Dissimilar response of plant and soil biota communities to long-term nutrient adition in grasslands

The long-term effect of fertilizers on plant diversity and productivity is well known, but long-term effects on soil biota communities have received relatively little attention. Here, we used an exceptional long-lasting (>40 years) grassland fertilization experiment to investigate the long-term effect of Ca, N, PK, and NPK addition on the productivity and diversity of both vegetation and soil biota. Whereas plant diversity increased by liming and decreased by N and NPK, the diversity of nematodes, collembolans, mites, and enchytraeids increased by N, PK, or NPK. Fertilization with NPK and PK increased plant biomass and biomass of enchytraeids and collembolans. Biomass of nematodes and earthworms increased by liming. Our results suggest that soil diversity might be driven by plant productivity rather than by plant diversity. This may imply that the selection of measures for restoring or conserving plant diversity may decrease soil biota diversity. This needs to be tested in future experiment

Dairy cow performance on silage from semi-natural grassland

The effects of including forage from semi-natural grassland in the diet of dairy cows were studied in a feeding trial with cows in mid-lactation. Diets were compared in which part of the silage from intensively managed grassland was replaced with 0% (100IM), 20% (20SPP), 40% (40SPP) or 60% (60SPP) silage from species-poor semi-natural grassland or with 60% silage from species-rich semi-natural grassland (60SPR). On a dry matter basis, the total mixed ration (TMR) contained 63% grass silage, 18% maize silage and 19% concentrates. Concentrates were either low or high in protein to prevent protein surpluses or shortages. High producing cows were offered additional concentrates in concentrate boxes. The additional concentrates had the same composition as the concentrates in the TMR. With the 60SPP diet voluntary daily intake decreased by 1.4 kg DM cow−¹ day−¹. Uncorrected milk production was the same for all diets, but milk fat yield was lower with the 60SPP diet and milk protein yield lower with the 60SPR diet than with the other diets. No statistically significant differences in fat and protein corrected milk production were observed between the 100IM and the 20SPP diet. The fat and protein corrected milk production with the other diets was significantly lower than with 100IM. All cows gained body weight, but there were no statistically significant differences between diets. In conclusion, if used in low quantities (< 40%), silage from semi-natural grassland can be included in the diet of lactating dairy cows without reducing production. This conclusion is based on the presented results and cannot be generalized

Molecular semiconductors and the Ioffe–Regel criterion: A terahertz study on band transport in DBTTT

Terahertz electromodulation spectroscopy provides insight into the physics of charge carrier transport in molecular semiconductors. The work focuses on thin-film devices of dibenzothiopheno[6,5-b:6′,5′-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene. Frequency-resolved data show a Drude-like response of the hole gas in the accumulation region. The temperature dependence of the mobilities follows a T1/2 power law. This indicates that the thermal mean free path of the charge carriers is restricted by disorder. Only a fraction of approximately 5% of the injected carriers fulfills the Ioffe–Regel criterion and participates in band transport.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Experiences with ecosystem services on farms: a pilot study towards CAP reform

A reward system for ecosystem services was developed for a group of farmers in Winterswijk (NL). Most of these services are connected to multifunctional land-use activities. A farmer earns points for a range of activities, which are valued with more or fewer points depending on their importance for landscape and/or community activities. Total payment is based on sum of all points multiplied by a payment per point. The local community has adopted this payment system, and in December 2008 launched a countryside fund to reward farmers for offering green-blue services. Since spring 2011 the region is also a pilot area to study options for the reform of the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and 97 farmers participate in this pilot study. From 2013 onwards the CAP will focus on offering more services to the public, rather than just food production. Maintaining landscapes, employment, environment, climate change and biodiversity is a great and new challenge for farmers, and a necessary step to apply for some of the future EU payments. In the pilot study the farmers of Winterswijk will build up experience with the provision of these services. The Dutch Government will use the results of the pilot in the negotiations with the European Commission

Economic analyses of venous thromboembolism prevention strategies in hospitalized patients: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION: Despite evidence-based guidelines for venous thromboembolism prevention, substantial variability is found in practice. Many economic evaluations of new drugs for thromboembolism prevention do not occur prospectively with efficacy studies and are sponsored by the manufacturers, raising the possibility of bias. We performed a systematic review of economic analyses of venous thromboembolism prevention in hospitalized patients to inform clinicians and policy makers about cost-effectiveness and the potential influence of sponsorship. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Databases, ACP Journal Club, and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, from 1946 to September 2011. We extracted data on study characteristics, quality, costs, and efficacy. RESULTS: From 5,180 identified studies, 39 met eligibility and quality criteria. Each addressed pharmacologic prevention: low-molecular-weight heparins versus placebo (five), unfractionated heparin (12), warfarin (eight), one or another agents (five); fondaparinux versus enoxaparin (11); and rivaroxaban and dabigatran versus enoxaparin (two). Low-molecular-weight heparins were most economically attractive among most medical and surgical patients, whereas fondaparinux was favored for orthopedic patients. Fondaparinux was associated with increased bleeding events. Newer agents rivaroxaban and dabigatran may offer additional value. Of all economic evaluations, 64% were supported by manufacturers of a "new" agent. The new agent had a favorable outcome in 38 (97.4%) of 39 evaluations [95% confidence interval [CI] (86.5 to 99.9)]. Among studies supported by a pharmaceutical company, the sponsored medication was economically attractive in 24 (96.0%) of 25 [95% CI, 80.0 to 99.9)]. We could not detect a consistent bias in outcome based on sponsorship; however, only a minority of studies were unsponsored. CONCLUSION: Low-molecular-weight heparins and fondaparinux are the most economically attractive drugs for venous thromboembolism prevention in hospitalized patients. Approximately two thirds of evaluations were supported by the manufacturer of the new agent; such drugs were likely to be reported as economically favorable

Motivating doctors into leadership and management: a cross-sectional survey

Purpose: Calls for doctors to enter management are louder as the benefits of medical leadership become clearer. But supply is not meeting demand. This study asks doctors: what might encourage you to go into leadership, and what do you see as the disincentives? The same was asked about leadership training. First, the paper attempts to understand doctors’ motivation to lead, specifically, to explore the job characteristics that might act as incentives and disincentives. Second, the study points to organisational obstacles that further shrink the medical leadership pipeline. Method: Doctors were surveyed through the Organization of Danish Medical Societies. Our key variables included: 1) willingness to take on a management or leadership position; 2) the incentives to go into leadership or management; 3) disincentives to do so; and 4) incentives for participating in leadership training. Our sample includes 3534 doctors (17% response rate). Findings: Nearly 70% of doctors said that they would consider leadership or management positions. Overwhelmingly, the main incentive reported was to have a positive impact. Doctors are put off by fears of extra administration, longer hours, burnout, lack of resources, and by organisational cultures resistant to change. But they are fully aware of their need for leadership training. Practical implications: Health systems should adapt to reflect the motivations of their potential medical leaders, especially the best talent, who may not be the first to apply for management positions. It is also essential they offer leadership training. These findings, that aid succession planning, are especially important as more is known about the influence of medical leaders on organisational outcomes, and at a time of high reported stress, burnout, and staff recruitment and retention challenges