Implementation Of Management Plans Research Articles

Let Nature Take Its Course: Attitudes and Knowledge of Chronic Wasting Disease Among Southeastern Minnesota Amish Deer Hunters

As chronic wasting disease (CWD) continues to spread, researchers have studied stakeholder attitudes, behaviors, and risk perceptions of deer hunting associated with CWD. Findings inform natural resource agencies’ methods to educate the public, address concerns, and implement management plans. However, little work has been done with underrepresented populations, such as the Amish. We conducted semi-structured interviews with male members of Amish communities in southeastern Minnesota, an area where CWD has been present in wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for over a decade. Participants were asked about their knowledge of CWD, attitudes and behaviors regarding CWD, and sources of CWD information. Thematic analysis revealed that participants had limited CWD knowledge, perceived CWD as a low risk, and disliked culling as a management strategy, instead preferring to “let nature take its course.” The knowledge shared and gathered in this study provides information for Amish community-focused, CWD-related educational materials.

Implementation Plan in Response to the Board-Endorsed Recommendations from the IEO Evaluation on the Evolving Application of the IMF's Mandate

This Management Implementation Plan (MIP) proposes actions in response to the Board-endorsed recommendations provided by the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO)'s report on the Evolving Application of the IMF's Mandate. The MIP addresses the four IEO recommendations, which aim to (i) Enhance the decision-making process for Fund engagement in new policy areas; (ii) Address operational challenges by producing budget data in a manner that allows tracking by policy area across all Fund activities and operations; (iii) Enhance the clarity of key elements regarding surveillance in new policy areas, and (iv) Adopt an Executive Board-approved high-level Statement of Principles for Engagement with Partners. Staff will leverage existing and planned workstreams to address the IEO's recommendations.

Coexistence of Native and Alien Fish: Food Overlap and Feeding Strategies of Pseudosphromenus dayi (Köhler, 1908) and Trichopodus trichopterus (Pallas, 1770) in a Tropical Coastal Wetland, India

Understanding the dynamics between native and invasive species in aquatic ecosystems is crucial for effective conservation and management. This study investigates the diet composition and niche overlap of the native paradise fish (Pseudosphromenus dayi) and the introduced three-spot gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) in a coastal wetland in Kerala, India. Through a comprehensive diet analysis, the study aims to reveal trophic dynamics and potential competition between these coexisting species. A substantial diet overlap of 0.73 indicates significant resource sharing, particularly in detritus, plant matter, Chlorophyta, insect remains, Cyanophyta, and Crustacea, highlighting a pronounced interaction between the paradise fish and three-spot gourami. Abundant resources in the wetland likely alleviate interspecific competition, facilitating the coexistence of both species. The presence of microplastics in the gut of both species signals increased human intervention and plastic pollution in the watershed and wetland. These findings underscore the importance of considering dietary preferences and ecological behaviours in assessing interactions between native and invasive species. Effective management strategies are crucial to mitigate potential competition and maintain the ecological integrity of wetland habitats. Continuous monitoring of invasive freshwater fishes is recommended for early detection and the implementation of management plans to address potential threats.

Towards sustainable management of the World Heritage in Spain: from identification to monitoring of cultural values

The management of World Heritage properties has reached a sufficient level of maturity accompanied by increasingly demanding monitoring processes focused on preserving their cultural values. This task is now being tackled, from a sustainable point of view, by involving the public. In the case of Spain, 50 properties have been declared since 1984, giving rise to an unequal situation regarding their management. Heterogeneity, the need to complete the declaration dossiers, concerning outstanding universal values and others, and the difficulty of implementing strategic and operational planning, are the origins of this situation. To address the sustainable management of this heritage and the monitoring of its cultural values, a diagnosis will be made, from the declaration to the implementation of the monitoring processes required by UNESCO, ending with a review of the implementation of management plans in Spain, understood as the tools that guarantee an integral vision of the property.

The DICE Approach to Intervene the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: a Study Protocol

AbstractBackgroundThe “Describe‐Investigate‐Create‐Evaluate” (DICE) approach has been considered as a guide for managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). However, the implementation of DICE approach may be limited by few available resources. With the development of AI technology, the effectiveness of AI‐aided DICE algorithm for BPSD management has yet to be determined. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effectiveness of the AI‐aided DICE algorithm for managing BPSD in low‐resource setting.MethodsThe cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted in 12 medical facilities where geriatric psychiatrists are not fully installed. One hundred and eighty‐four persons with mild and moderate BPSD will be enrolled and randomized to the AI‐aided DICE group (n = 92) and usual care group (n = 92). In the AI‐aided DICE group, all participants will receive comprehensive assessment on a digital triage platform to identify individualized needs and target symptoms, be prescribed with personalized management plan based on the AI‐aided decision process, be monitored about the implementation of management plan, and receive follow‐up assessment to evaluate the effectiveness. The neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaire and caregiver burden inventory will be used to measure primary and secondary outcomes. assess caregiver burden, records of care and adverse event. The study duration for each participant will be 12 weeks.DiscussionWe expect that the study will examine the effectiveness of the AI‐aided DICE algorithm for managing BPSD in low‐resource setting. The findings will support the implementation of AI‐aided algorithm and leverage the practice for quality care for dementia.

Assessing the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Households in Darmian City with Regard to Municipal Solid Waste Management

Abstract Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of households living in Darmian city, South Khorasan, Iran, with regard to municipal solid waste (MSW) management. Methods: The quota sampling method was used based on Darmian city zoning. The questionnaire was included questions about knowledge, attitude, and practice in the MSW management domain. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 18 (SPSS Inc, Chicago) using descriptive statistics and appropriate nonparametric statistical tests. Results: The findings showed that the mean score of knowledge was 8.53 ± 2.46, of attitude was 16.60 ± 2.70, and of practice was 3.02 ± 1.10. It was found that the implementation of management plans could improve health and environmental aspects. Conclusion: According to the findings, the scores of knowledge and practice were higher among urban residents than rural ones. Therefore, proper planning for improving the cultural level of rural residents in this regard should be considered. To increase participation in waste separation and recycling practices, educational campaigns and mass media can be the used as one of the effective educational strategies.

Public Assessment for Environmental Management Plan Implementation: Comparative Study of Performance Indicators of Road and Highway Construction Projects

Public Assessment for Environmental Management Plan Implementation: Comparative Study of Performance Indicators of Road and Highway Construction Projects

579-P: ADA Diabetes Medical Management Plan Implementation—Barriers and Opportunities

579-P: ADA Diabetes Medical Management Plan Implementation—Barriers and Opportunities

Implementation of Evacuation Management Plan of a Rural Barangay in Surigao Del Norte, Philippines

This descriptive quantitative study evaluated the extent of evacuation management plan implementation as experienced by the residents of Brgy. Poblacion, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte. The respondents were 123 residents and were selected through convenient sampling. The data gathered were analyzed and treated using the following descriptive statistical tools: frequency count and percentage distribution, mean and standard deviation, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that the camp coordination and management plan was moderately implemented. This suggests that while the plan is being implemented to some extent, there is room for improvement to ensure a more effective and robust evacuation process in the future. In addition, the findings showed a significant degree of difference in the perceived implementation extent of the evacuation phase with respect to the respondents’ years of residency, indicating that length of stay may impact residents’ knowledge, familiarity with the area, and ability to contribute to the community’s resilience during evacuations. Finally, it was recommended that implementing the recommended strategies, actions and proposed enhancement plan can have a transformative impact on the barangay’s camp coordination and management plan.

Performance Indicators for Assessing Environmental Management Plan Implementation in Water Projects

This research aims to examine the performance indicators that are crucial for assessing the implementation of environmental management plans (EMPs) in water projects. To achieve this aim, a questionnaire survey, integrating a systematic literature review (SLR), was used to identify the initial performance indicators. Subsequently, ten interviews with environmental professionals were carried out to uncover additional indicators not identified by the SLR. Following the survey design and pilot study of the survey, the data collection resulted in 112 valid responses from environmental professionals engaged in water projects in Saudi Arabia. The data analysis encompassed reliability tests, mean ranking, normalized mean analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The normalized mean analysis highlighted 13 critical parameters among 39 for further investigation. The EFA disclosed three underlying constructs: environmental impact indicators, operational and safety indicators, waste management, and public safety indicators. PLS-SEM was used to validate the relationship between these indicators and the successful implementation of EMPs. The results indicate that all three underlying constructs positively influence the effective execution of such plans. This is the first study to model the relationships of the performance indicators in water projects. The study’s findings underscore the importance of developing precise performance indicators tailored to diverse construction projects that are mainly focused on water facility construction. The identified performance indicators offer significant insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers and provide a solid foundation for the advancement of knowledge in the field of environmental management.

Assessing Environmental Management Plan Implementation in Water Supply Construction Projects: Key Performance Indicators

Assessing the implementation of environmental management plans (EMPs) in construction projects is crucial for meeting environmental sustainability goals and reducing potential adverse impacts. By using performance indicators (PIs), stakeholders can objectively measure the performance of EMP implementation, identifying areas of success and areas that may require improvement. Therefore, this study aims to examine the PIs for assessing EMP implementation in water supply construction projects, using Saudi Arabia as a case study. Data from semi-structured interviews and a systematic literature review were used to develop a potential list of PIs. Then, the PIs were used to create a survey and distributed to industry professionals. Data from 112 respondents were analyzed using mean ranking analysis, the normalization method, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE). Eighteen critical PIs for assessing EMP implementation in water supply construction projects were identified, including public safety, road safety hazards, construction waste, clogged drainage, irregular flooding, the spilling of chemical substances, slope failures, soil erosion, landslide occurrence, increased schedule waste, changes in the color of bodies of water, oil/fuel spills, restricted site accessibility, the smell of run-off water, traffic accidents on construction sites, the spread of disease, changes in the color of run-off water, and overflowing silt traps. The EFA revealed that PIs can be grouped into three underlying constructs: fluid-related indicators, health and safety-related indicators, and site environment-related indicators. The FSE results confirmed that all PIs are between moderately critical to critical. This study’s significance lies in its examination of PIs that aim to improve the environmental performance of water supply construction projects. Understanding which indicators are most effective allows for targeted improvements, helping to minimize negative environmental impacts and ensuring sustainable practices. Finally, this study is a pioneer in examining the critical PIs for assessing EMP implementation in water supply construction projects.

Governança Adaptativa em Unidades de Conservação no Estado de Rondônia

ABSTRACT Objective: this study aims to describe adaptive governance in Conservation Units (CUs) in Rondônia, based on the actions of management councils and local actors’ perceptions. Theoretical approach: the research draws on theoretical approaches to governance, adaptive governance, and common-pool resources. Method: three extractive reserves (Resexs) were selected based on their management systems and council dynamics: Resex Rio Preto-Jacundá, Resex Maracatiara (in Machadinho D’Oeste), and Resex Itaúba (in Vale do Anari). This is a qualitative research using primary data, document compilations, specific legislation, and management plans for the reserves. Results: the results demonstrate that the management of CU councils aligns with the premises of adaptive governance. The councils comply with the requirements set out in their creation decrees, exercise governance by evaluating and approving the accountability reports of associations based in CUs, and deliberate on issues that facilitate the implementation of management plans aimed at improving the quality of life of Resex residents. However, the discontinuity in the management of the local office responsible for the councils’ actions - compensated by the general secretariat’s intervention - highlights the adaptive capacity of governance. Conclusion: the study concludes that the challenges faced by community members, together with the specific contingencies of Amazonian CUs, necessitate changes to promote alternative governance models adapted to local conditions, including the integration of technology to enhance the quality of life of extractive families and, consequently, their participation in council actions. Future research should extend the analysis to CUs managed by other government spheres and in other states to allow for comparison and generalization.

세종특별자치시의 난개발과 정책적 대응

1. CONTENTS (1) RESEARCH OBJECTIVES This study identifies the cause of the three changes in the Sejong City Growth Management Plan and analyzes related problems. In addition, the purpose of the study is to present improvement measures to prevent urban sprawl and the balloon effect, and to provide policy implications. (2) RESEARCH METHOD As a method of research, prior research and various literature is reviewed, and non-urbanized area management systems in Korea and abroad are compared and analyzed. It also compares applicable cases of relevant laws and guidelines. In addition, using related statistical data, the problems of the Sejong City Growth Management Plan are analyzed and improvement measures are suggested. (3) RESEARCH FINDINGS The main improvement measures include the application of discriminatory policies to areas other than growth-inducing zones, supplementing incentive systems, setting up planned urbanization sites as growth-inducing zones, linking them to unexecuted facilities in the city, restricting permission to development activities in mountain areas, the establishment of the Sejong Special Self-Governing City Growth Management Governance Committee (tentative name), the introduction of quasi-industrial complexes, integrating the factory location-inducing zone system into the Sejong Special Self-Governing City growth management plan, and urban development strategies for implementing regional unit planning guidelines in the surrounding area. 2. RESULTS As a result of this study, the problems of Sejong Special Self-Governing City's growth management plan implementation guidelines and eight improvement measures were presented, and two ways to apply non-urbanized area management systems were proposed.

Mental health outcomes of hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic, which had recorded 769 million cases and resulted in 6.95 million deaths by August 2023, has put pressure on healthcare systems. Frontline medical professionals face stress, potentially leading to health challenges. This research aimed to examine the mental health of staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted in several hospitals in Tehran, Kerman, and Golpayegan between 2021 and 2022. The study encompassed a population of 1,231 nurses and physicians. Data collection was done using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). We applied the K-means clustering algorithm to unveil hidden patterns within the data and extract valuable insights from participants' responses to the GHQ-28. This method was chosen because our dataset lacked explicit labels, making grouping individuals with similar characteristics necessary. The primary aim was to delineate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of hospital staff and identify which factors played a more significant role in this process.ResultsWe have observed that Cluster two exhibits the highest scores in response to the GHQ-28 questions, indicating a more significant degree of mental distress. Within this cluster, 83.0% of individuals identify as female, 71.0% hold bachelor's degrees and 42.8% are nurses who have experienced the most substantial impact. Among these individuals, 90.4% did not have a history of smoking. Additionally, 59.7% are married, suggesting that these mental health issues may also affect their families.ConclusionGiven that the most critical subscale is related to anxiety/insomnia within the second cluster, it is necessary to implement management plans aimed at appropriately redistributing night shifts to improve employee health.

Understanding fishing and conservation of the Pacific seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) in Sinaloa, Mexico, through local ecological knowledge

Abstract The Pacific seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) is a teleost fish native to the Pacific Ocean. In Mexico they are protected by national legislation; however, there are no studies regarding their commercial use or population status. From a conservation perspective they are a threatened fish and from a socio‐economic aspect they represent a source of income for many fishing communities. The integration of these two points of view requires, among other things, the recognition that fishers have knowledge and skills that can help implement conservation strategies and management plans for seahorses and their habitats. The objective was to document the knowledge of fishers from Sinaloa about the fishing status and current commercialization of wild populations of H. ingens. For this, semi‐structured interviews and participatory observation were carried out with 112 participants in the two main ports of the state of Sinaloa (Mazatlán and Topolobampo) from July to August 2021. The data obtained were coded and then, through content analysis, systematized results were obtained that allowed a qualitative and quantitative analysis. The species was found to be caught using six different fishing gears (catch per unit effort, CPUE = 0.07–1.24 seahorses per boat per day) and have an important financial value. Most fishers catch seahorses incidentally, but three of them mentioned targeting them directly. Fishers perceive a decrease in catches and in the size of the Pacific seahorse, as well as an increase in prices. The information analysed indicates that seahorse populations in Sinaloa are exploited and have economic value, despite current regulations. This study shows that the exploitation of seahorses in Sinaloa is unsustainable and requires the implemention of collaborative management strategies (e.g. stakeholder management, the establishment of marine protected areas, sustainable harvest practices, community‐based enforcement efforts, educational campaigns, research, and conservation partnerships) that fully take into account the knowledge and practice of local fishers of Sinaloa and Mexico.

Warming and salinization effects on the deep-water rose shrimp, Parapenaeus longirostris, distribution along the NW Mediterranean Sea: Implications for bottom trawl fisheries

Warming and salinization effects on the deep-water rose shrimp, Parapenaeus longirostris, distribution along the NW Mediterranean Sea: Implications for bottom trawl fisheries

Performance indicators for public evaluation of environmental management plan implementation in highway construction projects

PurposeEvaluating the implementation of environmental management plans (EMPs) in highway construction projects is essential to avoid climate change. Public evaluations can help ensure that the EMP is implemented correctly and efficiently. To allow public evaluation of EMP implementations, this study aims to investigate performance indicators (PIs) for assessing EMP implementation in highway construction projects. To that end, the study objectives are to compare the critical PIs between environment auditors (EAs) and environment officers (EOs) and among the main project stakeholders (i.e. clients, contractors and consultants), create components for the critical PIs and assess the efficiency of the components.Design/methodology/approachThe paper identified 39 PIs from interviews with environmental professionals and a systematic literature review. Then a questionnaire survey was developed based on the PIs and sent to EAs and EOs. The data were analyzed via mean score ranking, normalization, agreement analysis, factor analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE).FindingsThe analyses revealed 21 critical PIs for assessing EMP implementation in highway construction projects. Also, the critical PIs can be grouped into four components: ecological, pollution, public safety and ecological. Finally, the overall importance of the critical PIs from the FSE is between important and very important.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first-of-its-kind study on the critical PIs for assessing EMP implementation in highway construction projects.

Public monitoring of environmental management plan implementation in road construction projects: key performance indicators

PurposeThis study aims to examine the performance indicators (PIs) for assessing environmental management plan (EMP) implementation in road construction projects. The specific objectives are to compare the key PIs between environment auditors and environment officers and among project stakeholders, develop components to categorize interrelated key PIs and evaluate the effectiveness of interrelated key PIs and components.Design/methodology/approachThirty-nine PIs were identified through a systematic literature review and in-depth interviews with environmental professionals. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was designed based on this list of PIs and distributed to industry professionals. Sixty-one responses were collected in Malaysia and analyzed using the mean score ranking, normalization, agreement analysis, overlap analysis, factor analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation.FindingsThe analyses identified 18 key PIs: soil erosion, dust appearance, spill of chemical substance, construction waste, clogged drainage, overflowed silt trap, oil/fuel spills, changes in the colour of bodies of water, excessive cut and fill, vegetation depletion, changes in the colour of the runoff water, landslide occurrence, slope failures, irregular flood, public safety, deforestation, open burning and increased of schedule waste. Also, the key PIs can be grouped and ranked into the following four components: geological, pollution, environmental changes and ecological. Finally, the overall importance of the key PIs is between important and very important.Originality/valueThis study is a pioneer in quantitively examining the key PIs for EMP implementation in road construction projects. Researchers, industry practitioners and policymakers can use the findings to develop strategies and tools to allow public monitoring of EMP implementation.

Bringing equine adipose tissue into focus

SummaryAdipose tissue is not only required for energy storage but is an essential endocrine organ with a central role in the pathology of obesity. The understanding of its role, both in human and equine medicine, is continually evolving. With obesity being an ever‐growing problem in equine populations, gaining owner compliance is critical when implementing management plans. The aim of this review is to encourage the inclusion of the concept of adiposity in discussions with horse owners on obesity and metabolic syndrome. In doing this, we hope to improve clients' understanding and, therefore, maximise the impact of diagnostic tests, monitoring tools and management.

Identifying the Determinants of the Increase in Native Forests in Southern Chile

In Chile, the native forest has suffered anthropic pressure that has resulted in the reduction in its surface and increased degradation, which has led to the development of public policies to reverse this scenario and encourage its sustainable management and conservation. This study examines the socioeconomic variables that influence the area increase in native forests in southern Chile, based on the analysis of 154 properties in the regions of Los Ríos, La Araucanía and Los Lagos. Georeferenced information from the 2015 SIMEF program survey and the Cadastre and Evaluation of Native Vegetation Resources of Chile were used. A Probit regression model was implemented, which associates a traceable increase in the native forest area with the variables regarding the owner: location, gender, age, schooling, management plan and technical advisory; and regarding the exploitation: farm size, percentage of native forest, scrub and forest plantations of the property and number of animal units. The econometric results show that smaller farms and those located in Los Lagos presented less probability of increasing their native forests. In the same way, an increase in the share of forest plantations area decreases the probability. Conversely, the scrub area share is related to the recovery of native forests in the sample. No significant effects of the variables associated with the implementation of management plans and technical assistance were found.