Search

Context Limitations to crop yield due to subsurface (5–15cm depth) compaction layers (>2MPa) and subsurface acidity (pHCa Aim We tested the hypothesis that amendment of subsurface acidity and compaction would lead to increased grain yield. Method We investigated crop response to the alleviation of these combined subsurface soil constraints by using deep ripping and dry limestone injection to 30cm depth over 3years in a canola–cereal sequence. Key results Deep tillage and injection of limestone into the soil both failed to produce significant grain yield responses in any year, despite the reduction of soil strength and increase in pH in subsurface layers. Early vegetative growth sometimes responded to the treatments, but the loss of stored soil water during drier than average seasons appeared to limit grain response. However, we also observed that a proportion of plant roots penetrated these relatively thin constraint layers in unamended soils. Conclusions Amelioration of subsurface acidity and compaction does not necessarily increase grain yield. Implications The effects of subsurface acidity and compaction should be tested on other species and during varying rainfall deciles. Given the potentially large resource requirements for deep amendment of soils, we propose that the selection of tolerant species and cultivars might be more effective in the short term.

Nitrification and urease inhibitors have been used to reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and increase nitrogen use efficiency in many agricultural systems. However, their agronomic benefits, such as the improvement of grain yield, is uncertain. A two-year field experiment was conducted to (1) investigate whether the use of 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) or N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) can reduce N2O emissions and increase grain yield and (2) explore the financial benefit of using DMPP or NBPT in a rain-fed cropping system in south-eastern Australia. The experiment was conducted at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in 2012 and canola (Brassica napus L.) in 2013. Results showed that urea coated with DMPP reduced the cumulative N2O emission by 34% for a wheat crop in 2012 (P<0.05) and by 62% for a canola crop in 2013 (P<0.05) compared with normal urea, but urea coated NBPT had no effect on N2O emission for the wheat crop in 2012. Neither nitrification nor urease inhibitors increased crop yields because the low rainfall experienced led to little potential for gross N loss through denitrification, leaching or volatilisation pathways. In such dry years, only government or other financial incentives for N2O mitigation would make the use of DMPP with applied N economically viable.

Community pharmacies have a central role in the provision of opiate substitution therapy (OST) for drug misusers, offering accessible, additional health services within recovery-oriented systems of care. However, little is known about the patients receiving OST, availability and uptake of related services and associated pharmacy characteristics. We aimed to describe OST in terms of patients, pharmacies and services within the UK’s largest health authority, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Scotland. Patients completed semi-structured questionnaires and pharmacists provided summary statistics relating to OST provision. Responses from 508 patients receiving OST from 111 participating pharmacies revealed an established patient population, with 89 % (449/507) aged 30 years or above and 80 % (387/484) attending the same pharmacy for 1 year or more. Methadone was the main form of OST (96 % (487/508), with 97 % (491/504) receiving supervision. Within pharmacies, OST consumption was supervised in one of four main areas: consultation room, dispensing hatch, quiet/private area or over the counter. Location of supervision was considered suitably private by 96 % of patients. Positive staff attitudes, privacy and the provision of additional health services were key factors influencing choice of pharmacy. Additional health services were offered to 75 % of patients and included information provision (43 %), signposting to other health care providers (72 %) and a Scottish service offering free advice and medicines for minor ailments (74 %). Patients and pharmacists have developed working relationships, enabling access to multiple services associated with health gain and harm reduction. Further development of enhanced services in community pharmacies is merited.

Dryland cereal production systems of south-eastern Australia require viable options for reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions without compromising productivity and profitability. A 4-year rotational experiment with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–canola (Brassica napus L.)–grain legumes–wheat in sequence was established at Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia, in a semiarid Mediterranean-type environment where long-term average annual rainfall is 541mm and the incidence of summer rainfall is episodic and unreliable. The objectives of the experiment were to investigate whether (i) tillage increases N2O emissions and (ii) nitrogen (N) application can improve productivity without increasing N2O emissions. The base experimental design for each crop phase was a split-plot design with tillage treatment (tilled versus no-till) as the whole plot, and N fertiliser rate (0, 25, 50 and 100kgN/ha) as the subplot, replicated three times. This paper reports high resolution N2O emission data under a canola crop. The daily N2O emission rate averaged 0.55g N2O-N/ha.day, ranging between –0.81 and 6.71g N2O-N/ha.day. The annual cumulative N2O-N emitted was 175.6 and 224.3g N2O-N/ha under 0 and 100kgN/ha treatments respectively. There was no evidence to support the first hypothesis that tillage increases N2O emissions, a result which may give farmers more confidence to use tillage strategically to manage weeds and diseases where necessary. However, increasing N fertiliser rate tended to increase N2O emissions, but did not increase crop production at this site.

Heart failure (HF) is a malignant condition with many presentations. The type of HF directs appropriate therapeutic management. Primary care is increasingly seen as a solution to improving the variation in outcomes seen in national HF audits. This article describes and summarises existing UK primary care HF services and emerging issues of importance, focusing on the identification of suitable patients. The authors suggest approaches to address these issues, and describe why ensuring the accuracy and completeness of disease registers is an essential first step. The authors propose that the systematic review of all HF patients in primary care, augmented with a few simple annual checks, could have a major long-term positive impact on outcomes. As the NHS struggles to cope with the increasing prevalence and burden of HF, the evidence base suggests that nurses and pharmacists may have a key role to play in delivering this process.

ObjectivesTo ascertain general practitioners' views of a pharmacist‐led medication review (PLMR) service. In particular, to quantify the percentage of GPs who perceived PLMR to be a useful service to their practices; to explore key service benefits, problems and areas for future improvement; and to quantify the percentage of GPs who believed service benefits outweighed problems.

Background:Specialist homeless primary health care services in the United Kingdom have arisen from the need for bespoke approaches to providing health care for people experiencing homelessness but descriptions of the design characteristics of homeless health services together with associated long-term condition (LTC) prevalence, health care utilization, and prescribing remain unexplored, thereby limiting our understanding of potential impact of service configuration on outcomes. Aim:Description of specialist homeless general practitioner services in Glasgow and Edinburgh, in terms of practice design (staff, skill mix, practice systems of registration, and follow-up); and exploration of the potential impact of differences on LTC prevalence, health care utilization, and prescribing. Method:Patient data were collected from computerized general practitioner records in Glasgow (2015, n = 133) and Edinburgh (2016, n = 150). Homeless health service configuration and anonymized patient data, including demographics, LTCs service utilization, and prescribing were summarized and compared. Results:Marked differences in infrastructure emerged between 2 practices, including the patient registration process, segmentation versus integration of services, recording systems, and the availability of staff expertise. Patient characteristics differed in terms of LTC diagnoses, health care utilization and prescribing. Higher rates of recorded mental health and addiction problems were found in Edinburgh, as well as higher rates of physical LTCs, for example, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. There were significantly higher rates of consultations with nurses and other staff in Edinburgh, although more patients had consultations with pharmacists in Glasgow. Medication adherence was low in both cohorts, and attendance at referral appointments was particularly poor in Glasgow. Conclusion:Service design and professional skill mix influence recording of LTCs, service uptake, and identification and management of health conditions. Service configuration, professional skill mix, and resources may profoundly affect diagnoses, utilization of health care, and prescribing. Attention to homeless service design is important when providing care to this disadvantaged patient group.

In the UK, the Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF) has specific targets for general practictioners to record body-mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) in major mental illness, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Although incentives are given for aspects of major mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and related psychoses), barriers to care can occur. Our aim was to compare recording of specific targets for BP and BMI in individuals with major mental illness relative to diabetes and chronic kidney disease across the UK.

The article discusses the use of partially filled magmeters in addressing the wastewater overflows in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. It notes that Buchart-Horn Inc. has recommended the 21 TIDAL-FLUX electromagnetic magmeters, enabling the city to measure the dry- and wet-weather flows and determine when to divert the water away from the treatment plant during rain events. It also implies that the system requires control structures that separate the sanitary flow from a predesignated amount of flow.

The article focuses on the maritime industry in Tasmania, citing the state's maritime innovations, development in the shipbuilding sector considering the technological advances in equipment and plant, and the industry's contribution on the export sales of the state.