Current Management Practices Research Articles

Assessing production, processing and utilization of sorghum in West Pokot County, Kenya

Sorghum is one of the most important and under-utilized cereal crops in the Arid and Semi-Arid land (ASAL) regions of Kenya. The crop is grown in drought-prone marginal agricultural areas of Western Central and Eastern and coastal regions of Kenya. The diverse biotic and abiotic constraints including climate changes reduce sorghum productivity. Sorghum technology generators continue promoting suitable management practices and innovations to cushion and improve the resilience of smallholder farmers against the adverse effects of climate change. These interventions contribute to the attainment of not only household and national food security but also enhance incomes. Despite the increasing sorghum production and utilization in West Pokot County, there is limited knowledge of the status of production, processing, and utilization technologies. The aim of this study was to assess the current sorghum production, processing, utilization technology, innovations, and management practices among smallholder farmers. A household survey was undertaken using a jointly developed structured questionnaire by a multi- and inter-disciplinary team of researchers. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, 599 households were randomly selected and interviewed. Data collected were on household and farm characteristics including technologies. The study revealed that compared to maize and pasture, land allocated to sorghum enterprise was relatively low ranging from 0.32 acres to 0.80 acres with an average of 0.73 acres. The adoption of various sorghum technological components was also low. Adoption of improved sorghum varieties was less than 7% while fertilizer use was less than 20%. These contribute to low crop yields of about 140kg per acre. In addition, value addition was also low. Sorghum use was limited to ugali (56%) and porridge (39%) against the diverse value-added products including bread baking. and industrial processing of pure and blended products. More farmer and stakeholders training need to be done. In order to fully upgrade the sorghum value chain; there is the need to have targeted sorghum policies focusing on a range of activities along the value chain. These interventions could be integrated into the West Pokot County Integrated Development Plan. Key words: Sorghum, Production, Marketing, Utilization, Challenges, Opportunities, West Pokot

Bioefficacy and molecular characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis strain NBAIR BtGa against greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L.

Galleria mellonella, the greater wax moth has always been an important pest against honeybees and has remained a nightmare for beekeeping farmers. Management of G. mellonella in live honeybee colonies is very difficult because most current management practices can destroy whole honeybee colonies. In the present study, experiments were conducted to isolate and characterize Bacillus thuringiensis from infected greater wax moth cadavers and to evaluate their biocontrol ability against G. mellonella. The bioefficacy of these isolates has been evaluated against greater wax moth along with the standard strain HD-1. Among all the strains tested, NBAIR BtGa demonstrated higher efficacy compared to other strains, with an LC50 value of 125.17µg/ml, whereas HD-1 exhibited a significantly higher LC50 value of 946.61µg/ml. Considering the economic importance of NBAIR BtGa we performed whole genome sequencing of this strain resulting in the identification of a genome size of 5.96Mb consisting of 6888 protein-coding genes. Gene ontology analysis categorized these genes into three groups based on their roles, i.e., biological functions (2169 genes), cellular components (1900 genes), and molecular functions (2774 genes). Through insecticidal toxicity-related genes (ITRG) profiling of our strain across the genome by Bt toxin scanner and cry processor resulted in the identification of several Cry proteins namely Cry1Ab11, Cry1Ia44, Cry1Aa2, Cry2Af1, Cry1Da2, Cry1Eb1, Cry1Ab5, Cry1Cb2, Cry1Ac2. Besides Cry proteins, other ITRG genes, viz. Vip3Bb2, Zwittermicin A resistance proteins, Chitinase C, Mpp46Ab1, immune inhibitor A, Bmp1, Vpb4Ca1, and Spp1Aa1 were also reported, which show toxicity against lepidopteran pests. The studies were also conducted to test the biosafety of Bt toxins against honeybee larvae and adults, which showed strain NBAIR BtGa was more than 99% safer for honeybee larvae as well as adults. Thus, the data generated ascertains its effectiveness as a biocontrol agent and it can be used further for the development of bio formulation for the management of G. mellonella in honeybee colonies.

Navigating Data Warehousing Implementation in Jordanian Healthcare Sector: Challenges and Opportunities

Introduction: The implementation of data warehouse systems offers great potential for improving patient care, operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making. This study explores the challenges and opportunities of implementing data storage solutions in the Jordanian healthcare industry. Objectives: To investigate current data management practices, perceptions of data warehouses, and factors influencing adoption readiness among IT professionals in Jordanian healthcare organizations. Methods: A survey was conducted involving 102 IT professionals from various healthcare organizations in Jordan. Participants responded to a structured questionnaire, providing insights into key benefits, expected challenges, technical requirements, and future prospects for data warehousing in their organizations. Results: The study demonstrated the critical role of data warehouses in enhancing decision-making, patient care coordination, and operational efficiency within the Jordanian healthcare system. However, significant challenges such as data integration, security concerns, and regulatory compliance were identified. Conclusions: The paper provides recommendations to address these challenges and maximize the benefits of healthcare data warehouses in Jordan. Key strategies include investing in technical expertise, ensuring compatibility with existing systems, and improving data management practices. This study enhances understanding of the complexities associated with implementing data warehousing in the Jordanian healthcare industry and offers valuable insights for future research and practice in this evolving field.

Effectiveness of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation for Weed and Nematode Management in Organic Sweetpotato Production

Weeds and nematodes are particularly problematic in organic sweetpotato production due to a lack of effective pesticides. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) has the potential to fit into current pest management practices as an alternative to pesticide application. Greenhouse studies were conducted at the Clemson Coastal Research and Education Center (CREC) in Charleston, SC, to investigate the impact of carbon source amendment and a no carbon source treatment, and soil type on cumulative anaerobicity, weed control, nematode population, and sweetpotato vigor. Microcosms were filled with one of three different soil types (Charleston—loamy/native; Blackville—high coarse sand content; and Clemson—high clay content) and were mixed with cottonseed meal (CSM) or no carbon amendment. The pots were then sealed with plastic totally impenetrable film (Tif) for 6 weeks, followed by the transplanting of sweetpotato (cv Bayou Belle) slips. The results suggested that the CSM-treated microcosms spent more time under anaerobic conditions than those treated with the no carbon amendment. The microcosms that experienced a longer duration of anaerobicity had a lower percent weed cover (49%), fewer nematode egg masses, and a lower gall index when compared to microcosms which experienced a shorter duration of anaerobicity. Significantly higher instances of leaf necrosis were observed in the sweetpotato slips sown in the CSM-treated microcosms. The addition of CSM as a carbon source to facilitate ASD resulted in similar above-ground biomasses of the sweetpotato plants compared to the treatments containing no carbon amendment. However, a significantly lower below-ground biomass of the sweetpotato plants was observed in the CSM-treated microcosms.

Transcriptome analysis of Drosophila suzukii reveals molecular mechanisms conferring pyrethroid and spinosad resistance

Drosophila suzukii lay eggs in soft-skinned, ripening fruits, making this insect a serious threat to berry production. Since its 2008 introduction into North America, growers have used insecticides, such as pyrethroids and spinosads, as the primary approach for D. suzukii management, resulting in development of insecticide resistance in this pest. This study sought to identify the molecular mechanisms conferring insecticide resistance in these populations. We sequenced the transcriptomes of two pyrethroid- and two spinosad-resistant isofemale lines. In both pyrethroid-resistant lines and one spinosad-resistant line, we identified overexpression of metabolic genes that are implicated in resistance in other insect pests. In the other spinosad-resistant line, we observed an overexpression of cuticular genes that have been linked to resistance. Our findings enabled the development of molecular diagnostics that we used to confirm persistence of insecticide resistance in California, U.S.A. To validate these findings, we leveraged D. melanogaster mutants with reduced expression of metabolic or cuticular genes that were found to be upregulated in resistant D. suzukii to demonstrate that these genes are involved in promoting resistance. This study is the first to characterize the molecular mechanisms of insecticide resistance in D. suzukii and provides insights into how current management practices can be optimized.

Financial Risk Management in Healthcare in the Provision of High-Tech Medical Assistance for Sustainable Development: Evidence from Russia

The research determines the level of financial risk in the Russian healthcare system and identifies prospects for improving the current Russian practice of financial risk management in healthcare when providing high-tech medical care for sustainable development (using Russia as an example). The author summarizes the advanced experience of the top 20 largest healthcare organizations in Russia by revenue in 2022. Based on this experience, the author developed an SEM model of the financial risks in healthcare during the provision of high-tech medical care in Russia from a sustainable development perspective. The theoretical significance of the developed model lies in uncovering the previously unknown causal relationships between the implementation of the ICT, sustainable development support, and financial risks in healthcare. The model reveals a new market dimension of financial risks for healthcare organizations in Russia. The main conclusion is that implementing the ICT and support for sustainable development helps to reduce the financial risks in healthcare. The identified potential for reducing financial risks in providing high-tech medical care in Russia until 2026 is practically significant. This prospect can be practically applied as a roadmap for the digital modernization and sustainable development of healthcare until 2026, enhancing the state healthcare policy in Russia. The established systemic relationship between ICT implementation, sustainable development support, and financial risks in healthcare is of managerial importance because it will increase the predictability of the financial risks in the market dimension of healthcare in Russia. The newly developed approach to risk management in healthcare during the provision of high-tech medical care in Russia has expanded the instrumental framework of risk management for healthcare organizations in Russia and revealed further opportunities for improving its efficiency.

أثر تطبيق معايير إدارة المخاطر ISO 31000 على فعالية إدارة المخاطر في الشركات السعودية البتروكيماوية

This study investigates the impact of implementing ISO 31000 risk management standards on the effectiveness of risk management at Saudi petrochemical companies, a leading company in the petrochemical industry. ISO 31000 is a globally recognized framework that provides principles and guidelines for managing risks systematically and effectively. The study begins with an overview of the importance of risk management in large organizations, highlighting the challenges and risks faced by companies in a complex and dynamic environment. It then reviews ISO 31000 standards, including its core principles and framework aimed at improving the risk identification, assessment, and treatment processes. Additionally, the study examines the current risk management practices at Saudi petrochemical companies and evaluates how the application of ISO 31000 standards has influenced these practices. The research employs a methodology that includes collecting data through surveys and interviews with employees and risk management officials at the company, as well as analyzing relevant documents related to processes and policies. The findings indicate that the implementation of ISO 31000 has significantly enhanced the effectiveness of risk management at Saudi petrochemical companies. Notable benefits include improved risk identification and assessment accuracy, as well as the development of more effective risk treatment strategies. The standards also contributed to raising risk awareness within the company and fostering a more adaptive organizational culture capable of addressing new challenges. The study also identifies some challenges encountered during the application of the standards, such as the need for ongoing training and the development of advanced analytical tools. However, the benefits achieved outweigh these challenges, suggesting that investing in ISO 31000 implementation can be highly valuable for leading companies. Based on the results, the study recommends continuing to enhance the application of ISO 31000 across all departments within the company, developing regular training programs to ensure employee adherence to the standards, and further improving the tools and methods used in risk management to achieve optimal effectiveness. This study provides valuable insights into improving risk management in large organizations and offers practical models that other companies across various sectors can benefit from.

Reduction in Ochratoxin A Occurrence in Coffee: From Good Practices to Biocontrol Agents.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin mainly produced by Aspergillus section Circumdati and section Nigri across the coffee chain. OTA is nephrotoxic and is a threat to human health. This review summarizes current knowledge on how to reduce OTA concentration in coffee from farm to cup. After a brief introduction to the OTA occurrence in coffee, current good management practices are introduced. The core of this review focuses on biocontrol and microbial decontamination by lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and fungi, and their associated enzymes currently reported in the literature. Special attention is given to publications closest to in vivo applications of biocontrol agents and microbial OTA adsorption or degradation agents. Finally, this review provides an opinion on which future techniques to promote within the coffee supply chain.

How do software practitioners perceive human-centric defects?

Context:Human-centric software design and development prioritises the way users prefer to complete their jobs, rather than expecting users to adapt to the software. Software users can have different genders, ages, cultures, languages, disabilities, socioeconomic statuses, and educational backgrounds, among many other differences. Due to the inherently varied nature of these differences and their impact on software usage, preferences and issues of users can vary, resulting in user-specific defects that we term as ‘human-centric defects’ (HCDs). Objective:This research aims to understand the perception and current management practices of such HCDs by software practitioners, identify key challenges in reporting, understanding and fixing them, and provide recommendations to improve HCDs management in software engineering. Methods:We conducted a survey and interviews with software engineering practitioners to gauge their knowledge and experience on HCDs and the defect tracking process. Results:We analysed fifty (50) survey- and ten (10) interview-responses from SE practitioners and identified that there are multiple gaps in the current management of HCDs in software engineering practice. There is a lack of awareness regarding human-centric aspects, causing them to be lost or under-appreciated during software development. Our results revealed that handling HCDs could be improved by following a better feedback process with end-users, a more descriptive taxonomy, and suitable automation. Conclusion:HCDs, given their diverse end-user base, present a major challenge to software practitioners. In the software engineering domain, research on HCDs has been limited and requires effort from research and practice communities to create awareness and support for human-centric aspects.

Evaluation of Waste Management in XYZ University Area in Yogyakarta

The increasing volume of waste is driven by several factors, including population growth, urbanization, and changes in lifestyle. This rise in waste generation has outpaced the capacity of available landfill space, leading to the improper accumulation of unmanaged waste. This study aims to evaluate the current waste management practices, analyze the waste generation and composition, and propose an effective waste management scenario. A quantitative descriptive analysis approach was employed, utilizing waste generation and composition data measured in accordance with the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 19-3964-1994. The proposed waste management scenario is aligned with the guidelines outlined in Sleman Regency Regulation No. 4 of 2015. The operational techniques for managing waste include stages such as storage, collection, transportation, and treatment, which are outsourced to a third party. The findings of this study indicate that the waste at eight sampling points averaged 359,250 kg/day and 4,058 m³/day. The waste composition is predominantly organic (2.48%), paper and cardboard (12.4%), and other types of waste (11.07%). The proposed processing methods focus on utilizing technologies for organic waste and residue treatment, such as Masaro technology.

Anesthesia Management in Emergency and Trauma Surgeries: A Narrative Review.

Emergency and trauma surgeries present unique challenges for anesthesiologists due to the acuity of patient conditions and the need for rapid intervention. This review aims to provide insights into the optimal management of anesthesia in emergency and trauma surgery settings. We searched the National Institute of Health PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases between 2014 and 2024 to synthesize current evidence and best practices for anesthesia management during emergency and trauma surgeries. This literature review examines the evolving role of anesthesia in emergency and trauma surgeries, focusing on key considerations such as patient management, hemodynamic stability, and the choice of anesthetic agents. The review discusses recent advancements in anesthesia techniques, including the use of regional anesthesia and multimodal analgesia, to optimize patient outcomes while minimizing complications. Additionally, it discusses the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among anesthesiologists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals in delivering timely and effective care to critically injured patients.

Management of undescended testis.

Describe why this review is timely and relevant.Undescended testis, or cryptorchidism, is a common diagnosis encountered by pediatricians that requires timely collaboration with pediatric surgical specialists to optimize outcomes for these patients. As this topic continues to be heavily researched, it is imperative to understand current recommendations and emerging management options including new surgical techniques, as well as common pitfalls in care highlighted in the literature. Describe the main themes in the literature covered by the article.This review primarily examines current practice in management including delays in surgical referral, with unnecessary imaging being a key factor that delays time to surgery. This review briefly discusses the diagnosis of undescended testis and the various surgical techniques used including the more recently proposed laparoscopic staged traction orchiopexy (Shehata technique). The ineffectiveness of hormonal therapy is also addressed. describe the implications of the findings for clinical practice or research.This review emphasizes prompt evaluation and diagnosis of undescended testis to facilitate appropriately timed surgical intervention, which plays a major role in outcomes for these patients. Identifying patients at risk of delayed referral is an area of focus for improvement, along with better resource utilization with fewer imaging. Familiarization of surgical options can also facilitate better patient education and provider understanding of risks/benefits.

Application of the Concept Planning, Organizing, Actuating, Controlling in Improving the Quality of Education at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Wathoniyah Cirebon

This study investigates the application of management functions in enhancing the quality of education at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Wathoniyah Putra Buntet in Kabupaten Cirebon. Despite the potential for good management to improve educational quality, the current management practices at this school are ineffective and inefficient, leading to poorly implemented programs and plans. The research aims to: 1) explore the application of education management functions; 2) understand the management practices at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Wathoniyah Putra Buntet; 3) identify factors that hinder and support quality improvement in education. The research focuses on the management functions of planning, organizing, implementing, and controlling. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the study seeks to understand the experiences of the research subjects through observation, documentation, and interviews. Data analysis involves reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing. Findings indicate that while the management functions are recognized, their execution is insufficient, resulting in ineffective programs. Inhibiting factors include inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, and low-quality educators. Supporting factors are strong leadership, good coordination and cooperation, and teachers' classroom management skills.

Medication-Induced Hyperglycemia and Diabetes Mellitus: A Review of Current Literature and Practical Management Strategies.

With the increasing global incidence of diabetes mellitus, physicians may encounter more patients with acute and chronic complications of medication-induced hyperglycemia and diabetes. Moreover, medication-induced diabetes may be an important contributing factor to the high rates of diabetes, and recognizing its impact and risk is a critical step in curtailing its effect on the global population. It has long been recognized that multiple classes of medications are associated with hyperglycemia through various mechanisms, and the ability to foresee this and implement adequate management strategies are important. Moreover, different antihyperglycemic medications are better suited to combat the hyperglycemia encountered with different classes of medications, so it is critical that physicians can recognize which agents should be used, and which medications to avoid in certain types of medication-induced hyperglycemia. In this review, we will discuss the evidence behind the main classes of medications that cause hyperglycemia, their mechanism of action, specific agents that are associated with worsened glycemic control, and, most importantly, management strategies that are tailored to each specific class.

Assessment of the effectiveness of coarse resolution fire products in monitoring long-term changes in fire regime within protected areas in South Africa

Although high-resolution satellite and in situ airborne observations are becoming a common data source for fire monitoring, reconstruction of the historical fire record is based on less suitable data. In many regions, managers and policy-makers rely solely on coarse resolution global fire datasets. This study assessed the suitability of readily available products to accurately depict several fire metrics by comparing them to the manually derived fire scars within three natural reserves in South Africa (2003–2020). Contrary to previous findings, we showed that MCD64A1 and FireCCI51 products detected the majority of the burned area (70–97 %) within protected areas and showed high temporal consistency. Additionally, active and burned area products accurately detected the length and the peak of the fire season. Nonetheless, we found neither medium nor coarse resolution data suitable for evaluating long-term changes in fire size distribution. Coarse resolution burned area products demonstrated a very limited capacity to detect fires smaller than 100 ha, while a lack of sufficient non-cloudy Landsat images led to substantial gaps in fire reconstruction, bringing an unknown level of uncertainties in fire metrics estimates. Similarly, the only available medium-resolution burned area product (GABAM) was unsuitable for fire monitoring since unmapped areas were classified as unburned, making no distinction between regions with an absence of data and an absence of fires. Meanwhile, the performance of FireCCILT11 was ranked the lowest among all the available fire products. Given the lack of resources in many protected areas in South Africa and the pressing need to evaluate current and historical fire management practices and policies, we conclude that, in the absence of a more accurate higher-resolution alternative, MCD64A1 was the most suitable product for capturing year-to-year fluctuations in fire activity and a combination of MODIS and VIIRS active fire products for monitoring changes in fire seasonality.

E-WASTE MANAGEMENT THROUGH DEEP LEARNING: A SEQUENTIAL NEURAL NETWORK APPROACH

The goal of this research is to improve the management of electronic trash (e-waste) by using a Sequential Neural Network (SNN) with TensorFlow and Keras as part of an advanced deep learning technique. In order to address the growing problem of e-waste, the research collects a large amount of data from images of e-waste and then carefully preprocesses and augments those images. With precision, recall, and F1 scores of 87%, 86%, and 86%, respectively, the SNN architecture—which incorporates dropout, pooling, and convolutional layers—achieved an amazing 100% classification accuracy. These outstanding outcomes show how well the model can classify e-waste components, suggesting that it has the potential to be used in real-world scenarios. The results indicate that the SNN-based approach greatly improves the accuracy and efficiency of e-waste sorting, promoting environmental sustainability and resource conservation. By automating the sorting process, the suggested system decreases the need for manual labor, minimizes human error, and speeds up processing. The study emphasizes the model's suitability for integration into current e-waste management workflows, providing a scalable and dependable way to expedite the recycling process. Additionally, the model's real-time applicability highlights its potential to revolutionize current e-waste management practices, making a positive ecological impact. . Future research endeavors will center on broadening the dataset to include a wider range of e-waste image categories, investigating more advanced deep learning architectures, and incorporating the system with Internet of Things (IoT) devices to improve real-time monitoring and management.

Disaster Management and Emergency Response: Improving Coordination and Preparedness

Disasters pose significant challenges to communities worldwide, necessitating effective disaster management and emergency response systems. This study aims to evaluate current practices in disaster management and emergency response, focusing on enhancing coordination and preparedness. Through qualitative analysis, including literature review and library research, this study assesses existing strategies and identifies areas for improvement. The findings underscore the importance of robust coordination mechanisms among various stakeholders involved in disaster management, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community groups. Moreover, the study highlights the critical role of preparedness measures in mitigating the impact of disasters and facilitating timely and effective response efforts. By synthesizing insights from existing literature and case studies, this research provides valuable recommendations for enhancing disaster management and emergency response frameworks. The results emphasize the need for comprehensive planning, capacity-building initiatives, and the integration of technology to strengthen resilience and response capabilities. Furthermore, the study underscores the significance of community engagement and public awareness campaigns in fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience. Overall, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on disaster risk reduction and emergency management by offering insights into improving coordination and preparedness strategies in the face of natural and man-made disasters.

A Descriptive Analysis of Electronic Waste Management among Electronic Repair Vendors in Mwanza City, Tanzania

Electronic waste (e-waste) is a rapidly growing global problem, with Africa generating 2.9 million metric tons of e-waste in 2019. In Tanzania, Mwanza faces a significant amount of e-waste and poor management of e-waste collection and disposal. This study conducted a descriptive analysis of e-waste management practices among electronic repair vendors in Mwanza City, Tanzania. The objective was to describe their current e-waste management practices, identify challenges, and highlight areas for improvement. The lack of awareness and inadequate practices among electronic repair vendors hinder effective e-waste management, contributing to the environmental and health risks associated with the improper disposal of hazardous materials. A literature review revealed the importance of stakeholder engagement, improved awareness, and sustainable e-waste management practices in various African countries. This study employed a descriptive research design, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data will be collected through questionnaires, interviews, and observations targeting a sample of electronic repair vendors in Mwanza City. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings indicate that using e-waste as a spare part of other products and selling non-repairable e-waste to third parties are current e-waste management practices. Moreover, e-repair vendors have been found to contribute to e-waste management, particularly repair, collection, and storage. Based on these findings, the study recommends that an e-waste awareness campaign be instituted in the e-repair industry, that e-waste management be undertaken sustainably to combat unnecessary disposal, and that the deposition of e-waste and e-waste collection equipment(s) be provided to e-repair vendors for proper e-waste collection and management. Also, there is a need to conduct further studies to assess strategies used by local authorities to support e-repair vendors in e-waste management.

Geomorphological controls on estuary hydrodynamics with implications for diatom blooms in deglaciated coastal areas

Understanding local hydraulic conditions is imperative to coastal harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring. The research summarized herein describes how the locations and tidal phases selected for coastal hazard sampling can influence measurement results used to guide management decisions for HABs. Our study was conducted in Frenchman Bay, Maine, known for its complex deglaciated coastline, strong tidal influence, and shellfishing activities that are susceptible to problematic HABs such as those produced by some species (spp.) of the diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia. In-situ measurements of current velocity, density, and turbulence collected over a semidiurnal tidal cycle and a companion numerical model simulation of the study area provide concurrent evidence of two adjacent counter-rotating sub-mesoscale eddies (2–4 km diameter) that persist in the depth-averaged residual circulation. The eddies are generated in the wake of several islands in an area with abrupt bathymetric gradients, both legacy conditions partly derived from deglaciation ∼15 kya. Increased concentrations of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. measured during the semidiurnal survey follow a trend of elevated turbulent dissipation rates near the water surface, indicating that surface sampling alone might not adequately indicate species abundance. Additional measurements of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. from two years of weekly sampling in the region show that algal cell abundance is highest where residual eddies form. These findings provide incentive to examine current practices of HAB monitoring and management by linking coastal geomorphology to hydraulic conditions influencing HAB sampling outcomes, coastal morphometric features to material accumulation hotspots, and millennial time scales to modern hydraulic conditions.

An evaluation of potential inbreeding depression in wild Mexican wolves

AbstractEstimates of the influence of inbreeding on the fitness of wild animals can guide genetic conservation in rare species. Conservation genetics is important in Mexican wolves (Canis lupus baileyi) because the current population descended from 7 founders and mean inbreeding is relatively high. As an endangered subspecies, Mexican wolves are actively managed using select conflict avoidance measures and by placing captive‐born foster pups into wild litters. We obtained data on inbreeding coefficients of wolf pups and adults based on a pedigree dating to 1957 and data on reproduction for wild wolf packs during 1998–2022. We estimated trends in inbreeding coefficients and the associations between dam, sire, and pup inbreeding coefficients and pup recruitment to age 9 months, and assessed 3 components of recruitment: probability of producing a litter, number of pups produced, and recruitment conditional on successful reproduction. We generated estimates using generalized linear mixed models and bootstrapped estimates of confidence intervals. Mean inbreeding coefficients were high (0.227, SD = 0.047) in the wild population, but we detected no significant evidence of an increase during 2010–2022. Overall, the net associations of dam, sire, and pup inbreeding coefficients with our primary fitness metric, pup recruitment to age 9 months, did not differ from zero. While high inbreeding coefficients are a concern for the long‐term recovery of the subspecies, the stable level of inbreeding, lack of evidence for inbreeding depression, high pup production (5.1 pups/litter, SD = 1.64), and rapid population growth (384% increase from 2010–2022) indicate that inbreeding has not prevented rapid progress towards recovery goals under current management practices.