Impact of Schmallenberg virus on British sheep farms during the 2011/2012 lambing season.

British sheep farmers were invited to complete a questionnaire about the impact of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) on animal health, welfare and their own emotional wellbeing during the 2011-2012 lambing season, through Defra and Farming Industry websites, letters to farmers who had requested SBV laboratory tests and advertisement at Sheep 2012. The 494 responders included SBV confirmed (positive by RT-PCR) (n=76), SBV suspected by farmer (n=140) or SBV not suspected (n=278). Percentage of barren ewes was similar across SBV groups, however, lamb and ewe losses were higher on responder farms where SBV was confirmed or suspected. The median percentages of all lambs born (and lambs born deformed ) that died within one week of birth was 10.4 per cent (5.5 per cent), 7.0 per cent (2.9 per cent) and 5.3 per cent (0 per cent), respectively, on SBV confirmed, suspected and not suspected farms (P<0.001). Eight to 16 per cent of SBV confirmed or suspected farms reported lamb mortality of ≥40 per cent. Farmer perceived impact was greater where SBV was confirmed or suspected (P<0.001): 25 per cent reported a high impact on emotional wellbeing (4 per cent of SBV not suspected), 13 per cent reported a high impact on flock welfare and financial performance and 6 per cent were less likely to farm sheep next year because of SBV (<2 per cent in SBV not suspected). Overall, SBV impact has been large relative to reported sheep loss.

An assessment of salmon farms and wild salmonids as sources of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer) copepodids in the water column in Loch Torridon, Scotland.

Wild salmonids and farmed salmon can both be sources of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1838) larvae. Farmed salmon smolts free of L. salmonis infections are stocked in sea cages and may subsequently contract L. salmonis infections, probably from wild fish. The contribution of gravid L. salmonis at Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., farms to populations of L. salmonis larvae in the water column has in the past been based on estimated parameters, such as louse fecundity. This present study augments these calculations by combining empirical data on densities of infective L. salmonis copepodids in the field with estimates of the number of gravid L. salmonis on farmed and wild salmonids in Loch Torridon. Data collected between 2002 and 2007 show a significant correlation between mean densities of L. salmonis copepodids recovered in the water column and the numbers of gravid L. salmonis at the local salmon farms. Generally, the farms with greatest numbers of salmon were observed to have stronger correlations with densities of copepodids in the water than the farms with fewer fish. The study suggests that louse management approaches, e.g. treatment trigger levels, need to take account of individual farm biomass, or numbers of fish. This study highlights the importance of control of L. salmonis on salmon farms for the co-existence of both wild salmonid populations and the aquaculture industry.

A field evaluation of international monitoring guidelines for the biological effects of tributyltin.

The Oslo and Paris Commission (OSPAR) Guidelines for monitoring the biological effects of tributyltin compounds (TBT) were evaluated using data collected for preparation of a Celtic Seas Quality Status Report. Two types of survey were undertaken: broad scale, to determine wide impacts in coastal waters; and localised, around representative harbours to establish ranges of effect from recognised input points. This evaluation indicates that results from the broad scale surveys can be used to compare different areas of coastline. Nucella is widespread away from point sources although many individuals show some degree of imposex. Populations are generally not at risk. The localised surveys indicate that, in certain situations, the monitoring objectives can be met in the OSPAR Guidelines (subject to minor amendment). Criteria are identified for the selection of point sources suitable for monitoring under OSPAR Guidelines.

A randomised controlled trial and cost analysis of problem-solving treatment for emotional disorders given by community nurses in primary care.

BACKGROUND: We set out to investigate whether community nurses could be trained in problem-solving therapy and, once trained, how effective they would be in treating emotional disorders in primary care. METHOD: Seventy patients with an emotional disorder in primary care were randomly allocated to receive either problem-solving therapy from a trained community nurse or treatment as usual from their general practitioner. Interview and self-rated assessments of clinical and economic outcome were made pretreatment, at eight weeks and at 26 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: There was no difference in clinical outcome between patients who received problem-solving treatment and patients who received the general practitioner's usual treatment. However, patients who received problem-solving treatment had fewer disability days and fewer days off work. The health care cost of problem-solving was greater than that of the general practitioner's usual treatment but this was more than offset by savings in the cost of days off work. CONCLUSIONS: Problem-solving treatment can be given by trained community nurses. The clinical effectiveness and cost-benefit of the treatment will depend on the selection of appropriate patients.

A developmental study of the acquisition of colour terms in Setswana.

We report a study of the acquisition of colour terms by speakers of Setswana, the language of Botswana in Southern Africa. This was carried out as a test of Berlin & Kay's theory of colour term universals, on a language with less than the maximum complement of eleven basic colour terms, and in order to document changes in Setswana under the impact of economic development. Seventy-seven five- to nine-year-olds were studied on two colour tasks: elicited lists and colour naming. In general the data were consistent with Berlin & Kay's theory: the rank order of frequency of correct use of colour terms was similar to the order of the Berlin & Kay hierarchy; and primary colour terms were offered more frequently and were more likely to be used correctly than secondary colour terms. The use of English colour terms was prevalent, especially amongst the younger groups, but they functioned as substitutes for Setswana terms, rather than as a means to fill the vacant basic colour term slots.

The assessment of continuing medical education.

There is a close link between audit of clinical competence and audit of continuing medical education. Some of the earlier assumptions about the organisation of continuing medical education need to be reviewed. The increasing provision of resources for continuing medical education by the NHS means that added safeguards are necessary to ensure that professional standards are not subordinated to service exigencies. The introduction of higher educational methodology into continuing medical education should be critically examined with awareness of the limitations and controversies concerning many methods of teaching and assessing educational outcome. The methodology of higher education may need to be substantially modified to suit the uniqueness of the clinical process and the problems of altering the behaviour of experienced and practising doctors. Criticism of behaviourist educational methods should be based on an understanding and knowledge of these methods. A new functional clinical educational domain is proposed which links educational methods with the clinical application of new learning.