The politicisation of science in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia:discussion of ‘Scientific integrity, public policy and water governance’

Many water scientists aim for their work to inform water policy and management, and in pursuit of this objective, they often work alongside government water agencies to ensure their research is relevant, timely and communicated effectively. A paper in this issue, examining 'Science integrity, public policy and water governance in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia’, suggests that a large group of scientists, who work on water management in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) including the Basin Plan, have been subject to possible ‘administrative capture'. Specifically, it is suggested that they have advocated for policies favoured by government agencies with the objective of gaining personal benefit, such as increased research funding. We examine evidence for this claim and conclude that it is not justified. The efforts of scientists working alongside government water agencies appear to have been misinterpreted as possible administrative capture. Although unsubstantiated, this claim does indicate that the science used in basin water planning is increasingly caught up in the politics of water management. We suggest actions to improve science-policy engagement in basin planning, to promote constructive debate over contested views and avoid the over-politicisation of basin science

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) as an aid to rehabilitation in acute respiratory disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) can increase exercise tolerance, reduce exercise induced desaturation and improve the outcome of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic respiratory disease. It is not known whether it can be applied to increase exercise capacity in patients admitted with non-hypercapnic acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). We investigated the acceptability and feasibility of using NIV for this purpose.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>On a single occasion, patients admitted with an acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory disease who were unable to cycle for five minutes at 20 watts attempted to cycle using NIV and their endurance time (T_lim) was recorded. To determine feasibility of this approach in clinical practice patients admitted with AECOPD were screened for participation in a trial of regular NIV assisted rehabilitation during their hospital admission.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 12 patients tested on a single occasion NIV increased T_limfrom 184(65) seconds to 331(229) seconds (p = 0.04) and patients desaturated less (median difference = 3.5%, p = 0.029). In the second study, 60 patients were admitted to hospital during a three month period of whom only 18(30)% were eligible to participate and of these patients, only four (7%) consented to participate.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>NIV improves exercise tolerance in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic respiratory disease but the applicability of this approach in routine clinical practice may be limited.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p><url>http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN35692743</url></p

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) exercise tolerance improvement: differences between interstitial lung disease (ILD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Background: there is evidence to suggest that PR is beneficial for patients with chronic lung diseases other than COPD (ATS/ERS Statement on Pulmonary Rehabilitation 2006, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Interstitial Lung Disease consultation document 2013). However, there is little evidence regarding the magnitude of improvement in patients with ILD relative to those with COPD.Aim: to determine whether exercise tolerance improvement following PR differs significantly between ILD and COPD patients who participate in the same PR programmes.Method: retrospective exercise tolerance test (Endurance Shuttle Walk Test (ESWT)) data for all patients completing our 3 site PR programme from February 2005 to December 2012 were analysed. Practice walks were performed. Results were compared between the ILD and COPD patients using independent sample two-tailed t-tests on data for pre-PR ESWT, post-PR ESWT and ESWT change.Results: of 495 patients with complete data, 55 had ILD and 440 COPD. Both groups had large improvements, with no significant differences between group ESWT pre PR (t= -0.049, p=0.961), post PR (t= -0.227, p=0.820) or change in ESWT (t= -0.228, p=0.820).Conclusions: these data suggest that patients with ILD gain equal benefit in exercise tolerance from PR to patients with COPD. ILD patients with a reduced exercise tolerance should be included and referred for PR

Proceedings: Toward the 1995 Farm Bill and Beyond

E.B. 95-11On September 7 and 8, 1994, the Extension Education Committee of the Cornell Program on Dairy Markets and Policy sponsored a workshop for dairy economists and policy analysts in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This proceedings summarizes the workshop papers and discussions