Influence Of Management Strategies Research Articles

Unwanted Scratching Behavior in Cats: Influence of Management Strategies and Cat and Owner Characteristics.

Simple SummaryCat scratching is a self-motivated and natural behavior, yet cat owners commonly report unwanted scratching on household items, such as furniture, walls, and carpets. This study explored the influence of owner management strategies, owner characteristics, and cat characteristics on the performance of unwanted scratching in the home. Perspectives of various intervention and management methods were collected using an online survey (n = 2465). Results reveal that owners generally agreed with providing additional appropriate surfaces and items for their cat to scratch rather than more permanent solutions, such as surrendering, euthanizing, or declawing. There were fewer reports of unwanted scratching for cat owners with older cats, and for those that provide enrichment items (e.g., sisal rope), outdoor access, positive reinforcement training, and restrict access to items they did not want scratched. Through this study, results suggest that cat owner interventions and management strategies can influence reports of unwanted scratching in cats and encourages the continued education to the public on effective options available.Despite scratching behavior in owned domestic cats being a self-motivated and natural behavior, it is commonly reported as a behavior problem by owners when it results in damage to household items. The objectives of this study were to use a cross-sectional survey targeting cat owners within the United States and Canada, to explore perspectives on cat scratching behavior and management strategies, as well as identify factors that influence the performance of inappropriate scratching behavior in the household. A total of 2465 cat owners participated in the survey and three mixed logistic regression models were generated to explore associations between (1) cat demographic factors, (2) provisions of enrichment, and (3) owner demographic and management factors with owner reports of problematic scratching. In this convenience sample, inappropriate scratching was reported by 58% of cat owners. Owner perspectives and management strategies aligned with current recommendations as they preferred to use appropriate surfaces (e.g., cat trees) and training to manage scratching as opposed to surrendering, euthanizing, or declawing. Logistic regression results found fewer reports of unwanted scratching behavior if owners provide enrichment (flat scratching surfaces (p = 0.037), sisal rope (p < 0.0001), and outdoor access (p = 0.01)), reward the use of appropriate scratching objects (p = 0.007), apply attractant to preferred items (p < 0.0001), restrict access to unwanted items (p < 0.0001), provide additional scratching posts (p < 0.0001), and if their cat is 7 years of age or older (p < 0.00001). Whereas if owners use verbal (p < 0.0001) or physical correction (p = 0.007) there were higher reports of unwanted scratching. Results suggest that damage to household items from scratching behavior is related to management strategies owners employ, and these findings can be used to support owner education in mitigation and prevention of inappropriate scratching.

HEAD TEACHERS’ MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND PARENTAL SUPPORT IN SPECIAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated management strategies of Head teachers and parental support in special primary schools in Lagos state, Nigeria.The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population for the study comprised all the The study investigated management strategies of Head teachers and parental support in special primary schools in Lagos state, Nigeria.The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population for the study comprised all the seven School Heads and teachers in the special schools as well as all Parent Teacher Association (PTA) members in the schools. A sample of 31 respondents was used, 21 respondents were selected using the cluster sampling technique while 10 PTA members were sampled using the convenient sampling technique. The instruments used in the study for collecting data were a self-designed questionnaire titled “Influence of Management Strategies on Parental Support Questionnaire” (IMSPSQ) and an interview guide titled ‘Influence of Management Strategies on Parental Support Interview Guide’ (IMSPSIG).The validity and reliability of the instruments were ensured before use. Percentage and frequency counts were used to analyse the data collected. The result showed among others that providing parental support skill acquisition programmes, effective communication with parents, providing opportunities for parents to suggest ideas, involving different stakeholders and adoption of decentralized decision making approach were the various management strategies adopted in special primary schools in Lagos state. The result also showed that the level of influence of management strategies on parental support in special primary schools in Lagos State was moderate. The study recommended that government and other concerned organizations and bodies should sensitize schools and organize training programmes, seminars or conferences for Head Teachers and classroom teachers in primary schools on the importance of involving parents in school management.Key words: Management, Strategies, Parental Support, Special, Primary-Schools

Nationwide study of six-month readmissions in critical limb ischemia: Predictors and impact of revascularization strategies.

There is a paucity of data regarding six-month readmissions in critical limb ischemia patients and the influence of management strategy during index-admission [endovascular, surgical, hybrid procedure, medical therapy, and amputation]. We aimed to investigate the incidence, predictors, and impact of management strategies on six-month readmission in patients with critical limb ischemia. A secondary analysis of the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2016-2017) was conducted. Propensity score matching was performed for subgroup analysis. We identified 50,058 patients with primary diagnosis of critical limb ischemia. Six-month all-cause and critical limb ischemia-related readmission rate was 52.36% and 10.86%, respectively. The risk of all-cause readmission was lower with amputation but was similar among other subgroups. Patients receiving surgical [HR 0.62, CI(0.48-0.79), p < 0.001] and hybrid procedure [HR 0.65 (0.46-0.93), p = 0.02] had lower risk of unplanned critical limb ischemia-related readmission compared to endovascular, though the risk of unplanned revascularization/amputation during readmission was similar between the three strategies. The risk of non-critical limb ischemia-related readmission was higher with surgical [HR 1.13, CI(1.04-1.23), p = 0.003] and hybrid procedure [HR 1.17, CI(1.08-1.28), p < 0.001], driven by increased procedure-related/wound complications. Eventhough endovascular patients were older with more severe critical limb ischemia presentation, a lower proportion received home-health or placement upon discharge from index-admission. This could account for higher readmission without higher repeat revascularization in endovascular group. The risk of critical limb ischemia and non-critical limb ischemia-related readmission differ according to the management strategy. Significant differences in discharge disposition exist depending on revascularization strategy. Study findings identify opportunities for reducing readmissions by focusing on nonprocedural aspects like wound-care, discharge planning and placement.

Evolution in the management of acute cholecystitis in the elderly: population-based cohort study

BackgroundAcute cholecystitis is a life-threatening emergency in elderly patients. This population-based cohort study aimed to evaluate the commonly used management strategies for elderly patients with acute cholecystitis as well as resulting mortality and re-admission rates.MethodsData from all consecutive elderly patients (≥ 80 years) admitted with acute cholecystitis in England from 1997 to 2012 were captured from the Hospital Episode Statistics database. Influence of management strategies upon mortality was analyzed with adjustment for patient demographics and treatment year.Results47,500 elderly patients were admitted as an emergency with acute cholecystitis. On the index emergency admission the majority of patients (n = 42,620, 89.7%) received conservative treatment, 3539 (7.5%) had cholecystectomy, and 1341 (2.8%) underwent cholecystostomy. In the short term, 30-day mortality was increased in the emergency cholecystectomy group (11.6%) compared to those managed conservatively (9.9%) (p < 0.001). This was offset by the long-term benefits of cholecystectomy with a reduced 1-year mortality [20.8 vs. 27.1% for those managed conservatively (p < 0.001)]. Management with percutaneous cholecystostomy had increased 30-day and 1-year mortality (13.4 and 35.0%, respectively). The annual proportion of cholecystectomies performed laparoscopically increased from 27% in 2006 to 59% in 2012. Within the cholecystectomy group, laparoscopic approach was an independent predictor of reduced 30-day mortality (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.10–0.25). Following conservative management, there were 16,088 admissions with further cholecystitis. Only 11% of patients initially managed conservatively or with cholecystostomy received subsequent cholecystectomy.ConclusionAcute cholecystitis is associated with significant mortality in elderly patients. Potential benefits of emergency cholecystectomy in selected elderly patients include reduced rate of readmissions and 1-year mortality. Laparoscopic approach for emergency cholecystectomy was associated with an 84% relative risk reduction in 30-day mortality compared to open surgery.

PHP113 - Investigation About Influence Of Management Strategy In National Hospital Organization (Nho) Hospitals By The Revision Of Medical Fee Schedule

PHP113 - Investigation About Influence Of Management Strategy In National Hospital Organization (Nho) Hospitals By The Revision Of Medical Fee Schedule

Population Ecology and Management of Rigid Brome (Bromus rigidus) in Australian Cropping Systems

Rigid brome is a problematic weed of southern Australian cropping systems. Increased knowledge about the ecology of rigid brome and the influence of management strategies on its seedbank dynamics could facilitate development of more effective weed control programs. A field study was undertaken to investigate seedbank persistence and the influence of different management strategies on rigid brome control at Lock in South Australia during 2003 to 2005. Seeds of rigid brome were found to persist in the soil for up to 3 yr, with &gt; 20% of the seedbank persisting from one season to the next. Therefore, a single year management program against this weed species is likely to be ineffective and could result in rapid buildup in weed infestations. However, management strategies that combined effective herbicides (ClearfieldTMtechnology) and crop competition over consecutive years provided effective control of this troublesome weed. Such cropping systems reduced rigid brome density (1 to 10 plants m−2) and seed production (8 to 160 seeds m−2) in the final crop of the 3-yr cropping sequence as compared to common grower practice of trifluralin and triasulfuron mixtures (138 plants m−2; 1,866 seeds m−2). These treatment combinations were able to deplete the initial seedbank (1,748 seeds m−2) to manageable levels (&lt; 5 seeds m−2) within 3 yr. The results of this study should provide growers with confidence that severe rigid brome infestations can be managed effectively without compromising crop productivity.

Reproductive losses to poisonous plants: Influence of management strategies

Poisonous plants that impair normal reproductive functions in livestock include Veratrum californicum Durand, lupines, ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl.), broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britt. Rusby), locoweeds (Astragalus and Oxytropis spp.), selenium-containing forages, phytoestrogenic plants, endophyte-infected grasses and others. In this review we focus on lupines, locoweeds and ponderosa pine needles to demonstrate the broad and diverse effects that poisonous plants have on reproduction. Certain lupines (Lupinus spp.) contain quinolizidine and piperidine alkaloids that are fetotoxic and when grazed by pregnant cattle during specific stages of gestation induce skeletal birth defects and cleft palate, "crooked calf disease". Poison-hemlock (Conium maculatum) and some Nicotiana spp. contain similar alkaloids and induce identical birth defects in cattle, pigs, goats and sheep when ingested at certain stages of gestation. Locoweeds (species of the Astragalus and Oxytropis genera containing the indolizidine alkaloid swainsonine) interfere with most processes of reproduction when grazed for prolonged periods of time. Animals can recover normal reproductive function if withdrawn from locoweed grazing before severe poisoning occurs. While most animals may recover reproductive function, permanent neurological deficits may preclude normal reproductive behavior. Ponderosa and lodgepole pine needles (Pinus spp.) cause abortion in cattle when grazed during the last trimester of gestation. The specific chemical constituents responsible for the abortions belong to a class of compounds called labdane resin acids, including isocupressic acid (ICA), succinyl ICA, and acetyl ICA. Basic management recommendations to reduce reproductive losses to poisonous plants include: (1) keep good records; (2) know what poisonous plants grow on ranges and understand their effects; (3) develop a management plan to provide for alternate grazing in poisonous plant-free pastures during critical times; (4) provide for balanced nutrition, including protein, energy, minerals and vitamins; (5) maintain a good herd health program; (6) integrate an herbicide treatment program to reduce poisonous plant populations or to maintain clean pastures for alternate grazing; and, (7) manage the range for maximum forage production.

Imidacloprid Effects on Acalymma vittata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and Bacterial Wilt in Cantaloupe

The systemic nitroguanidine insecticide imidacloprid was investigated in cantaloupes, Cucumis melo L. variety reticulatus, for management of Acalymma vittata (F.) and bacterial wilt caused by Erwinia tracheiphila (E. F. Smith) Holland that is vectored by this beetle. The influence of management strategies using imidacloprid upon plant growth and development, beetle population dynamics, and bacterial wilt disease incidence and severity was evaluated. Application of imidacloprid to seedlings at higher doses caused short-term marginal leaf necrosis, and biomass of seedlings was reduced in an approximately linear pattern with increasing dose on a log scale up to 0.01 g (AI) per plant. Application to seedlings at doses low enough to avoid any phytoxicity resulted in adult A. vittata mortality rates that declined exponentially with time. Exponential decay models of bioassay data suggested ≍11d of 100%adult mortality was achieved with low rates applied to seedlings before transplanting. Applications to seedlings delayed adult immigration, and the combination of seedling application and limited foliar sprays resulted in significant increases in yield. Addition of imidacloprid at low rates to seedlings combined with 2 foliar sprays, or application to seedlings combined with an application through drip irrigation and 2 foliar sprays, was not effective in reducing the proportion of cantaloupe plants that showed bacterial wilt symptoms but did significantly reduce severity of the disease. The results suggest that low rates of imidacloprid applied before or near the time of transplanting, at times combined with few foliar sprays, could dramatically improve crop productivity via influence upon both a herbivore and a plant pathogen vectored by the herbivore.