Field Study Research Articles

The effect of Organizational immune systems on crisis management strategies (A field Study on Egyptian Universities)

The effect of Organizational immune systems on crisis management strategies (A field Study on Egyptian Universities)

The effect of Strategic Renewal on organizational immune systems (A field Study on Egyptian Universities)

The effect of Strategic Renewal on organizational immune systems (A field Study on Egyptian Universities)

Diverse Relationships between Batrachochytrium Infections and Antimicrobial Peptide Defenses across Leopard Frog Populations.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play a fundamental role in the innate defense against microbial pathogens, as well as other immune and non-immune functions. Their role in amphibian skin defense against the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is exemplified by experiments in which depletion of host's stored AMPs increases mortality from infection. Yet, the question remains whether there are generalizable patterns of negative or positive correlations between stored AMP defenses and the probability of infection or infection intensity across populations and species. This study aims to expand on prior field studies of AMP quantities and compositions by correlating stored defenses with an estimated risk of Bd exposure (prevalence and mean infection intensity in each survey) in five locations across the United States and a total of three species. In all locations, known AMPs correlated with the ability of recovered secretions to inhibit Bd in vitro. We found that stored AMP defenses were generally unrelated to Bd infection except in one location where the relative intensity of known AMPs were lower in secretions from infected frogs. In all other locations, known AMP relative intensities were higher in infected frogs. Stored peptide quantity was either positively or negatively correlated with Bd exposure risk. Thus, future experiments coupled with organismal modeling can elucidate whether Bd infection affects secretion/synthesis and will provide insight into how to interpret amphibian ecoimmunology studies of AMPs. We also demonstrate that future AMP isolating and sequencing studies can focus efforts by correlating mass spectrometry peaks to inhibitory capacity using linear decomposition modeling.

Measurement Setup and Magnetic Field Studies of a Compact Superconducting Undulator With Laser-Structured HTS Tapes

Measurement Setup and Magnetic Field Studies of a Compact Superconducting Undulator With Laser-Structured HTS Tapes

The Impact of Proximity and Hierarchy on Network Dynamics: A Quasi-Experimental Field Study

The Impact of Proximity and Hierarchy on Network Dynamics: A Quasi-Experimental Field Study

Unravelling arthropod movement in natural landscapes: Small-scale effects of body size and weather conditions.

Arthropod movement has been noticeably understudied compared to vertebrates. A crucial knowledge gap pertains to the factors influencing arthropod movement at habitat boundaries, which has direct implications for population dynamics and gene flow. While larger arthropod species generally achieve greater dispersal distances and large-scale movements are affected by weather conditions, the applicability of these relationships at a local scale remains uncertain. Existing studies on this subject are not only scarce but often limited to a few species or laboratory conditions. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a field study in two nature reserves in Belgium, focusing on both flying and cursorial (non-flying) arthropods. Over 200 different arthropod species were captured and released within a circular setup placed in a resource-poor environment, allowing quantification of movement speed and direction. By analysing the relationship between these movement variables and morphological (body size) as well as environmental factors (temperature and wind), we aimed to gain insights into the mechanisms driving arthropod movement at natural habitat boundaries. For flying species, movement speed was positively correlated with both body size and tailwind speed. In contrast, movement speed of cursorial individuals was solely positively related with temperature. Notably, movement direction was biased towards the vegetated areas where the arthropods were originally caught, suggesting an internal drive to move towards suitable habitat. This tendency was particularly strong in larger flying individuals and under tailwind conditions. Furthermore, both flying and cursorial taxa were hindered from moving towards the habitat by strong upwind. In conclusion, movement speed and direction at patch boundaries are dependent on body size and prevailing weather conditions, and reflect an active decision-making process.

Deep antiquity of seagrasses supporting European eel fisheries in the western Baltic.

Protecting ocean habitats is critical for international efforts to mitigate climate impacts and ensure food security, but the ecological data upon which policy makers base conservation and restoration targets often reflect ecosystems that have already been deeply impacted by anthropogenic change. The archaeological record is a biomolecular archive offering a temporal scope that cannot be gathered from historical records or contemporary fieldwork. Insights from biogeochemical and osteometric analyses of fish bones, combined with context from contemporary field studies, show how prehistoric fisheries in the western Baltic relied on seagrass meadows. European eels (Anguilla anguilla) harvested by Mesolithic and Neolithic peoples over millennia showed a strong fidelity for eelgrass foraging habitats, an ecological relationship that remains largely overlooked today, demonstrating the value of protecting these habitats. These data open new windows onto ecosystem- and species-level behaviours, highlighting the need for wider incorporation of archaeological data in strategies for protecting our oceans.

Seaweed Extract and Microbial Biostimulants Show Synergistic Effects on Improving Organic Strawberry Production

The application of seaweed extract and microbial biostimulants has been suggested as a promising approach to overcome yield-limiting factors in organic farming. Yet, information regarding their impact on organic strawberry production is limited. This 2-year field study evaluated the effect of seaweed extract and microbial biostimulants and their synergistic effects on strawberry plant growth, nutrient uptake, fruit yield, and quality under organic production. The biostimulant effects were compared on two strawberry cultivars: Sweet Sensation® Florida127 and Florida Brilliance. Over two seasons, the combination of seaweed extract plus microbial biostimulants applied biweekly consistently resulted in a significant increase of whole-season marketable and total strawberry fruit yields by 23% and 20% on average, respectively, compared with the no-biostimulant control. Application of either biostimulant alone did not consistently show positive effects on strawberry productivity. Modified strawberry root system architecture, enhanced N uptake, increased number of crowns, and higher soil respiration were observed in the biostimulant combination treatment in contrast to the no-biostimulant control. The biostimulant impact was not influenced by strawberry cultivar, but genotypic difference in yield performance under organic production was observed. ‘Florida Brilliance’ produced significantly higher total fruit number and yield than ‘Florida127’ by 26% and 12%, respectively, in the first season, and by 34% and 11%, respectively, in the second season. Marketable fruit number (by 18%) and yield (by 9%) of ‘Florida Brilliance’ were also higher in the first season, along with greater marketable fruit number (by 31%) in the second season. In addition, ‘Florida Brilliance’ showed significantly higher values of SPAD index, photosynthetic rate (early harvest), and fruit mineral contents based on dry weight (late harvest) than ‘Florida127’ in both seasons. Although the biostimulant treatments exhibited little influence on the fruit quality attributes including soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), SSC/TA, and total anthocyanin content, varietal differences were observed with significantly higher levels of SSC and lower contents of total anthocyanins in ‘Florida 127’ vs. ‘Florida Brilliance’ during each season. The benefits of combined application of seaweed extract and microbial biostimulants demonstrated in this study suggest the need to further elucidate their synergistic functions in promoting nutrient uptake and fruit yield in organic strawberry production systems under different soil and environmental conditions.

The Impact of Proximity and Hierarchy on Network Dynamics: A Quasi-Experimental Field Study

The Impact of Proximity and Hierarchy on Network Dynamics: A Quasi-Experimental Field Study

Faculty-Led Program: Food and Beverage Supply Chain – from the first mile to the last mile

Purpose This study aims to present a Faculty-Led Program applied in two contrasting countries, the USA and Peru, focused on the supply chain management of food and beverages to demonstrate its benefits in human capital development. This Faculty-Led Program provides valuable opportunities to acquire skills and knowledge in foreign environments. Design/methodology/approach Students from Universidad del Pacífico and Rochester Institute of Technology were exposed to the food and beverages industry in Lima and New York. The theory will be presented to justify the program’s positive impact on the human development of the participating countries and empirical evidence of training capabilities that it allowed, according to the theoretical framework proposed by (Braskamp et al., 2009), to identify dimensions of learning. The study was based on primary data collected from 20 students from Universidad del Pacífico through a participant observation approach, retrieving a final essay project and the students’ testimonies at the end of the program implemented in other similar studies in Peru (Simone, 2021). The data were categorized into three domains and then summarized to provide key insights. In this case, the methodology is qualitative, but the data were also subjected to statistical analysis. Findings The results suggest that knowledge of the value chain of food and beverages obtained in this program was successfully consolidated. The learning outcomes from this method were obtained through students’ projects aimed to share the learned global practices with the industry and were materialized in three domains: the cognitive domain, with students recognizing and valuing cultural aspects; the interpersonal domain, students learned from social interactions with stakeholders; and the intrapersonal domain, students showed high acceptance of US culture within the course context, though their affect toward it was more potent than toward their own culture. These domains allowed students to assess how such international experience impacted their learning in more than just the academic outcome. Research limitations/implications The study relies on self-reported subjective methods in the short term since it summarizes students’ perspectives, expressed in a final written essay, regarding three main dimensions of learning. Besides, the process assesses the improvement of those dimensions through a participant observation approach and collecting testimonies. More objective, comparable outcomes could be achieved in the medium term by evaluating the participants’ performance in the business world. Originality/value This paper presents a conclusive application of the Faculty-Led Program, which exposed students to the diverse food and beverage industry in Lima and New York, providing valuable insights through field studies and allowing them to experience both cultures and different realities. They recognized technological advancements and delays applicable to both countries, benefiting future managers and planners in workforce development. The firsthand experience taught students practical skills and perspectives for effective industry management. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first research in Peru focused on a short-term study abroad program based on the food and beverage supply chain industry to identify its value and contribution to a more holistic human capital development.

EXPRESS: BMW is POWERFUL, Beemer is Not: Nickname Branding IMPAIRS Brand Performance

This research investigates nickname branding, a novel phenomenon whereby firms incorporate the ‘street’ names consumers give brands into their own marketing (e.g., Bloomingdale’s opening a Bloomie’s store). While practitioners anticipate positive results from deploying this tactic, the current research serves as the first empirical investigation of its likely effectiveness. Drawing on speech act theory, we theorize that using a nickname in place of a formal name serves as an act of power redistribution, effectively signaling submission to consumers, thereby reducing the perception of a brand’s power and weakening its performance. Using a multi-method approach that incorporates secondary data analyses, field studies, and pre-registered experiments, the results support this view across a range of performance metrics. In addition, we show this effect is contingent on two factors, such that nickname branding (1) harms performance more for competent brands than warm brands; and (2) is less pronounced when nicknames are used in messages that are communal-oriented (vs. transactional-oriented). Our research introduces a new theoretical perspective centering on the illocutionary meanings embedded in the process of naming brands and highlights actionable insights on how marketers should approach or avoid consumer-based slang in their marketing.

A Field Study to Assess the Impacts of Biochar Amendment on Runoff Quality from Newly Established Green Roofs

Green roofs (GRs) are a widely recognized green infrastructure (GI) strategy that helps reduce runoff volume and runoff pollution caused by the significant increase in impervious urban areas. However, the leaching of several nutrients from GR substrates is a growing concern. Biochar, a carbon-rich material, possesses advantageous properties that can help address such environmental challenges associated with GRs. Therefore, this paper aimed to undertake a field study to investigate the impacts of various biochar application methods, particle sizes, and amendment rates on the quality of runoff from GRs. Observational data of runoff quality were collected over a two-month period from five newly established 1 m × 1 m biochar-amended GR test beds and a control test bed without biochar, with all test beds subjected to artificially simulated rainfall. The results indicated that the addition of biochar did not result in a significant improvement in runoff pH, whereas the electrical conductivity (EC) was higher in runoff from GRs with biochar-amended substrates. When comparing the total nitrogen (TN) concentration in runoff from the non-biochar GR (ranging from 3.7 to 31 mg/L), all biochar test beds exhibited higher TN release (4.8 to 58 mg/L), except for the bed where medium biochar particles were applied at the bottom of the substrate (ranging from 2.2 to 21 mg/L). Additionally, all biochar-amended GRs exhibited higher TP concentrations in runoff (0.81 to 2.41 mg/L) when compared to the control GR (0.35 to 0.67 mg/L). Among the different biochar setups, GR with fine biochar particles applied to the surface of the substrate had the poorest performance in improving runoff water quality. Despite these mixed results, biochar holds significant potential to improve runoff quality by significantly increasing water retention, thereby reducing pollutant loads.

Realizing sustainable rural tourism through community-based tourism (CBT): A swot analysis of Curug Dhuwur Waterfall

Background: This study focuses on the development strategy of community-based tourism (CBT) at Curug Dhuwur Waterfall in Wanarata Village. Village tourism showcases the uniqueness of village life, including social characteristics, natural beauty, and culture, which have the potential to attract visitors. Local community involvement is a key factor in the sustainability of rural tourism. Method: Descriptive qualitative and field study methods were used. The data comprises primary and secondary sources. The research results were analyzed using SWOT Analysis to determine effective strategies for tourism development. Findings and Conclusion: The analysis concludes that the tourism development strategy should leverage SWOT Analysis to maximize strengths and opportunities while minimizing weaknesses and threats. The implementation of this strategy includes optimization and training in tourism management, maintaining the natural environment, promoting tourist areas, improving infrastructure, raising community awareness of sustainable tourism, organizing comparative studies for managers, and enhancing cooperation with the district government and related departments. This research aims to contribute to the development of community-based tourism in Wanarata Village. Novelty/Originality in this article: This study presents a new model in rural tourism development by combining SWOT analysis and community-based tourism (CBT) principles. This study offers a framework that can be adapted for developing other rural tourism destinations, combining environmental conservation, local economic empowerment, and cultural preservation.

Calcium Carbonate Formation in Groundwater-Supplied Drinking Water Systems: Role of CO2 Degassing Rate and Scaling Indices Applicability

CaCO3 precipitation is a ubiquitous and vital process with far-reaching implications for various natural systems. In drinking water supply networks, it creates malfunctions in the system, especially by pipes clogging. This is a common problem in Tunisia, particularly for systems supplied with groundwater. This work attempts to highlight the effect of dissolved CO2 degassing kinetics and determine the most reliable scaling index to predict scaling. For this, a diagnosis of two drinking water circuits is followed by a laboratory study. Results of the field study show that the network scaling is controlled by the dissolved CO2 content, which is significantly affected by the water/atmospheric air contact. The scale formed is mainly CaCO3–calcite. A laboratory-scale simulation of the natural phenomenon using an experimental setup of the fast-controlled precipitation method (FCP) was performed. The result shows that a low CO2 content is a necessary condition for a supersaturated system regarding calcite but not sufficient for precipitation to take place. The precipitation can occur at very low supersaturations if time is allowed for stable nuclei to form, explaining the scaling of drinking water networks. The fundamental and applied study of the scaling indices shows that the Ryznar stability index (RSI) is the most adaptable index for predicting scale formation.

An Extended Pre-testing Protocol in the Lead-up to Field Studies

To establish whether interventions ultimately change behavior, they are best tested in the field. However, there is no clear consensus on how to pre-select such interventions. To address this, we propose an extended pre-testing protocol in the lead-up to field studies. This extended protocol combines different approaches by (1) distinguishing between (a) an intervention triggering the corresponding theoretical construct, (b) the construct being linked to behavioral intentions, (c) the intervention affecting behavioral intentions; and (2) accounting for emotional reactions to intervention materials. We illustrate the protocol in an online experiment ( N = 636) focusing on the example behavior of opting out of daily hotel room cleans—a behavior which can help reduce the environmental footprint of tourism. The results illustrate the value of the extended pre-testing protocol in tourism and hospitality research and beyond. It increases understanding of underlying intervention mechanisms and ensures interventions are suitable for the field.

Enhancing Community Participation in Local Development Projects: The Bangladesh Context

This paper focuses on developing an approach for effective community participation in local development projects. Researchers conducted a field study in Sunamganj district, one of the most vulnerable areas in Bangladesh, and collected information from 54 respondents, including Union Parishads (UP) chairpersons and members, secretaries, committee members, and local beneficiaries through interviews and FGDs using purposive sampling. Researchers also collected relevant documents from the Union Parishad (project plan, evaluation report, and annual progress report) to compare the information obtained from the participants in the field and analyzed them using the thematic analysis method. Study findings revealed that although UP is considered a close-knit community-based organization due to the nature of its development work and geographic location, inclusive decentralization and a democratic environment have not been established at the local level institutions to enhance meaningful community participation in development projects. This deficiency is attributed to outsider interferences, nepotism, lack of knowledge and information, top-down bureaucratic decisions, gender discrimination, and corruption. It is believed that the model of a meaningful decentralized participation system would help mobilize the comprehensive local development process.

Stability of Saltwater‐Freshwater Mixing Zones in Beach Aquifers With Geologic Heterogeneity

AbstractSaltwater‐freshwater mixing zones in beach aquifers support biogeochemical reactions that moderate chemical loads in fresh groundwater discharging to marine ecosystems. Existing laboratory and numerical modeling studies have demonstrated that fluid density gradients in the mixing zone can lead to free convection and the formation of density instabilities, or salt fingers, under a range of hydrologic, morphologic, and hydrogeologic conditions. However, salt fingers have rarely been observed in real‐world beach aquifers despite a growing body of field studies investigating intertidal mixing zones. In this study, we used geostatistical methods to generate randomly distributed assemblages of fine and medium sand and incorporated those geologic realizations into variable‐density variably‐saturated flow and salt transport simulations to explore the influence of geologic structure on mixing zone stability in tidally‐influenced beaches. Ensemble‐averaged model results show that geologic heterogeneity inhibits salt finger formation and promotes a stable intertidal mixing zone due to enhanced dispersion. This effect is highest for high degrees of heterogeneity and for more laterally connected geologic architecture. Compared to hydraulically equivalent homogeneous models, sediments with moderate to high heterogeneity produce mixing zones that are on average 19%–29% smaller and 3–10 times more stable due to the absence of the downward convection and seaward movement of salt fingers. The models indicate that geologic heterogeneity may explain the lack of field observations of salt fingers in real‐world intertidal mixing zones. The findings have implications for predicting the onset of free convection in beaches and for understanding intertidal pore water biogeochemistry and chemical fluxes to the ocean.

Mapping and Current Trends in Sustainable Communication: A Bibliometric View

The aim of this study is to examine the development of the concept of sustainable communication in the business, management and communication literature through bibliometric analysis. Sustainable communication involves strategic, transparent dissemination of information integrating environmental, social, and economic factors, engaging stakeholders, promoting awareness, and emphasizing the interconnectedness of sustainability dimensions. The research problem lies in the absence of a comprehensive bibliometric study on sustainable communication, despite the abundance of studies in field of sustainability and communication. This study will fill this gap in the literature by utilizing the bibliometric analysis method and contributing to the existing literature. The situation underscores the significance of research. In line with this purposes, this study examines 2724 articles on sustainable communication, focusing on applied studies and focusing on the distribution of these articles, co-authorship, co-citation, and co-occurence of the authors who published them. As a result of the bibliometric analysis, it has been determined that the field of sustainable communication has continued to develop over the years and that the concepts of big data within the scope of Industry 4.0, green business, sustainable business, sustainable supply chain management, environmental performance, greenwashing, and the circular economy have come to the fore in recent years. The study’s findings can be beneficial to scholars as they reveal the current performance of authors, documents, as well as the progression of themes.

Geotechnical assessment of the rock massif in the area of the medieval cultural monument Asen’s Fortress, Bulgaria

The medieval fortress Asenova Krepost (Asen’s Fortress) is built on a rocky massif of metamorphic rocks in south-central Bulgaria. The rock hill, on which the fortress was built, stands about 100 m above the Chepelarska River and the road Asenovgrad–Bachkovo Monastery, which passes at the foot of the slope. The slopes of the hill are steep and overhanging the road, making them completely inaccessible. A characteriza tion of this area was made in order to assess the state of the rock massif in the area of the Asen’s Fortress. Rock samples (marbles and gneisses) were collected and examined. Laboratory tests and field studies were carried out to determine physical and strength parameters of the studied rocks. An assessment of the cracking of the rock massif was made. The results show that the cracking of the marbles and the direction and inclina tion of the schistosity in the gneisses are of essential importance for the stability of the massif.

Field study on natural phytoplankton throughout “Bizerte City” oil spill on the south-western coast of the Mediterranean Sea

Field study on natural phytoplankton throughout “Bizerte City” oil spill on the south-western coast of the Mediterranean Sea