Practical Management Program Research Articles

Phenological growth stages of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus according to the Biologische Bundesanstalt Bundessortenamt and Chemical Industry (BBCH) scale

AbstractAstragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus (Astragalus) is a perennial medicinal plant belonging to Leguminosae. Its main agronomic and industrial interest is the accumulation of astragaloside IV and calycosin‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside in roots, two components that play crucial pharmacological roles in the finished pharmaceutical products. Phenological research is a prerequisite for improving the yield quality of cultivated medicinal plants. However, there are no standardized phenological studies on Astragalus. To expand phenotyping knowledge on this medicinal plant, researchers and breeders need a universal scale to describe the development of this plant. This study aims to define the phenological growth stages of Astragalus, based on the existing Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale to provide a standard scale for Astragalus, and grown under temperate conditions of production and climate, proposes a disease and pest control reference. This study was conducted in Inner Mongolia, North China. The existing BBCH scale with a three‐digit code was used to define Astragalus's phenological growth codes, supplemented with pictures. Phenological observations were performed twice monthly, based on the developmental stages. The chronology and duration of each stage were also observed and described according to the accumulation of degree days during the growing season. Based on the data obtained, the influence of the average temperature and GDD on the phenophases was evaluated. The phenological description is divided into two principal growth stages: five for vegetative growth (perennating bud, leaf development, formation of branches, main stem elongation and root development), four for reproductive growth (reproductive organ development, flowering, fruit development and fruit maturation), and one for senescence according to the BBCH scale. Seventy secondary growth stages were described within the 10 principal growth stages. Under each secondary growth stage, six mesostages are also taken into account, which contains the distinct patterns of the phenological characteristics in Astragalus varieties and the process of transplanting seedlings. A practical management program for disease and pest control was also proposed by using the BBCH code and the phenological data proposed in this work. Our study presents the first BBCH scale established for Astragalus cultivated in temperate conditions and a chronology of phenological stages based on the accumulation of thermal time, through growing degree day calculation. This work provides a general tool that can be widely used by researchers, breeders, and manufacturers of medicinal materials leading to better agricultural production and scientific communication.

Preferential Attraction of Oviposition-Ready Oriental Fruit Flies to Host Fruit Odor over Protein Food Odor.

Simple SummaryOriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, is one of the most destructive invasive pests of tropical fruit and vegetable crops worldwide. Current oriental fruit fly quarantine programs focus heavily on the control and surveillance of male flies, which is less effective for mitigating the impact caused by female populations. We investigated the relationship between olfactory preference and oviposition outcome of oriental fruit flies. In laboratory bioassays using similarly aged (14–16 day old) cohorts of mated females, some females preferred host fruit odors over protein food odor (torula yeast), while some preferred protein odor. The females that preferred host fruit odor had 2.1 times greater egg load and laid 2.4 times more eggs than females that preferred protein odor. Our results suggest that mated female oriental fruit flies with a preference for host fruit odor are likely to be in an imminent oviposition-ready physiological status, while mated females that prefer torula yeast odor are likely more protein-hungry and need more protein to produce the critical egg load necessary for oviposition.Olfaction plays a key role in the location of food and oviposition resources by tephritid fruit flies. Adult females, including oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, can sustain egg production throughout their lives provided they obtain sufficient protein. Thus, preferential attraction to food or oviposition sites (host fruit) will depend on a fly’s particular physiological state. In this study, laboratory bioassays were conducted with mature, mated B. dorsalis (provisioned protein and sugar ad libitum) to evaluate attraction to traps baited with torula yeast versus six host fruit sources (guava, guava juice, mango, orange, Surinam cherry, or white sapote). Females that preferred fruit laid a significant number of eggs around the trap entrance (average 405 eggs/fly), while almost no eggs were laid by females that preferred yeast (0.5 and 1.3 eggs/fly on two occasions). Similar results were observed in a bioassay using headspace extracts of guava juice and torula yeast, supporting olfactory-mediated responses. When individual females were allowed to oviposit in guava juice traps 0–24 h after a choice test, 45.8% of females that chose guava juice laid eggs (average 14.7 eggs/fly), compared with 27.5% that chose yeast (average 6.5 eggs/fly). Dissections indicated that females with a preference for guava juice had an egg load 2.4 times greater than females that preferred yeast. These results suggest there is an olfactory-based behavioral switch in preference from protein to host odors when female B. dorsalis are oviposition-ready. We discuss the implications of our findings for practical behavioral management and detection programs for B. dorsalis.

Decoding Billing Practices in Cochlear Implant Programs.

The purpose of this study was to examine current cochlear implant (CI) billing practices across CI audiologists in the United States, to determine if CI audiologists are following the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits, and to assess the CI audiologist's exposure to billing education. A 48-question survey was electronically distributed to and completed by audiologists who bill for CI services. Demographic data including work setting, population served, years of experience, number of CI patients managed per week, and exposure to billing education were collected. Data were analyzed to identify codes and modifiers used to bill for commonly performed CI procedures such as unilateral and bilateral CI programming, preoperative and postoperative testing, and objective measures. Data were obtained from 96 audiologists. The majority (86.3%, n = 82) of respondents agreed or strongly agreed they understand billing and coding practices for cochlear implants and 94.7% (n = 89) rated themselves as somewhat to highly efficient when performing these practices. Only 16.8% (n = 16) of respondents reported receiving formal training for practice management, and half of the respondents (51.1%, n = 48) reported unfamiliarity with national billing guidelines. Those who received formal training reported higher billing efficiency. Wide variability was seen for various billing scenarios. Billing questions were presented, and answers were coded as correct or incorrect based on the NCCI edits. Respondents who reported higher agreement with understanding billing and who received formal training scored better on common billing questions related to the NCCI edits. Most CI audiologists rated themselves as efficient in billing; however, wide variance in billing practices was observed. Incorporating practice management and current billing education into daily practice and into audiology training programs is essential to clinic efficiency, practice management, and CI program viability. CI audiologists should be knowledgeable about appropriate billing practices to ensure long-term sustainability of programs.

Phenological growth stages of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) according to the extended BBCH scale

BackgroundPhenological studies are a prerequisite for accomplishing higher productivity and better crop quality in cultivated plants. However, there are no phenological studies on Panax ginseng that improve its production yield. This study aims to redefine the phenological growth stages of P. ginseng based on the existing Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale and proposes a disease control reference. MethodsThis study was conducted at the Korea Ginseng Corporation Experiment Station in Gyeonggi province, South Korea. Phenological observations were performed once weekly or twice monthly, based on the developmental stages. The existing BBCH scale with a three-digit code was used to redefine and update P. ginseng’s phenological growth codes. ResultsThe phenological description is divided into eight principal growth stages: three for vegetative growth (perennating bud, aerial shoot, and root development), four for reproductive growth (reproductive organ development, flowering, fruit development, and fruit maturation), and one for senescence according to the extended BBCH scale. A total of 58 secondary growth stages were described within the eight principal growth stages. Under each secondary growth stage, four mesostages are also taken into account, which contains the distinct patterns of the phenological characteristics in ginseng varieties and the process of transplanting seedlings. A practical management program for disease control was also proposed by using the BBCH code and the phenological data proposed in this work. ConclusionThe study introduces an extended BBCH scale for the phenological research of P. ginseng.

Distribution modelling of Acrosternum spp. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in south of Iran

Species distribution models (SDM) are increasingly used in the regional biodiversity assessments, pest management strategies, conservation biology, ecology, and evolution. In the present study, the maximum entropy model was used to predict the potential distribution of three hemipteran stink bugs, namely Acrosternum arabicum, A. breviceps, and A. millierei in Kerman province, south of Iran, using the presence records of the species sampled during 2012–2014 alongside seven environmental predictors. Besides, having described the climatic profile of the species, we explored the contribution percentage of the bioclimatic variables. The accuracy and performance of distribution models were also evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). According to Jackknife, the annual precipitation, the precipitation of the wettest month, and the precipitation of the coldest quarter were regarded as the most important predictors for A. arabicum distribution model. The maximum temperature of warmest month, the precipitation of the wettest month, and the precipitation of driest quarter for A. breviceps; and also for A. millierei temperature seasonality, the precipitation of coldest quarter, and the precipitation of wettest month were the most effective variables on species distribution. The AUC values, based on training data, were respectively 0.83 for A. arabicum, 0.89 for A. breviceps, and 0.83 for A. millierei. The suitable distribution sites and the most effective bioclimatic variables could be used in a more practical management program for three stink bugs. The MaxEnt algorithm had a good predictability based on the AUC values for the species under study.

Digitization in Swiss veterinary practices

Data on the digitization in Swiss veterinary practices and clinics were collected in a survey from June 2017 to the end of December 2017. Data of 171 practices contributed to the survey. Animal records were filed in 96.5% with a practice management program. Nine out of ten practices operate an x-ray machine whereof 70% digitally record the radiographs. While a moderate diversity of practice management systems is used, numerous different radiographic recording, archiving and viewing systems are utilized. Data exchange with other practices and owners preferably takes place via e-mail, followed by upload servers and digital data carriers. Data protection receives less attention in veterinary medicine than in comparison to human medicine. A protected data exchange platform coupled with AMICUS and ANIS is under construction via standardized DICOM (https://www.dicomstandard.org/current/) and HL7 (https://www.hl7.org/) interfaces.

Applicability of a Bayesian state-space model for evaluating the effects of localized culling on subsequent density changes: sika deer as a case study

At the landscape scale, localised culling is often conducted to achieve various deer management aims. However, few studies have assessed the effects of localised culling on deer population dynamics, owing to the spatially and temporally insufficient datasets of deer abundance that are derived from limited survey efforts. In this study, we estimated the population dynamics of a sika deer (Cervus nippon) population in the Tanzawa Mountains, central Japan, by Bayesian state-space modelling using spatiotemporally insufficient abundance indices and evaluated the effects of unit-specific culls on subsequent density changes in 56 units. The responses of deer density to unit-specific culls differed greatly among units, and a very weak correlation was observed between the intensities of unit-specific culls and the reduction in density. Deer populations in some units tended to resist density decreases despite high culling pressure, whereas those in other units were susceptible to density decreases with little to no culling pressure. Because the spatial scales of each unit were relatively small, annual density changes in each unit were largely influenced by deer movement in this estimation. The obscured effects of unit-specific culls, which were probably derived from deer movement among units in this case study, re-emphasized that deer migration should be incorporated into the planning of localised culling and that deer management should be coordinated over a wide area beyond landscape components and landownerships. Thus, we conclude that Bayesian state-space modelling is valuable for practical deer management programs at a large spatial scale even if different abundance indices are used.

Manajemen Unit Usaha Pesantren Berbasis Ekoproteksi (Studi Kasus di Pondok Pesantren Al-Ihya Ulumuddin Kesugihan Cilacap)

Management of units based business ekoproteksi in boardingschool is a process to increase the assets and capabilities boarding school in economics to go independence Management of units based business ekoproteksi in boarding school. (Islamic Boarding School of Managment) is a management program by using a bottom-up approach, the implementation of activities in the field on the initiative and inspiration of the people. Based on the assumption that the pesantren community better understand their needs so that people involved in the making of pesantren management program that is appropriate management program.In theory Bottom Up in the boarding school, Kyai, the Government, as the creator of the means to achieve the aspirations of the people boarding school. The economic management of boarding schools has started to be realized in practice management program making such suggestions and input on community needs boarding school itself and then by the authors analyzed using the theory of management. Management process the government in terms of management must be implemented by public boarding school, so the people here besides serving as executor of the policy as well as giving a response back on the policy made by Kyai and government. Boarding school is now generally a boarding school who was managing the assets of the local economy that aims to empower economically boarding school, for the existence and economic welfare of boarding schools, students, citizens around the pesantren. On this basis, the Management Boarding economically requires a protection (protection / defense) for the sake of continuity and smoothness of its management.

Factor Analysis of Therapist-Identified Treatment Targets in Community-Based Children's Mental Health.

The present study used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to identify underlying latent factors affecting variation in community therapists' endorsement of treatment targets. As part of a statewide practice management program, therapist completed monthly reports of treatment targets (up to 10 per month) for a sample of youth (n = 790) receiving intensive in-home therapy. Nearly 75 % of youth were diagnosed with multiple co-occurring disorders. Five factors emerged: Disinhibition, Societal Rules Evasion, Social Engagement Deficits, Emotional Distress, and Management of Biodevelopmental Outcomes. Using logistic regression, primary diagnosis predicted therapist selection of Disinhibition and Emotional Distress targets. Client age predicted endorsement of Societal Rules Evasion targets. Practice-to-research implications are discussed.

ДІЯЛЬНІСТЬ МЕНЕДЖЕРА В СФЕРІ УПРАВЛІННЯ ЛЮДСЬКИМИ РЕСУРСАМИ

The growth of intellectual capital of organizations and enterprises is seen as a factor in the efficiency, increase the value and role of a manager in human resource management. To the modern manager imposed new requirements: high adaptation to external and internal changes, strategic vision problems and goals, leadership, creativity, innovation, continuous improvement and self-development of the individual.Managing people is one of the most important areas of management organization. People are the most important resource of any organization.However, the process of managing people is not straightforward and E zdiysnyuэtsya from different angles. On the one hand made general management personnel, and the second - human resources management."Human Resource Management" focuses on the strategic aspects of human decision-making, and the term "personnel management" increasingly characterizes the daily operational work of the staff.In the article the theoretical aspects and functions of managers in the field of human resources management.Revealed that the main purpose of a manager in human resource management is to maintain a sense of general direction in often turbulent environment, with a view to developing and implementing consistent and practical management programs could meet the business needs of the organization and the individual and collective needs of its employees. In the article the theoretical approach to the relationship between "human resource management" and "HR". The role of a manager in human resources and its capacity to ensure the organization of qualified, well motivated and loyal employees.Theoretically proved that the activities of the manager in the field of human resource management is defined as a kind of social-engineering practice.

Periodontal Management by Risk Assessment: A Pragmatic Approach

An evidence-based periodontal disease risk assessment and diagnosis system has been developed and combined with a clinical decision support and management program to improve treatment and measure patient outcomes. BackgroundThere is little agreement on a universally accepted periodontal risk assessment, periodontal diagnosis, and treatment management tool and their incorporation into dental practice to improve patient care. This article highlights the development and use of a practical periodontal management and risk assessment program that can be implemented in dental settings. MethodsThe approach taken by Willamette Dental Group to develop a periodontal disease risk assessment, periodontal diagnosis, and treatment management tool is described using evidence-based best practices. With goals of standardized treatment interventions while maintaining personalized care and improved communication, this process is described to facilitate its incorporation into other dental settings. ConclusionsCurrent electronic health records can be leveraged to enhance patient-centered care through the use of risk assessments and standardized guidelines to more effectively assess, diagnose, and treat patients to improve outcomes. Dental hygienists, and other committed providers, with their emphasis on prevention of periodontal disease can be principal drivers in creation and implementation of periodontal risk assessments and personalized treatment planning. Willamette Dental Group believes that such evidence-based tools can advance dentistry to new diagnostic and treatment standards.

Quantitative Risk Assessment for Beach Drowning Management

Yang, B.; Lee, J.; Hwang, J.S.; Kweon, H.M., and Lee, J.L., 2014. Quantitative risk assessment for beach drowning management.The beach is recognized as the most important resource because it provides the best recreational amenity to tourists. However, the beach safety aspect is getting more relevant, because the drowning risks all over the world are much too high and do not decrease enough. Especially, drowning is a major public health problem with substantial personal, societal, and economic costs, each year many people drown at the beach and many more are seriously injured. In Korea, most of the beach safety services belong to personnel rescue services. In contrast, Australia and the United Kingdom have developed several practical integrated beach risk management programs and safety systems. In this study, we have carried out field survey for beach safety on 4 popular beaches along the Korean coast, and conducted a beach risk audit and prepared a report. In addition, we developed a quantitative risk assessing method with reference to the Australian method. In this method, three parameters that were related to emergency rescue factor, risk avoidance factor and safety preparedness factor, are included in the risk assessment for management purpose. The purpose of coastal drowning risk assessment is to make decisions, based on the outcomes of risk analysis, about which risks need treatment priorities. From these results, we will implement preferred treatment options or an action plan for managing the beach safety in order to minimize the risk of injury by drowning.

An overview of occupational hazards in dental practice and preventive measures

Abstract The purpose of this article is to review the occupational hazards related to the practice of Dentistry. The classification of hazards is based on major sources of risk by system or tissue and by dental office area (dental chair, laboratory, sterilization area, x-ray developing area). Potentially hazardous factors relate to the general practice setting; to specific materials and tools that expose the operator to vision and hearing risks; to chemical substances with known allergenic, toxic, or irritating actions; to increased microbial counts and silica particles of the aerosols produced during tooth preparation, removal of restorations; to ergonomic considerations that might have an impact on the provider's musculoskeletal system; and to psychological stress with proven undesirable sequalae. The identification and elimination of these risk factors should be incorporated into a standard practice management program as an integral part of dental education. Professional organizations can also assist in informing practitioners of potential hazards and methods to deal with them. How to cite this article Poorya Naik DS, Chetan S, Gopal Krishna BR, Naveen S. An overview of occupational hazards in dental practice and preventive measures. CODS J Dent 2014;6;19-25

Pheromone-Assisted Techniques to Improve the Efficacy of Insecticide Sprays Against <I>Linepithema humile</I> (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Outdoor residual sprays are among the most common methods for targeting pestiferous ants in urban pest management programs. If impervious surfaces such as concrete are treated with these insecticides, the active ingredients can be washed from the surface by rain or irrigation. As a result, residual sprays with fipronil and pyrethroids are found in urban waterways and aquatic sediments. Given the amount of insecticides applied to urban settings for ant control and their possible impact on urban waterways, the development of alternative strategies is critical to decrease the overall amounts of insecticides applied, while still achieving effective control of target ant species. Herein we report a "pheromone-assisted technique" as an economically viable approach to maximize the efficacy of conventional sprays targeting the Argentine ant. By applying insecticide sprays supplemented with an attractive pheromone compound, (Z)-9-hexadecenal, Argentine ants were diverted from nearby trails and nest entrances and subsequently exposed to insecticide residues. Laboratory experiments with fipronil and bifenthrin sprays indicated that the overall kill of the insecticides on Argentine ant colonies was significantly improved (57-142% increase) by incorporating (Z)-9-hexadecenal in the insecticide sprays. This technique, once it is successfully implemented in practical pest management programs, has the potential of providing maximum control efficacy with reduced amount of insecticides applied in the environment.

Management of Lake Victoria fishery: Are we looking for easy solutions?

Lake Victoria, East Africa, supports a fishery that yields about one million tonnes per annum consisting predominantly of three species, Nile Perch (Lates niloticus), Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and a native sardine-like cyprinid called Dagaa (Rastrineobola argentea). The non-native Nile Perch is the most valuable of these species and supports an important commercial export industry; there are fears that overfishing, due to the growth of fishing capacity, is threatening the Nile Perch fishery. Based on its economic importance and the notion that overfishing is threatening the resource, the current fishery management system was developed to control fishing capacity and effort. This system, using the concepts of co-management, where fishing communities and stakeholders participate through community organizations called Beach Management Units (BMUs) to actively manage the fishery in partnership with the central government, has been criticized that it is “fishery-based,” focusing on a single species and taking no account of ecological conditions in the lake, nor other species. A more “holistic” approach, which places a greater emphasis on changing nutrient concentrations and primary productivity as drivers of fish populations, has been proposed. Though fishery biologists and managers on Lake Victoria recognize that ecological conditions affect fishery populations, there appears to be two major challenges hindering the implementation of such approaches: first, the lack of a coherent objective of the Lake Victoria fishery, and second, the challenges associated with incorporating and implementing concepts of nutrient information and multiple species into a practical fishery management program. This article describes the current fishery co-management program to determine the feasibility of implementing a holistic approach on Lake Victoria. It is concluded that whether a management system should be “holistic” or “fishery-based” is of little importance; what is needed on Lake Victoria are clear objectives and a management plan that will enable those objectives to be achieved, utilizing both ecological and fisheries data where appropriate.

Teaching Residents Practice-Management Knowledge and Skills: An In Vivo Experience

This article explores the relevant data regarding teaching psychiatric residents practice management knowledge and skills. This article also introduces a unique program for teaching practice management to residents. A literature search was conducted through PubMed and Academic Psychiatry. Additionally residents involved in the training program for practice management were given an anonymous survey to complete. There were no randomized, controlled trials in the academic psychiatric field concerning the topic of practice management. The responses to the resident survey (n=10) indicated a modest improvement in residents' perception of receiving adequate training and exposure to practice management knowledge and skills. The available research suggests that many residents and faculty believe that practice management knowledge and skills are still not adequately addressed. The Baylor Clinic practice management program may be one possible solution for integrating the teaching of practice management knowledge and skills. More research on this topic is needed.

Pest management based on petroleum spray oil in navel orange orchard in Ganzhou, South China

Comparisons between petroleum spray oil (PSO)-based pest management (pest management based on petroleum spray oil) and conventional pest management were made in a navel orange orchard from 2004 to 2005 in Ganzhou, Jiangxi province, South China. PSO-based management reduced chemical pesticide use and increased the species richness of natural enemies. To control the key pests below the economic threshold, PSO use, compared with chemical pesticide, reduced the cost of pest management. PSO had no negative effects on fruit yield and quality, and could form the basis of a practical and sustainable pest management program in navel orange.

Fuzzy Financial Decision-Making: Load Management Programs Case Study

This paper derives two fuzzy financial profitability models, namely, a least cost solution model and a cost-benefit analysis model, to evaluate the fuzzy financial profitability of load management alternatives. A straightforward vertex parameters' fuzzy mathematics operation using the function principle is derived as an alternative to the traditional extension principle and is applied to evaluate a number of different financial decision indexes. Compared to the extension principle, the function principle is simple to implement and is conceptually straightforward. The geometric moments of the fuzzy financial indexes are established in order to determine their relative ranking as part of a decision-making process. The performances of the proposed fuzzy financial models are verified by considering their application to two practical load management programs in Taiwan, namely, a cooling energy storage air conditioner and a cogeneration project. These investigations not only confirm that the results of the fuzzy financial models are consistent with those of the conventional crisp models but also demonstrate that the proposed models are more flexible, intelligent, and computationally efficient compared to the extension principle fuzzy mathematics approach. The developed models represent readily implemented possibility analysis tools for use in the arena of uncertain financial decision-making.

Relationship between Morbidity and Body Mass Index of Mariners in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Fleet Escort Force

To establish a practical weight management program for mariners in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Fleet Escort Force, the relationship between morbidity and body mass index (BMI) was studied. To estimate morbidity, 10 medical problems were used as indices (hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, diabetes mellitus, lung disease, heart disease, upper gastrointestinal tract disease, hypertension, renal disease, liver disease, and anemia). A curvilinear relationship was found between morbidity and BMI, in which a BMI of 17.5 was associated with the lowest morbidity. This curvilinear pattern was more complex than a curve reported previously for Japanese civilians. Using the present curve and aiming for a BMI of 17.5 will help in the design and implementation of a practical management program for health promotion in the JMSDF.

Preparing to practice and manage: A program for educating orthodontic residents in practice management

The purpose of this article is to describe how the integration of practice management principles into orthodontic graduate programs can help young practitioners avoid many of the mistakes commonly made in developing an orthodontic practice and to provide guidelines and resources for starting off in the right direction. This article also describes how practice management education was integrated as one of the 4 principal components of contemporary orthodontic education at a California university. Specific goals, concepts, and components of a comprehensive practice management program are outlined. A structured practice management curriculum can provide opportunities for residents and alumni to learn some of the latest developments and techniques in orthodontic practice management. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2001;120:2-8)