Management Activities Research Articles

R&D&I support system for innovatively active enterprises

RDI is an important area of innovative growth of domestic economic entities. Isolation on the internal system of innovation management may not lead to the results planned within the framework of key strategic documents at the state level. Expanding its boundaries and involving external participants in solving problems of innovation will become the basis for creating a powerful integrated structure that will provide an innovation lift and scientific and technological renewal of enterprises. A scientifically based approach to the formation of a balanced system of collaborative innovation management is the key to the sustainable functioning of innovatively active enterprises. The purpose of this study is to formulate scientific and practical recommendations for creating an RDI system to support innovatively active enterprises to ensure the effectiveness of their functioning in the context of global economic challenges. In the process of achieving this goal, the following methods of scientific knowledge were used: structural analysis and synthesis, system analysis, generalization and description, modeling. Based on the results of the study, a structural and functional model of the RDI system for supporting innovatively active enterprises was developed, in contrast to existing ones, which creates a platform for balanced innovative development and increased competitiveness through the coherent organization of integrated innovation chains and effective innovation management in a single synergetic environment. Scientific conclusions and proposals are of high importance for the development of theoretical and methodological principles of the theory of innovation, management of innovation activities and solving problems of innovatively active enterprises of the Russian Federation. The study is based on modern works of leading domestic and foreign economists. The RDI system of support for innovatively active enterprises creates the basis for their sustainable functioning under conditions of sanctions restrictions and economic turmoil. The author has determined the vector of development of domestic enterprises to ensure the effective implementation of the mission and achievement of strategic goals.

Organizational and economic mechanism for the development of the industrial complex, taking into account the activation of innovative processes in the regional economy

The article examines the importance of implementing an organizational and economic mechanism to stimulate innovative processes in the industrial complex in order to achieve significant socio-economic benefits. In the context of industrial development with a focus on innovation, special attention is paid to the creation of new jobs, especially in areas requiring high qualifications and scientific knowledge. The implementation of a special organizational and economic management mechanism is necessary for effective management and stimulation of innovative activity in the regional economy. This mechanism must coordinate, interact and effectively implement policies and strategies aimed at supporting innovation, control the location of resources and support innovative enterprises. The article discusses various approaches to understanding the economic mechanism, including functional and structural approaches, and also examines its role in coordinating the actions of economic agents to achieve common goals and ensure sustainable development of the economy. The article explores the organizational and economic mechanism for managing the industrial complex of the region with the aim of diversifying economic activities and increasing overall competitiveness. Regional governance covers the coordination and integration of various aspects such as economic development, infrastructure and social welfare. The article discusses the principles of inclusiveness, participation and subsidiarity in the context of managing a regional industrial complex, and also examines the main components of the organizational and economic management mechanism. The proposed management scheme is based on stimulating innovative activity through the market aspect, resource block, financial component, motivational block and the development of production and innovation infrastructure. The article examines a systematic approach to managing the regional industrial sector in order to stimulate innovation in the economy. The importance of analyzing the economic situation and potential of the industrial sector is highlighted as a priority step. Next, methods for defining goals and objectives, developing a regional innovation strategy, developing policy and regulatory frameworks, financing and investment, developing production and innovation infrastructure, cooperation and partnerships, digitalization and developing a culture of innovation are discussed. The authors emphasize the need for interaction between multiple participants in the industrial sector and propose an organizational and economic mechanism for managing the industrial complex of the region to stimulate innovation, develop scientific and technical potential and ensure economic growth.

Effectiveness of computed tomography perfusion imaging in stroke management.

Current guidelines do not support the use of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) in stroke, except when identifying the penumbra during an extended treatment window. Therefore, this study aimed to define the yield of CTP in diagnosing a stroke diagnosis beyond the imaging of the penumbra in the hyperacute phase (0-6 h) and an extended time window (6-24 h). All consecutive patients with acute onset of symptoms within a 24-h window underwent CTP imaging. The diagnostic value of CTP was calculated against the clinical and radiological diagnoses of stroke. A positive CTP result was determined by the presence of either a core or penumbra on the RAPID summary. Clinical diagnoses corresponded to discharge diagnoses of stroke. A radiological diagnosis was established if early ischemic changes [Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) <10] were observed on the baseline CT scan, acute infarction was confirmed on follow-up imaging, or symptomatic occlusion was evident on baseline CTA. Between November 2018 and November 2019, 585 consecutive patients with an acute neurological deficit underwent multimodal CT imaging. A total of 500 patients (85%) were included, where 274 (55%) were within the hyperacute phase, 153 (31%) had a radiological diagnosis of stroke, and 122 (24%) had a clinical diagnosis of stroke. CTP yielded positive results only in patients with a confirmed stroke (positive predictive value and specificity of 100%). When CTP results were negative, 43% of the cases turned out to stroke mimics. Patients with stroke mimics were younger (66 ± 17 vs. 73 ± 13) and had lower scores on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [median 0; interquartile range (IQR) 0-2 vs. median 4; IQR 2-6] compared to patients with CTP-negative strokes. In our study, CTP consistently indicated brain ischemia; therefore, in stroke management, CTP is most beneficial when it yields a positive result. A positive CTP result should prompt adequate stroke management actions without any delay. Conversely, a negative CTP result necessitates the consideration of both stroke and non-stroke diagnoses.

A low-cost approach to upskilling tutors in frontline health care worker production value chain.

Nigeria, like many countries, struggles with a shortage of healthcare professionals including frontline healthcare providers at the primary healthcare (PHC) level. While the country is pitched towards producing more healthcare professionals, the existing infrastructure to produce them is inadequate. Producing healthcare professional with the required skills to deliver quality services is impeded by several factors including the use of outdated curricula for their training, low application of technology in teaching, and weak tutor capacity that is worsened by the paucity and high cost of opportunities for tutor continuing professional development. To address these issues, the Health Workforce Management Activity (HWM), an initiative of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in 2023 designed and implemented a low-cost programme called TutorConnect that offered low-cost continuing professional development to tutors. TutorConnect is a Zoom-based monthly training programme that is facilitated by subject matter experts. The programme offered topics spanning effective learning, enhanced instructional design, and improved student engagement in the 14 months of its operation with over 700 tutors from more than 10 states in Nigeria that benefited from it. Utilising WhatsApp for additional support and peer-to-peer learning was crucial to providing more hands-on support, and institution-specific solutions. This low-cost approach to build competencies enabled access to continuing professional development by tutors, limiting effects of location and finances as barriers to continuing professional development. Developing the teaching capacity of tutors is pivotal to enhancing the quality of frontline healthcare worker training.

Application of Getis-Ord Correlation Index (Gi) for Burned Area Detection Improvement in Mediterranean Ecosystems (Southern Italy and Sardinia) Using Sentinel-2 Data

This study collects the results obtained using the Getis-Ord local spatial autocorrelation index (Gi) with the aim of improving the classification of burned area detection maps generated from spectral indices (i.e., dNBR index) derived from Sentinel-2 satellite data. Therefore, the work proposes an adaptive thresholding approach that also includes the application of a similarity index (Sorensen–Dice Similarity Index) with the aim of adaptively correcting classification errors (false-positive burned pixels) related to the spectral response of burned/unburned areas. In this way, two new indices derived from the application of the Getis-Ord local autocorrelation analysis were created to test their effectiveness. Three wildfire events were considered, two of which occurred in Southern Italy in the summer of 2017 and one in Sardinia in the summer of 2019. The accuracy assessment analysis was carried out using the CEMS (Copernicus Emergency Management Service) on-demand maps. The results show the remarkable performance of the two new indices in terms of their ability to reduce the false positives generated by dNBR. In the three sites considered, the false-positive reduction percentage was around 95–96%. The proposed approach seems to be adaptable to different vegetation contexts, and above all, it could be a useful tool for mapping burned areas to support post-fire management activities.

Present status and future prospects of fisheries of Tehri dam reservoir

Fisheries in India are a burgeoning industry with immense potential and opportunities. Ironically, because of its enormous but untapped potential, reservoir fisheries are called as "a sleeping giant". The average productivity from these reservoirs in India is about 30 kg/ha compared to the production potential of 250 kg/ha. Inadequate management leads to low rate of fish production in Indian reservoirs. A major impediment to science-based fish productivity in reservoirs is the lack of authentic data on target stocks. Inland fisheries, like those in reservoirs, are particularly affected. Investigators generally rely on simple catch statistics and hypothesis statements to assess fish production and potential yields due to inadequate resources, population data, and experts in the area. The present paper emphasizes the quintessential 44sq km huge Tehri hydro-power dam reservoir, located in the Bhagirathi and Bhilangana valleys of the lesser Himalayas in the Garhwal hills. On average the fish productivity from Tehri reservoir in the year 2021-2022 is reported as 13.75 kg/ha but, this is significantly lower than its actual productivity. Thus, the current technical paper addresses this issue by condensing and synthesizing the current status of fisheries in the Tehri Dam reservoir with past status in terms of fish species diversity. It provides baseline information on fish production and various data shortfalls in fisheries activity management. The paper also describes the ecological and economic aspects that affect fish catch to utilize the reservoir resources and mired the cold-water fishery management in the Tehri reservoir.

Planning Time Management in School Activities and Relation to Procrastination: A Study for Educational Sustainability

Academic procrastination, more than merely postponing tasks, represents a significant failure in the self-regulation process of learning. Research on study skills highlights academic time management as one of the crucial elements of learning strategies and sustainable education. These abilities will help achieve the fourth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, this study aimed to understand how students plan time management in school activities and its influence on study procrastination, analyzing differences between genders and the hours students spend studying. The Time Management Planning Inventory, the Study Procrastination Questionnaire, and a personal and school data sheet were used. A sample of 506 students (Mage = 13.7) from basic schools in northern Portugal was utilized. The results revealed that gender and study hours significantly influence how students plan time management for school tasks in the short and long term. These variables also showed a significant impact on the procrastination of study activities. The practical implications of this study are substantial, as they provide educators and researchers with insights into the factors influencing academic procrastination and the role of time management planning and study hours. These insights can be applied to develop effective strategies to reduce academic procrastination and promote sustainable education.

Reviewing the recurrence rates in stage I-III HR or ER positive breast cancer in obese patients given multi-modal weight loss plan post-treatment with aromatase inhibitors.

15 Background: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in the treatment of endocrine recepter positive breast cancer stages I-III, poses significant challenges in the management of obesity. Obesity is not only associated with an increased risk of breast cancer incidence but also with higher rates of cancer recurrence and poorer treatment outcomes. Moreover, the use of AIs, while effective in reducing estrogen levels and preventing ER or HR positive breast cancer recurrence, may exacerbate weight gain and metabolic disturbances in obese individuals. Weight management strategies have experienced increased attention in breast cancer survivors in recent years, especially overweight or obese individuals. Novel data makes it possible to infer that obesity management activities and multimodal programs that incorporate dietary counseling and physical activity can reduce recurrence rates. Methods: Participants in this study were individuals with Stage I-III endocrine receptor positive breast cancer who had completed adjuvant therapy and had a BMI in the 40s or 50s, increasing risk of recurrence. Eligible patients were identified based on the start date for endocrine therapy. High-risk patients were then assigned to either the intervention or control group. Those in the intervention group received access to a dietician, along with informational pamphlets on physiology and weight loss strategies. Additionally, they were offered discounts to certain gyms or provided free access to fitness facilities. Both intervention and control groups were briefed about the study, with those in the intervention group encouraged to utilize the provided resources for weight management. Results: The evidence from our study will underscore the potential benefits of multimodal weight loss interventions in overweight or obese breast cancer survivors, particularly in improving anthropometric outcomes and enhancing overall quality of life. Conclusions: While the studies included in our analysis demonstrated reductions in body weight, BMI, and waist circumference, as well as improvements in quality of life measures, there remains a notable gap in understanding the impact of these interventions on breast cancer recurrence rates, especially in the context of endocrine-positive breast cancer treated with Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs).

Dynamic modeling studies of basin-scale pressure interference and CO2 plume evolution in multi-well geologic CO2 storage

Large-scale decarbonization through carbon capture and storage (CCS) may likely involve many commercial-scale CO2 storage projects located in proximity. Large volumes of CO2 injected will elevate reservoir pressures and may lead to rapid convergence of fracture pressure thresholds. This analysis employs numerical modeling to analyze how CO2 plumes and pressure fronts evolve when CO2 is injected into a single storage formation from multiple projects located in proximity. This analysis also evaluates the extent to which injection well spacing alleviates pressure buildup in the absence of active pressure management tactics. The simulation approach was based on a single, homogenous saline aquifer in which CO2 injection occurs under a one-injector baseline case and several multi-well cases where well spacing varies. Analysis results show that the extent of pressure buildup is in the range of tens or a few hundreds of kilometers and contingent upon the defining pressure buildup demarcating the front edge. For the geological setting evaluated in this paper, our analysis suggests that without active basin pressure management strategies, commercial-scale projects would likely need to be sited far apart to avoid pressure interference from one another. Analysis results show the radius of CO2 plume varies approximately from 2 to 3 km from injection wells (each injecting 1 Mt/year for 30 years) depending on cases and modeling parameters assumed. Given the pressure interference, this paper thus draws attention to the importance of greater coordination among storage operators and regulatory stakeholders. Because this analysis assumes a very specific geologic situation, this exploratory analysis bears further investigations across other geologic situations.

Understanding and achieving species elements in the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Abstract The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted in December 2022 by the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The framework states outcomes for species to be achieved by 2050 in goal A and establishes a range of targets to reduce pressures on biodiversity and halt biodiversity loss by 2030. Target 4 calls for urgent recovery actions for species where the implementation of other targets is insufficient to eliminate extinction risk. We analyze key species elements of goal A and target 4, examine their meaning and clarify implementation needs. We emphasize that target 4 should not be seen simply as the species target, because effective implementation of all targets is essential to achieve the species ambitions in goal A, but, rather, as a target for species that require urgent focused actions and emphasize that an indicator is needed to measure the implementation of urgent management actions. We conclude by considering next steps to identify priorities, undertake further research, make use of resources, ensure cooperation and capacity development.

Framing water–energy–food–ecosystem (WEFE) nexus interactions in the Tana-Beles Sub-basin of Ethiopia

The water–energy–food–ecosystems (WEFE) provide vital resources that are essential to human existence. Exploring synergies and trade-offs in these systems has been of interest in recent years to increase economic gain while sustaining the environment. The Tana-Beles Sub-basin of Ethiopia is challenged by population density, climate change, and ecosystem degradation that requires a WEFE Nexus thinking. To understand the current WEFE nexus interactions in the basin, a systematic review of 102 scientific research articles published from 1991 to 2021 was undertaken. Additionally, the systematic review is complemented by spatial data analysis to identify synergies and trade-offs among the WEFE nexus indicators. The analysis revealed the dominance of food–water–ecosystem interdependencies in WEFE nexus research for the Tana-Beles Sub-basin. This dominance is driven by extensive food production activities, which lead to substantial water abstraction and hydrological alterations to meet the intensive water demands of crop cultivation. Simultaneously, the energy-ecosystem interactions are critical due to excessive biomass utilization that exceeds the biomass production potential of the area. Furthermore, the available vegetation cover of the area is very limited to supplement the growing fuel wood demands, which is exerting extreme land degradation and threatening the ecosystem in the sub-basin. This study identifies gaps in WEFE understanding, highlights specific challenges and opportunities within the basin, and calls for coordinated stakeholder action for sustainable resource management through a Nexus approach.

Disentangling drivers of annual grass invasion: Abiotic susceptibility vs. fire-induced conversion to cheatgrass dominance in the sagebrush biome

Invasive annual grasses are often facilitated by fire, yet they can become ecologically dominant in susceptible locations even in the absence of fire. We used an extensive vegetation plot database to model susceptibility to the invasive annual grass cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) in the sagebrush biome as a function of climate and soil water availability variables. We built random forest models predicting cheatgrass presence or dominance (>15 % relative cover) under unburned (37,219 plots) and burned conditions (6340 plots). We mapped predicted probability of cheatgrass presence and dominance, conditional on burning. We combined predicted susceptibility with burn probability to quantify the 10-year total risk of cheatgrass dominance. Finally, we identified portions of the landscape (1) at risk of fire-induced conversion to cheatgrass dominance, (2) consistently susceptible to cheatgrass dominance, or (3) consistently resistant to cheatgrass dominance. At the scale of the sagebrush biome, we found that abiotic susceptibility to cheatgrass dominance drives total risk, regardless of fire. At local scales (i.e., individual 30 m pixels), burning increased the probability of cheatgrass dominance by a median of 14 %. Threshold-based analyses indicate that 10–31 % of the sagebrush biome was at risk of fire-induced dominance, with 55 % exhibiting abiotic resistance and 5 % exhibiting abiotic susceptibility to dominance regardless of fire. Burn probability was higher in areas predicted to be susceptible to dominance, illustrating how cheatgrass invasion can cause ecosystem conversions that are then sustained by grass-fire cycles. Disentangling the influence of abiotic conditions and fire contributes to our understanding of the mechanisms driving invasion dynamics, and modeling the probability of dominance can help anticipate where ecological transformations are at risk of occurring. Our approach can facilitate the prioritization of management actions in the sagebrush biome and be used as a framework for modeling invasion risk in other disturbance-prone ecosystems.

Analysis of the Application of Environmental Accounting in Solid Waste Management in Karawang Health Center

This research aims to determine the application of environmental accounting in waste management activities as well as the stages of accounting treatment of environmental costs by referring to PSAK 2015 No.1 carried out by the Karawang Community Health Center. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative with a case study approach. The results of the research found that the Karawang Community Health Center had incurred costs related to waste management and had managed its waste well, namely in collaboration with third parties. However, the storage of solid or B3 waste at the Karawang Community Health Center is still not in accordance with applicable standards. And in the accounting treatment stages, the Karawang community health center has not fully carried out these stages because there is no specific presentation of environmental cost reports, therefore the Karawang community health center has not implemented environmental accounting properly. The inhibiting factors in implementing environmental accounting at the Karawang Community Health Center are HR (Human Resources), level of understanding and development.

Validation of the Scrub Typhus Encephalitis Assessment Tool for the Management of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome

Abstract Introduction: Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is one of the important causes of mortality among children in India. Active management of the cases, followed by addressing the cause of AES, is the key strategy for preventing mortality. Lack of laboratory facility and difficulty of sampling blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for assessing causes is one of the important barriers to early initiation of treatment. The main objective of the study is to validate the Scrub Typhus Encephalitis Assessment Tool (SEAT) for the management of AES. Methods: The study is a continuation of a study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. A machine learning (LightGBM) model was built to predict the probability of scrub typhus diagnosis among patients with acute encephalitis. Three models were built: one with sociodemographic characters, the second with Model 1 variables and blood parameters, and the third with Model 2 variables and CSF parameters. Results: The sensitivity of diagnosing the scrub typhus case was 71%, 77.5%, and 83% in Model 1, Model 2, and Model 3, respectively, and specificity was 61.5%, 75.5%, and 76.3%, respectively, in the models. In Model 1 fever duration, in Models 2 and 3, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was the most important predictor for differentiating the scrub and nonscrub cases. Conclusion: With the available sensitivity and specificity of the tool, the SEAT can be a valuable tool for the prediction of scrub typhus as a cause of AES cases in remote areas.

Tranexamic acid in preventing postpartum blood loss in vaginal delivery: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is an obstetrical emergency that occurs in 1% to 10% of all deliveries and contributes to nearly one-quarter of all maternal deaths worldwide. Tranexamic acid has been established as an adjunct in the treatment of PPH but its role in its prevention of PPH following vaginal delivery has not been widely studied. This study aimed to assess the effect of prophylactic tranexamic acid (1 g) along with active management of the third stage of labor in reducing postpartum blood loss and the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery. In this randomized controlled trial, 650 women with singleton pregnancies at ≥34 weeks of gestation who were undergoing vaginal delivery were included. Eligible women were randomly assigned to receive either 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo intravenously along with active management of the third stage of labor. Calibrated blood collection bags were used to measure postpartum blood loss during the third and fourth stages of labor. Of 886 women approached for the study, 650 who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled, and 320 in group A and 321 in group B were analyzed. The maternal characteristics were similar between the groups. The mean blood loss did not differ significantly between the intervention and placebo groups (378.5±261.2 mL vs 383.0±258.9 mL; P=.93). The incidence of primary postpartum hemorrhage was comparable in both groups (15.9% in group A and 15.3% in group B; P=.814). The median quantitative decreases in hemoglobin levels within 12 to 24 hours after delivery were 0.60 g% (interquartile range, 0.40-0.90) in group A and 0.60 g% (interquartile range, 0.40-0.80) in group B, which were comparable in both groups (P=.95). The most common adverse effect reported was dizziness, and there was no thromboembolic event at 3 months follow-up in either group. The use of tranexamic acid as a prophylactic measure along with active management of the third stage of labor does not provide additional benefit in reducing the postpartum blood loss and incidence of postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery. El resumen está disponible en Español al final del artículo.

Avenues for Coexistence: How Perception of Costs and Benefits Shape Attitudes towards Wolves

AbstractHuman dimensions play a pivotal role in wolf management and conservation. To offer an informed basis to improve Human-Wolf coexistence, we explore how socio-demographic factors, fear, knowledge, and perceptions of costs and benefits of wolf presence drive human attitudes in the southern area of the Douro River, Portugal, a region inhabited by a small and endangered wolf population. We interviewed 220 people (175 from the general public, 13 hunters, and 32 livestock owners) through a semi-structured survey organized on a 5-point Likert scale. Public and hunter respondents exhibited neutral to positive attitudes, whereas livestock owners expressed negative to neutral attitudes and revealed a Not-In-My-Backyard sentiment. We found that positive attitudes were linked to a greater receptiveness to increased wolf numbers, particularly in areas of irregular wolf presence. Fear was a significant driver of public attitudes, while the presence of wolves influenced livestock owners’views. For both groups, attitudes were also influenced by perceived costs and benefits. Knowledge about wolves did not significantly influence attitudes, with scores being consistently low across groups, and the myth of reintroduction persisting. Thus, management actions should address the concerns and complaints of individuals directly affected by wolves, dispel common fears and myths, and emphasize the ecological and economic benefits of wolf presence in the territory. Media outlets can serve as strategic partners in engaging the neutral population through untargeted interventions. Prioritizing the input of all groups, including conservationists, is essential for establishing common ground and ensuring sustained coexistence.

IoT appropriation for crop management and productivity enhancement in South Africa

Background: While the Internet of things (IoT) has been praised for its potential to improve food security and combat climate change, it is unclear how agricultural entrepreneurs (especially farmers) in emerging contexts are harnessing this technology to leverage agricultural productivity.Objectives: Given the lack of documentation of novel-technology-supported farming approaches in relevant extant literature in emerging economies, this study sought to explore how South African farmers are harnessing the strength of IoT to leverage productivity in crop farming.Method: To address this research gap, a systematic literature review was conducted to establish how IoT was implemented in crop farming in resource-constrained contexts of South Africa. These databases, namely Google Scholar, Scopus, MDPI, IEEE Xplore, and Science Direct, were utilised to gather the relevant information.Results: The findings highlighted that IoT technology presented multiple opportunities for improving operational efficiency and connectivity and facilitating remote management of agricultural activities. Conversely, the findings suggested that the utilisation of IoT in crop farming poses serious challenges arising from software complexity, data security, lack of supporting infrastructure and technical skills.Conclusion: This article demonstrates how institutional voids, human capital and technological gaps in the South African farming industry undermine crop farming, food security in the communities and government efforts at promoting the latest technologies for leveraging agricultural productivity and the farming industry in general.Contribution: The study has contributed to filling the gap in the IoT literature in South Africa and worldwide. This study also contributed by aligning the theory to the study.

Incorporating ecological heterogeneity and intraspecific variation differentiates complex interactions between apex predators and stocked fish

Ecological heterogeneity and intraspecific variation can impact energy flow from the base of the food web to top predators. We evaluated the effect of intraspecific variation on estimates of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) consumption of stocked kokanee (lacustrine sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka) in a 390 ha oligotrophic lake with two distinct basins. Lake trout stomach content analyses, stable isotope niche space, and catch rates indicated high intraspecific variation in resource use across habitats and basins. Intraspecific variation and ecological heterogeneity were incorporated into two bioenergetics modeling approaches; one lake-wide model, and one partitioned model that accounted for differences in lake trout diet composition and population size across habitats. The ecologically partitioned model highlighted that lake trout consumption was primarily in the epilimnion of one basin, while the lake-wide, unpartitioned model performed similarly but failed to provide ecological context for where that consumption occurred. Incorporating ecological heterogeneity and intraspecific variation into bioenergetic models can more accurately represent top predators foraging patterns across habitats and inform management actions to mitigate impacts to stocked fish.

Understanding Local Perspectives on Climate Change and Its Impacts on Small-Scale Fishing Communities in Honda Bay, Palawan, Philippines

Climate change's adverse impacts are already evident, particularly in coastal areas. However, local perception that is essential in formulating policies for mitigating its impacts remains limited. Thus, this study evaluated the level of perception of small fishing communities on climate change and its impacts on livelihood and the environment. The data were obtained using a face-to-face survey with the aid of a structured questionnaire. They were interpreted and analyzed using the Likert point scale, descriptive statistics, and chi-square. A total of 308 male fisherfolks participated in the survey. Majority belong to age 51-60 years old (38%) and 61 years old and above (32%). Most of them (65%) finished elementary and generally (94%) rely on fishing for main source of living. As for income, 47% earned an estimated monthly income of Php 2,501-5,000 and 28% got Php 5,001-7,500. Most of the respondents are full-time fishers (89%) for more than 11 years (87%), and fishing within the municipal water (92%). Majority (90%) have an idea about climate change as reflected by their very high score in Likert Perception (24.3±2.3%). The climate change impacts perceived by the respondents include: increasing sea surface temperature (87%); fish are sensitive to changing climate (87%); and fossil fuel consumption contributes to climate change (84%). They said they got the information from TV/ Radio (99%) and social media (10%). The age (p-value &lt; 0.0032) and source of information (p-value &lt; 0.0348) are among the variables with significant relationship to the perception of respondents on climate change impacts. In total, it appears that majority of fishers are aware of the impacts of climates. It is suggested that effective management actions, such as emergency preparedness schemes and livelihood diversification should be explored to address the specific needs of fishing communities that are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, an ecosystem-based approach that focuses on socio-economic dynamics and climate-induced changes in assessments and management is essential for the sustainable use of fisheries resources amidst the changing climate.

Managing the transformation of foreign economic activity in an unstable macroeconomic environment

In modern conditions of chaoticization of the system of international economic relations and foreign economic activity of business entities, the tasks of improving the management of foreign economic activity of enterprises by the state and the formation of its embedded mechanisms to ensure the protection of state security in the world market are actualized. The purpose of the article is to analyze the topical issues of foreign economic activity transformation in the context of global instability. According to the author, in the system of state regulation of foreign economic activity of an enterprise, the implementation of an integrated foreign economic activity management system will be timely, which will significantly offset the problems existing in subjects of foreign economic activity related to external factors. However, it is impossible to quickly adjust to dynamically changing conditions and ensure management consistency, increase the efficiency of foreign economic activity of domestic enterprises and protect state economic security. The main goal of the transformation, according to the author, is to provide the necessary transparency and flexibility in the management system of foreign economic activity both at the state level and at the level of a specific subject of foreign economic activity, which is very important in the context of growing instability of the macroeconomic environment. Priorities in the context of growing global instability are to increase the efficiency of foreign economic activity, the competitiveness of the economy and the protection of economic security.