A comparative cost-effectiveness analysis of biodiversity indicators in grassland farming systems

Farm Management, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Towards a cost-effectiveness analysis of the measurement of biodiversity indicators

A comprehensive quantification of biodiversity in farming systems would require a very significant amount of work (and funds) even for a small area. Therefore, biodiversity indicators are needed to solve the problem of the measurement feasibility. Even though the issue of cost and effectiveness is central for the evaluation of the indicators, only the latter is discussed in detail in the scientific literature. This work presents a cost analysis based on the direct gathering of records from a farm-scale biodiversity survey (EU-FP7, BioBio - “Indicators for biodiversity in organic and low-input farming systems”) where the analysis of costs is part of the project. It is a simple method for comparing different indicators by their ratio of cost/effectiveness. Here we present the results from the French case study (Gascony Hills, Midi-Pyrenees Region).biodiversity, cost-effectiveness, indicator costs, Agricultural and Food Policy, Q2,

Identifying research priorities for the competitiveness of arable crops

EU agriculture and arable crops in particular are suffering from competitiveness deficits compared to other producers in the world economy. One potential strategy to cope with competitiveness challenges is to focus on research and technological innovation. The objective of this paper is to present the results of the project EUROCROP (Agricultural research for improving arable crop competitiveness – EUROCROP - http://www.eurocrop.cetiom.fr/), aimed at the identification of research priorities for arable crop competitiveness. The project adopts a definition of competitiveness based on a combination of economic competitiveness and social/environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the project utilises both a crop chain and a horizontal issue perspective, and develops research priorities through the interaction of the scientific level (expert group approach) and the stakeholder level (scenario analysis). The main result of the project is the elaboration of approximately eighty research topics. Among these, the main areas for research identified are A: Risk management and adaptation of arable farming; B: Innovation in cropping systems for high environmental and economic performances; C: Limiting the impact of arable crop cropping systems on green-house gas emissions; D: Better understanding of public concern about arable crop production and products and communication with global and local societies. The project confirms that a number of well established research topics retain their importance (e.g. yield improvement, plant protection). However, they require cautious coordination with an increasingly complex system of short term priorities.Arable crops, crop chain, competitiveness, research priorities, foresight, Agricultural and Food Policy,

Innovation in Multiple Networks and Networks of Networks: The Case of the Fruit Sector in Emilia‐Romagna

In the paper we examine the issue of food systems in which farms participate in multiple networks that, for their part, tend also to be members of networks of networks. The issue is addressed through a descriptive analysis of the fruit sector in Emilia‐Romagna (Italy). The farms in the area tend to join a different network for each product/product type. Innovation networks are embedded in commercialization or input provider networks, but separate (parallel) networks also exist, particularly for basic research activities. Networks of networks are largely a product of the cooperative system. The paper concludes by emphasising the need for further research in multiple networking strategies and the connection betweencommercialisation networks and innovation

Cost Assessment of the Field Measurement of Biodiversity: a Farm-scale Case Study

Attention to the effects of agriculture on biodiversity is currently increasing. Yet the measurement of biodiversity is both time-consuming and costly. Considering the limited budgets available for biodiversity conservation, it is timely to focus on the cost analysis of biodiversity indicators in order to ensure the optimization of the scarce funds available. We present the cost analysis of operational data from the fieldwork efforts undertaken in the measurement of biodiversity indicators at farm-scale. Methodological issues are discussed

Why do some hospitals achieve better care of severely malnourished children than others? Five-year follow-up of rural hospitals in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Staff at 11 rural hospitals in an under-resourced region of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, participated in an intervention to improve the quality of care of severely malnourished children through training and support aimed at implementing the WHO case-management guidelines. Despite similar intervention inputs, some hospitals reduced their case-fatality rates by at least half, whereas others did not. The aim of this study was to investigate reasons for this disparity. Two successful and two poorly performing hospitals were purposively selected based on their case-fatality rates, which were 30% in those performing poorly. Comparative data were collected during June to October 2004 through structured observations of ward procedures, compilation of hospital data on case-loads and resources, and staff interviews and discussions related to attitudes, teamwork, training, supervision, managerial support and leadership. The four study hospitals had broadly similar resources, infrastructure and child:nurse ratios, and all had made changes to their clinical and dietary management following training. Case-management was broadly in line with WHO guidelines but the study revealed clear differences in institutional culture which influenced quality of care. Staff in the successful hospitals were more attentive and assiduous than staff in the poorly performing hospitals, especially in relation to rehydration procedures, feeding and the recording of vital signs. There was a strong emphasis on in-service training and induction of incoming staff in the successful hospitals and better supervision of junior staff and carers. Nurses had more positive attitudes towards malnourished children and their carers, and were less judgmental. Underlying factors were differences in leadership, teamwork, and managerial supervision and support. We conclude that unless there are supportive structures at managerial level, the potential benefits of efficacious interventions and related training programmes to improve health worker performance can be thwarted.World Health Organizatio

Parameters determining the efficiency of gene targeting in the moss Physcomitrella patens

In the moss Physcomitrella patens, transforming DNA containing homologous sequences integrates predominantly by homologous recombination with its genomic target. A systematic investigation of the parameters that determine gene targeting efficiency shows a direct relationship between homology length and targeting frequency for replacement vectors (a selectable marker flanked by homologous DNA). Overall homology of only 1 kb is sufficient to achieve a 50% yield of targeted transformants. Targeting may occur through homologous recombination in one arm, accompanied by non-homologous end-joining by the other arm of the vector, or by allele replacement following two homologous recombination events. Allele replacement frequency depends on the symmetry of the targeting vector, being proportional to the length of the shorter arm. Allele replacement may involve insertion of multiple copies of the transforming DNA, accompanied by ectopic insertions at non-homologous sites. Single-copy and single insertions at targeted loci (targeted gene replacements, ‘TGR’) occur with a frequency of 7–20% of all transformants when the minimum requirements for allele replacement are met. Homologous recombination in Physcomitrella is substantially more efficient than in any multicellular eukaryote, recommending it as the outstanding model for the study of homologous recombination in plants

Towards a cost-effectiveness analysis of the measurement of biodiversity indicators

A comprehensive quantification of biodiversity in farming systems would require a very significant amount of work (and funds) even for a small area. Therefore, biodiversity indicators are needed to solve the problem of the measurement feasibility. Even though the issue of cost and effectiveness is central for the evaluation of the indicators, only the latter is discussed in detail in the scientific literature. This work presents a cost analysis based on the direct gathering of records from a farm-scale biodiversity survey (EU-FP7, BioBio - “Indicators for biodiversity in organic and low-input farming systems”) where the analysis of costs is part of the project. It is a simple method for comparing different indicators by their ratio of cost/effectiveness. Here we present the results from the French case study (Gascony Hills, Midi-Pyrenees Region)

Clinical follow-up rather than duplex surveillance after carotid endarterectomy

AbstractPurpose: The value of duplex surveillance and the significance of contralateral carotid disease after endarterectomy have been assessed.Methods: Three hundred five patients were observed prospectively after carotid endarterectomy for a median time of 36 months (range, 6 to 96 months), with duplex surveillance performed at 1 day; 1 week; 3, 6, 9, and 12 months; and then each year after endarterectomy.Results: Thirty patients (10%) had ipsilateral symptoms (13 strokes, 17 transient ischemic attacks [TIAs]) at a median time of 6 months (range, 0 to 60 months). Life table analysis demonstrated that ipsilateral stroke was equally common for patients who had ≥50% restenosis (3% at 36 months) and those who did not (6% at 36 months, p > 0.5). Twenty-three patients (8%) developed symptoms (stroke 5, TIA 14) attributable to the contralateral carotid artery at a median time of 9 months (range, 0 to 36 months) after endarterectomy. By life table analysis, 40% of patients with 70% to 99%, 6% with 50% to 69%, 1% with <50% contralateral internal carotid stenosis, and 5% with contralateral carotid occlusion at the time of endarterectomy had a contralateral TIA in the 36 months after endarterectomy ( p < 0.01). However, contralateral stroke was not significantly more common for patients with severe contralateral internal carotid stenosis demonstrated at the time of endarterectomy (<50% stenosis, 0%; 50% to 69%, 3%; 70% to 99%, 7%; occlusion, 6% stroke rate at 36 months). Seven of the 32 patients who developed progression of contralateral disease had a TIA, compared with 11 of 227 patients who did not develop progression of contralateral disease ( p < 0.01). None of the 12 patients who progressed from a <70% to a 70% to 99% contralateral stenosis had a stroke.Conclusions: After carotid endarterectomy restenosis is rarely associated with symptoms; contralateral stroke is rare and is not associated with progressive internal carotid artery disease suitable for endarterectomy. This study has shown no benefit from long-term duplex surveillance after carotid endarterectomy. Selective clinical follow-up of patients who have high-grade contralateral stenoses would appear more appropriate. (J Vasc Surg 1997;25:55-63.