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The threat of Bt resistance in H elicoverpa armigera (Hübner 1808) and H . punctigera (Wallengren 1860) ( Heliothinae) is a major impediment to the sustainability of transgenic ( Bt) cotton crops in Australia. A resistance management plan has, therefore, been instigated that in part requires farmers to sow their Bt cotton within specified dates to limit the number of generations of H elicoverpa spp. that are exposed to Bt toxins during the growing season. This study evaluated this strategy by utilising industry-wide databases of planting dates and other cropping/pest management events throughout 11 growing seasons. The analysis included model predictions of when H elicoverpa is likely to enter winter (pupal) diapause and emerge as moths in spring, and the long-term pheromone trapping records of moths. In New South Wales and southern Queensland ( Qld), most first-generation moths were caught at the same time, or before, cotton was planted (mostly in October). This generation was, therefore, unlikely to have been exposed significantly to Bt toxins as feeding larvae in spring, but some individuals (especially H . armigera) may have been exposed to Bt prior to pupating in the previous autumn. Three subsequent generations, which could have been exposed to Bt during summer-autumn, were recognisable in trap catches before moths became very rare in early April. By then, the majority of H elicoverpa had entered winter diapause as pupae and cotton harvest was well underway. We conclude that the current planting window (pre-mid- November in these regions) achieves little in limiting the exposure of H elicoverpa to Bt. However, insufficient is known of the population dynamics of H elicoverpa in central Qld to be as definitive about the need for planting windows there. Importantly, H elicoverpa are active all year round in central Qld and cotton can be grown over a longer period, thus increasing the risks of greater exposure to Bt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses key issues concerning the prospects for organizational change in the transportation industry of London, England, in 1982. Key issues discussed include foreign models that are cited as solutions to London's unsatisfactory transport planning arrangements, the key stipulations of the House of Commons Committee on Transport's recommendations aimed at resolving the inadequacies of the city's transport planning and the issues' implications for transportation policy and public administration.

The article discusses the report published by the Select Committee on Transport about the organization and financing of transportation in London, England. The proposed arrangements fall short of what the Select Committee on Transport had in mind in preparing its report and the Transport Bill make things even worse. Of the 12 principles, only two are implemented as a result of the proposals for the city and these are the integrated transport and land use planning and the representation of the national interest.

Objective: Blood culture contamination rates (CRs) in emergency departments (EDs) vary from 1% to 9% in previous studies. High CRs cause unnecessary admissions, antibiotics, and costs. Different measures have been tried to improve CR. This study sought to determine the ED CR at Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) and evaluate an educational intervention., Design: A slide presentation of the ACH's blood culture collection procedure was made. The ED nursing staff viewed this individually and demonstrated the procedure on a mock extremity. Data before (from June 1 to November 30, 2007; PRE) and after (from February 1 to July 31, 2008; POST) intervention regarding blood cultures positive for organism submitted to the ED and any descriptive data were collected retrospectively. Descriptive statistics described the CR, positivity rate (PSR), and pathogen rate (PR). Frequent collectors were identified as those submitting more than 72 blood cultures during PRE and during POST. Contamination rate in frequent collectors was independently assessed for improvement. This study was approved by the institutional review board of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences., Results: Positivity rate during PRE was 6.8% (n = 15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9-10.7); 114 were contaminants (CR, 5.0%; 95% CI, 1.04-8.98) and 40 were pathogens (PR, 1.8%; 95% CI, ± 4.28). Positivity rate during POST was 6.3% (n = 157; 95% CI, 2.6-10.0); 124 were contaminants (CR, 4.9%; 95% CI, 1.14-8.66) and 33 were pathogens (PR, 1.4%; 95% CI, ± 4.22). For both PRE and POST, contaminants represented 74% or greater of all the positives and more than 75% of contaminants occurred in patients 0 to 36 months old.Contamination rates of individual practitioners ranged from 0% to 17% (PRE) and from 0% to 21% (POST). The CR was lower in POST for samples submitted from frequent collectors (practitioners submitting >72 blood cultures per study period, n = 6), was evaluated separately, and found to improve in POST (from 4.1% to 2.7%). A t test for matched samples for these samplers revealed a significant decrease in the POST period, P = 0.03., Conclusions: The CR in the ACH ED for peripherally drawn blood cultures is approximately 5% monthly with less than 2% PR. For each culture positive for organism, the chance of contamination is 75% or higher. An intervention emphasizing the appropriate technique, monitored training, and improved CR of a group of frequent collectors is warranted.