Alternaria fruit rot on Minneola tangelos and navel oranges can reach economically important levels in central Arizona. The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of a new fungicide, Headline (BAS 500), for disease management. A trial was conducted in 2000 and 2001 in a commercial Minneola tangelo grove with a history of Alternaria fruit rot. In 2000, nine trees were sprayed monthly from August to December with Headline at a rate of 0.25 lb active ingredient per acre. Another nine trees were not sprayed and served as controls. In 2001, 15 trees were sprayed monthly from November, 2001 to February, 2002 with the same rate of fungicide used in 2000. Another 15 trees were not sprayed and served as controls. Disease severity was evaluated monthly from September to February in each season by counting the number of infected fruit that had dropped from trees. No disease was evident from September through November, when fruit were green. By December the fruit had matured and turned color; additionally, Alternaria fruit rot was first observed. Low numbers of infected fruit were recorded in December and January with higher numbers of infected fruit from non-treated compared to treated trees. In February the mean number of infected fruit from trees treated with Headline and non-treated trees was 2.1 and 3.8%, respectively, in the 2000 trial and 1.9 and 4.5%, respectively, in the 2001 trial. Disease was numerically reduced in both years; however, the difference was only statistically significant in 2001. The findings of this research suggest that Headline could provide meaningful reduction in the incidence and severity of Alternaria fruit rot in Minneola tangelo groves.

Alternaria rot of citrus is a serious problem in citrus production world wide. In Arizona, the disease is most commonly found in Minneola tangelos and navel oranges grown in Maricopa County. Alternaria rot occurs primarily as a stem-end rot on fruit held in cold storage. However, under optimum conditions the disease occurs as a stylar-end rot in the orchards. In Arizona, the disease can significantly reduce yield, and annual fruit losses have been estimated at 0.5 box per tree. In terms of fruit quality, this disease can be a serious problem for the fresh fruit market as well as for the processing industry because only a small amount of rot imparts a bitter flavor and small black fragments of rotted tissue spoil the appearance of the juice. The application of fungicides is the most common tactic used to reduce losses to this disease. However, to date, no consistent reduction in disease has been achieved through chemical applications. This suggests that additional information relating to the biology of the pathogen and the epidemiology of disease will be necessary for the successful development of a reliable disease management program.

This thesis presents an Actor-Network Theory (ANT) inspired analysis of sheep scab in Scotland. Sheep scab is caused by scab mites, and it has a long history in terms of its legislation and available treatments in the UK. In 2010 it became a notifiable livestock disease again in Scotland. Even though sheep scab is studied by natural scientists and economists, it remains unclear how scab is understood by sheep practitioners. This means that the stories, practices and knowledges of sheep practitioners who work at the forefront of sheep scab (in terms of its recognition, diagnosis, treatment and notification) remain absent from the political arena. However, their activities shape how rules and regulations are used. An ANT approach proved helpful for this research, because it allows the researcher to follow connections. The connections followed are sheep scab stories and practices. This research therefore has the following main question: How are multiple sheep scab situations enacted in Scotland? Multi-sited ethnography is the methodology used for this research, and semi structured interviews and field observations were done to get in-depth information about sheep scab situations in Scotland. In total 47 interviews, and 14 observations were done from 2013-2014 with diverse respondents ranging from farmers, veterinarians, slaughterhouse employees and natural scientists. This thesis contributes empirically and theoretically to human-animal studies (HAS). The empirical findings are that the notification legislation for sheep scab is rarely used; sheep scab diagnoses are rarely done; and finally, sheep practitioners trust their own situated knowledges of sheep scab. The theoretical contribution is a reworking of ANT to make it more suitable for studying sheep scab. In particular I rework ANT's confusing terminology; its tendency to reduce entities to their effects; and I include concepts from livestock disease literature that proved particularly helpful.

This study was a cross-sectional epidemiologic evaluation of the clinical, sociodemographic, lifestyle and hospital utilisation characteristics of patients with diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic heart failure. Patients were enrolled in chronic disease management services of the Northern Alliance Hospital Admission Risk Program-Chronic Disease Management (Northern Alliance HARP-CDM Program). The program was established in accordance with the Department of Human Services’ (Victoria, Australia) initiative to intervene against increasing acute hospital demand by patients with chronic disease and complex needs. Amongst others, the Northern Alliance HARP-CDM Program provides services for patients with diabetes, chronic heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patient cohorts with these three chronic diseases were the focus of this study. The Northern Alliance HARP-CDM Program catchment comprises of a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population in the northern part of metropolitan Melbourne. Patients in this region mainly access acute hospital services at the Northern Hospital. The study sought to explore whether the CDM services enrolled patients whom based on their characteristics, fit the risk profile of the intended HARP-CDM target patient population. / The study cohorts demonstrated a CALD make up of above Victorian state averages. The majority (60%) were born overseas, preferred a language other English and were over 60 years old. In contrast to previously published studies, CALD did not demonstrate a significant contribution to disease control, quality of life or level of hospital utilisation. Place of residence for these patients showed clusters within some Local Government Areas. This has implications for service location, access and disease surveillance. Also, it presents opportunities for area targeted health promotion and prevention and overall service location. The majority (77%) of those with chronic heart failure had an abnormal left ventricular ejection fraction. The diabetes cohort was characterised by higher HbA1c (9%) than the target of less than 8%. Similarly the patients had greater than recommended waist circumferences (Males 106cm vs. 94cm; Females 106 vs. 80cm) places them at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. For those with COPD, 42% had severe pulmonary impairment (FEV%predicted ≤ 40%) while 36% were moderate in the moderate category. / There was increased hospital utilisation with increasing age for those with COPD. With the exception of the diabetes cohort, there was no significant evidence as to the role of ethno-cultural factors in the study cohorts’ health, quality of life or level of hospital utilisation. However, ethno-cultural factors may contribute to the complexity of patient management processes and warrants further investigation. / Prior to enrolment in the Northern Alliance HARP-CDM Program, patients who could be considered high users of emergency department services made up 20% of those in the diabetes service, 43% in the COPD service and 50% amongst those in the CHF service. Similar figures for hospital admissions ranged from 20% for the diabetes services to 56% for the CHF service cohorts respectively. Although the diabetes service was the biggest of the three the majority of patients in the service had no previous history of acute hospital utilisation. Members of the diabetes service cohort were characterised by hospital utilisation rates lower than the Northern Hospital’s (ED: 34 vs. 72 per 100 patients, Admissions: 33 vs. 68 per 100 patients in the Pre HARP-CDM Period). Patients in the COPD service (ED: 115 Pre and 158 during HARP-CDM) and CHF service (160 Pre and 159 during HARP-CDM) had ED presentation rates per 100patients that were higher than the hospital’s (72 and 69). / The rates suggest the first 14 months of the Northern Alliance HARP-CDM Program were associated with increased hospital utilisation by patients enrolled the Northern Alliance HARP-CDM Program. The increments were greater than increases for the Northern Hospital for the same periods. Contrary to the intended goal of reducing acute hospital utilisation, the majority of the clientele did not fit the primary HARP-CDM Program criteria of high acute hospital users. But patients who were enrolled following previous hospital utilisation were well-targeted. However there are several patients who are likely HARP-CDM Program candidates who fall though the gaps between the acute hospital services and the program. / It is recommended the program and services increase enrolments and access for the target patient populations. There is a need for early intervention chronic disease management and health promotion. This service would cater for clients who by virtue of having a chronic disease are at risk but are currently not high acute hospital users. Such a service would free up vacancies in the Northern Alliance HARP-CDM Program, thus enabling increased intake and equitable access for the target patient population, especially those who fall though the gaps as referred to earlier. Funding for such a service is available through DHS. In light of strong evidence for exercise rehabilitation and its ability to positively impact patient outcomes, quality of life, survival and hospital utilisation, consideration needs to be given to this as part of the Northern Alliance HARP-CDM Program chronic disease management care model.

Universiẗat, Magisterarbeit--Osnabrück, 2006.

With an aging population, chronic disease is rapidly becoming the major focus for the health care system as it affects the physical, emotional and mental well-being of individuals. Chronic disease management is a systematic approach offering real opportunities for improving the service quality for people with chronic disease. It can be delivered more effectively and efficiently if the providers are supported with knowledge-based resources and external expertise in the form of computer decision support. Increasing uptake of electronic medical records (EMRs) offers valuable opportunities for analysis and quality assurance of clinical practice; but making appropriate inferences about chronic disease management in non-trivial. / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2006.

Zugl.: Bielefeld, Univ., Bachelor Thesis, 2006

Zugl.: Osnabrück, Univ., Magisterarbeit, 2006

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University. College of Nursing, 2006. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Nov. 20, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 163-170). Also issued in print.

Zugl.: Konstanz, Univ., Diss., 2008