This study aims to elucidate the impact of marketing investment dimensions (MTS, MTOE, ROMI) on profitability indicators (ROA, ROE, GPM, OPM) and sustainable growth indicators (SGR, ARG) for service companies. The study population consisted of 135 service companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. A purposive sample of 55 companies was selected from this population. Financial reports and statements from 2018–2022 for these companies were analyzed to achieve the study objectives, employing appropriate statistical methods like multiple regression to test hypotheses. Previous literature shows conflicting results regarding the relationship between marketing investment dimensions and profitability/sustainable growth. Some studies found positive impacts, while others did not. This study contributes to this debate by providing statistical evidence. The results show that higher MTS, MTOE, and ROMI have a positive impact on SGR, OPM and ROA but a negative impact on GPM, ARG, and ROE. This underscores that marketing investments should be viewed in conjunction with overall operating expenses. Companies that control other expenses and increase the marketing investment proportion of total operating expenses may achieve better financial performance. Marketing investment metrics can serve as useful diagnostics and measures of effectiveness for improving marketing profitability, financial performance, and growth. In summary, this study statistically demonstrates the nuanced impacts of marketing investments on service company profitability and sustainable growth indicators. The results emphasize analyzing marketing spends in context of broader expenses and overall company financial health.
The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into language education has created new opportunities for improving the instruction and acquisition of Chinese characters. Nevertheless, the cognitive difficulties linked to the acquisition of Chinese characters, such as their intricate visual features and lack of clear meaning, necessitate thoughtful deliberation when developing AI-supported learning interventions. The objective of this project is to explore the capacity of a collaborative method between humans and machines in teaching Chinese characters, utilising the advantages of both human expertise and AI technology. We specifically investigate the utilisation of ChatGPT, a substantial language model, for the creation of instructional materials and evaluation methods aimed at teaching Chinese characters to individuals who are not native speakers. The study utilises a mixed-methods approach, which involves both qualitative examination of lesson plans created by ChatGPT and quantitative evaluation of student learning outcomes. The results indicate that the suggested framework for human-machine collaboration can successfully tackle the cognitive difficulties associated with learning Chinese characters, resulting in enhanced learner involvement and performance. Nevertheless, the research also emphasises the constraints of AI-generated material and the significance of human involvement in guaranteeing the accuracy and dependability of educational interventions. This research adds to the expanding collection of literature on AI-assisted language learning and offers practical insights for educators and instructional designers who aim to use AI tools into Chinese language curriculum. The results emphasise the necessity of employing a multi-disciplinary strategy in AI-supported language learning, incorporating knowledge from cognitive psychology, educational technology, and second language acquisition.
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offer eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fertilizers, promoting sustainable agriculture by enhancing soil fertility, reducing pathogens, and aiding in stress resistance. In agriculture, they play a crucial role in plant growth promotion through the production of agroactive compounds and extracellular enzymes to promote plant health and protection against phytopathogens. In the rhizosphere, diverse microbial interactions, including those with bacteria and fungi, influence plant health by production of antimicrobial compounds. The antagonism displayed by rhizobacteria plays a crucial role in shaping microbial communities and has potential applications in developing a natural and environmentally friendly approach to pest control. The rhizospheric microbes showcase their ecological importance and potential for biotechnological applications in the context of plant-microbe interactions. The extracellular enzymes produced by rhizospheric microbes like amylases, chitinases, glucanases, cellulases, proteases, and ACC deaminase contribute to plant processes and stress response emphasizing their importance in sustainable agriculture. Moreover, this review highlights the new paradigm including artificial intelligence (AI) in sustainable horticulture and agriculture as a harmonious interaction between ecological networks for promoting soil health and microbial diversity that leads to a more robust and self-regulating agricultural system for protecting the environment in the future. Overall, this review emphasizes microbial interactions and the role of rhizospheric microbial extracellular enzymes which is crucial for developing eco-friendly approaches to enhance crop production and soil health.
Flood risk analysis is the instrument by which floodplain and stormwater utility managers create strategic adaptation plans to reduce the likelihood of flood damages in their communities, but there is a need to develop a screening tool to analyze watersheds and identify areas that should be targeted and prioritized for mitigation measures. The authors developed a screening tool that combines readily available data on topography, groundwater, surface water, tidal information for coastal communities, soils, land use, and precipitation data. Using the outputs of the screening tool for various design storms, a means to identify and prioritize improvements to be funded with scarce capital funds was developed, which combines the likelihood of flooding from the screening tool with a consequence of flooding assessment based on land use and parcel size. This framework appears to be viable across cities that may be inundated with water due to sea-level rise, rainfall, runoff upstream, and other natural events. The framework was applied to two communities using the 1-day 100-year storm event: one in southeast Broward County with an existing capital plan and one inland community with no capital plan.
This study conducted a systematic literature review on current and emerging trends in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for community surveillance, using the PRISMA methodology and the paifal.ai tool for the selection and analysis of relevant sources. Five main thematic areas were identified: AI technologies, specific applications, societal impact, regulations and public policy. Our findings revealed exponential growth in the development and implementation of AI technologies, with applications ranging from public safety to environmental monitoring. However, this advancement poses significant challenges related to privacy, ethics and governance, driving a debate on the need for appropriate regulations. The analysis also highlighted the disparity in the adoption of these technologies among different communities, suggesting a need for inclusive policies to ensure equitable benefits. This study contributes to the understanding of the current scenario of AI in community policing, providing a solid foundation for future research and developments in the field.
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