ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT: LESSONS FROM THE PAST, DIRECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE

This paper reviews the literature assessing the economic impacts of integrated pest management (IPM). Definitions of IPM are categorized as input- or outcome-oriented, and an outcome- oriented definition is recommended for public program assessment. The literature on economic impact assessment of IPM is divided according to focus on expected profit, profitability risk, environment, and health. Measuring diverse impacts on the environment and health poses a challenge, as does placing a value on those impacts. Evaluation of environment and health variables has been accomplished either by comparing individual attributes (multiple criteria approach) or else by constructing a weighted index (index approach), which may be measured in monetary or non- monetary terms. While partial budgeting represents an accepted measure of short-term expected profitability effects of IPM practices, the three other focal areas are much more costly and complicated to measure. For routine IPM project assessments, simple indicators of health and environmental impacts are needed that can be used to extrapolate upon valuation measures from prior, published studies.Crop Production/Industries,

Formative research for the development of strategies to increase dual method use among adolescents and young adults

Unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are significant health problems in the United States, and African American and Latino youth experience higher rates of both. The simultaneous use of birth control and condoms is a strategy that has demonstrated effectiveness in preventing both unintended pregnancy and STIs. Eight focus groups were conducted with African-American and Latino adolescents and young adults to inform strategies to increase dual method use, defined as the simultaneous use of condoms and highly effective contraceptives. Participants described dual method users as smart, careful, and focused. Positive emotions were also associated with dual method use, including confidence and security. Participants readily identified cost and access as environmental obstacles. Many believed dual method use was important, but others doubted that it was necessary, especially within a committed relationship. These findings, coupled with established theories of behavior change, suggest that public health professionals should emphasize the positive images and emotions associated with dual method use. They must help participants negotiate, and help reduce, environmental barriers to dual method use. It is also important to address dual method use within the context of relationships.Doctor of Public Healt

Professional Organizations for Pharmacy Students on Satellite Campuses

Objective. To evaluate the structure and impact of student organizations on pharmacy school satellite campuses

A Novel Clinically Relevant Strategy to Abrogate Autoimmunity and Regulate Alloimmunity in NOD Mice

OBJECTIVE - To investigate a new clinically relevant immunoregulatory strategy based on treatment with murine Thymoglobulin mATG Genzyme and CTLA4-Ig in NOD mice to prevent alloand autoimmune activation using a stringent model of islet transplantation and diabetes reversal. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Using allogeneic islet transplantation models as well as NOD mice with recent onset type 1 diabetes, we addressed the therapeutic efficacy and immunomodulatory mechanisms associated with a new immunoregulatory protocol based on prolonged low-dose mATG plus CTLA4-Ig. RESULTS - BALB/c islets transplanted into hyperglycemic NOD mice under prolonged mATG+CTLA4-Ig treatment showed a pronounced delay in allograft rejection compared with untreated mice (mean survival time: 54 vs. 8 days, P < 0.0001). Immunologic analysis of mice receiving transplants revealed a complete abrogation of autoimmune responses and severe downregulation of alloimmunity in response to treatment. The striking effect on autoimmunity was confirmed by 100% diabetes reversal in newly hyperglycemic NOD mice and 100% indefinite survival of syngeneic islet transplantation (NOD.SCID into NOD mice). CONCLUSIONS - The capacity to regulate alloimmunity and to abrogate the autoimmune response in NOD mice in different settings confirmed that prolonged mATG+CTLA4-Ig treatment is a clinically relevant strategy to translate to humans with type 1 diabetes

The burden of childhood atopic dermatitis in the primary care setting: a report from the Meta-LARC Consortium

Background: Little is known about the burden of AD encountered in U.S. primary care practices and the frequency and type of skin care practices routinely used in children. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of AD and allergic comorbidities in children 0-5 years attending primary care practices in the U.S. and to describe routine skin care practices used in this population. Design: A cross-sectional survey study of a convenience sample of children under the age of 5 attending primary care practices for any reason. Setting: Ten primary care practices in five U.S. states.Results: Amongst 652 children attending primary care practices, the estimated prevalence of ever having AD was 24 % (95% CI= 21-28) ranging from 15% among those under the age of one to 38% among those aged 4- 5 years. The prevalence of comorbid asthma was higher among AD participants compared to those with no AD, 12% and 4%, respectively (p less than 0.001). Moisturizers with high water:oil ratios were most commonly used (i.e., lotions) in the non-AD population, whereas moisturizers with low water:oil content (i.e. ointments) most common when AD was present. Conclusions: Our study found a large burden of AD in the primary care practice setting in the U.S. The majority of households reported skin care practices in children without AD that may be detrimental to the skin barrier such as frequent bathing and the routine use of moisturizers with high water: oil ratios. Clinical trials are needed to identify which skin care practices are optimal for reducing the significant risk of AD in the community

METHODOLOGY OF AN IPM IMPACT ASSESSMENT: DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF A PROTOCOL IN MICHIGAN TART CHERRIES

An integrated pest management (IPM) impact assessment protocol was applied to the IPM program for tart cherries in Northwest Lower Michigan. Four pest management scenarios were developed for typical tart cherry growers in the region, the level of adoption of each of the 91 scenarios was determined, and the profitability and environmental and human health effects from adoption of each of the scenarios was assessed. Data was collected through personal inter-views with IPM specialists in tart cherries in the Northwest Lower Michigan region and using secondary data sources. Analysis of the different pest management scenarios revealed that a moderate amount of IPM adoption yielded the best profitability and environmental and human health results. The analysis highlighted the usefulness of the protocol as an IPM assessment tool and emphasized key areas where improvements in the protocol could be made, namely in improving the methods of data collection

METHODOLOGY OF AN IPM IMPACT ASSESSMENT: DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF A PROTOCOL IN MICHIGAN TART CHERRIES

An integrated pest management (IPM) impact assessment protocol was applied to the IPM program for tart cherries in Northwest Lower Michigan. Four pest management scenarios were developed for typical tart cherry growers in the region, the level of adoption of each of the 91 scenarios was determined, and the profitability and environmental and human health effects from adoption of each of the scenarios was assessed. Data was collected through personal inter-views with IPM specialists in tart cherries in the Northwest Lower Michigan region and using secondary data sources. Analysis of the different pest management scenarios revealed that a moderate amount of IPM adoption yielded the best profitability and environmental and human health results. The analysis highlighted the usefulness of the protocol as an IPM assessment tool and emphasized key areas where improvements in the protocol could be made, namely in improving the methods of data collection.Crop Production/Industries,

ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT: LESSONS FROM THE PAST, DIRECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE

This paper reviews the literature assessing the economic impacts of integrated pest management (IPM). Definitions of IPM are categorized as input- or outcome-oriented, and an outcome- oriented definition is recommended for public program assessment. The literature on economic impact assessment of IPM is divided according to focus on expected profit, profitability risk, environment, and health. Measuring diverse impacts on the environment and health poses a challenge, as does placing a value on those impacts. Evaluation of environment and health variables has been accomplished either by comparing individual attributes (multiple criteria approach) or else by constructing a weighted index (index approach), which may be measured in monetary or non- monetary terms. While partial budgeting represents an accepted measure of short-term expected profitability effects of IPM practices, the three other focal areas are much more costly and complicated to measure. For routine IPM project assessments, simple indicators of health and environmental impacts are needed that can be used to extrapolate upon valuation measures from prior, published studies

Bee pollination frequency on Syringa vulgaris as a function of time of day, stigma height, and direction of the flower.

A study of bee pollination frequency on the common lilac Syringa vulgaris as it relates to time of day (morning and afternoon), height of the flower stigma, and direction of the flower (north versus south) was conducted at 6324 Ringler Road, Pellston City, Emmet County, Michigan. Once the flowers bloomed, data were collected over a period of eight days from June 1 through June 8, 2002. For all three variables, there was a significant difference in the time and location of pollination, as bees seemed to prefer the high flower plot on the southern side of the lilac bush during the afternoon.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/54968/1/3409.pdfDescription of 3409.pdf : Access restricted to on-site users at the U-M Biological Station