The Potential Impact of a Texas High Plains Ethanol Plant on Local Water Supplies

With the passage of the Energy Policy Act, the rapidly expanding number of ethanol plants, and the fury with which ethanol is being promoted, it is clear that ethanol will play a rising role in our domestic energy supply. Along with this rise there will be an increase in the consumptive use of water by ethanol production facilities. Regions, such as the Texas High Plains, that are already considered to be water stressed have the potential of being impacted. The objective of this research is to assess the potential impact the addition of an ethanol plant may have on the Texas High Plains and to determine how increased water costs will transform the economic viability of an ethanol plant.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Farm Level Impacts of a Revenue Based Policy in the 2007 Farm Bill

Revenue-based policy alternatives are thought to be a potential component of the 2007 Farm Bill. This research provides an economic analysis of switching to a revenue assurance farm program for representative farms. Specifically, this research provides a monte-carlo stochastic simulation model that compares the effect of a revenue based safety net policy relative to continuing the 2002 Farm Bill policies for different types of U.S. crop farmers. The results show that both revenue assurance proposals by the National Corn Growers Association leave the majority of farmers, especially feed grain producers, with higher total receipts and higher government payments.Agricultural and Food Policy,

Modelling the complex dynamics of vegetation livestock and rainfall in a semiarid rangeland in South Africa

Predicting the effect of different management strategies on range condition is a challenge for farmers in highly variable environments. A model that explains how the relations between rainfall, livestock and vegetation composition vary over time and interact is needed. Rangeland ecosystems have a hierarchical structure that can be described in terms of vegetation composition, stocking rate and rainfall at the ecosystem level, and the performance of individual animals and plants at the lower level. In this paper, we present mathematical models that incorporate ideas from complex systems theory to integrate several strands of rangeland theory in a hierarchical framework. Compared with observed data from South Africa, the model successfully predicted the relationship between rainfall, vegetation composition and animal numbers over 30 years. Extending model runs over 100 years suggested that initial starting conditions can have a major effect on rangeland dynamics (divergence), and that hysteresis is more likely during a series of low rainfall years. Our model suggests that applying an upper threshold to animal numbers may help to conserve the biodiversity and resilience of grazing systems, whilst maintaining farmers’ ability to respond to changing environmental conditions, a management option here termed controlled disequilibrium

Pharmacy Students’ Lived Experiences With Atopic Dermatitis Inform Perceptions of Learning in the Curriculum

ObjectiveTo explore the impact of lived experiences of pharmacy students with atopic dermatitis (AD) on perceptions of learning in pharmacy curriculum.MethodsAn exploratory qualitative study was conducted with pharmacy students in the United Kingdom to understand how their lived experiences affect their perception of AD in pharmacy curriculum. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and a thematic analysis method was followed. Firstly, codes were created and then relevant codes were combined to identify themes.ResultsThirteen pharmacy students were interviewed. Study findings showed pharmacy students support teaching with a holistic approach to management and patient-centered care in AD in pharmacy curriculum. Although students had empathy and moral support for patients, they also described a need for teaching on the mental health effects of AD in pharmacy education.ConclusionThis brief report explores the role of lived experience of pharmacy students in considering the provision of holistic, patient-centered care in AD teaching in pharmacy education. Participants also suggest the need within the pharmacy curriculum for training to provide mental health advice to patients with AD

A qualitative exploration of the barriers and enablers to supporting informal and familial carers within community pharmacies

Objectives: There are approximately 5.3 million informal carers in the United Kingdom, many of whom support family in their health despite being unpaid and often unsupported. Many visit pharmacies to collect medicines and look for advice. This work explores informal carer support within community pharmacies (CP). Methods: Semi-structured video interviews exploring perspectives on the role of CP in supporting carers were conducted in autumn 2022. The study received institutional ethical approval. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using a reflexive thematic approach. Key findings: In total 25 interviews were conducted with 13 carers and 12 pharmacy staff. Three themes were identified:-What support do carers need through CP?—medicines management, navigating services, and carers health and wellbeing.-Barriers to CP better supporting carers—relationships with CP, carer needs, identification as a ‘carer’.-Enablers to CP better supporting carers—support is a team effort, and CP as a community ‘hub’. Conclusions: There is a trusted relationships between carers and pharmacy staff which can contribute to establishing pharmacies as a safe space of support, this includes medicines-specific support and navigating services, but also carer health and wellbeing support. Pharmacy staff may need to reconsider approaches to identifying and supporting carers and not just treating them as an extension of supporting a patient. In making this support accessible, relationships with pharmacy staff are important, as well as embracing CP as a ‘community hub’, although pharmacy staff may need training and information to facilitate them in this role

Rehabilitative landscape

Master of Landscape ArchitectureDepartment of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community PlanningMary Catherine E. Kingery-PageDruid City Hospital in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is one of the fastest growing heart, cancer, and rehabilitation hospitals in the southern United States. Although once characterized as one of the greatest modern innovations of the early century, the exterior is now outdated (DCH, 2009). However, as the hospital has increased in size and new additions constructed the identity and character of the once prized facility have been lost. Today the existing campus is a juxtaposition of mixed architecture styles and hastily planned construction efforts. The patients and employees of the Druid City Hospital believe that the exterior of the hospital fails to reflect the diligence and care being given within (DCH, 2009). The creation of a unified and cohesive exterior landscape would bring a strong connection between the interior and exterior and once again showcase the hospital as a marvel of it’s time. Through the implementation of spaces designed specifically for rehabilitation, the design of a cohesive landscape will address the current needs and existing conditions of the Druid City Hospital. The application of a health care garden typology and rehabilitative design elements adapted from Clare Cooper Marcus and Marni Barnes as well as the American Horticultural Therapy Association will aid in the design solutions and creation of acohesive and rehabilitative landscape for the Druid City Hospital