Fertility building strategies during the conversion period – assessment of performance in a stockless field vegetable rotation

This report was presented at the UK Organic Research 2002 Conference of the Colloquium of Organic Researchers (COR). Nutrient off-takes, residue returns and nutrient inputs were measured during and after conversion from a conventional arable system to organic vegetables with cereals. This data was used to construct nutrient budgets to assess the effectiveness of contrasting fertility building strategies and various cropping regimes. The effect of placing the cereal crops in different places in the crop sequence was also considered

Measuring impact: prospects and challenges for third sector organisations

Third sector organisations (TSOs) face increased pressures from a variety of stakeholders to measure their impact. As a result there has been a significant growth in the market of tools for this purpose. In this paper we analyse some of the practical choices facing TSOs thinking about whether and how to engage in the impact measurement agenda

Whole-genome sequencing of Salmonella Mississippi and Typhimurium Definitive Type 160, Australia and New Zealand

We used phylogenomic and risk factor data on isolates of Salmonella enterica serovars Mississippi and Typhimurium definitive type 160 (DT160) collected from human, animal, and environmental sources to elucidate their epidemiology and disease reservoirs in Australia and New Zealand. Sequence data suggested wild birds as a likely reservoir for DT160; animal and environmental sources varied more for Salmonella Mississippi than for Salmonella Typhimurium. Australia and New Zealand isolates sat in distinct clades for both serovars; the median single-nucleotide polymorphism distance for DT160 was 29 (range 8–66) and for Salmonella Mississippi, 619 (range 565–737). Phylogenomic data identified plausible sources of human infection from wildlife and environmental reservoirs and provided evidence supporting New Zealand–acquired DT160 in a group of travelers returning to Australia. Wider use of real-time whole-genome sequencing in new locations and for other serovars may identify sources and routes of transmission, thereby aiding prevention and control

Understanding the state–third sector relationship in public services delivery

This state-of-the-art book develops the parameters of ‘governance analysis’ as a critical mode of enquiry. From a synthesis of theoretical approaches to public policy and governance, it offers a critical analytical perspective for empirical research and the development of theories of governance. This perspective is applied to seven detailed examples, from local to international and comparative public policy. Both innovative and unique, Governance Analysis shows that the messy real life of policymaking and its implications can be analysed systematically and insightfully without retreating to outdated ‘models’ of public policymaking or case-specific critique

Groundwater in the Northern Territory, NT Waterwatch Education Kit Part 7

Made available via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT

Measuring the benefits of the integration of health and social care: Qualitative interviews with professional stakeholders and patient representatives

Background: Integrated care has the potential to ease the increasing pressures faced by health and social care systems, however, challenges around measuring the benefits for providers, patients, and service users remain. This paper explores stakeholders’ views on the benefits of integrated care and approaches to measuring the integration of health and social care. Methods: Twenty-five semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with professional stakeholders (n = 19) and patient representatives (n = 6). Interviews focused on the benefits of integrated care and how it should be evaluated. Data was analysed using framework analysis. Results: Three overarching themes emerged from the data: (1) integrated care and its benefits, with stakeholders defining it primarily from the patient’s perspective; (2) potential measures for assessing the benefits of integration in terms of system effects, patient experiences, and patient outcomes; and (3) broader considerations around the assessment of integrated care, including the use of qualitative methods. Conclusions: There was consensus among stakeholders that patient experiences and outcomes are the best measures of integration, and that the main measures currently used to assess integration do not directly assess patient benefits. Validated health status measures are readily available, however, a substantial shift in practices is required before their use becomes commonplace.</p

Individual and household-level risk factors for sporadic salmonellosis in children.

To explore risk factors for sporadic salmonellosis at the individual and household level in children in tropical Darwin, where animal faeces contaminated with Salmonella is thought to be common. A 2-year community based case-control study of children aged 0-4 years residing in Darwin and Palmerston from June 2006. Variables included behaviour, health, food, family and housing characteristics. Environmental samples were taken from houses of case and control children. Of children whose parents were contacted, 59/131 cases and 95/222 controls were included. Salmonella was isolated from 41/56 (73%) case houses and 18/29 (62%) control houses (p?=?0.29). Multivariate analyses showed breastfeeding 0.16 (p?=?0.02), increasing age (months) 0.89 (p?=?0.00) and daily vacuuming 0.18 (p?=?0.06) were protective; consuming powdered formula milk 4.88 (p?=?0.02), pet ownership 4.86 (p?=?0.02), oral contact with animals 7.85 (p?=?0.05), recent antibiotic use 10.01 (p?=?0.03) and sweeping in the presence of children 3.73 (p?=?0.04) were associated with sporadic salmonellosis. Salmonellosis in children under 5 years of age is associated with potentially modifiable risk factors other than food. Breastfeeding beyond 6 months, careful hygiene when preparing formula milk and around pets, frequent cleaning of infant play areas especially quick removal of animal faeces are behaviours likely to reduce childhood sporadic salmonellosis