Cultivation and use of bryophytes as experimental material

Bryophytes can be grown successfully if keptmoist, supplied with nutrients, and out of direct sunlight. They remain greener on peat than on sand. However, difficulties were encountered when attempting to grow mosses and liverworts in an unshaded glasshouse, in spring and summer. Even spraying hourly with water did not prevent scorching and desiccation. Growth can be measured using a variety of techniques; height measurement and shoot elongation from thread markers proved the most reliabl

In the Law We Trust; Some Thoughts on the ‘Legislative Gap’ in Legal Studies

The Legitimacy and Effectiveness of Law & Governance in a World of Multilevel Jurisdiction

A snapshot of the prevalence of physical activity amongst older, community dwelling people in Victoria, Australia: patterns across the 'young-old' and 'old-old'

BACKGROUND: Physical activity has a range of health benefits for older people. The aim of this study was to determine physical activity prevalence and attitudes amongst respondents to a trial screening survey. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Subjects were community dwelling older people aged ≥ 65 years, recruited via general practices in Victoria, Australia. Participants completed a mailed screening tool containing the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Active Australia survey and the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 330 participants, 20% were ≥ 80 years. Activity levels were similar to those reported in population studies. The proportion of participants reporting physical activity was greatest for the walking category, but decreased across categories of physical activity intensity. The oldest-old were represented at all physical activity intensity levels. Over half reported exercising at levels that, according to national criteria are, 'sufficient to attain health benefit'. A greater proportion of participants aged 85 years and older were unaware of key physical activity messages, compared to participants aged less than 85 years. CONCLUSION: Most population surveys do not provide details of older people across age categories. This survey provided information on the physical activity of people up to 91 years old. Physical activity promotion strategies should be tailored according to the individual's needs. A better understanding of the determinants of physical activity behaviour amongst older sub-groups is needed to tailor and target physical activity promotion strategies and programs to maximise physical activity related health outcomes for older people

Preventing disease through opportunistic, rapid engagement by primary care teams using behaviour change counselling (PRE-EMPT): protocol for a general practice-based cluster randomised trial

BACKGROUND: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet are the key modifiable factors contributing to premature morbidity and mortality in the developed world. Brief interventions in health care consultations can be effective in changing single health behaviours. General Practice holds considerable potential for primary prevention through modifying patients' multiple risk behaviours, but feasible, acceptable and effective interventions are poorly developed, and uptake by practitioners is low. Through a process of theoretical development, modeling and exploratory trials, we have developed an intervention called Behaviour Change Counselling (BCC) derived from Motivational Interviewing (MI). This paper describes the protocol for an evaluation of a training intervention (the Talking Lifestyles Programme) which will enable practitioners to routinely use BCC during consultations for the above four risk behaviours. METHODS/DESIGN: This cluster randomised controlled efficacy trial (RCT) will evaluate the outcomes and costs of this training intervention for General Practitioners (GPs) and nurses. Training methods will include: a practice-based seminar, online self-directed learning, and reflecting on video recorded and simulated consultations. The intervention will be evaluated in 29 practices in Wales, UK; two clinicians will take part (one GP and one nurse) from each practice. In intervention practices both clinicians will receive training. The aim is to recruit 2000 patients into the study with an expected 30% drop out. The primary outcome will be the proportion of patients making changes in one or more of the four behaviours at three months. Results will be compared for patients seeing clinicians trained in BCC with patients seeing non-BCC trained clinicians. Economic and process evaluations will also be conducted. DISCUSSION: Opportunistic engagement by health professionals potentially represents a cost effective medical intervention. This study integrates an existing, innovative intervention method with an innovative training model to enable clinicians to routinely use BCC, providing them with new tools to encourage and support people to make healthier choices. This trial will evaluate effectiveness in primary care and determine costs of the intervention

The effect of exposure to NO 2 and SO 2 on frost hardiness in Calluna 6ulgaris

Abstract Heather (Calluna 6ulgaris) was grown in pots in a natural heathland soil and exposed in outdoor fumigation chambers ('solardomes') to 40 nl l − 1 of both nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) simultaneously. Plants exposed to NO 2 and SO 2 for 8 months over a growing season (February -November) showed increases in the growth of shoots ( +37%) and the whole plant ( + 15%) and a raised ratio of root to shoot dry matter in comparison with control (charcoal-filtered air) plants. Fumigation raised the average foliar concentrations of nitrogen ( +34%) and sulphur ( +173%). The improvements in growth due to pollutant exposure were countered by reductions in tolerance to experimental acute frost. Cellular damage of heather shoots was assessed using measurements of electrolyte leakage from cut shoots following controlled over-night frosts. The rates of leakage were consistently increased in those plants that had been exposed to NO 2 and SO 2 for 5 months or more in comparison with non-fumigated controls. In some cases a greater leakage rate was recorded in fumigated plants than in controls even in the absence of freezing temperatures. The pollutants caused a similar reduction in frost tolerance whether exposure was given during the hardening period (August-January) or the de-hardening stage (November -April). These results support the hypothesis that low concentrations of air pollutants can reduce the tolerance of plants to freezing stress