the significant impacts of different environmental scenarios and management actions. For example, restoration efforts (Scenario 1) improved water quality (pH 7.5), biodiversity index (0.88), and habitat suitability (0.78) compared to the baseline values (pH 7.2, biodiversity index 0.85, habitat suitability 0.75). Conversely, pollution mitigation (Scenario 2) and urbanization pressure (Scenario 8) resulted in declines, with water quality dropping to pH 7.0 and 6.9, biodiversity indices to 0.82 and 0.81, and habitat suitability to 0.72 and 0.71, respectively. GIS estimation provided spatial insights into ecological parameters, revealing variability across different locations. For instance, Point A (forest) exhibited a water quality index of 0.78, while Point D (urban) showed a lower index of 0.54. The integration of HMM offered probabilistic predictions of land cover dynamics, with probabilities ranging from 0.85 for forest at Point A to 0.45 for urban land cover at Point D.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOGISTICS SECTOR AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ASEAN COUNTRIES

In the modern economics, any manufacturing companies have increasingly relied on professional logistics firms, leading to rapid growth in the logistics sector as a service industry and its significant contribution to economic development. With increasing globalization and competition, countries have focused on enhancing their logistics systems to ensure stable economic growth and strengthen global trade competitiveness. In the ASEAN region, logistics plays a critical role, facilitating cross-border trade and regional connectivity. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the logistics sector, specifically air freight transportation, and economic growth in ASEAN countries, given the sector's central role in supporting supply chain management and trade activities. The primary objective of this study is to determine whether there is a causal relationship between air freight transportation (AFT), a key logistics activity, and gross domestic product (GDP) growth in six ASEAN countries. The study seeks to provide insights into how investment in logistics infrastructure, particularly in air freight, may influence economic growth in the region. The study uses panel data for six ASEAN countries from 1996 to 2021. Data on GDP growth and air freight transportation were sourced from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators database. A series of statistical tests, including the Cross-Sectional Augmented Dickey Fuller (CADF) test, Pesaran’s slope homogeneity test, and the Bootstrap Granger causality test, were performed to examine cross-sectional dependence and the causal relationship between GDP growth and air freight transportation. Descriptive statistics revealed significant disparities in air freight transportation capacity among the countries studied, with Indonesia and Thailand showing substantial air freight volumes compared to the Philippines. However, the results of the panel causality tests, including the Dumitrescu and Hurlin panel causality test, indicate that no causal relationship exists between air freight transportation and GDP growth in the six ASEAN countries.

The Relationship between Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Precast Concrete Structures

Due to the fact that a major part of the financial resources of each country is spent in the construction industry of that country, the effectiveness of governments from this industry, especially in developing countries, is very high. In recent years, it has been noticed in the world. Among the advantages of using the prefabricated industry, we can mention the production of parts in a short period of time, low cost and high quality. Currently, many projects undergo such changes that it is necessary to reduce the negative effects imposed on projects by using management techniques and tactics as well as the use of modern technologies. Among the negative effects imposed, we can mention things such as capital wastage (increase in cost), increase in construction time, and at the same time decrease in quality. At the same time, all construction management activities, based on the contract documents, depend on the two categories of plans and project specifications. In the traditional methods of construction management, various executive plans such as structural, architectural and facility plans are prepared separately but in coordination with each other. These maps are two-dimensional and even if three-dimensional maps are prepared from them, the system will not be able to identify mistakes, interferences and changes. The purpose of this article is to examine the relationship between building information modeling and precast concrete structures and the implementation of that system in precast concrete structures.

THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT AND IN MAKING MANAGEMENT DECISIONS IN MODERN CONDITIONS

This article provides an analysis of the use of artificial intelligence systems in various areas of enterprise management. The positive aspects, as well as the problems of introducing artificial intelligence, are considered. Artificial intelligence is used in a wide range of business tasks, allowing automation of many aspects of management activities. This determines the need to study and research its interaction with management processes in the company. This paper provides an analysis of literary sources devoted to research in the field of the use of artificial intelligence, presents its evolutionary development in the activities of enterprises, identifies types of organizations depending on the degree of use of artificial intelligence, and outlines the scope of its application in the business structure of companies. One of the main trends in the world economy at the present stage is the use of artificial intelligence systems in enterprise management, in the process of making management decisions under conditions of uncertainty. The further development of entrepreneurship, ensuring sustainable economic growth, determines the need to study scientific and methodological and scientific and methodological issues of implementing management decisions. The updated methodology for making strategic and management decisions should be focused on the harmonization of known and newly emerging techniques. Some experts note the emergence of signs of an information crisis - a discrepancy between the rapidly increasing mental abilities of people from generation to generation and the even more rapidly increasing flow of information. Currently, in the context of accelerating technological development in the world, the speed of change is rapidly increasing, the time of the business cycle from idea to profit has been reduced from several years to several months, and companies do not need to have material assets to operate effectively. In order to survive in new conditions, companies need to improve the quality of their strategic decisions, and such decisions must be fast, flexible and analytically sound. This development path should be based on intelligent ways of managing the most important resource in the 21st century - information. Artificial intelligence is becoming an essential element of management in many organizations, completely changing the functions and mechanisms of management activities, decision-making systems, human relations and communications in companies. Therefore, the issue of introducing artificial intelligence systems into management is becoming particularly relevant today. Today, in the digital economy, many enterprises are transforming, growing and entering new markets. To maintain the pace of business development at a high level, a flexible and modern approach to management is required. In this regard, the introduction of new technologies in management services is becoming increasingly important. Keywords: artificial intelligence, strategic management, business models, management decisions.