Surveillance and sequestration strategies to reduce the likelihood of transporting HPAIV contaminated layer manure.

Movement and land application of manure is a known risk factor for secondary spread of avian influenza (AI) viruses. During an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), movement of untreated (i.e., fresh) manure from premises known to be infected would be prohibited. However, moving manure from apparently healthy (i.e., clinically normal) flocks may become critical, because some egg-layer facilities have limited on-site storage capacity. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate targeted dead-bird active surveillance rRT-PCR (real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) testing protocols that could be used for the managed movement of manure from apparently healthy egg-layer flocks located in a HPAI Control Area. We also evaluated sequestration, which is the removal of manure from any contact with chickens, or with manure from other flocks, for a period of time, while the flock of origin is actively monitored for the presence of HPAI virus. We used stochastic simulation models to predict the chances of moving a load of contaminated manure, and the quantity of HPAI virus in an 8 metric ton (8000 kg) load of manure moved, before HPAI infection would be detected in the flock. We show that the likelihood of moving contaminated manure would decrease as the length of the sequestration period increased from 3 to 10 days (e.g., for a typical contact rate, with a sample pool size of 11 swabs, the likelihood decreased from 48% to <1%). The total quantity of feces from HPAI infectious birds in a manure load moved would also decrease. Results also indicate that active surveillance protocols using 11 swabs per-pool result in a lower likelihood of moving contaminated manure relative to protocols using 5 swabs per pool. Simulation model results from this study are useful to inform further risk evaluation of HPAI spread through pathways associated with the manure movement, and further evaluation of biosecurity measures intended to reduce those risks.

The effect of pistachio shells as a visual cue in reducing caloric consumption.

UNLABELLED: It was hypothesized that pistachio shells left in sight as visual cues of consumption will cause individuals to consume less. A convenience sample of faculty and staff at a mid-western university (n=118) were recruited as subjects for the study. The subjects were told they were going to evaluate a variety of brands of pistachios and were surveyed at the end of each day to determine their fullness and satisfaction. The subjects were offered pistachios on their desks for an 8-h period on two separate days and were able to consume the pistachios at their leisure during that time. Subjects began each day with a sixteen ounce bowl filled with four ounces of pistachios in the shell. They were also provided with a second sixteen ounce bowl, in which they were instructed to place the empty shells from the pistachios they consumed. Every 2 h throughout the day pistachios were added in two ounce increments. In condition one, the shells remained in the bowls until the end of the day, whereas in condition two, the shell bowls were emptied every 2 h throughout the day. In condition one, subjects consumed an average of 216 calories. In condition two, subjects consumed an average of 264 calories, a difference of 48 calories. Subjects in condition one consumed significantly (p≤.05) fewer calories, yet fullness and satisfaction ratings were not significantly (p≥.05) different between conditions. Leaving pistachio shells as a visual cue to consumption may help consumers consume fewer calories. LEARNING OUTCOMES: Individuals will be aware of the impact of visual cues of dietary intake on total food consumption.

Testing DAYCENT model simulations of corn yields and nitrous oxide emissions in irrigated tillage systems in Colorado.

Agricultural soils are responsible for the majority of nitrous oxide (N(2)O) emissions in the USA. Irrigated cropping, particularly in the western USA, is an important source of N(2)O emissions. However, the impacts of tillage intensity and N fertilizer amount and type have not been extensively studied for irrigated systems. The DAYCENT biogeochemical model was tested using N(2)O, crop yield, soil N and C, and other data collected from irrigated cropping systems in northeastern Colorado during 2002 to 2006. DAYCENT uses daily weather, soil texture, and land management information to simulate C and N fluxes between the atmosphere, soil, and vegetation. The model properly represented the impacts of tillage intensity and N fertilizer amount on crop yields, soil organic C (SOC), and soil water content. DAYCENT N(2)O emissions matched the measured data in that simulated emissions increased as N fertilization rates increased and emissions from no-till (NT) tended to be lower on average than conventional-till (CT). However, the model overestimated N(2)O emissions. Lowering the amount of N(2)O emitted per unit of N nitrified from 2 to 1% helped improve model fit but the treatments receiving no N fertilizer were still overestimated by more than a factor of 2. Both the model and measurements showed that soil NO(3)(-) levels increase with N fertilizer addition and with tillage intensity, but DAYCENT underestimated NO(3)(-) levels, particularly for the treatments receiving no N fertilizer. We suggest that DAYCENT could be improved by reducing the background nitrification rate and by accounting for the impact of changes in microbial community structure on denitrification rates.

Benchmarking the communication of continuous improvement activities.

Communication of a continuous improvement program in a large medical center was assessed using a formal benchmarking process with four non-health care organizations. Results indicated that continuous improvement must be integrated with the corporate strategic plan, must focus on customer satisfaction, and have active leadership support. A common framework should link different continuous improvement methodologies. Ongoing, open, multimedia two-way communication is required. Continuous improvement activities need to be integrated into all employees' daily work.