Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation Turf Management Program

The purpose of this document is to provide an agronomic plan for the Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation that establishes a minimum/recreational level turf grass standard for a variety of activities and that uses the most cost-effective treatment options available. The department maintains 91 multi-purpose fields and 58 baseball and softball diamonds. All of these sites consist of native soil and standard grass (mostly fescue and some bluegrass) playing surfaces. Fields are generally used from 5pm to dark on weekdays and games are played on weekends typically from sun-up to sun-down. Prior data collection indicates fields are used approximately 20-30 hours a week. There are instances where fields are used up to 35 hours a week. The current mowing schedule is a seven-day mowing cycle. Current mowing heights are between 2.5” - 3” (which can be adjusted) with a rotating cross-cut direction each week. Mowing occurs from early April until early November. Based on the current budget, we recommend maintaining the mowing schedule at once per week and rotating the direction of cut. Currently, the recreation councils are treating their fields with fertilizer treatment, weed inhibitor, seeding and sodding when needed. The goal is to determine the most cost-effective treatment option for these playing surfaces. Equally important is to create a uniform maintenance regime among all fields.Harford Count

When public action undermines public health: A critical examination of antifluoridationist literature

Background: The addition of the chemical fluorine to the water supply, called water fluoridation, reduces dental caries by making teeth more resistant to demineralisation and more likely to remineralise when initially decayed. This process has been implemented in more than 30 countries around the world, is cost-effective and has been shown to be efficacious in preventing decay across a person's lifespan. However, attempts to expand this major public health achievement in line with Australia's National Oral Health Plan 2004–2013 are almost universally met with considerable resistance from opponents of water fluoridation, who engage in coordinated campaigns to portray water fluoridation as ineffective and highly dangerous. Discussion: Water fluoridation opponents employ multiple techniques to try and undermine the scientifically established effectiveness of water fluoridation. The materials they use are often based on Internet resources or published books that present a highly misleading picture of water fluoridation. These materials are used to sway public and political opinion to the detriment of public health. Despite an extensive body of literature, both studies and results within studies are often selectively reported, giving a biased portrayal of water fluoridation effectiveness. Positive findings are downplayed or trivialised and the population implications of these findings misinterpreted. Ecological comparisons are sometimes used to support spurious conclusions. Opponents of water fluoridation frequently repeat that water fluoridation is associated with adverse health effects and studies are selectively picked from the extensive literature to convey only claimed adverse findings related to water fluoridation. Techniques such as "the big lie" and innuendo are used to associate water fluoridation with health and environmental disasters, without factual support. Half-truths are presented, fallacious statements reiterated, and attempts are made to bamboozle the public with a large list of claims and quotes often with little scientific basis. Ultimately, attempts are made to discredit and slander scientists and various health organisations that support water fluoridation. Summary: Water fluoridation is an important public health initiative that has been found to be safe and effective. Nonetheless, the implementation of water fluoridation is still regularly interrupted by a relatively small group of individuals who use misinformation and rhetoric to induce doubts in the minds of the public and government officials. It is important that public health officials are aware of these tactics so that they can better counter their negative effectJason M Armfiel

Profile of cognitive problems in schizophrenia and implications for vocational functioning

Aim: This literature review attempts to profile specific areas of cognition that have shown unique and consistent evidence of dysfunction among people with schizophrenia. In addition, their impact on vocational functioning is illustrated, so as to highlight the importance of managing these cognitive difficulties in vocational rehabilitation. Methods: Literature search was carried out on seven key cognitive domains identified by the National Institute of Mental Health in the USA. Their impact on vocational function was also reviewed. Results: It is found that attention, declarative and working memory, reasoning, problem-solving and social cognition are areas of impairment that have great impact on vocational functioning. Attention and memory problems affect learning of new work tasks. Executive function is particularly crucial in determining supported and open employment outcomes, as executive dysfunction cannot be easily compensated. Lastly, social cognition plays a major role in determining the success of workplace social exchanges. Conclusion: Occupational therapists need to have a good understanding of the profile of cognitive problems among people with schizophrenia, in order to tailor our intervention according to their cognitive strengths and difficulties. Several cognitive remediation strategies and programs have been designed specifically for people with mental illness. Equipping ourselves with skills in conducting such programs will augment our expertise in vocational rehabilitation. © Journal compilatio