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Management Programmes (management + programme)
Kinds of Management Programmes Selected AbstractsBuilding drought management capacity in the Mekong River basin,IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE, Issue 3 2008Wilfried Hundertmark gestion de la sécheresse; développement des capacités; organisation de bassin; Mékong Abstract Over the past decades the Mekong River basin has experienced several droughts, the most recent of which occurred in the hydrological year 2004/2005. Impacts extended across agriculture, forestry, water resources, supply, industry, transport and the environment. In early 2006, the Mekong River Commission Secretariat initiated close consultations with the MRC member states Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, aiming at the formulation of a common Drought Management Programme, which would enhance the existing drought management capacity and ensure effective support. This paper draws attention to the programme formulation process. It shows how national capacity needs were assessed and synthesized into a basin-wide capacity development programme. The paper concludes that in the context of international waters enhancing cooperation and capacity in drought management requires a strategic framework as an overall guideline for programme formulation and implementation. It defines a common terminology, mechanisms and linkages to integrated water resources management plans. The programme's long-term success depends on the ability to sustain the interest of the national partner institutions. Ultimately, enhanced capacity in drought management must demonstrate its impact on the level of vulnerability of the population living under drought-prone conditions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Au cours des dernières décennies, le bassin du Mékong a connu plusieurs sécheresses, la plus récente ayant eu lieu dans l'année hydrologique 2004/2005. L'impact a concerné l'agriculture, la forêt, les ressources en eau, la distribution, l'industrie, les transports et l'environnement. Au début de 2006, le Secrétariat de la Commission du Mékong a entamé des consultations étroites avec les états membres, le Cambodge, la RDP du Laos, la Thaïlande et le Vietnam, visant à l'élaboration d'un programme commun de gestion de la sécheresse, qui permettrait de renforcer les capacités existantes de gestion de la sécheresse et d'assurer un soutien efficace. Cet article attire l'attention sur le processus de formulation des programmes. Il montre comment les besoins nationaux de formation ont été évalués et synthétisés dans un programme de développement des capacités pour l'ensemble du bassin. L'article conclut que, dans le contexte des eaux internationales, le renforcement de la coopération et des capacités dans la gestion de la sécheresse a besoin d'un cadre stratégique d'ensemble et d'un guide global pour la formulation des programmes et leur mise en ,uvre. Il définit une terminologie commune, les mécanismes et les liens avec les plans de gestion intégrée des ressources en eau. Le succès à long terme du programme dépend de la capacité à maintenir l'intérêt des institutions nationales partenaires. En fin de compte, le renforcement des capacités dans la gestion de la sécheresse doit démontrer son impact sur le niveau de vulnérabilité de la population vivant dans les régions soumises à la sécheresse. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Rezoned for Business: How Eco-Tourism Unlocked Black Farmland in Eastern ZimbabweJOURNAL OF AGRARIAN CHANGE, Issue 4 2001David McDermott Hughes Eco-tourism is undermining black smallholders' entitlement to land in Zimbabwe. In the 1890s, British administrators restrained whites from alienating the whole of the country by demarcating native reserves. In terms of this limited aim, the policy of native reserves worked. It ensured a land base for black agriculture, particularly for women and children. In the late 1980s, however, CAMPFIRE (Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources) invited the tourism industry to begin operations in the lowland reserves. These ?rms have claimed land, made money and relocated smallholders. Based on economic and ecological arguments, CAMPFIRE has rede ?ned the black entitlement as merely a claim competing with those of other ,stakeholders'. No guarantees exist for residents and cultivators. Indeed, government and NGOs are fast transforming the lowland reserves into privileged and subsidized investment zones. Held in check for a century, a new kind of settler colonialism is sweeping down from the highlands. [source] Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Evaluation of a Community Based Management Programme for Adolescents and their FamiliesCHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2006Bernadette Ashby Background:, Young people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), families and clinicians may differ in their attributions about CFS and consequently in their approach to treatment. Research that clarifies the best treatment approaches is clearly needed. We have sought to develop a model that engages young people and their families in a collaborative way. The approach adopts an optimistic and holistic stance using an active rehabilitation model paying attention to the integrated nature of the physiological and psychological aspects of the illness. Method:, This small study set out to evaluate this approach from a service user perspective. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with young people and their parents separately in order to elicit their views on key treatment elements and their perceived degree of recovery. Results:, Improvements are indicated in all key areas addressed and qualitative information suggests that families value this approach. Conclusion:, Further research is needed to address treatment issues for families who choose not to opt into the service model. [source] The association of physical activity and depression in Type 2 diabetesDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 10 2008Z. Lysy Abstract Aims Physical inactivity and depressed mood are both associated with a higher likelihood of diabetes-related complications; the association between physical activity and depressed mood in Type 2 diabetes has not been reviewed previously. We have reviewed (i) the strength of this association and (ii) the impact of depression-specific management and physical activity interventions on mood and activity levels in overweight adults with Type 2 diabetes. Methods Studies published between January 1996 and September 2007 were identified (Ovid - medline, Psych- Info and embase) using pertinent search terms (keyword/title). Results Of the 12 studies included (10 cross-sectional, two trials), most employed a standardized questionnaire for depressed mood but only one item for physical activity. In adults with Type 2 diabetes, the inactive are 1.72 to 1.75 times more likely to be depressed than the more active; the depressed are 1.22 to 1.9 times more likely to be physically inactive than the non-depressed. Two randomized trials demonstrated that a depression management programme improved mood, but only one demonstrated increased physical activity. Conclusions Studies to date suggest an association between depressed mood and physical inactivity in adults with Type 2 diabetes, although objective measures of physical activity have not been employed. Depression-specific management may improve mood and possibly activity. A trial comparing the impact of depression-specific management compared with exercise intervention on depressed mood and activity in Type 2 diabetes is justified. [source] Bacterial diseases of tomato in southern Spain: application of a detached tissue assay to evaluate bacterial pathogenicityEPPO BULLETIN, Issue 2 2000F. M. Cazorla Tomatoes are one of the most important crops in southern Spain, especially during the cold season. As a preliminary step in the design of an integrated disease management programme for tomato, a study on the occurrence of bacterial diseases in tomato houses of Almería (ES) was carried out during the 1993/1997 growing seasons. Sixty-four bacterial strains were isolated from tomato plants showing symptoms of bacterial diseases and 41 of them (64%) were characterized as pathogenic. The bacterial tomato pathogens most frequently isolated were Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora, Pseudomonas corrugata, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and Xanthomonas vesicatoria. The pathogenicity of the bacterial isolates on tomato was tested by the conventional seedling assay and by an in vitro assay using detached tissues developed in our laboratory. Close correspondence between the two assays was observed. An in vitro detached tissue assay is proposed for determining the pathogenicity of bacterial isolates on tomato. [source] An in-home geriatric programme for vulnerable community-dwelling older people improves the detection of dementia in primary careINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 12 2008M. Perry Abstract Background/objective Dementia is under-diagnosed in primary care. This study investigated whether an in-home geriatric assessment and management programme could improve the identification of patients with dementia in primary care. Methods A secondary analysis was performed, using data of a randomised controlled trial that studied the effects of an in-home geriatric evaluation and management programme compared with usual care. In this trial, 151 vulnerable community-dwelling patients, aged 70 years and older, participated: 86 in the intervention group and 66 in de control group. The effect of the programme on the dementia detection rate was determined by comparing the number of new dementia diagnoses in both study arms at 6 months follow-up. Results Of all 151 participants, 38 (25%) had a registered dementia diagnosis at baseline. During follow-up, 23 of 113 patients without a registered dementia diagnosis at baseline were identified as suffering from dementia. The difference between the numbers of new dementia diagnoses in the intervention group (19 of 66 patients) and the control group (4 of 47 patients) was significant. (p,=,0.02) Conclusion An in-home geriatric assessment and management programme for vulnerable older patients improves the detection of dementia and can therefore contribute to overcoming of under-diagnosis of dementia. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Conducting rehabilitation groups for people suffering from chronic painINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 3 2010Elin Dysvik RN PhD Dysvik E, Stephens P. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 233,240 Conducting rehabilitation groups for people suffering from chronic pain The aim of this study was to offer guidelines for counsellors who work with rehabilitation groups of patients with chronic pain. The sample involved nine counsellors engaged in a multidisciplinary pain management programme. Two focus group interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. These indicate that main challenges facing counsellors were related to maintaining constructive group processes and being mentally prepared. The counsellors reported that knowledge concerning self-awareness, theoretical frameworks and counselling techniques was important. Personal learning included: group leadership, teamwork, grasping the inside story and obtaining supervision. The results show how important it is to have trained counsellors that are well prepared to prevent and deal with challenging group processes. Counsellors need to understand the concept of pain and be acquainted with cognitive behavioural framework and group processes. The results indicate that counsellors perceive regular supervision as supportive and is likely to promote good team functioning. [source] Disruption of an exotic mutualism can improve management of an invasive plant: varroa mite, honeybees and biological control of Scotch broom Cytisus scoparius in New ZealandJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Quentin Paynter Summary 1.,A seed-feeding biocontrol agent Bruchidius villosus was released in New Zealand (NZ) to control the invasive European shrub, broom Cytisus scoparius, in 1988 but it was subsequently considered unable to destroy sufficient seed to suppress broom populations. We hypothesized that an invasive mite Varroa destructor, which has caused honeybee decline in NZ, may cause pollinator limitation, so that the additional impact of B. villosus might now reach thresholds for population suppression. 2.,We performed manipulative pollination treatments and broad-scale surveys of pollination, seed rain and seed destruction by B. villosus to investigate how pollinator limitation and biocontrol interact throughout the NZ range of broom. 3.,The effect of reduced pollination in combination with seed-destruction was explored using a population model parameterized for NZ populations. 4.,Broom seed rain ranged from 59 to 21 416 seeds m,2 from 2004 to 2008, and was closely correlated with visitation frequency of honeybees and bumblebees. Infestation of broom seeds by B. villosus is expected to eventually reach 73% (the average rate observed at the localities adjacent to early release sites). 5.,The model demonstrated that 73% seed destruction, combined with an absence of honeybee pollination, could cause broom extinction at many sites and, where broom persists, reduce the intensity of treatment required to control broom by conventional means. 6.,Nevertheless, seed rain was predicted to be sufficient to maintain broom invasions over many sites in NZ, even in the presence of the varroa mite and B. villosus, largely due to the continued presence of commercial beehives that are treated for varroa mite infestation. 7.,Synthesis and applications. Reduced pollination through absence of honeybees can reduce broom seed set to levels at which biocontrol can be more effective. To capitalize on the impact of the varroa mite on feral honeybees, improved management of commercial beehives (for example, withdrawal of licences for beekeepers to locate hives on Department of Conservation land) could be used as part of a successful integrated broom management programme at many sites in NZ. [source] To sample or eradicate?JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2008A cost minimization model for monitoring, managing an invasive species Summary 1Considerable effort is expended by national and local governments to exclude alien species via detection and eradication of invading populations, but these efforts are not necessarily designed in the most economically or biologically efficient manner. 2Using the invasion of the European strain of the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar into the USA as a case study, we develop an analytical model to determine the optimal trap density for detecting isolated infestations. Most models focus on monitoring or eradication costs only; our model considers the costs of both detection and eradication when determining the best monitoring strategy. 3The model assumes that all isolated populations must be located and eradicated by the conclusion of a programme. For programmes lasting longer than 1 year, it is more worthwhile to proactively monitor and manage rather than to wait until the programme is over. 4For a management programme of a given length, optimal trap density is most influenced by the growth rate of the infestation. Optimal trap densities are lowest for infestations with very low growth rates (because they remain small and therefore are less expensive to eradicate) or very high growth rates (because they are easier to detect), and highest for infestations with moderate growth rates (because they are neither inexpensive to eradicate nor easy to detect). 5Our model is useful in setting a baseline level of monitoring for isolated incidents of gypsy moth invasion. Analysis of data in two US states show that actual trap densities are far higher than the optimal densities from the model. The difference suggests risk aversion may play a role in real systems. 6Synthesis and applications. Our model suggests that we can improve the efficiency of detection and eradication programmes for isolated infestations by optimizing detection effort relative to infestation growth rates and management programme duration. It also clearly demonstrates the importance of balancing the costs and benefits of both detection and eradication when developing invasive species monitoring programmes. [source] The role of research for integrated management of invasive species, invaded landscapes and communitiesJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Yvonne M. Buckley Summary 1Invaded landscapes and ecosystems are composed of multiple interacting networks and feed-back loops, sometimes leading to unexpected effects of management actions. In order to plan management for invaded systems we need to explicitly consider management goals before putting actions in place. Actions taken must be justified in terms of their amelioration of impacts of invaders, contribution to the management goals and the costs incurred. 2This Special Profile brings together papers on the management of invasive plants, transgenes, animals and diseases, leading to conclusions with clear policy and management relevance and contributing to some of the hottest current topics in invasion ecology: unexpected impacts of invaders, restoration of invasion resistance, distribution mapping, spatial epidemiology, escape of transgenes, community interactions and complex effects of management. 3As papers in this Special Profile demonstrate, management for amelioration of the impacts of invasive species will include a wide range of manipulations, not just of the invader itself but of both abiotic and biotic components of the system. In fact, several papers in this Special Profile show that indirect management of the community may be more effective than removal of the invader alone. 4As little information is generally available at the beginning of a management programme, an adaptive approach should be taken and the management objectives/goals revised throughout the management process. New methods are emerging for adaptive management; an example is presented in this Special Profile where a Bayesian model used for assessing eradication goals can be updated throughout the management process leading to refinement of management. 5Synthesis and applications. Applied research should be directed at providing decision support for managers throughout the management process and can be used to provide predictive tools for risk assessment of new invaders. The science of invasion ecology has much to contribute to the new challenge of natural or enhanced movement of organisms in relation to climate change. Methods and information from invasion ecology can be used to assess management goals, management actions and the risks of potential translocations before they are put in place. [source] The seasonal abundance of blowflies infesting drying fish in south-west IndiaJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2001R. Wall Summary 1Blowfly infestation of sun-drying fish is a major economic problem in many developing countries of Asia, Africa and the Pacific. To consider the ecology of infestation, adult and larval blowfly populations were monitored between 27 October 1997 and 27 April 1999 at a fish landing and drying site, approximately 5 km north of Calicut, in Kerala state on the coast of south-west India. 2During the 548-day sampling period, a total of 96 953 adult Diptera was collected from 16 sticky targets, placed inside and outside eight fish-storage sheds. Of these, 91 912 (95%) were Chrysomya megacephala, 3719 (4%) were other Calliphoridae and 1322 (1%) were other species, largely Sarcophagidae. 3The population of C. megacephala showed pronounced seasonal fluctuations in response to climate, particularly relative humidity. Significantly shorter-frequency fluctuations within fish-processing sheds were also evident, the periodicity of which corresponded approximately to C. megacephala generation cycles. Spatial variation in C. megacephala abundance was evident within the site, higher populations occurring closest to the beach and numbers declining with distance inland. 4The pattern of drying fish infestation by C. megacephala broadly followed changes in the density of adult flies and the seasonal change in weather, with peaks during the monsoon and troughs in the dry hot periods. High relative humidity played a significant but secondary role in increasing infestation. 5Quantification of the relationship between larval infestation and percentage fish loss suggests that, given the infestation levels observed, between 10% and 60% post-harvest wet weight losses would be expected in the monsoon period, depending on the species of fish landed. 6The study emphasizes the importance of developing a clear understanding of the basic ecology and spatial and temporal dynamics of an insect pest, prior to the design or implementation of any pest management programme. [source] A patient follow-up survey programme for alosetron: assessing compliance to and effectiveness of the risk management programmeALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2006D. MILLER Summary Background In November 2002, alosetron HCl (Lotronex, GlaxoSmithKline Research Triangle Park, NC, USA) was re-introduced to the US marketplace for women with severe diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. In support of the re-introduction, a risk management programme was implemented, which included a patient follow-up study in which all users of alosetron could participate. Aim We report on the methods used and the effectiveness of key elements of the risk management programme. Methods Patients voluntarily enroled in the study and completed questionnaires at baseline, after 5 and 10 weeks, and quarterly thereafter. Questions focussed on patient eligibility, knowledge of risks and benefits, and adherence to the recommended programme elements for education, prescribing and dispensing. Results Between December 2002 and 2004, 4803 patients enrolled in the study, and <3% were lost to follow-up. The average follow-up time was approximately 6 months, and the response rate for each assessment was >95%. A total of 90% of patients at baseline met the full clinical criteria recommended for the treatment. Patient adherence to the risk management programme was >87%. Conclusions Using the Lotronex risk management programme, patients met clinical criteria, were knowledgeable about treatment risks and benefits, and were adherent to the process elements of the programme. These patients seemed to engage in active dialogue with their physicians about symptoms and use of alosetron. [source] Evaluation of a multidisciplinary outpatient pain management programme based at a community hospitalMUSCULOSKELETAL CARE, Issue 2 2009Mei Wong DClinPsy Objective:,To evaluate a multidisciplinary cognitive behavioural therapy pain management programme (PMP) based at a small community hospital. Methods:,Patients attending the PMP were assessed at three intervals (pre-training, and 18 and 44 weeks post-training) using a set of seven questionnaires. Information about their general practitioner (GP) and consultant visits was recorded at pre-training and final follow-up visits. Questionnaires were completed and additional personal information recorded before patients attended their appointments. Results:,Between 1997 and 2006, 163 patients completed at least six sessions out of the eight-week programme. Of these, 70 who had completed at least one questionnaire outcome measure at the three assessment intervals, and 83 who had provided information on their GP and consultant visits at pre-training and final follow-up, were included in the analyses. The results showed that patients reported being more confident in coping with their pain (pain self-efficacy questionnaire) at 18 weeks post-training and their improvement was sustained at the final follow-up. They were significantly less depressed (hospital and anxiety depression scale [HADS]) and reported a large improvement in their quality of life (modified patient generated index) at the final follow-up. They also reported a significant reduction in pain-related GP and consultant visits at their final follow-up. Although there were improvements in the Tampa scale of kinesiophobia, anxiety (HADS-Anx) and sickness impact profile scores, these were not statistically significant. Conclusion:,The result of the evaluation indicated that this PMP, delivered in a community hospital setting, made some significant differences to patients with intractable chronic pain conditions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Ecological dynamics of extinct species in empty habitat networks.OIKOS, Issue 3 2003This paper explores the relative effects of host plant dynamics and butterfly-related parameters on butterfly persistence. It considers an empty habitat network where a rare butterfly (Cupido minimus) became extinct in 1939 in part of its historical range in north Wales, UK. Surviving populations of the butterfly in southern Britain were visited to assess use of its host plant (Anthyllis vulneraria) in order to calibrate habitat suitability and carrying capacity in the empty network in north Wales. These data were used to deduce that only a portion (,19%) of the host plant network from north Wales was likely to be highly suitable for oviposition. Nonetheless, roughly 65,460 eggs (3273 adult equivalents) could be expected to be laid in north Wales, were the empty network to be populated at the same levels as observed on comparable plants in surviving populations elsewhere. Simulated metapopulations of C. minimus in the empty network revealed that time to extinction and patch occupancy were significantly influenced by carrying capacity, butterfly mean dispersal distance and environmental stochasticity, although for most reasonable parameter values, the model system persisted. Simulation outputs differed greatly when host plant dynamics was incorporated into the modelled butterfly dynamics. Cupido minimus usually went extinct when host plant were at low densities. In these simulations host plant dynamics appeared to be the most important determinant of the butterfly's regional extirpation. Modelling the outcome of a reintroduction programme to C. minimus variation at high quality locations, revealed that 65% of systems survived at least 100 years. Given the current amount of resources of the north Wales landscape, the persistence of C. minimus under a realistic reintroduction programme has a good chance of being successful, if carried out in conjunction with a host plant management programme. [source] Efficacy of various pyrethroid structures against a highly metabolically resistant isogenic strain of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from ChinaPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 10 2007Jianguo Tan Abstract BACKGROUND: Resistance to pyrethroids and other types of insecticides in Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) has been documented in many countries. The isolation of specific resistance mechanisms in isogenic strains is an optimal approach to investigate cross-resistance pattern, and to validate resistance breaking pyrethroids. In this study an isogenic metabolic resistance CMR strain was successfully isolated from a field pyrethroid-resistant population of H. armigera. With this strain, cross-resistance among 19 pyrethroid insecticides with varying chemical structures was analysed. RESULTS: Resistance to pyrethroids in the CMR strain was likely to be due to enhanced oxidative metabolism. The most significant cross-resistance in the CMR strain was between pyrethroids such as fenvalerate, tau-fluvalinate and flumethrin characterised by having both phenoxybenzyl and aromatic acid moieties. Substitution of the phenoxybenzyl group with a polyfluorobenzyl group, as in tefluthrin, benfluthrin and transfluthrin, overcame most of this resistance. CONCLUSION: The findings in this study support the assertion that it is possible to find pyrethroids that are active against resistant populations. Such pyrethroids could be considered as possible partners or resistance breaking pyrethroids in a pyrethroid resistance management programme for H. armigera in China and in other Asian countries where the oxidative metabolism resistance is a dominant mechanism. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source] DIADEM: implementation of a comprehensive disease management programme for type 2 diabetesPRACTICAL DIABETES INTERNATIONAL (INCORPORATING CARDIABETES), Issue 3 2005Dr S Luzio PhD Clinical Trials Manager Abstract The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptance of an IT-based diabetes disease management programme. The study was performed at two test sites in Aachen (Germany) and Cardiff (UK) including 166 and 137 patients respectively. The study focused on the technical feasibility of a web-based communication platform and its acceptance among medical professionals, the patient acceptance of entering self-measured data via phone and of service-centre support, the acceptance of implementing quality management measures, and the effects of all these measures on glycaemic control. The maximum programme duration was four months at Aachen and six months at Cardiff. The main outcomes were utilisation data, and satisfaction of both patients and physicians with the different components of DIADEM. HbA1c concentrations improved significantly from 7.1±1.0% to 6.8±1.1% in Aachen and from 7.7±1.0% to 7.1±1.1% in Cardiff (each p<0.001). The platform as a hosted ASP (application service provider) solution was accessible using a standard Internet enabled PC. Following training, a fast and efficient introduction of the software to professional users was obtained. Patient acceptance was very high both in terms of utilisation of the system (13 000 data entries performed during 6800 calls) and in terms of patient satisfaction assessed by a patient survey (93% very satisfied or satisfied). Patients strongly preferred a DTMF (dual tone multi-frequency) interface entering data by telephone key-pad rather than voice recognition. This study showed that an IT-based diabetes disease management service improved glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and could find acceptance by patients and professionals if convenient pathways for data entry and transmission are provided. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The dietetic treatment of obesityPRACTICAL DIABETES INTERNATIONAL (INCORPORATING CARDIABETES), Issue 9 2001Alison H. Beattie BSc Hons, SRD Senior Dietitian Abstract Obesity has a direct, proportional link to morbidity and mortality, and despite the proven medical benefits of weight loss treatment failure rates are high. Historical approaches to weight management within the health service have focused solely on dietary issues. It is now widely accepted that dietary advice given in isolation is ineffective in inducing and sustaining significant weight loss. Obesity is a complex, multifactorial disease and any successful weight management programme should provide tailored dietary advice and facilitate permanent behavioural and lifestyle change. In addition, realistic goals (10% body weight loss) should be recommended. Exercise and physical activity suggested should be geared to individual capabilities. This article addresses how dietitians are treating obesity and what factors other than traditional diet sheets are essential components of a weight management programme. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Eradication of colonizing populations of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) by early detection and SCUBA removal: Lake George, NYAQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 6 2009John Wimbush Abstract 1.Since their introduction to North America, zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) have rapidly colonized North American fresh waters. Strategies for limiting the economic and ecological impacts of zebra mussels exist, but there are few examples where once zebra mussels have invaded a natural body of water they have been removed or managed without the use of ecologically destructive methods. The first successful attempt to eradicate a colonizing population of zebra mussels using SCUBA is reported here. Studies were conducted in Lake George, NY. 2.Since zebra mussel larvae had been detected prior to the discovery of adults in Lake George, a comprehensive management programme for zebra mussels was in place when mussels were found in 1999, at a single location in the southern part of the Lake (Lake George Village site). Efforts were quickly launched to remove as many mussels as possible by SCUBA with the intent of minimizing the risk of the population reproducing and establishing a permanent presence in the Lake. 3.Population size at the discovery site was initially estimated at fewer than 30000 animals. Between 1999 and 2007 more than 21000 animals were removed from the site, over 90% of them shortly after the colony was discovered. Continued monitoring of the site for larvae, recruitment, and growth suggests that the animals have not successfully reproduced since the project began. Since detection at the Lake George Village site, six separate colonizing populations at other locations in the lake were found and similar removal efforts appear to be having comparable success. 4.This study demonstrates that the combination of early detection, suboptimal habitat, proactive establishment of a rapid response and management plan, and cooperation of a comprehensive network of stakeholders can prevent a successful zebra mussel invasion.Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] DNA content in the diagnostic biopsy for benign-adjacent and cancer-tissue areas predicts the need for treatment in men with T1c prostate cancer undergoing surveillance in an expectant management programmeBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2010Sumit Isharwal Study Type , Prognosis (case series)Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To assess the DNA content in benign-adjacent and cancer-tissue areas of a diagnostic biopsy, to predict which patients would subsequently develop an unfavourable biopsy necessitating treatment for prostate cancer in the expectant management (EM) programme. PATIENTS AND METHODS Of 71 patients who had benign-adjacent and cancer-tissue areas of diagnostic biopsies available, 39 developed unfavourable biopsies (Gleason score ,7, Gleason pattern 4/5, three or more cores positive for cancer, >50% of any core involved with cancer), while 32 maintained favourable biopsies on annual surveillance examination (median follow-up 3.7 years). DNA content was measured on Feulgen-stained biopsy sections using an automatic imaging system (AutoCyteTM, TriPath Imaging Inc, Burlington, NC, USA). Cox proportional-hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier plots were used to identify significant predictors for unfavourable biopsy conversion. RESULTS Univariately, DNA content measurements i.e. an excess of optical density (OD) in the benign-adjacent tissuer area, and the sd of the OD in the cancer tissue were significant, with a hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval of 2.58 (1.17,5.68; P = 0.019) and 5.36 (1.89,15.24; P = 0.002), respectively, for predicting unfavourable biopsy conversion that required intervention. Also, several other DNA content measurements in benign-adjacent and cancer-tissue areas showed a trend to statistical significance. Further, benign-adjacent excess of OD (3.12, 1.4,6.95; P = 0.005) and cancer sd of OD (5.88, 2.06,16.82; P = 0.001) remained significant in the multivariate model to predict unfavourable biopsy conversion. Patients with benign-adjacent excess of OD > 25.0 and cancer sd of OD of >4.0 had the highest risk for unfavourable biopsy conversion (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS DNA content measurements in the benign-adjacent and cancer-tissue areas appear to be useful for predicting unfavourable biopsy conversion (a recommendation for intervention) on annual surveillance examinations in the EM programme. [source] Causes of near misses in critical care of neonates and childrenACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 3 2008O Tourgeman-Bashkin Abstract Aim: The primary goal of this study was to examine the nature and causes of medical errors known as almost adverse events (AAEs) and potential adverse events (PAEs) in intensive care units. Methods: Observations were conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in a large hospital in Israel. The AAEs and PAEs were classified into three main categories: environmental, system and human factors. Data encoding and analysis was based on a Bayesian model previously developed to analyse causes of traffic accidents, and the categories were based on systems and ergonomics approaches. Results: ,Workload' (a system factor) was the main cause of AAEs and ,communication failures' (a human factor) was the second main cause of AAEs. Among the environmental factors, ,failures in medical devices' was the most cited cause of AAEs. Environmental factors accounted for most of PAEs and among them ,form failures' was the most ,AAE'-prone factor. Conclusions: Environmental factors (mainly ,failures in medical device') and system factors (mainly ,workload') accounted for most of AAEs in the intensive care units studied. The systems and the ergonomics approaches to error analysis can be useful in creating a comprehensive error management programme in order to minimize the gap between work demands and individual capabilities. [source] Interventions to improve adherence to medication in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the role of nursesEUROPEAN DIABETES NURSING, Issue 2 2006Deputy Director, H Hearnshaw BSc, PhD Reader in Primary Care Abstract Summary Nurses now provide the majority of education and support for people with diabetes both in community and hospital settings. However, there are very few studies on nurse-led interventions to improve adherence to medication, a crucial element of the self-management of diabetes. The four studies reviewed formed a subgroup of a Cochrane review on interventions to improve adherence to medication in people with type 2 diabetes. Search terms were ,type 2 diabetes mellitus' and ,compliance' or ,adherence'. Studies were included if they assessed adherence to medical treatment specifically, rather than other aspects of self-management. Out of the 21 studies selected for review, four described an intervention delivered by a nurse. All four studies were from the USA and used an intervention delivered by telephone. Different interventions (two educational programmes, one automated telephone management system, one tracking system for health service and medication use) were backed up by a scripted nurse call. While patients in two studies reported improvements in self-care behaviour, only one measured a significant improvement in blood glucose control. Although some studies asked patients to report on their adherence to medication taking, responses from patients were not explicitly presented. The studies reviewed show the potential for generating evidence for the effectiveness of nurse-led diabetes management programmes. Further high-quality studies into this area are desperately needed, and they should consider new ways of evaluating complex interventions to generate more evidence. Copyright © 2006 FEND. [source] Wasted fishery resources: discarded by-catch in the USAFISH AND FISHERIES, Issue 4 2005Jennie M Harrington Abstract Fishery by-catch, especially discarded by-catch, is a serious problem in the world's oceans. Not only are the stocks of discarded species affected, but entire trophic webs and habitats may be disrupted at the ecosystem level. This paper reviews discarding in the marine fisheries of the USA; however, the type, diversity and regulatory mechanisms of the fisheries are similar to developed fisheries and management programmes throughout the world. We have compiled current estimates of discarded by-catch for each major marine fishery in the USA using estimates from existing literature, both published and unpublished. We did not re-estimate discards or discard rates from raw data, nor did we include data on protected species (turtles, mammals and birds) and so this study covers discarded by-catch of finfish and fishable invertebrates. For some fisheries, additional calculations were required to transform number data into weight data, and typically length and weight composition data were used. Specific data for each fishery are referenced in Harrington et al. (Wasted Resources: Bycatch and discards in US Fisheries, Oceana, Washington, DC, 2005). Overall, our compiled estimates are that 1.06 million tonnes of fish were discarded and 3.7 million tonnes of fish were landed in USA marine fisheries in 2002. This amounts to a nationwide discard to landings ratio of 0.28, amongst the highest in the world. Regionally, the southeast had the largest discard to landings ratio (0.59), followed closely by the highly migratory species fisheries (0.52) and the northeast fisheries (0.49). The Alaskan and west coast fisheries had the lowest ratios (0.12 and 0.15 respectively). Shrimp fisheries in the southeast were the major contributors to the high discard rate in that region, with discard ratios of 4.56 (Gulf of Mexico) and 2.95 (South Atlantic). By-catch and discarding is a major component of the impact of fisheries on marine ecosystems. There have been substantial efforts to reduce by-catch in some fisheries, but broadly based programmes covering all fisheries are needed within the USA and around the world. In response to international agreements to improve fishery management, by-catch and discard reduction must become a regular part of fishery management planning. [source] How to link biomanipulation and sustainable fisheries management: a step-by-step guideline for lakes of the European temperate zoneFISHERIES MANAGEMENT & ECOLOGY, Issue 3-4 2004T. Mehner Abstract Biomanipulation, the reduction of planktivorous fish to enhance filter-feeding zooplankton, has been used to rehabilitate eutrophied lakes. However, efficacy and long-term success were dependent on nutrient load, lake morphometry and biomanipulation measures. The ongoing focus on sustainable use of aquatic resources offers the chance to perform lake rehabilitation using a combined strategy of nutrient load reduction and traditional inland fisheries management techniques. Particularly in Central and Western Europe where piscivorous fish are the target species of most commercial and recreational fisheries, an enhancement of the piscivores by stocking and harvest regulations may act successfully in the co-management of ecosystem and fisheries. Guidelines are presented on how biomanipulation can be used as in lake rehabilitation by considering the objectives and constraints of traditional fisheries management. Alternatives in the decision tree are elucidated by examples from biomanipulations and lake management programmes in the temperate zone of Europe and North America. It is suggested that biomanipulation may support many lake rehabilitation programmes where fisheries' stakeholders are the principal user groups. [source] Climatic influences and anthropogenic stressors: an integrated framework for streamflow management in Mediterranean-climate California, U.S.A.FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 2010THEODORE E. GRANTHAM Summary 1. In Mediterranean and other water-stressed climates, water management is critical to the conservation of freshwater ecosystems. To secure and maintain water allocations for the environment, integrated water management approaches are needed that consider ecosystem flow requirements, patterns of human water demands and the temporal and spatial dynamics of water availability. 2. Human settlements in Mediterranean climates have constructed water storage and conveyance projects at a scale and level of complexity far exceeding those in other, less seasonal climates. As a result, multiple ecological stressors associated with natural periods of flooding and drying are compounded by anthropogenic impacts resulting from water infrastructure development. 3. Despite substantial investments in freshwater ecosystem conservation, particularly in California, U.S.A., success has been limited because the scales at which river management and restoration are implemented are often discordant with the temporal and spatial scales at which ecosystem processes operate. Often, there is also strong social and political resistance to restricting water allocation to existing consumptive uses for environmental protection purposes. Furthermore, institutions rarely have the capacity to develop and implement integrated management programmes needed for freshwater ecosystem conservation. 4. We propose an integrated framework for streamflow management that explicitly considers the temporal and spatial dynamics of water supply and needs of both human and natural systems. This approach makes it possible to assess the effects of alternative management strategies to human water security and ecosystem conditions and facilitates integrated decision-making by water management institutions. 5. We illustrate the framework by applying a GIS-based hydrologic model in a Mediterranean-climate watershed in Sonoma County, California, U.S.A. The model is designed to assess the hydrologic impacts of multiple water users distributed throughout a stream network. We analyse the effects of vineyard water management on environmental flows to (i) evaluate streamflow impacts from small storage ponds designed to meet human water demands and reduce summer diversions, (ii) prioritise the placement of storage ponds to meet human water needs while optimising environmental flow benefits and (iii) examine the environmental and social consequences of flow management policies designed to regulate the timing of diversions to protect ecosystem functions. 6. Thematic implications: spatially explicit models that represent anthropogenic stressors (e.g. water diversions) and environmental flow needs are required to address persistent and growing threats to freshwater biodiversity. A coupled human,natural system approach to water management is particularly useful in Mediterranean climates, characterised by severe competition for water resources and high spatial and temporal variability in flow regimes. However, lessons learned from our analyses are applicable to other highly seasonal systems and those that are expected to have increased precipitation variability resulting from climate change. [source] Management of heart failure in elderly peopleINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 2 2008M. Imazio Summary Aims:, To review currently available knowledge on presentation, clinical features and management of heart failure (HF) in elderly people. Methods:, To review currently available evidence, we performed a thorough search of several evidence-based sources of information, including Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Clinical Evidence, Evidence-based guidelines from National Guidelines Clearinghouse and a comprehensive MEDLINE search with the MeSH terms: ,heart failure', ,elderly' and ,management'. Results:, A number of features of ageing may predispose elderly people to HF, and may impair the ability to respond to injuries. Another hallmark of elderly patients is the increasing prevalence of multiple coexisting chronic conditions and geriatric syndromes that may complicate the clinical presentation and evolution of HF. Although diagnosis may be challenging, because atypical symptoms and presentations are common, and comorbid conditions may mimic or complicate the clinical picture, diagnostic criteria do not change in elderly people. Drug treatment is not significantly different from that recommended in younger patients, and largely remains empiric, because clinical trials have generally excluded elderly people and patients with comorbid conditions. Disease management programmes may have the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality for patients with HF. Conclusions:, Heart failure is the commonest reason for hospitalisation and readmission among older adults. HF shows peculiar features in elderly people, and is usually complicated by comorbidities, presenting a significant financial burden worldwide, nevertheless elderly people have been generally excluded from clinical trials, and thus management largely remains empiric and based on evidence from younger age groups. [source] The nature and influence of motivation within the MOA framework: implications for social marketingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NONPROFIT & VOLUNTARY SECTOR MARKETING, Issue 4 2006Wayne Binney Social marketers acknowledge that to achieve optimum programme outcomes, identification and targeting of the non-conforming cohort is paramount. This article discusses the application of the social marketing framework, motivation, opportunity and ability (MOA) with a particular focus on the motivation aspect of the model. Motivation is considered from the perspectives of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Previously, the degree or level of motivation has been used in the operationalisation of the motivation construct, while in this paper the type of motivation is used as the basis for the construct. The construct is then applied to an environmental land management study, namely a rabbit control programme. Specifically, the aims of this paper were to further develop the MOA constructs, with a particular focus on motivation, including intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, to develop an understanding of the factors that are associated with ineffective behaviour and to develop a model to predict effective/ineffective control behaviour. Scales were developed to enable a study of the relationship between the MOA constructs, including intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and the respondents control behaviour. Data were collected from a random sample of 566 respondents who were involved in the control programme. Using ANOVA and MANOVA techniques, significant differences were found between those landholders that exhibited effective control and ineffective control with regard to all MOA constructs. A multinomial logit (MNL) regression model was then developed to predict behaviour. This model showed that ability and intrinsic motivation were significant predictors of behaviour. The estimated model was able to predict recalcitrant landholders with 98% accuracy. The results of this study therefore provide a significant contribution to social marketing as it is the recalcitrant cohort that social marketers wish to understand and whose behaviour they frequently attempt to rectify in order to achieve stated social and/or environmental objectives. The implications for related social market theory, policy development and environmental management programmes are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Reproductive conflict delays the recovery of an endangered social speciesJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Andrés López-Sepulcre Summary 1Evolutionary theory predicts that individuals, in order to increase their relative fitness, can evolve behaviours that are detrimental for the group or population. This mismatch is particularly visible in social organisms. Despite its potential to affect the population dynamics of social animals, this principle has not yet been applied to real-life conservation. 2Social group structure has been argued to stabilize population dynamics due to the buffering effects of nonreproducing subordinates. However, competition for breeding positions in such species can also interfere with the reproduction of breeding pairs. 3Seychelles magpie robins, Copsychus sechellarum, live in social groups where subordinate individuals do not breed. Analysis of long-term individual-based data and short-term behavioural observations show that subordinates increase the territorial takeover frequency of established breeders. Such takeovers delay offspring production and decrease territory productivity. 4Individual-based simulations of the Seychelles magpie robin population parameterized with the long-term data show that this process has significantly postponed the recovery of the species from the Critically Endangered status. 5Social conflict thus can extend the period of high extinction risk, which we show to have population consequences that should be taken into account in management programmes. This is the first quantitative assessment of the effects of social conflict on conservation. [source] Non-independence of demographic parameters: positive density-dependent fecundity in eaglesJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2008Miguel Ferrer Summary 1Using information on the Doñana population of Spanish imperial eagles Aquila adalberti from 1959 to 2004, we present strong empirical support to theoretical models on the regulation of population trajectories by the relationships between breeder mortality and floater availability. 2During the study period, the eagle population showed three distinct phases: (i) a population increase with negative density-dependent fecundity; (ii) a period of stability without any relationship between density and fecundity; and (iii) a population decrease with a positive relationship between density and fecundity. 3A dramatic increase in annual adult mortality due to an increase in poisoning in hunting areas surrounding the Doñana National Park was recorded. The use of poison against generalist predators accounted for more than 54% of the total number of breeding eagles found dead since 1990, increasing annual adult mortality from 6·07 to 12·01%. 4This high mortality reduced the population annually by 6% during the 1992,2004 period. Also, the population changed from a negative to a positive relationship between density and fecundity (Allee effect). These trends made the population approach extinction due to the double effect of increasing breeder mortality and low availability of floaters. 5A supplementary feeding programme established in 1990 did not increase fecundity because it was a consequence of high adult mortality rather than low food availability. The high mortality of adults increased the risk of breeding failure and also decreased the availability of floaters, decreasing the likelihood of mate substitution. 6Synthesis and applications. The main target in species conservation management plans is often a single demographic parameter (typically, fecundity in raptor populations). Our research demonstrates, however, that demographic parameters must not be considered as independent variables when formulating management programmes. The essential relationship between adult mortality and the availability of floaters must be better understood to avoid the risk of implementing inefficient management strategies. Although fecundity was low in this eagle population, it was a result of high adult mortality rates. Consequently, management must aim to correct the unusual mortality and recover the floater population. [source] Constructing life-tables for the invasive maize pest Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Col.; Chrysomelidae) in EuropeJOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2006S. Toepfer Abstract:, The western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, Col.; Chrysomelidae) is an alien invasive species in Europe. It is a univoltine species with eggs that overwinter in the soil and larvae that hatch in spring. Three larval instars feed on maize roots, which can cause plant lodging and yield loss of economic importance. Adults emerge between mid-June and early August and can reduce yields through intensive silk feeding. In order to provide a thorough understanding of the population dynamics of this invasive pest species in the invaded European region, complete age specific life-tables were constructed in two maize fields in southern Hungary assessing the significance of natural mortality factors acting on D. v. virgifera populations. This information provides a rational basis for devising sustainable integrated pest management programmes, in particular, by enabling the identification of vulnerable pest age intervals for the timely application of various management tools. The life-table for D. v. virgifera in Europe resulted in a total mortality of about 99% from the egg stage in the autumn to the emergence of adult females in the following year (KTotal = 2.48), which is comparable with North America. The highest reduction of D. v. virgifera numbers resulted from the mortality in first instar larvae (94% marginal death rate) and from the unrealized fecundity (80%). However, only the variation in mortality between years can change the generational mortality and thus influence population growth. High variation in the marginal death rate between fields and years was found in the second and third instar larval stages, and in the overwintering egg stage. These mortality factors therefore have the potential to cause changes in the total generational mortality. Furthermore, the life-table suggested that a high fecundity could compensate for a high generational mortality and would lead to population increase. [source] Geostatistical characterization of the spatial distribution of Grapholita molesta and Anarsia lineatella males in an agricultural landscapeJOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2006A. Sciarretta Abstract:, The results obtained in spatial analysis of pheromone trap catches of oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) and Peach twig borer, Anarsia lineatella (Zeller), are reported. The studies were performed in the Molise region, central Italy, during 2002 and 2003. Local distributions of oriental fruit moth and peach twig borer males were considered in a heterogeneous landscape. The aim of the study was to determine the temporal and spatial variation in distribution and abundance of the insect pests inside small plots of fruit orchards (apple, kiwi, peach, pear and plum fruits) and outside (in field crops, irrigation channels, hedgerows and a river), and to evaluate the importance of the host plants in relation to the adult distributions. Results showed that the main ,hot spot' for both lepidopterous pests was in a stone fruit orchard in the northern zone of the study area; other infested areas were in stone orchards and, in the case of A. lineatella, also in plum orchards. The river seems to act as a barrier rather than an ecological corridor. The observed spatio-temporal distributions of G. molesta and A. lineatella differed and were determined mainly by the location of the most important host plants and by the tendency of males to move in the environment, i.e. inside and outside the breeding and mating sites. Adequate knowledge of these spatial processes should be considered as an essential prerequisite for integrated pest management programmes in a precision farming approach. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||