Important Goal In Management Research Articles

Public attitudes about urban forest ecosystem services management: A case study in Oregon cities

Rapidly growing human populations worldwide create management challenges to support ecological and human wellbeing. Including human dimensions in research and planning, especially in urban locations, can help natural resource management become more integrated and balanced. To help inform natural resource management, we looked at human dimensions of forest ecosystems, focusing on urban forests. We carried out a case study comparing homeowners’ and renters’ attitudes about urban forest management goals, and what each group considers indicators of successful urban forest management. Using mixed mode methods in four cities in Oregon, U.S.A., we found that, in general, homeowners and renters agree that watershed health, ecological health, habitat preservation, and sustainability are important management goals. Data revealed minor variation between homeowners and renters, with renters generally expressing stronger opinions. Homeowners and renters also tended to agree that more green space and more natural habitat were indicators of successful management. Where statistically significant differences between groups were found, practical differences (effect sizes) were mostly small. Results indicating the importance of intangible benefits to both groups suggest that urban natural resource managers might be able to strengthen outreach and engagement by expanding the ecosystem services narrative to include more focus on aesthetics and recreation. Direct experience through recreation opportunities has potential to improve city resident awareness and interest in urban forests and green spaces. Managers may need to improve outreach concerning tangible benefits such as property values as well. Results also suggest that renters represent a category of city residents that appear motivated to get more engaged with urban forest planning and management. Given that our research method was a case study, caution is recommended if applying our results to other cities in the U.S. and internationally. Nevertheless, we are hopeful that results from this research will provide useful information that contributes to urban human and ecological wellbeing in cities in the U.S. and abroad.

A Case Study of Employees’ Performance at Prime Group Vietnam

Improving performance is an important goal of modern management. The quality of the workforce is a deciding factor behind organizations’ success because employee performance has proven to have a significantly positive effect on their performance (Collis and Montgomery, 1995 pp. 118-128). There is a growing recognition that the primary source of competitive advantage is derived from an organization’s human resources (Brewster and Carey et al., 2003). This case study of Prime Group, the leading group in producing construction materials in Vietnam with 10 factories nationwide and one of the top five in the world in this field, examines the correlation between employees’ performance and the overall performance and productivity of the company. The aim of the study was to find solutions to improve the company’s productivity through improving its employees’ performance. The research used a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze data. Quantitative data were collected through a survey of 500 Prime employees, divided into three groups: managers, office staff and manufacturing workers and analyzed with the help of SPSS software. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews of the same groups. Through the analysis, the study proposes possible solutions to address the company’s current problems and increase its employees’ performance.

Important Case Management Goals in Community Aged Care Practice and Key Influences.

To investigate important case management goals and key influences on the achievement of the goals in community aged care practice from the perspectives of case managers in Australia. We surveyed 154 case managers, representing 17.1% of the target population in the State of Victoria, Australia. The key information collected was case managers' characteristics and their selections of important case management goals. We also conducted 33 interviews with 47 case managers to explore their perceptions of important case-managed community aged care goals and the key influences on the achievement of these goals. Descriptive analysis, logistic regression, and qualitative thematic analysis were performed. The survey findings showed that important case management goals included improving client outcomes, improving care quality, enhancing care coordination and accessibility, and reducing nursing home admissions. The interview findings indicated that important case management goals were divided into client-centered goals (e.g., maintaining clients safely at home), case managers' personal goals (e.g., gaining professional development), and organizational goals/expectations/values (e.g., expecting case managers to manage budgets wisely). Finally, the mixed research methods determined constraints of organizational resources and policies, clients' risky decisions, and case managers' work experience and employment status as key influences or significant factors associated with the achievement of case management goals. Client-centered goals are of particular importance among those important case management goals. Case managers helping clients establish reasonable expectations and organizations developing favorable professional development policies and establishing reasonable job requirements and expectations will facilitate the achievement of case management goals.

Volatile anesthetics suppress glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in MIN6 cells by inhibiting glucose-induced activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1.

Proper glycemic control is one of the most important goals in perioperative patient management. Insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells in response to an increased blood glucose concentration plays the most critical role in glycemic control. Several animal and human studies have indicated that volatile anesthetics impair glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). A convincing GSIS model has been established, in which the activity of ATP-dependent potassium channels (KATP) under the control of intracellular ATP plays a critical role. We previously reported that pimonidazole adduct formation and stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) were detected in response to glucose stimulation and that MIN6 cells overexpressing HIF-1α were resistant to glucose-induced hypoxia. Genetic ablation of HIF-1α or HIF-1β significantly inhibited GSIS in mice. Moreover, we previously reported that volatile anesthetics suppressed hypoxia-induced HIF activation in vitro and in vivo.To examine the direct effect of volatile anesthetics on GSIS, we used the MIN6 cell line, derived from mouse pancreatic β-cells. We performed a series of experiments to examine the effects of volatile anesthetics (sevoflurane and isoflurane) on GSIS and demonstrated that these compounds inhibited the glucose-induced ATP increase, which is dependent on intracellular hypoxia-induced HIF-1 activity, and suppressed GSIS at a clinically relevant dose in these cells.

Distributed Online Optimal Energy Management for Smart Grids

Traditionally, economic dispatch and demand response (DR) are considered separately, or implemented sequentially, which may degrade the energy efficiency of the power grids. One important goal of optimal energy management (OEM) is to maximize the social welfare through the coordination of the suppliers’ generations and customers’ demands. Thus, it is desirable to consider the interactive operation of economic dispatch and DR, and solve them in an integrated way. This paper proposes a fully distributed online OEM solution for smart grids. The proposed solution considers the economic dispatch of conventional generators, DR of users, and operating conditions of renewable generators all together. The proposed distributed solution is developed based on a market-based self-interests motivation model since this model can realize the global social welfare maximization among system participants. The proposed solution can be implemented with multiagent system with each system participant assigned with an energy management agent. Based on the designed distributed algorithms for price updating and supply–demand mismatch discovery, the OEM among agents can be achieved in a distributed way. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solution.

Prediction of Biomass Production and Nutrient Uptake in Land Application Using Partial Least Squares Regression Analysis

Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) can integrate a great number of variables and overcome collinearity problems, a fact that makes it suitable for intensive agronomical practices such as land application. In the present study a PLSR model was developed to predict important management goals, including biomass production and nutrient recovery (i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus), associated with treatment potential, environmental impacts, and economic benefits. Effluent loading and a considerable number of soil parameters commonly monitored in effluent irrigated lands were considered as potential predictor variables during the model development. All data were derived from a three year field trial including plantations of four different plant species (Acacia cyanophylla, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Populus nigra, and Arundo donax), irrigated with pre-treated domestic effluent. PLSR method was very effective despite the small sample size and the wide nature of data set (with many highly correlated inputs and several highly correlated responses). Through PLSR method the number of initial predictor variables was reduced and only several variables were remained and included in the final PLSR model. The important input variables maintained were: Effluent loading, electrical conductivity (EC), available phosphorus (Olsen-P), Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K2+, SAR, and NO3−-N. Among these variables, effluent loading, EC, and nitrates had the greater contribution to the final PLSR model. PLSR is highly compatible with intensive agronomical practices such as land application, in which a large number of highly collinear and noisy input variables is monitored to assess plant species performance and to detect impacts on the environment.

Calcimimetic (Cinacalcet) and Hemodiafiltration versus Conventional Treatment of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Children With End-Stage Renal Disease on Regular Hemodialysis

Background Control of metabolic derangements related to bone disease is one of the important goals in management of patients with chronic kidney disease. Traditional treatment using calcium containing phosphate binders and active vitamin D 3 analogues can lead to hyperphosphatemia and hypercalcemia with increase in calcium phosphorus product and metastatic calcifications. Other methods of therapy such as calcimimetics and hemodiafiltration are additional options of treatment that can lead to better control of metabolic bone disease with avoidance of these complications. Methods Our study was a case-control study which was performed over 6 months on 33 children with end stage renal disease on regular hemodialysis. They were randomly divided into 3 groups: The first group (11 cases) on regular hemodialysis and received Cinacalcet (Mimpara) 30 mg/day in addition to conventional care (vitamin D and phosphorus binders) as needed, the Second group (13 cases) on hemodiafiltration (HDF) for at least 6 months and received conventional care only, and the third group (9 cases) [control group] on regular hemodialysis received conventional care only. Monthly follow up of serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase was done in addition to baseline and 3-monthly parathormone level (intact PTH). Results The mean age of whole study population was 10.6 ± 3.9 years (range 3-17 years), and the mean weight was 20.2 ± 7.3 kg (range 8-39.1 kg). 􀀥oth groups I and II, but not group III, showed a statistically significant increase in hematocrit level and a statistically significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase and PTH after the study period. There was a significant percent reduction of PTH level in group I patients compared to those in group III. There was no statistically significant difference between percentage of achievement of the NFK-K/DOQI recommended goals in the three groups. Conclusions On spite of the costs of cinacalcet and hemodiafiltration, patients with resistant hyperparathyroidism should use one of these modalities to avoid complications of the metabolic bone disease. The cost of cinacalcet and HDF should be calculated in the context that they will save in other items, as decreasing the dose of erythropoietin and vitamin D analogues and decreasing the complications, and consequently therapy of bone disease.

Abstract 16099: Influence of Nutritional Status on Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure

Introduction: The important goal of heart failure (HF) management is to improve quality of life (QoL) and psychological status. Nutrition is a key component of HF management, but information on the impact of nutrition in HF is limited. Moreover, there is little evidence that nutritional status affects QoL and psychological status. Hypothesis: This study tested the hypothesis that nutritional status is associated with QoL and depressive symptoms in HF patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 102 HF patients (mean age: 68.4 ±13.1 years, male: 66%). QoL and depressive symptoms were assessed by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure (MLWHF) questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), respectively. Nutritional status was assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) long version and patients were categorized as well nourished (≥24 points), at risk of malnutrition (17-23.5 points), or malnourished (<17 points). Data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were also collected. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of nutritional status with depression and QoL. Results: In total, 50% patients were at risk of malnutrition and 2% were malnourished. HF patients at risk of malnutrition were more likely to have a history of valve surgery, implantable cardiac defibrillation (ICD), or smoking. Risk of malnutrition was not associated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) or brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (P = 0.100 and P = 0.173, respectively). Malnourished patients or those at risk of malnutrition had significantly lower QoL and more depressive symptoms than well-nourished patients (QoL: 14.2 ± 13.9 vs 23.2 ± 17.9, P = 0.007; depressive symptoms: 4.49 ± 4.7 vs 2.02 ± 2.9, P = 0.002). In multiple linear regression analysis, these significant associations remained after controlling for age, sex, HF etiology, smoking, ICD therapy, LVEF, and BNP. Conclusions: Risk of malnutrition was associated with lower QoL and higher depressive symptoms in HF patients. This study confirmed that good nutrition was an important goal in HF management. Further research is required to identify key nutrients and dietary habits affecting QoL and psychological status in HF patients.

Relationships among Walleye Population Characteristics and Genetic Diversity in Northern Wisconsin Lakes

AbstractThe maintenance of genetic integrity is an important goal of fisheries management, yet little is known regarding the effects of management actions (e.g., stocking, harvest regulations) on the genetic diversity of many important fish species. Furthermore, relationships between population characteristics and genetic diversity remain poorly understood. We examined relationships among population demographics (abundance, recruitment, sex ratio, and mean age of the breeding population), stocking intensity, and genetic characteristics (heterozygosity, effective number of alleles, allelic richness, Wright's inbreeding coefficient, effective population size [Ne], mean d2 [a measure of inbreeding], mean relatedness, and pairwise population ΦST estimates) for 15 populations of Walleye Sander vitreus in northern Wisconsin. We also tested for potential demographic and genetic influences on Walleye body condition and early growth. Combinations of demographic variables explained 47.1–79.8% of the variation in genetic diversity. Skewed sex ratios contributed to a reduction in Ne and subsequent increases in genetic drift and relatedness among individuals within populations; these factors were correlated to reductions in allelic richness and early growth rate. Levels of inbreeding were negatively related to both age‐0 abundance and mean age, suggesting Ne was influenced by recruitment and generational overlap. A negative relationship between the effective number of alleles and body condition suggests stocking affected underlying genetic diversity of recipient populations and the overall productivity of the population. These relationships may result from poor performance of stocked fish, outbreeding depression, or density‐dependent factors. An isolation‐by‐distance pattern of genetic diversity was apparent in nonstocked populations, but was disrupted in stocked populations, suggesting that stocking affected genetic structure. Overall, demographic factors were related to genetic diversity and stocking appeared to alter allelic frequencies and the genetic structure of Walleye populations in Wisconsin, possibly resulting in disruption of local adaptation.

Effect of treatment with Roflumilast on quality of life in COPD patients: results from the DINO study (Daxas in COPD therapy)

Improvement of quality of life (QoL) is an important goal of COPD management. This single-arm, non-interventional study investigated the effects of add-on roflumilast (Rof) on QoL in routine medical practice by means of the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ). Also, data on tolerability of treatment with Rof and patients' mental state were collected.

Technique for histological control of surgical margins in lip cancer

To preserve oral function and achieve acceptable cosmetic results, intraoperative control of surgical margins with frozen section evaluation may help to determine surgical technique in lip cancer. However, frozen section analysis is usually limited to suspicious areas and has not been systematically performed among surgeons. The accuracy of such analysis for detecting histological surgical margins is highly dependent on the methods used to obtain and analyze the margins. Improving the pathodiagnostic reliability of conventional intraoperative frozen section evaluation is the most important goal of surgical management in our method. We describe the successful use of the "double-blade method" in lip cancer treatment. The technique we describe has the advantage of histologically confirming clear margins in lip cancer. This method appears to be time-saving and easy to apply with existing surgical systems. In addition, this method may be used as an alternative to complete evaluation of lateral surgical margins that is important in planning a suitable surgical reconstruction procedure in lip cancer at many institutions where Mohs micrographic surgery is difficult to perform.

Effects of silvicultural disturbance on acorn infestation and removal

Oak (Quercus spp.) regeneration is an important forest management goal in the central hardwood forest region of the United States. Silvicultural methods that target oak regeneration, such as the creation of canopy openings and removal of shade-tolerant midstory trees, are complicated by the impact of pre- and post-dispersal predators of oak acorns like acorn weevils (Curculio spp.) and granivorous small mammals. Understanding the effects of forest disturbance created by silviculture on these predators is important to promote successful oak regeneration. We conducted a 6-year study of acorn production, weevil infestation, and acorn removal at 113 black (Q. velutina) and white oak (Q. alba) trees impacted by three types of silvicultural treatments: adjacent to harvest openings, midstory removal (first-stage shelterwood harvest), and control (no harvest) in south-central Indiana, USA. We observed highly variable acorn production across years, but minimal impact of silvicultural treatments. Levels of weevil infestation and acorn removal by small mammal seed predators also varied greatly, and predation pressure was highest in years when acorns were scarce. Weevil infestation was reduced following midstory removal in shelterwood harvests, but probability of acorn removal by small mammals was unchanged following harvest. Damaged, germinated, and weevil-infested acorns were less likely to be removed by seed predators, suggesting additive effects of pre- and post-dispersal predators. This study emphasizes the importance of considering acorn predators in oak regeneration silviculture, and timing harvests to follow large acorn crops in order to reduce predation pressure and generate a high number of seedlings.

A Retrospective Analysis of Palliative Radiotherapy For Bone Metastasis-related Symptoms in Prostate Cancer and Whether Increased Use of Zoledronic Acid and Abiraterone has Affected the Number and Type of Treatments Given

Introduction: In recent years, several new treatments for metastatic prostate cancer have shown an overall survival benefit in randomised trials [1–3]. Palliation of symptoms is an additional important goal of management for these patients. Two NICE-approved agents that have evidence supporting improved palliation of pain and reduced incidence of skeletal events are abiraterone and zoledronic acid [1,4]. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to assess any effect of increasing use of these agents on our centre’s use of palliative radiotherapy for bone metastasis-related symptoms.

A Multicriteria Framework to Evaluate Supplier’s Greenness

Environmental protection is becoming more and more important for enterprises because of stronger public awareness, competitors and communities, and government regulations. For this purpose, some programs have become more popular for raising environmental awareness including total quality environmental management and green supply chain management. Reducing the environmental pollution from upstream to downstream during procuring raw materials, producing, distribution, selling products, and products depreciation is the most important goal of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM). The main contribution of this study is introducing the main factors in green supply chain management that are very important in environmental attributes by providing an evaluation framework to select the most eligible green suppliers by examining the influential and important criteria and subcriteria among ten elements of two main GSCM practices, namely, green logistics and environmental protection. First, these factors are divided into two groups, that is, green logistics and environmental protection, and then by applying DEMATEL technique, the complex causal relationship between all factors dependencies and feedbacks among them is examined. Finally, by drawing the impact relationship map the most important and influential factors are determined for improving green supply chain environmental aspects.

Lessons from native spruce forests in Alaska: managing Sitka spruce plantations worldwide to benefit biodiversity and ecosystem services

There is increasing interest worldwide in managing forests to maintain or improve biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services and assure long-term sustainability of forest resources. An important goal of forest management is to increase stand diversity, provide wildlife habitat and improve forest species diversity. We synthesize results from natural spruce forests in southeast Alaska and suggest strategies for managing Sitka spruce plantations in other parts of the world to benefit biodiversity and enhance a variety of forest ecosystem services. We also discuss the roles of fungi in increasing both biological and structural diversity in Sitka spruce forests. New silvicultural systems that use partial cutting in older spruce forests could alleviate some of the problems associated with conventional even aged management and increase both stand structural diversity and biodiversity. We found that mixed red alder-conifer stands in Alaska provided more heterogeneous structures than the pure conifer stands that typically develop after clearcutting. Well-planned silvicultural systems that include broadleaved species such as alder or birch could provide trees for timber production, improve wildlife habitat and a variety of other ecosystem services that are often compromised in young pure conifer forests.

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Introduction: There are some studies done in adults that demonstrate implementation of best practices with bedside checklists. We wanted to determine the effect of bedside checklists in the pediatric ICU. Methods: This prospective observational study included a checklist with 9 domains that was used daily during morning bedside rounds for patients under the age of 18 years admitted to the pediatric ICU in May 2013. Data was collected on daily patient encounters. Patients admitted over 15 days were excluded from the study. The 9 domains were decided upon after careful consideration of important interventions that are, in most circumstances, inadvertently overlooked; but when implemented optimize cost, patient comfort and safety, and resource utilization. Simple descriptive statistics was used to analyze baseline data, and percentages were used to determine consideration of the domains in the checklist and implementation of practice changes. Results: There were 34 patients and 94 encounters. Mean age was 77 ± 63.5 months, mean weight 27.2 ± 23.3 kg. There was 100% compliance (all 94 encounters) on consideration and discussion about all 9 domains after checklist use was started. 1) PICU status change: 72 encounters were PICU status, changed to intermediate 38% of time after discussion; 2) change of vital sign check from every 1 hour: 45 encounters vitals check every 1 hour, 31% changed after discussion; 3) intravenous (IV) steroid change to oral (PO): 16 encounters getting IV -50% changed after discussion; 4) IV ranitidine change to PO: 32 encounters getting IV -32% changed after discussion; 5) scheduled CBC: 17% of encounters- 25% changed after discussion; 6) scheduled basic metabolic panel: 15% of encounters -57% changed after discussion; 7) scheduled blood gas: 19% of encounters - 62% changed after duscussion; 8) scheduled chest X-ray: 6% of encounters - 17% changed after discussion; 9) discharge to home time: discussion about discharge was done 100% of time, 59% of the 34 patients were discharged during the study period, expected time to discharge was written on 65% of discharges and 85% of discharges was done within 4 hours of that time. Conclusions: Mandatory bedside checklist consisting of important management goals in the pediatric ICU is a simple, effective tool to prompt simple decision making that are important aspects of overall quality health care delivery, but may otherwise be overlooked in the setting of more urgent matters.

A hybrid wavelet-ELM based short term price forecasting for electricity markets

Accurate electricity price forecasting is a formidable challenge for market participants and managers owing to high volatility of the electricity prices. Price forecasting is also the most important management goal for market participants since it forms the basis of maximizing profits. This study investigates the performance of a novel neural network technique called Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) in the price forecasting problem. Keeping in view the risk associated with electricity markets with highly volatile prices, relying on a single technique is not so profitable. Therefore ELM has been coupled with the Wavelet technique to develop a hybrid model termed as WELM (wavelet based ELM) to improve the forecasting accuracy as well as reliability. In this way, the unique features of each tool are combined to capture different patterns in the data. The robustness of the model is further enhanced using the ensembling technique. Performances of the proposed models are evaluated by using data from Ontario, PJM, New York and Italian Electricity markets. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is one of the most suitable price forecasting techniques.

Study on Inspection and Adjustment of Engineering Construction Project Schedule Plan

Project schedule control is one of the important control goals in project management. It is an important measure to ensure that the project is completed safely, reasonable arrangements for the resources supply and saving cost. Any of the projects must be by means of scientific planning and control methods in order to achieve the desired goals. Deviation analysis is an ongoing work in the progress of project, how to determine the deviation of project timely and accurately, the method that used is crucial. This paper chose a highway construction project as research object, using the Inspection Acts include Gantt chart, S-shaped curve and Banana-shaped curve of schedule, and made the comparative analysis for project to identify deviations and take measures to adjust in order to ensure the project is completed on schedule.

Using Mixed Methods to Develop a Frame-Based Private Landowner Typology

An important goal of community-based management is to engage a wider network of stakeholders in conservation and management decisions. Using mixed methods, we constructed a frame-based private landowner typology to identify landowner response patterns to vernal pool conservation and management in Maine. Drawing on data from interviews and focus groups, we identified two opposing frames that described landowner views on vernal pools (personal gain and personal loss). A mail survey identified three groups of private landowners (Supportive, Uncertain, and Opposing) with similar sociodemographic and property variables but different aesthetic preferences, economic concerns, and views on property rights and conservation. Our results suggest that frame-based typologies are useful for enhancing communications with different landowner groups and in identifying trusted information sources and communication preferences. Our approach represents a critical first step toward understanding and integrating a range of landowner perspectives into conservation practice and enhancing private landowner cooperation in proactive planning.

RBF Neural Networks Optimization Algorithm and Application on Tax Forecasting

Accurate tax revenue forecasting has become a most important management goal, however, tax revenue often presents nonlinear data patterns. Therefore, a rigid forecasting approach with strong general nonlinear mapping capabilities is essential. The genetic algorithm has been used to select the parameters automatically for support vector machine. Then a RBF neural network has been built based on support vector machine and genetic algorithm, which helps to form a forecasting model system of RBF neural network optimization algorithms. As a result, this algorithm can avoid not only the shortcomings of traditional algorithm which is easy to get local minimal value, but also a large number of experiments or experiences which are needed to pre-specify network structure. Case study on Chinese tax revenue during the last 30 years demonstrates that the network based on this algorithm is much more accurate than other prediction methods. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/telkomnika.v11i7.2199 Full Text: PDF