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Considerable Scope (considerable + scope)
Selected AbstractsPERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND BEST VALUE AUDIT IN SCOTLAND: A RESEARCH NOTE ON THEORY AND PRACTICEFINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY & MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2008Arthur Midwinter This paper appraises the theory and practice of Best Value Audit in Scotland, and in particular the central assumption that a robust performance management system is essential for continuous improvement in service delivery, within a rational planning model of governance. The reviews of Best Value Audit in practice reveal important gaps between theory and practice, with an overemphasis on monitoring process rather than performance. There is, therefore, considerable scope to reduce the demands of the audit process on local government, and Best Value Audit, needs to move from a theoretical model to an evidence-based model of good practice if real progress is to be made. [source] Productivity and carbon fluxes of tropical savannasJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2006John Grace Abstract Aim, (1) To estimate the local and global magnitude of carbon fluxes between savanna and the atmosphere, and to suggest the significance of savannas in the global carbon cycle. (2) To suggest the extent to which protection of savannas could contribute to a global carbon sequestration initiative. Location, Tropical savanna ecosystems in Africa, Australia, India and South America. Methods, A literature search was carried out using the ISI Web of Knowledge, and a compilation of extra data was obtained from other literature, including national reports accessed through the personal collections of the authors. Savanna is here defined as any tropical ecosystem containing grasses, including woodland and grassland types. From these data it was possible to estimate the fluxes of carbon dioxide between the entire savanna biome on a global scale. Results, Tropical savannas can be remarkably productive, with a net primary productivity that ranges from 1 to 12 t C ha,1 year,1. The lower values are found in the arid and semi-arid savannas occurring in extensive regions of Africa, Australia and South America. The global average of the cases reviewed here was 7.2 t C ha,1 year,1. The carbon sequestration rate (net ecosystem productivity) may average 0.14 t C ha,1 year,1 or 0.39 Gt C year,1. If savannas were to be protected from fire and grazing, most of them would accumulate substantial carbon and the sink would be larger. Savannas are under anthropogenic pressure, but this has been much less publicized than deforestation in the rain forest biome. The rate of loss is not well established, but may exceed 1% per year, approximately twice as fast as that of rain forests. Globally, this is likely to constitute a flux to the atmosphere that is at least as large as that arising from deforestation of the rain forest. Main conclusions, The current rate of loss impacts appreciably on the global carbon balance. There is considerable scope for using many of the savannas as sites for carbon sequestration, by simply protecting them from burning and grazing, and permitting them to increase in stature and carbon content over periods of several decades. [source] Improving hand hygiene in community healthcare settings: the impact of research and clinical collaborationJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 1 2000Dinah Gould BSc, MPhil ,,Observation of nursing activities and bacteriological studies undertaken with a sample of nurses employed in a community NHS trust indicated that considerable scope for cross infection existed during domiciliary visits. ,,Poor conditions in patients' homes compromised nurses' ability to perform hand hygiene effectively, increasing risks. ,,A clinical trial indicated that carriage of medically significant bacteria likely to contribute to cross infection could be reduced by applying an antiseptic cream which exhibited residual effectiveness. ,,An audit of hand hygiene throughout the inner city trust indicated the need to pay greater attention to hand hygiene, especially during home nursing visits. The situation was less acute in a rural trust where a second audit was performed for comparative purposes. ,,The motivation of clinical staff to improve hand hygiene precautions was high. [source] The biology and management of wireworms (Agriotes spp.) on potato with particular reference to the U.K.AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2001William E. Parker Summary 1 This paper reviews and interprets relevant work on the biology and management of wireworms (Agriotes spp.) within the context of potato production in Europe, with particular reference to the U.K. Although the review concentrates on Agriotes spp., the extensive world literature on other Elateridae of economic importance is also drawn upon. 2 Possible reasons for the apparent increase in the importance of wireworms on the potato crop are discussed, followed by a review of wireworm biology, risk assessment techniques (soil sampling, bait trapping and adult pheromone trapping), crop damage, and cultural, biological and chemical control methods. 3 It is clear that the process of site risk assessment followed by appropriate control measures (usually insecticide use) will remain the mainstay of wireworm management programmes. However, there is considerable scope for adopting new risk assessment techniques, such as pheromone trapping of adult beetles. 4 These control measures will need to be underpinned by a greater understanding of wireworm biology, particularly adult dispersal. Factors affecting the initiation and maintenance of wireworm populations in individual fields also require further study. The current use of insecticides could also be optimized by a better appreciation of the interactions between insecticide use, potato variety choice and harvest dates. [source] Time varying and dynamic models for default risk in consumer loansJOURNAL OF THE ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY: SERIES A (STATISTICS IN SOCIETY), Issue 2 2010Jonathan Crook Summary., We review the incorporation of time varying variables into models of the risk of consumer default. Lenders typically have data which are of a panel format. This allows the inclusion of time varying covariates in models of account level default by including them in survival models, panel models or ,correction factor' models. The choice depends on the aim of the model and the assumptions that can be plausibly made. At the level of the portfolio, Merton-type models have incorporated macroeconomic and latent variables in mixed (factor) models and Kalman filter models whereas reduced form approaches include Markov chains and stochastic intensity models. The latter models have mainly been applied to corporate defaults and considerable scope remains for application to consumer loans. [source] Using senior volunteers as peer educators: What is the evidence of effectiveness in falls prevention?AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 1 2009Nancye M Peel Peer education models are well established as a means of delivering health and social welfare information. Common themes identified in regard to peer education are that information sharing and transfer take place; attempts are made to influence knowledge, attitudes or behaviour; that it occurs between people who share similar characteristics or experiences; and that it relies on influential members of a social group or category. Although it is most often associated with younger age-groups, there is growing evidence of involvement of older people as peer educators. As part of community-based fall prevention interventions, there is considerable scope for contribution by peer mentors. This paper explores the theoretical basis for using senior volunteers as peer educators, discusses advantages and disadvantages of this model of service delivery for health promotion of older people and, specifically, reviews the evidence for effectiveness in relation to fall prevention. [source] Evaluation of an employment program for people with mental illness using the Supported Employment Fidelity ScaleAUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, Issue 5 2009Errol Cocks Background:The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model aims to achieve open employment for people with mental illness. The Supported Employment Fidelity Scale (SEFS) is a 15-item instrument that evaluates the extent to which a service follows the IPS principles of best practice. This paper describes the IPS model and an evaluation of a specialist employment program for people with mental illness using the SEFS. Methods:The SEFS enabled a quantitative assessment of service provision against the criteria of evidence-based practice principles. Data were collected from multiple sources. In addition, a literature review was conducted, and personnel engaged in implementation of the IPS model at other Australian employment programs were consulted. Results:The program achieved a score of 59 of a possible 75 on the SEFS, which is described as fair supported employment. Discussion:Analysis of the 15-scale items resulted in the identification of strengths, areas for further development, and a set of recommendations. Conclusions:The program was operating substantially in line with evidence-based practice principles and had considerable scope for further development. Issues arising from the evaluation, areas of applicability of the SEFS and the underlying literature, and implications for occupational therapy are highlighted. [source] | ||||||||||