Effects of three different biochars on aggregate stability, organic carbon mobility and micronutrient bioavailability

Previous studies have demonstrated both beneficial and detrimental effects on soil properties from biochar incorporation. Several biochars, with different feedstock origins, were evaluated for their effectiveness at improving soil quality of a sandy agricultural soil. A pot trial was used to investigate aggregate stability and microbial activity, pore water trace element mobility and micronutrient concentrations in grain of spring wheat after incorporation of three biochars. The feedstocks for biochar production were selected because they were established UK waste products, namely oversize woody material from green waste composting facilities, and rhododendron and soft wood material from forest clearance operations. Biochars were incorporated into the soil at a rate of 5% v/v. Aggregate stability was improved following addition of oversize biochar whilst microbial activity increased in all treatments. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in soil pore water from biochar-treated soils were raised, whilst micronutrient concentrations in wheat grain grown in the treated soils were significantly reduced. It was concluded that incorporation of biochar to temperate agricultural soils requires caution as it may result in reductions of essential grain micronutrients required for human health, whilst the effect on aggregate stability may be linked to organic carbon functional groups on biochar surfaces and labile carbon released from the char into the soil system

Methodological considerations in using AcciMaps and the Risk Management Framework to analyse large-scale systemic failures

In this paper we describe our use of the AcciMap and Risk Management (ActorMap) framework (RMF) to analyse two recent accidents – the infection outbreaks which occurred at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and the 2005 Stockwell Shooting incident. Previous work using AcciMaps and the RMF is described and reviewed in section 2 of the paper. We then describe the case studies followed by an account of our goals and the procedure used to carry out the accident analyses (section 3). The differences in our use of the methods are described in section 4 of the paper. Finally, we reflect on these differences in order to develop of a set of criteria which could be used to scope more detailed guidelines for the selection and use of the two methods

Lessons learnt from using AcciMaps and the risk management framework to analyse large-scale systemic failures

In this paper we describe our experiences in using AcciMaps and the Risk Management (ActorMap) framework (RMF) to analyse two recent accidents – the infection outbreaks which occurred at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and the 2005 Stockwell Shooting incident. We first review previous work using AcciMaps and the RMF, followed by an account of our goals and the procedure used to carry out the accident analyses and the differences in our use of the methods. Finally, we reflect on these differences in order to develop of a set of criteria which could be used to scope more detailed guidelines for the selection and use of the two methods

Psychometric properties of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture: findings from the UK

Background: Patient safety culture is measured using a range of survey tools. Many provide limited data on psychometric properties and few report findings outside of the USA healthcare context. This study reports an assessment of the psychometric properties and suitability of the American Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPC) for use within the UK. Methods: A questionnaire survey of three hospitals within a large UK Acute NHS Trust. 1,437 questionnaires were completed (37% response rate). Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability analyses were carried out to assess the psychometric performance of this survey instrument and explore potential improvements. Results: Reliability analysis of the items within each proposed scale showed that over half failed to achieve satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha < 0.7). Furthermore, a confirmatory factor analysis carried out on the UK dataset achieved a poor fit when compared to the original American model. An optimal measurement model was then constructed via exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis with split-half sample validation, and consisted of 9 dimensions compared to the original 12 in the American model. Conclusion: This is one of the few studies to provide an evaluation of an American patient safety culture survey using data from the UK. The results indicate that there is need for caution in using the HSOPC survey in the UK and underline the importance of appropriate validation of safety culture surveys before extending their usage to populations outside of the specific geographical and health care contexts in which they were developed

Defining the methodological challenges and opportunities for an effective science of sociotechnical systems and safety

An important part of the application of sociotechnical systems theory (STS) is the development of methods, tools and techniques to assess human factors and ergonomics workplace requirements. We focus in this paper on describing and evaluating current STS methods for workplace safety, as well as outlining a set of six case studies covering the application of these methods to a range of safety contexts. We also describe an evaluation of the methods in terms of ratings of their ability to address a set of theoretical and practical questions (e.g. the degree to which methods capture static/dynamic aspects of tasks and interactions between system levels). The outcomes from the evaluation highlight a set of gaps relating to the coverage and applicability of current methods for STS and safety (e.g. coverage of external influences on system functioning; method usability). The final sections of the paper describe a set of future challenges, as well as some practical suggestions for tackling thes

Effects of northbound long-haul international air travel on sleep quantity and subjective jet lag and wellness in professional Australian soccer players

© 2015 Human Kinetics, Inc. The current study examined the effects of 10-h northbound air travel across 1 time zone on sleep quantity, together with subjective jet lag and wellness ratings, in 16 male professional Australian football (soccer) players. Player wellness was measured throughout the week before (home training week) and the week of (away travel week) travel from Australia to Japan for a preseason tour. Sleep quantity and subjective jet lag were measured 2 d before (Pre 1 and 2), the day of, and for 5 d after travel (Post 1-5). Sleep duration was significantly reduced during the night before travel (Pre 1; 4.9 [4.2-5.6] h) and night of competition (Post 2; 4.2 [3.7-4.7] h) compared with every other night (P 0.90). Moreover, compared with the day before travel, subjective jet lag was significantly greater for the 5 d after travel (P 0.90), and player wellness was significantly lower 1 d postmatch (Post 3) than at all other time points (P 0.90). Results from the current study suggest that sleep disruption, as a result of an early travel departure time (8 PM) and evening match (7:30 PM), and fatigue induced by competition had a greater effect on wellness ratings than long-haul air travel with a minimal time-zone change. Furthermore, subjective jet lag may have been misinterpreted as fatigue from sleep disruption and competition, especially by the less experienced players. Therefore, northbound air travel across 1 time zone from Australia to Asia appears to have negligible effects on player preparedness for subsequent training and competition

Probing deeper into the risks of slips, trips and falls for an ageing rail passenger population: applying a systems approach

In this study, the authors report the findings from a study of the contributory factors leading to slips, trips and falls (STFs) amongst elderly passengers at train stations and how these are likely to change in the future over the medium to long term (the period 2035–2050). Their data draws on: stakeholder interviews with rail personnel and elderly passengers; a set of station observations carried out across the UK; and, a survey of the views of station managers. The findings point to a set of 22 contributory factors covering aspects of organisational, station environment and passenger (individual) influence on STFs. Amongst the factors which most concern station managers at the present and over the next few decades are: rushing behaviour on train platforms; the consumption of alcohol by passengers; aspects of station design (e.g. flooring); and, training for station staff as regard the risks of STFs. The authors summarise their findings in the form of a systems model which highlights priorities with regard to STFs in terms of all of the stakeholders taking part in the study. A final section discusses a set of issues which might form the basis for a future agenda for research and practice in this area

Recent Decisions

Comments on recent decisions by Robert R. Waterson, Hugh E. Wall, Francis W. Matthys, Granville P. Ziegler, Thomas H. Nelson, Stanley A. Rosenstein, and John M. Doyle