Management Program Research Articles

A non-randomized comparison of engagement and outcomes for in-person versus virtual delivery of the Partner2Lose weight management trial.

Existing behavioral weight management interventions produce clinically meaningful weight loss. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the quick transition of such interventions from in-person to virtual platforms. This provided a unique opportunity to compare engagement and outcomes for an in-person versus virtually delivered weight management intervention. A non-randomized comparison of engagement and weight outcomes was performed between two cohorts who participated in a weight management intervention in person (N=97) versus three who participated virtually via videoconference (N=134). Various metrics of engagement were examined, including group class and individual phone call attendance and duration, and retention for weight assessments. Behavioral targets of daily caloric intake and step-counts and the clinical weight outcome were explored. Cohorts (mean [standard deviation] age 47.3 (11.5), 67.1% women: 86.8% White) that participated virtually attended more group sessions (p<0.001) and had maintenance telephone calls that were of a longer duration (p<0.001). No other engagement or weight outcomes significantly differed by delivery modality. Virtual weight management programs are promising and may generate similar outcomes to those delivered in-person. Future research should seek to understand how best to promote and sustain engagement in virtual interventions.

The interdisciplinary curriculum alignment to enhance graduates' employability and universities’ sustainability

The employability of university graduates mainly depends upon the skillset they acquire through curriculum, subject specializations, and pedagogical practice. Contemporary analytical, big data-driven, and IT-based skills are imperative for supply chain graduates and business schools' sustainability. This study aims to provide directions and guidelines on the curriculum framework that offers an equilibrium of qualitative and quantitative skills for supply chain management graduates' employment and relative sustainability for universities. We utilized a three-pronged methodology to identify analytical, big data-driven, and IT-based skills. First, literature review was used to identify 18 criteria organized into 3 themes. Second, we conducted interpretive content analysis of the curricula of 38 Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredited supply chain management programs across the world. Third, in-depth interviews with 16 leading academics and industry experts were conducted to conclude the study and draw meaningful insights. Specific solutions aimed at combating the contemporary challenges and the implications of redesigning interdisciplinary curricula for students in specialized business programs – such as supply chains, logistics, and operations – are also offered. This research provides new insights to continuously improve interdisciplinary curricula, enhancing students' employability and contributing to universities’ financial sustainability.

Transformative Business Outcomes of AI-Driven Master Data Management (MDM) and Data Governance Programs

Master Data management (MDM) has transitioned from a deferred task to a critical business imperative in the modern competitive landscape. Companies must swiftly identify and leverage their most valuable master data across the enterprise, at scale and in near real-time, to maintain a competitive edge. Master data serves as the foundational core that drives systems and business processes, powering the entire organization. Integrating AI into MDM accelerates value realization and goal attainment, enhances business outcomes, and maximizes return on investment (ROI). A meticulously implemented AI-driven MDM system, coupled with a Data Governance program, is essential for unlocking this potential. This paper highlights the pivotal role of AI-driven MDM and Data Governance programs in promoting operational excellence and sustainable growth through a comprehensive analysis of their strategic importance and diverse benefits and use cases.

Dyadic Coping of Chronic Illness Patients and Their Spouses: A Bibliometric Analysis

Objective: To understand the research hotspots and development trends of binary coping in chronic disease patients and their spouses, and to provide ideas and references for future related research. Methods: Literature on binary coping in patients with chronic diseases and their spouses included in the Web of Science Core Collection database was analysed visually in terms of the number of articles, countries and keywords using CiteSpace software. Results: A total of 4138 valid articles were included, and the country with the largest number of articles was the United States. The main research populations were breast cancer, dementia, and prostate cancer patients and their spouses; and the research hotspots were quality of life, diabetes, stroke, and multimorbidity, etc. Conclusion: Most of the intervention studies on the dyadic coping of patients with chronic diseases and their spouses are in developed countries, and scholars in China can learn from the international research hotspots, combine with China's national conditions, and construct a management program suitable for the cultural needs and psychological needs of chronic disease patients and their spouses in China.

Maximizing opportunities for co-implementing fuel break networks and restoration projects

Increasing impacts from wildfires are reshaping fire policies worldwide, with expanded investments in a wide range of fuel reduction strategies. In many fire prone regions, especially in the Mediterranean basin, fuel management programs have relied on fuel break networks for decades to facilitate fire suppression and reduce area burned and damage. By contrast, on the fire prone federal forests in the western United States, fuel management is guided primarily by landscape restoration goals, including improving fire resiliency such that wildfires can be managed for ecological benefit, and suppression is used more as a tool to shape burn patterns and less to extinguish fires. New policies in both fire systems are now calling for hybrid approaches that rely on both types of investments and efficient allocation of alternative spatial treatment patterns: linear networks versus patches across the landscape. However, studies that combine these strategies and examine alternative co-prioritization outcomes and potential synergies are largely non-existent. Here, we analyzed scenarios for implementing both types of treatments in concert while varying the prioritization metrics for one type or the other on a western United States national forest. We measured the response related to both treatment strategies including fire intersection rate, improvement in forest resiliency, and net revenue. We found that projects with benefits to both strategies can be identified and mapped independently of the implementation scenario and restoration objective. However, scenarios prioritized for fuel breaks preceding restoration resulted in the identification of more projects that met the criteria for providing dual benefits. The study is a rare example of optimizing hybrid fuel treatment projects that serve both restoration and fire protection goals with different spatial treatment designs.

Talent Management Program in a State University and College (SUC)

The study intends to find out the existing Talent management program and practices of SUC and determine the extent of implementation of Talent management. The researcher used simple random sampling results of about 142 employee-respondents and it was held in Samar State University. A descriptive-evaluative survey design was used to assess the talent management practices and strategies presently implemented within the locale of the study. Talent management practices of the SUC resulted from the majority of various ‘yeses’ in the form of frequency. Employee engagement practices, suggestion boxes, and training Needs Survey resulted in 138 (95.50) and 114 (80%) yeses from the employee-respondents. It was emphasized that work ethic 121 (85%) and job expertise 121 (85%) are the major characteristics that define talent. It was also suggested that strategies of SUC must provide training and development (87.50%), rewards, and bonuses (77.50%). The study also found out that informal succession planning is exercised with a rating of 80% or 114, thus formal succession management of talents must be implemented. SUC Support in pursuing a doctorate of employees has a compelling score of 110 (77.50%). The majority of employee respondents choose incentives (128 (90%) as monetary and training and development opportunities, and 103 (72.50%) as non-monetary rewards as part of their reward and recognition. The extent of implementation of talent management strategies, and process improvement results to ‘significantly implemented’ except for one ‘company process help work improvement was only ‘moderately implemented’. In management improvement, all resulted in ‘significantly implemented’ same as to work environment improvement. The Researcher suggests that these talent management strategies must be fully implemented as an anchorage for the success of talent retention and the satisfaction of employees within SUC.

Impact of Referring High-Risk Patients to Intensive Outpatient Primary Care Services: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Many healthcare systems have implemented intensive outpatient primary care programs with the hopes of reducing healthcare costs. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) piloted primary care intensive management (PIM) for patients at high risk for hospitalization or death, or "high-risk." We evaluated whether a referral model would decrease high-risk patient costs. Retrospective cohort study using a quasi-experimental design comparing 456 high-risk patients referred to PIM from October 2017 to September 2018 to 415 high-risk patients matched on propensity score. Veterans in the top 10th percentile of risk for 90-day hospitalization or death and recent hospitalization or emergency department (ED) visit. PIM consisted of interdisciplinary teams that performed comprehensive assessments, intensive case management, and care coordination services. Change in VHA and non-VHA outpatient utilization, inpatient admissions, and costs 12months pre- and post-index date. Of the 456 patients referred to PIM, 301 (66%) enrolled. High-risk patients referred to PIM had a marginal reduction in ED visits (- 0.7; [95% CI - 1.50 to 0.08]; p = 0.08) compared to propensity-matched high-risk patients; overall outpatient costs were similar. High-risk patients referred to PIM had similar number of medical/surgical hospitalizations (- 0.2; [95% CI, - 0.6 to 0.16]; p = 0.2), significant increases in length of stay (6.36; [CI, - 0.01 to 12.72]; p = 0.05), and higher inpatient costs ($22,628, [CI, $3587 to $41,669]; p = 0.02) than those not referred to PIM. VHA intensive outpatient primary care was associated with higher costs. Referral to intensive case management programs targets the most complex patients and may lead to increased utilization and costs, particularly in an integrated healthcare setting with robust patient-centered medical homes. PIM 2.0: Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Intensive Management (PIM) Project (PIM2). NCT04521816. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04521816.

Factors that influence hospitalization stress in patients with chronic schizophrenia: A cross-sectional study in psychiatric hospitals.

Interpersonal relationships, marital status, having cohabited before hospitalization and hospitalization type were associated with hospitalization stress in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Patients with chronic schizophrenia continue aging (mean 55.73 ± 11.14) within closed psychiatric hospitals due to their long-term hospitalizations (mean 14.24 ± 11.37). WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Mental health nurses need to use a standardized nursing assessment including interpersonal relationships, family support system and hospitalization type that may affect hospitalization stress in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Mental health nurses should develop tailored interventions to reduce hospitalization stress for long-stay patients with chronic schizophrenia that consider aging, illness duration, and length of hospital stay, as well as psychiatric symptoms. Mental health nurses need to make efforts to help the families of patients with schizophrenia solidify an important support system by participating in treatment plans and intervention programs, checking on the patients' condition, and spending time with them. INTRODUCTION: Patients with chronic schizophrenia in psychiatric hospitals often experience increased stress due to living in closed spaces and frequently lack the coping skills necessary for independent stress management. To explore interpersonal relationships, social support and hospitalization stress, and identify the factors associated with hospitalization stress in patients with chronic schizophrenia in psychiatric hospitals. This cross-sectional study included 135 patients who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia for over 2 years, recruited from two psychiatric hospitals in City B, South Korea through convenience sampling. We conducted descriptive statistics and quantile regression. Interpersonal relationships, marital status, cohabiting before hospitalization, and voluntary admission were significant factors influencing the hospitalization stress at the 90th percentile. Standardized nursing assessment, active family support, and tailored stress management programs including interpersonal relationships are needed to reduce hospitalization stress in patients with chronic schizophrenia. To identify the 90th percentile group for hospitalization stress among patients with chronic schizophrenia, it is essential to consider interpersonal relationships, marital status, pre-hospitalization cohabitation, type of hospitalization, as well as aging and prolonged hospitalization. Mental health nurses should develop and implement family therapy-based interpersonal relationship programs to reduce hospitalization stress in patients with chronic schizophrenia and actively involve families in the process.

Разработка кроссплатформенного приложения для управления робототехническим комплексом

A brief analysis of the approaches currently used to develop management programs is provided, their application features, advantages and disadvantages are identified. For the study, the development of a cross-platform appli-cation of control systems for robotic complexes (RTC) was chosen, using the example of RTC with MP-11 robotic manipulators. The structure of the control system includes a controller on the Arduino Mega 2560 Pro Mini board with a loaded low-level program and an upper-level program. The development is carried out on the platform.NET MAUI, which allows you to create an application for Windows, Android, and IOS operating systems on a single code base, i.e. the same code is automatically compiled for all operating systems, taking into account their features and applied elements. The control computer is connected via USB, mobile devices via Bluetooth, while data is programmatically transmitted via a serial port. The description of the modes of operation of the developed application, its functioning algorithms, indicating the features of execution for this type of programs and the appearance of forms with elements located on them is given. The program provides manual and automatic modes of operation, as well as control of not only the RTC, but also its model. The key features of this application are the use of a single code base and design for the implementation of desktop and mobile applications for various operating systems without using network resources, unlike web applications.

Evaluation of mitigation translocation as a management tool to reduce conflicts between humans and American kestrels

AbstractRaptor‐aircraft collisions (bird strikes) pose a serious safety risk to civil aircraft. Even smaller raptors, such as American kestrels (Falco sparverius), can be problematic within airport environments. Given widespread declines in kestrel populations, public interest, logistical and financial constraints, and other factors, managing kestrels at airports presents some unique challenges. I conducted a study to determine which biological (e.g., age and sex of the bird) and logistical factors (e.g., month and translocation distance) might influence the return of American kestrels live‐captured and translocated from 42 civil airports and military airbases within the contiguous USA during 2016–2021. American kestrels were live‐captured, banded, and translocated various distances from the airfields which were then monitored for returning kestrels. I developed a set of candidate generalized linear mixed models (binomial distribution) involving all possible subsets of 4 factors (age, sex, month, and distance translocated) as well as interactions, and used the location where a kestrel was live‐captured (i.e., airport) as a random factor in all mixed models. The return rate of American kestrels was very low (&lt;4% of the individuals that were translocated). I found no evidence that the biological and logistical factors examined influenced return rates or the number of days it took returning birds to be resighted/recaptured. Management programs that use release sites 15 km from airfields would increase program efficacy and decrease implementation costs. There is no scientific information available regarding the efficacy of American kestrel management programs for reducing kestrel presence on airfields thus, these results provide a basis for informing such management decisions.

Sense of Belonging of US Construction Students

ABSTRACT The segmentation, diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in the construction industry are chronically exacerbated the lack of female participation. However, there has recently been a promising increase in the diverse workforce of the industry. As a primary pipeline, construction management programs must reinforce their recruitment and retention efforts with an enhanced comprehension of students’ belongingness. This study provides an overview of the sense of belonging of male and female students to the construction discipline and identifies factors contributing particularly to female students’ sense of belonging. The undergraduate students of three construction management programs in the United States participated in an online survey and the results were analyzed with statistical methods. The results revealed that female students seem to feel less belonging to the industry than male students, albeit this difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, instructors and future prospects in the industry have a significant impact on students’ sense of belonging and females were significantly more likely to perceive gender discrimination in the industry, even though these differences change per gender and institution type. Providing important highlights, this study contributes by identifying key factors to be utilized in the recruitment and retention of the next generation in the construction industry.

Implementation of back to living well, a community-based program for the tertiary prevention of low back pain: a study protocol

BackgroundThe current literature supports the effectiveness of exercise, education, and self-management interventions for the long-term management of persistent low back pain. However, there is significant uncertainty about the implementation of interventions related to barriers, facilitators, and patient’s preferences. This study will evaluate the Back to Living Well program implementation from a participant and organizational perspective. More specifically we address the following objectives: 1) identify program barriers and facilitators from participants’ perspectives, 2) identify factors related to program, personal and contextual factors that contribute to negative and positive outcomes, and outcome trajectories, 3) identify factors influencing participants’ selection of an in-person or e-health program, and 4) evaluate program specific barriers and facilitators from the organization and care delivery perspectives.MethodsThis study will utilize a mixed-method convergent design including a longitudinal cohort strand and a longitudinal qualitative interview strand. The RE-AIM framework will be used to assess program implementation. Participants (n = 90, 1:1: in person or virtual) who choose to register in the program as well as staff (n = 10 to 15) involved in the delivery of the program will be invited to participate. Participants will participate in a 12-week physical activity, education, and self-management program. Implementation outcomes will be measured at 3-, 6-, 12-months, and six months after the end of the follow-ups. Interview scripts and directed content analysis will be constructed based on the Theoretical Domains Framework and the Neuromatrix Model of Pain, Theoretical Domains Framework. Staff interviews will be constructed and analyzed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Participants will also complete pain, disability, quality of life and psychological questionnaires, wear an activity tracker at all time points, and complete weekly pain and activity limitation questions using a mobile application.DiscussionThe study results will provide evidence to inform potential future implementation of the program. An effective, appropriately targeted, and well implemented exercise program for the long-term management (i.e., tertiary prevention) of LBP could minimize the burden of the condition on patients, the health care system and society.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05929846. This (Registration Date: July 3 2023) study has been approved by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board Project ID#15,354.

Weight regain after intragastric balloon for pre-surgical weight loss.

Over one-third of Americans carry the diagnosis of obesity, many also with obesity-related comorbidities. This can place patients at increased risk of operative and postoperative complications. The intragastric balloon has been shown to aid in minor weight loss, however its weight recidivism in patients requiring short interval weight loss has not been well studied. To evaluate weight loss, ability to undergo successful elective surgery after intragastric balloon placement, and weight management after balloon removal. This study is a retrospective review of patients in a single academic institution undergoing intragastric balloon placement from 2019-2023 to aid in weight loss prior to undergoing elective surgery. Clinical outcomes including weight loss, duration of balloon placement, successful elective surgery, weight regain post-balloon and post-procedure complications were assessed. Exclusion criteria included those with balloon in place at time of study. Thirty-three patients completed intragastric balloon therapy from 2019-2023 as a bridge to elective surgery. All patients were required to participate in a 12-month weight management program to be eligible for balloon therapy. Elective surgeries included incisional hernia repair, umbilical hernia repair, inguinal hernia repair, and knee and hip replacements. The average age at placement was 53 years ± 11 years, majority (91%) were male. The average duration of intragastric balloon therapy was 186 days ± 41 days. The average weight loss was 14.0 kg ± 7.4 kg and with an average percent excess body weight loss of 30.0% (7.9%-73.6%). Over half of the patients (52.0%) achieved the goal of 30-50 lbs (14-22 kg) weight loss. Twenty-one patients (64%) underwent their intended elective surgery, 2 patients (6%) deferred surgery due to symptom relief with weight loss alone. Twenty-one of the patients (64%) have documented weights in 3 months after balloon removal, in these patients the majority (76%) gained weight after balloon removed. In patients with weight regain at 3 months, they averaged 5.8 kg after balloon removal in the first 3 months, this averaged 58.4% weight regain of the initial weight lost. Intragastric balloon placement is an option for short-term weight management, as a bridge to elective surgery in patients with body mass index (BMI) > 35. Patients lost an average of 14 kg with the balloon, allowing two-thirds of patients to undergo elective surgery at a healthy BMI. However, most patients regained an average of 58% of the original weight lost after balloon removal. The intragastric balloon successfully serves as a tool for rapid weight loss, though patients must be educated on the risks including weight regain.

Effects of an Online Health Management Program for South Korean Adolescents with Complex Congenital Heart Disease during Their Transition to Adulthood: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Adolescents with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk of experiencing complications later in life. The purpose of this study was to develop an online health management program for adolescents with complex CHD and to evaluate its effects on self-efficacy, health behavior, and health-related quality of life. A randomized controlled trial design was used. A total of 29 adolescents with complex CHD were divided into an experimental group of 15 and a control group of 14. Participants in the intervention group took part in the 4-week online health management program (weekly online group sessions, 1:1 phone coaching, dietary diary feedback, and provision of health information) developed based on self-efficacy theory, while those in the control group received standard medical follow-up. Data were collected from August 2021 to March 2022 using a questionnaire-including the Korean Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices: Health Self-Efficacy Measure (K-SRAHP) and Pediatric Cardiac Quality of Life Inventory (PCQLI)-and an ActiGraph accelerometer to track physical activity and sleep. The intervention group showed significant improvements in health self-efficacy (p = 0.003), psychosocial impact (p = 0.013), daily step counts (p = 0.011), and moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity (p = 0.027). Additionally, a decrease in weekend leisure time sedentary behavior (p = 0.035) was observed. However, there were no significant differences in sleep behavior between two groups. The online health management program significantly enhanced self-efficacy, health behavior, and psychosocial impact in adolescents with complex CHD. These findings will inform the development of policies for transitional medical care tailored to adolescents with complex CHD.

Identifying black rat (Rattus rattus) movement patterns aids the development of management programs in citrus orchards

Identifying black rat (Rattus rattus) movement patterns aids the development of management programs in citrus orchards

Effects of participatory forest management programs on Land use/land cover change and its Determinants in Alle District, southwest Ethiopia

In order to create sustainable conservation policies for biodiversity, it is imperative that participatory forest management (PFM) be assessed. Forests contribute to the sustainability of the planet by controlling soil erosion in agricultural areas and by moderating the effects of climate change. However, Ethiopia's forest resources have been under intense pressure because of the increased demand for wood products and agricultural conversion. As one of the potential solutions, the PFM programme was implemented in 1990. This study set out to investigate the effects of the PFM programme on land use and land cover (LULC) in the Alle district of southwest Ethiopia, as well as the variables influencing community involvement and the obstacles to PFM implementation and community involvement. Changes in forest cover were detected using Landsat images from 1992, 2012, and 2022 obtained from Thematic Mapper (TM), Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+), and Operational Land Imager (OLI). Images were obtained during the dry season and were cloud-free. A total of 240 respondents were chosen by means of a straightforward random sampling technique, and survey data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and field observations. Data were analyzed using ArcGIS 10.5, ERDAS Imagine 2015, SPSS version 20, and Excel 2010. The change in forest cover shows an increasing trend from 2012 to 2022. Again, grassland and wetland coverage in this study decreased rapidly. In the years 2012–2022, forest land increased from 462.7ha (74.8 %), to 569.8ha (92.1 %), while, the agricultural land, grassland, and wetland were reduced from 109.5ha (17.7 %) to 37.8ha (6.1 %), 31.9ha (5.2 %) to 0.0ha (0.0 %); 14.1 ha (2.3 %), to 10.8 ha (1.7 %) respectively. There have been beneficial developments in the forests over the last 30 years. The binary logistic regression model disclose that, land ownership had a negative impact on forest management participation, while other factors such as gender, education level, family size, TLU, access to credit, training, and law enforcement had a positive and significant (p < 0.05) effect on PFM practices. LULC change in study area causes rapid wetland ecosystem deterioration, which may result in the extinction of the most significant and ecologically valuable species and a loss of biodiversity in the environment. In this context, developing an integrated participatory approach requires rapid attention, and all farmers and stakeholders must be actively involved in PFM programs.

Effectiveness of a virtual quality improvement training program to improve reach of weight management programs within a large health system.

To test effectiveness of the LEAP (Learn Engage Act Process) Program on engaging frontline Veteran Health Administration (VHA) medical center teams in continuous quality improvement (QI), a core capability for learning health systems. Data sources included VHA electronic health record (EHR) data, surveys, and LEAP coaching field notes. A staggered difference-in-differences study was conducted. Fifty-five facilities participated in LEAP across eight randomly assigned clusters of 6-8 facilities per cluster over 2 years. Non-participating facilities were used as controls. A MOVE! weight management program team completed a Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle of change supported by learning curriculum, coaching, and virtual collaboratives in LEAP facilities. Primary outcome was program reach to Veterans. A mixed-effects model compared pre- versus post-LEAP periods for LEAP versus control facilities. LEAP adherence, satisfaction, and cost to deliver LEAP were evaluated. Thirty months of facility-level EHR MOVE! enrollment data were included in analyses. LEAP Satisfaction and QI skills were elicited via surveys at baseline and 6-month post-LEAP. Fifty-five facilities were randomly assigned to eight time-period-based clusters to receive LEAP (71% completed LEAP) and 82 non-participating facilities were randomly assigned as controls. Reach in LEAP and control facilities was comparable in the 12-month pre-LEAP period (p = 0.07). Though LEAP facilities experienced slower decline in reach in the 12-month post-LEAP period compared with controls (p < 0.001), this is likely due to unexplained fluctuations in controls. For LEAP facilities, satisfaction was high (all mean ratings >4 on a 5-point scale), self-reported use of QI methods increased significantly (p-values <0.05) 6 months post-LEAP, and delivery cost was $4024 per facility-based team. Control facilities experienced declining reach in the 12-month post-LEAP period, but LEAP facilities did not, plus they reported higher engagement in QI, an essential capability for learning health systems.

Re-evaluating treatment thresholds in patient blood management: Female patients experience more perioperative anaemia and higher transfusion rates in major elective surgery.

By optimizing erythropoiesis, patient blood management (PBM) programmes can reduce transfusions, lower mortality and provide cost-effective care. While definitions of anaemia have historically varied by sex, for the purposes of PBM, anaemia is defined as a haemoglobin <130 g/L. Our objective was to describe whether perioperative anaemia and transfusion rates in the PBM setting vary by sex. We conducted a retrospective study of the Ontario Nurse Transfusion Coordinators Program (ONTraC) database from 2018 to 2022. ONTraC collects data from 25 Ontario hospitals which together account for >70% of Ontario's provincial blood use (~400,000 units per year). We collected data on patients undergoing elective isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), open heart valve replacement, CABG plus valve replacement, single-knee arthroplasty and single-hip arthroplasty. From 2018 to 2022, 17,700 patients were included in the ONTraC program; 47% were females (N = 8376). Across almost all years and procedures, females were found to have a significantly lower pre-operative, nadir and discharge haemoglobin as compared with males, irrespective of PBM interventions. Transfusion rates were significantly higher for females; this was most pronounced in cardiac surgery. Females experienced more perioperative anaemia and higher transfusion rates. Historic sex-specific definitions of anaemia may contribute to a greater tolerance of anaemia in females. Prioritizing females for multimodal PBM and consistently achieving a pre-operative haemoglobin >130 g/L may reduce the amount of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions that female patients receive.

Realities, perceptions, and strategies for implementation of an ethical population management program for dogs and cats on university campuses

Stray dogs and cats pose significant challenges for public health and animal welfare due to their potential involvement in zoonotic disease transmission, accidents, and aggressions. Large urban centers exacerbated challenges due to the presence of these animals in public areas with high human density. Ethical Population Management Programs (EPMP), rooted in the One Health approach, are crucial for addressing this issue comprehensively. This study aimed to demonstrate the approach on cats and dogs EPMP and evaluate the perceptions of academic community regarding EPMP implementation on a campus situated in urban territory. The study was conducted at the Pampulha campus of UFMG in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. In response to issues of animal abandonment and conflicts, the Permanent Commission for Animal Policies (CPPA-UFMG) was established in 2019 to manage the campus’s dog, cat, and wildlife populations. The commission implemented the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) method, along with health assessments and vaccinations for animals. Interviews were conducted with campus staff to gauge their perception of animal management strategies. Retrospective and prospective analyses of the commission’s actions were carried out to assess implementation processes and challenges. The animal population survey conducted on campus between July 2018 and September 2021 revealed a total of 266 animals recorded. Among these animals, 195 were cats (73.3%) and 71 were dogs (26.7%), with the majority being adults. Subsequent surveys in 2019 and 2021 showed a slight increase in the animal population, with measures such as sterilization contributing to population control. Perception analysis among campus users indicated strategies such as TNR were widely endorsed for population control. The employees perception questionnaire was applied to 115 individuals, representing 42 units/departments and five gates. Associations were found between these beliefs and support for institutional actions. The majority favored sterilization (92.17%) and agreed that TNR is an appropriate approach to population control. Overall, the study reflects a community concerned about animal welfare and supportive of measures to address population management and cruelty prevention. The continuous efforts of the university’s CPPA have led to stability in the resident animal population, indicating success in achieving population control objectives.

Comparative impact of conventional and alternative gut health management programs on plasma and tibia attributes in broiler chickens raised in commercial and research settings

Plasma and tibia attributes were investigated in broiler chickens raised on three gut health management programs in commercial farms (study 1) and research station settings (study 2). The programs were: 1) conventional antibiotics (CON), 2) raised without medically important antimicrobials (RWMIA), and 3) raised without antibiotics (RWA). Birds had free access to feed and water from placement to harvest; samples of blood and left tibia were collected on d 28 in both studies and further samples were taken on d 41 in study 2. In both studies, there were no program differences (P &gt; 0.05) on plasma metabolites with exception of enzyme concentrations with notably higher levels of circulating plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in birds reared on the RWA program (P ≤ 0.04). Differences were observed among programs for tibia length in both studies (P &lt; 0.05). Birds reared on RWMIA exhibited significantly (P = 0.016) higher tibia ash than CON on d 41. Observed differences in the plasma enzyme concentrations, tibia length, and ash concentration suggest altered metabolism which could be linked to gut health management programs and their ability to support gut integrity and function in the absence of antibiotics.