Management Activities Research Articles

Political identity as a driver of hunter responses to chronic wasting disease in a post-COVID world

ABSTRACT Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has emerged as a wildlife management challenge. Human dimensions of CWD management are critical because hunters impact disease transmission and influence management viability. We expanded recent research by evaluating how political identity contributed to perceived risk, concern, intended behavior, and management preferences for CWD among deer hunters in North Carolina and South Carolina (n = 1430) during 2022. Political identity was among the most influential predictors of responses to CWD. Compared to moderates and liberals, conservative hunters reported lower risk perceptions, lower concern about risk to themselves and people that they know, greater likelihoods of hunting in an area with detections, and lower acceptances of management actions to limit the spread of CWD. To garner support for management, CWD communications may need to emphasize the necessity of agency intervention or the disease’s low risk toward human health, depending on the political identity of the audience receiving the information.

Research on physical health assessment and intervention strategies for college students based on biomarkers

Effective physical health assessments and intervention strategies are crucial for college students, who often face unique stressors that can impact their physiological health. In this analysis, we explore how biomarkers can be utilized to assess physical health and the efficacy of targeted interventions for this demographic. Hypotheses were developed based on the three intervention groups: (1) a face-to-face intervention group receiving a tailored wellness program, (2) an Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets intervention group using a health management assessment, and (3) a control group with only baseline and follow-up measurements. College students (n = 204) were randomized into these groups. Biomarkers related to stress and inflammation (e.g., cortisol levels, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)) were measured at baseline, post-intervention (10 weeks), and follow-up (36 weeks). Psychological and physical health outcomes were also assessed using standardized questionnaires. The Mixed-Effects Models, ANOVA, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were used to analyze the differences between groups, changes in biomarkers over time, and the relationships between psychological, physiological, and lifestyle variables. Results indicated that the face-to-face wellness group demonstrated significantly better physical health outcomes compared to both the IoT gadgets group and control group, with diet modification showing the highest effectiveness, followed by physical activity and stress management interventions.

A study of the enablers and barriers to the collection of sociodemographic data by public health units in Ontario, Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Collection and use of sociodemographic data (SDD), including race, ethnicity and income, are foundational to understanding health inequities. Ontario's public health units collected SDD as part of COVID-19 case management and vaccination activities. This research aimed to identify enablers and barriers to collecting SDD during COVID-19 case management and vaccination. As part of a larger mixed-method research study [1], qualitative methods were used to identify enablers and barriers to SDD collection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants from Ontario's 34 public health units. Sixteen focus groups and eight interviews were conducted virtually using Zoom. Interview data were transcribed and analyzed using inductive and deductive qualitative description. SDD collection enablers included: legally mandating SDD collection and having dedicated data systems, technological and legal supports, senior management championing SDD collection, establishing rapport and trust between staff and clients, and gaining insight from the experiences from local communities and other jurisdictions. Identified barriers to SDD collection included: provincial data systems being perceived as lacking user-friendliness, SDD collection "was not a priority," time and other constraints on building staff and client rapport, and perceived discomfort with asking and answering personal SDD questions. A combination of provincial and local organizational strategies including supportive data systems, training, and frameworks for data collection and use, are needed to normalize and scale up SDD collection by local health units beyond the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leveraging the Red List of Ecosystems for action on coral reefs through the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

AbstractCountries have committed to conserving and restoring ecosystems after signing the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) will serve as a headline indicator to track countries' progress toward achieving this goal. Using Kenyan coral reefs, we demonstrate how nations implementing the GBF can use standardized estimates of ecosystem degradation from RLE assessments to support site‐specific management decisions. We undertook a reef‐by‐reef analysis to evaluate the relative decline of four key ecosystem components over the past 50 years: hard corals, macroalgae, parrotfish, and groupers. Using the two benthic indicators, we also calculated standardized estimates of state to identify reef sites which maintain a better condition through time relative to adjacent sites. Kenya's coral reefs have degraded across all four ecosystem components. At more than half the monitored sites parrotfish and grouper abundance declined by more than 50%, while coral cover and macroalgae‐coral ratio declined by at least 30%. This resulted in an Endangered threat status for coral reefs in Kenya (under criterion D of the RLE). The results can guide management actions related to 9 of the 23 GBF targets. For example, we identified several sites with relatively healthy benthic and fish communities as candidate areas for protection measures under Target 3. The RLE has a key role to play in monitoring and meeting the goals and targets of the GBF, and our work demonstrates how using the wealth of data within these assessments can inform local‐scale ecosystem management and amplify the GBF's impact.

Relicts of Carrasco in the Tocantins Cerrado: Diversity and Floristic Relationships

Objective: To describe the floristic and structural diversity of the Carrasco in the municipality of Porto Nacional. Theoretical Framework: This study is based on analyzing the floristic diversity, vegetation structure, and floristic similarity to verify its classification as a phytophysiognomy associated with the Cerrado of Tocantins. Method: Fifty plots measuring 10 x 10 meters were allocated. Sampling criteria included circumference ≥ 10 cm at ground level and height ≥ 1 m. The phytosociological data were analyzed using the FITOPAC software. Results and Discussion: A total of 4,110 individuals were found, distributed among 59 species from 37 genera and 22 botanical families. The vegetation showed homogeneity and diversity comparable to other Cerrado areas but with distinct characteristics, such as the presence of lianas and low ecological dominance. The floristic similarity analysis revealed a low similarity between the "Carrasco" and other Cerrado phytophysiognomies, highlighting the uniqueness of this vegetation. Research Implications: The 'Carrasco' possesses unique floristic, structural, and similarity characteristics, being a vegetational relict that justifies its designation as a new phytophysiognomy of Tocantins. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing a detailed analysis of the floristic composition of the “Carrasco” phytophysiognomy, a new xerophytic and deciduous phytophysiognomy on sandy soils in the state of Tocantins, highlighting its importance for biodiversity conservation within the Cerrado biome. The relevance of this research is to expand the understanding of the ecological characteristics of this relic, offering essential insights for future conservation and management actions.

Midwife-Led Versus Obstetrician-Led Perinatal Care for Low-Risk Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 1.4 Million Pregnancies

Background: The optimum model of perinatal care for low-risk pregnancies has been a topic of debate. Obstetrician-led care tends to perform unnecessary interventions, whereas the quality of midwife-led care has been subject to debate. This review aimed to assess whether midwife-led care reduces childbirth intervention and whether this comes at the expense of maternal and neonatal wellbeing. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched for relevant studies. Studies were checked for eligibility by screening the titles, abstracts, and full texts. We performed meta-analyses using the inverse variance method using RevMan software version 5.3. We pooled data using the risk ratio and mean difference with the 95% confidence interval. Results: This review included 44 studies with 1,397,320 women enrolled. Midwife-led care carried a lower risk of unplanned cesarean and instrumental vaginal deliveries, augmentation of labor, epidural/spinal analgesia, episiotomy, and active management of labor third stage. Women who received midwife-led care had shorter hospital stays and lower risks of infection, manual removal of the placenta, blood transfusion, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Furthermore, neonates delivered under midwife-led care had lower risks of acidosis, asphyxia, transfer to specialist care, and ICU admission. Postpartum hemorrhage, perineal tears, APGAR score < 7, and other outcomes were comparable between the two models of management. Conclusions: Midwife-led care reduced childbirth interventions with favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes in most cases. We recommend assigning low-risk pregnancies to midwife-led perinatal care in health systems with infrastructure allowing for smooth transfer when complications arise. Further research is needed to reflect the situation in low-resource countries.

PKM Increasing Creativity and Economy in the Production of Digital Storytelling Videos on Social Media Platforms at the Kindergarten Teacher Activity Center (PKG) Biringkanaya District, Makassar

PKM to improve the creativity of teachers of the Cluster Activity Center (PKG) of Biringkanaya District, Makassar City will be an alternative for teachers in fulfilling the improvement of professionalism as educators in providing creative and innovative learning with the method of using social media. The technological tools applied in this PKM are the website which is the domain of PKG Kec. Biringkanaya and the YouTube link of PKG Kec. Biringkanaya. The website and YouTube of PKG Kec. Biringkanaya will help the cluster activity center in developing its activities in education management, increasing teacher creativity, and making this social media a place for self-development as well as income for PKG Kec. Biringkanaya in producing visual works on social media. This PKM is carried out in five stages of implementation, namely the first socialization, training to improve teacher creativity in making digital videos using the Canva and Capcut applications, training in using the PKG Kec. Biringkanaya website, mentoring stage, stage of implementing appropriate technology, and evaluation and sustainability stage. With this PKM activity, PKG Kec. partners. Biringkanaya has enthusiasm and commitment in increasing creativity and seeking income from the visual works of partners that are applied in social media, websites, and YouTube partners. This activity is the result of community service funded by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia as the recipient of the Second Phase of Community Service Program Funding for the 2024 Fiscal Year.

Handbook of flood risk management and community action: an international perspective

Handbook of flood risk management and community action: an international perspective

Digital Governance and Electronic Waste Management at Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul – Brazil

The Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) has the Information and Communication Technology Master Plan (PDTIC) to guide and monitor the performance of the Information Technology (IT) area within the institution. The IT area at UFMS has the Digital Governance Committee (CGD), responsible for drafting the Information Security Policy (PSI); the Information and Communication Technology Procurement Plan (PCTIC); the Open Data Plan (PDA); and the University's PDTIC. In addition to the Information and Communication Technology Agency (AGETIC), which is responsible for coordinating, guiding, supervising, executing, and controlling the organization's IT activities. This work aims to demonstrate that sustainability is part of both Digital Governance and the curriculum of UFMS students, focusing on the management of Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) within the University. The UFMS Solid Waste and Health Services Management Plan (PGRS/PGRSS) outlines guidelines for the management of these materials, and annually, since 2017, the Faculty of Computing (FACOM) at UFMS organizes the Electronic Waste Collection Week, a project aimed at raising awareness among the academic community about disposal, reuse, and recycling, helping to conserve the environment. This action assists in the education of these students by making them protagonists in this initiative. In each edition hundreds of electronic devices have been reused by students and community, serving as an example of socio-environmental impact action. The methodology employed by UFMS to organize and advance electronic waste management efforts involved the establishment of digital governance regulations, along with sustainability management and governance practices, in order to structure and promote electronic waste management actions at UFMS.

Analisis Manajemen Piutang di Grand Swiss Belhotel Darmo

This research aims to analyze receivables management at the Grand Swiss Bel-Hotel Darmo. The author conducted this research on the basis that considering the importance of receivables management in the hospitality sector. This study used descriptive qualitative method. Primary data was obtained from an interview with one of the account receivable staff. The analysis was carried out by observing (observations) from the author, which was supported by the results of interviews, and strengthened using literature studies obtained through books and journals. The results of the research show that all financial management activities have been carried out well. However, there are still several problems, namely that some records still do not use software, conditions in the field are too late, resulting in delays in data input, and customers are having difficulty making payments.

A novel proxy for energy flux in multi-era wildfire reconstruction

Escalations in wildfire activity are of significant global concern, particularly within vulnerable wetland ecosystems integral to natural carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. Our understanding and management of future wildfire activity may be better contextualised through the study of historic and ancient fire records, independent of human influence. Methods of study include ‘geothermometry’ - approximating ancient fire intensity from temperature-dependent changes in the chemistry of fossil charcoal. Though well established in their relation to experimental charcoalification, these methods still fail to quantify the true intensity of ancient fires, as a measure of energy release. As a result, their applicability, and contributions to the characterisation of modern fire activity, remain uncertain. Here, we present a novel measure of wildfire energy release, as a proxy for true intensity, through the co-application of cone calorimetry and Raman spectroscopy of charcoal. By applying a range of wildfire heat fluxes to variable peatland fuel mixes, this research demonstrates the complexity in correlating fire behaviour and charcoal microstructure. Further statistical analyses suggest a correlation between spectroscopic results, measures of CO and CO2 release, and fire severity. This offers a principal measure of ancient wildfire intensity, consistent with modern practices in wildfire modelling, monitoring, and management.

KARAKTERISTIK TANAH SULFAT MASAM DAN PENGELOLAANNYA UNTUK LAHAN PERTANIAN

Acid sulfate soils are quite abundant in Indonesia, and some have been used for agricultural land. The main problem with this soil is the presence of pyrite compounds (FeS2). The oxidation of these compounds causes the soil to become acidic, metals and bases dissolve so that the soil becomes poor and the life of aquatic biota affected by the drainage water is disturbed. The oxidized soil, if flooded again, causes an increase in ferrous iron ions and hydrogen sulfide which can poison plants, therefore management of acid sulfate soils needs to be carried out so that the soil has characteristics that can support plant growth. Some soil management actions that can be taken are controlling the activity of microorganisms in the oxidation and reduction processes of pyrite, providing amelioration materials and fertilization, land management and water management.

A comprehensive epidemiological approach documenting an outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus clade 2.3.4.4b among gulls, terns, and harbor seals in the Northeastern Pacific

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b continue to have unprecedented global impacts on wild birds and mammals, with especially significant mortality observed in colonial surface-nesting seabirds and in some marine mammal species. In July of 2023 H5N1 HPAIV 2.3.4.4b was detected in Caspian terns nesting on Rat Island, Washington USA. An estimated 1,800–1,900 adult terns populated the breeding colony, based on aerial photographs taken at the start of the outbreak. On a near-weekly basis throughout July and August, we counted and removed carcasses, euthanized moribund birds, and collected swab and tissue samples for diagnostic testing and next-generation sequencing. We directly counted 1,101 dead Caspian tern adults and 520 dead chicks, indicating a minimum 56% loss of the adult colony population and potential impacts to reproductive success. Combining the observed mortality on Rat Island with HPAI-related Caspian tern deaths recorded elsewhere in Washington and Oregon, we estimate that 10–14% of the Pacific Flyway population was lost in the summer of 2023. Comparatively few adult Glaucous-winged gulls (hybrids) nesting on Rat Island died (~3% of the local population), although gull chick mortality was high. Sixteen harbor seals in the immediate or nearby area stranded during the outbreak, and H5N1 HPAIV was detected in brain and/or lung tissue of five seals. These cases are the first known detections of HPAIV in a marine mammal on the Pacific coast of North America. Phylogenetic analyses support the occurrence of at least three independent avian-mammalian virus spillover events (tern or gull to harbor seal). Whole genome sequencing indicated that H5N1 HPAIV may have been introduced to Washington from Caspian terns in Oregon. Ongoing monitoring and surveillance for H5N1 HPAIV in the marine environment is necessary to understand the epidemiology of this virus, assess conservation impacts to susceptible species, and provide support for data-driven management and response actions.

Evaluating the Importance of Practice-Level Factors on Adherence to Prostate Cancer Treatment Guidelines in Urology

ObjectiveTo evaluate adherence to treatment guideline recommendations across the continuum of prostate cancer care by US community urologists using several prostate cancer (PCa) specific performance indicators (PIs). Additionally, to determine which practice-related factors, such as having a designated PCa patient champion, active patient management in a patient portal, and in-office dispensing of medications, were associated with improved PI performance. MethodsElectronic medical record data was collected retrospectively from the PPS Analytics Patient Population Health Management Platform. The cohort consisted of adult patients with a PCa-related service visit during the period 7/1/2019 to 6/30/2022. Five PIs were reviewed: dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), systemic therapy in metastatic PCa, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) concurrent with ADT, image monitoring, and regular testosterone testing and monitoring. ResultsA total of 101,186 patients were identified from 95 urology practices. PI adherence rates ranged from a low of 13.6% for a DEXA scan within 6-months of ADT initiation to a high of 72.3% for EBRT concurrent with ADT in intermediate/high risk localized PCa. The results also demonstrated that several practice-related features were associated with better PI adherence. ConclusionsThe findings suggest there exists a wide range in PI adherence rates for urologists in the delivery of community urology care in the Unites States compared to clinical guideline recommendations. Future research should examine the factors associated with PI nonadherence and promote implementation of interventions that enhance guideline concordant care.

Impacts of prescribed fire and mechanical shredding of aboveground vegetation for fire prevention on ecosystem properties, structure, functions and overall multi-functionality of a semi-arid pine forest

Ecosystem multi-functionality is a key concept when measured to protect forests from natural and anthropogenic disturbances, such as fire prevention techniques, must be adopted. Despite this importance, scarce studies have analysed the impacts of prescribed burning and aboveground vegetation management on ecosystem functions and overall multi-functionality. To fill this gap, this study has evaluated the changes in some ecosystem properties and structure (associated with soil characteristics and plant diversity, respectively), in important forest functions, and the overall ecosystem multi-functionality in a Mediterranean pine forest of Castilla La Mancha (Central Eastern Spain) under three site conditions: (i) undisturbed ecosystem; (ii) forest subjected to mechanical shredding of aboveground vegetation (hereafter “AVMS”); and (iii) forest treated as above and then with prescribed fire (“AVMS + PF”). The results of the study have shown that neither the PF nor AVMS have significantly modified the structure, properties and functions as well as the overall multi-functionality of the forest ecosystem. These slight impacts of the treatments are due to the low fire severity of the prescribed burning and the long time elapsed from the vegetation management. Among the studied ecosystem functions, organic matter decomposition (driven by the enzymatic activities and soil basal respiration), water cycle (influenced by soil water content and water infiltration), carbon stock (linked to soil organic matter) and biomass production decreased, when species richness and plant diversity increased. The study is useful to indicate the feasibility of forest management actions for fire prevention in delicate forest ecosystems of the Mediterranean environments.

Long live the cat: Ocelot population viability in a planned reintroduced population in Texas, USA

AbstractReintroductions are often needed to recover carnivore populations and restore ecological processes. Felids are common subjects of reintroduction efforts, but published population models informing felid reintroduction plans are uncommon, and poor planning has sometimes caused issues in felid reintroduction programs. In the United States, ocelots (Leopardus pardalis pardalis) are classified as endangered, and recovery requires population expansion into historic habitat. A multi‐organization effort is underway to establish a new ocelot population in Texas by releasing ocelots into an area of 478 km2 of suitable habitat in ocelots' historic but now unoccupied range. In this study, we used population viability analyses to compare different ocelot reintroduction strategies for the identified reintroduction area. Based on a potential ocelot breeding program's limitations, we modeled reintroduction using a founding population of no more than six ocelots and no more than four ocelots released per year for no more than 15 subsequent years. Within these limitations, we assessed projected population abundances and extinction risks after 30 years for 20 different reintroduction strategies. We found that long‐term releases are necessary to establish a viable population; under conservative model assumptions, releasing six ocelots in the initial year and then releasing four individuals annually for an additional 10–15 years is necessary for attaining a projected population greater than 36.62 ocelots (baseline) with <6% extinction risk. We also found that ocelot population abundance is about equally sensitive to post‐release mortality and inbreeding depression. This highlights the importance of not only supporting reintroduced ocelots' survival but also managing for high genetic diversity in the reintroduction program. Further, we found that realistic but more liberal assumptions on the carrying capacity of the reintroduction area and the age of first reproduction for ocelots increase projected population abundances (53.95 individuals and 61.26 individuals, respectively), and thus reintroduction success. The model's sensitivity to carrying capacity suggests that long‐term habitat protection and expansion are among the most important management actions to support ocelot reintroduction. Our study establishes the first population viability model for an ocelot reintroduction plan anywhere across the species' wide geographic range, and it reinforces several key considerations for wildlife reintroduction efforts worldwide.

Vegetation community recovery on restored bottomland hardwood forests in northeast Indiana, USA.

Vegetation communities in restored bottomland hardwood forests in northeast Indiana were studied 6-21 years after restoration to assess progress toward restoration objectives. The study focused on four sites that were restored to compensate for resource injuries after contaminant releases. The restored sites were compared with four reference-site conditions, including crops (prerestoration condition), old field communities representing a no-management alternative, locally sampled second-growth mature forests, and forest community types described by the US National Vegetation Classification (USNVC), which represent ideal or defining conditions of recognized vegetation communities. Fixed-area plots provided data on field-sampled environmental variables, vegetation, soil, and hydrological conditions for crops, old fields, restored areas, and mature forests. The USNVC database provided quantitative data for three historically and geographically relevant reference forest community types for comparison with the sampled communities. Results of nonmetric multidimensional scaling based on species cover revealed clear gradients relating to site age and canopy development. Along those gradients, restored areas demonstrated increasing similarity to mature forest reference communities in terms of floristic composition. Specifically, the floristic quality of restored areas was significantly greater than that of crops and old fields. Furthermore, soil health measurements of physical, chemical, and hydrological conditions indicated significant improvements in restored site soils compared with prerestoration conditions represented by cropland soils. Descriptions and data from the USNVC provided ecological context for restoration target conditions and facilitated the assessment of restoration recovery along a trajectory from starting conditions to those target conditions. Descriptions by USNVC also helped identify deviations from the intended restoration objectives (e.g., invasive species recruitment) and potential adaptive management actions to return sites to their intended trajectories. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1917-1938. Published 2024. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Active management of labour versus expectant management of primiparous women with a prolonged latent phase: a randomized trial

Active management of labour versus expectant management of primiparous women with a prolonged latent phase: a randomized trial

스마트팜 데이터를 활용한 오이 출하량 예측 시계열 모델 연구

This study utilizes data collected by the Rural Development Administration from smart farm sites to identify key variables affecting cucumber shipment and proposes the most accurate prediction model through comparative analysis of various forecasting models. The dataset includes daily weather conditions, cultivation environments, and management activities from 36 different crop seasons. The predictive models used in this study include Multiple Regression, ARIMA(Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average), LSTM(Long Short-Term Memory), and SARIMA(Seasonal Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average). Model performance was evaluated using RMSE and MAE, with SARIMA demonstrating the best results. By optimizing the hyperparameters, SARIMA's prediction accuracy improved significantly, effectively capturing the strong seasonality in cucumber shipments.

Applying Change Management Theory in Schools to Meet the Requirements of Educational Innovation and Training in Vietnam

The application of change management theory to the management of teaching and learning activities in schools in Vietnam in recent years has attracted much attention, but this theory has not been systematically and clearly defined. The purpose of this article is to establish a theory of change management in schools to apply to school management in the context of education and training innovation in Vietnam today. Based on the approach of the Theory of Change, the article builds a system of theoretical issues on change management in schools. The research aims to establish directional criteria on change management capacity, requirements for change management, and methods of practicing change management. The research results provide a systematic approach to change management in schools that is suitable for the requirements of current education innovation in Vietnam.