bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BMP7 is a podocyte survival factor and rescues podocytes from diabetic injury
Authors: Mitu Grace M. , Wang Shinong , Hirschberg Raimund
Published: September 2007

In early diabetic renal injury, there is podocyte drop-out (but no decrease in the number of other glomerular cells) which is thought to cause glomerular proteinuria and subsequent diabetic glomerular injury. We tested the hypothesis that early diabetic podocyte injury is caused, in part, by downregulation of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7) and loss of its autocrine function in murine podocytes. High glucose (HG; 25 mM) induces rounding of differentiated podocytes and changes in the distribution of F-actin but without quantitative changes in E-cadherin and the podocyte markers podocin, CD2AP, Neph1, or synaptopodin. HG reduces BMP7 secretion and activity but does not affect BMP receptor levels in murine podocytes. In these cells, BMP7 effectively activates smad5 (but not smad1) and raises p38 phosphorylation [which is also increased by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)]. HG as well as TGF-β raise caspase-3 activity, increase apoptosis, and reduce cell survival which is, in part, blocked by BMP7. Knockdown and forced expression studies indicate that smad5 is required as well as sufficient for these actions of BMP7. These findings indicate that BMP7 is a differentiation and survival factor for podocytes, requires smad5, and can reduce diabetic podocyte injury.
Speed training with body weight unloading improves walking energy cost and maximal speed in 75- to 85-year-old healthy women
Authors: Thomas Elju E. , Vito Giuseppe De , Macaluso Andrea
Published: September 2007

This randomized controlled study was designed to prove the hypothesis that a novel approach to high-speed interval training, based on walking on a treadmill with the use of body weight unloading (BWU), would have improved energy cost and speed of overground walking in healthy older women. Participants were randomly assigned to either the exercise group ( n = 11, 79.6 ± 3.7 yr, mean ± SD) or the nonintervention control group ( n = 11, 77.6 ± 2.3 yr). During the first 6 wk, the exercise group performed walking interval training on the treadmill with 40% BWU at the maximal walking speed corresponding to an intensity close to heart rate at ventilatory threshold (Tvent walking speed). Each session consisted of four sets of 5 min of walking (three 1-min periods at Tvent walking speed, with two 1-min intervals at comfortable walking speed in between each period at Tvent walking speed) with 1-min interval between each set. Speed was increased session by session until the end of week 6. BWU was then progressively reduced to 10% during the last 6 wk of intervention. After 12 wk, the walking energy cost per unit of distance at all self-selected overground walking speeds (slow, comfortable, and fast) was significantly reduced in the range from 18 to 21%. The exercise group showed a 13% increase in maximal walking speed and a 67% increase in mechanical power output at Tvent after the training program. The novel “overspeed” training approach has been demonstrated to be effective in improving energy cost and speed of overground walking in healthy older women.
A Central Pattern Generator Producing Alternative Outputs: Pattern, Strength, and Dynamics of Premotor Synaptic Input to Leech Heart Motor Neurons
Authors: Norris Brian J. , Weaver Adam L. , Wenning Angela , García Paul S. , Calabrese Ronald L.
Published: September 2007

The central pattern generator (CPG) for heartbeat in medicinal leeches consists of seven identified pairs of segmental heart interneurons and one unidentified pair. Four of the identified pairs and the unidentified pair of interneurons make inhibitory synaptic connections with segmental heart motor neurons. The CPG produces a side-to-side asymmetric pattern of intersegmental coordination among ipsilateral premotor interneurons corresponding to a similarly asymmetric fictive motor pattern in heart motor neurons, and asymmetric constriction pattern of the two tubular hearts, synchronous and peristaltic. Using extracellular recordings from premotor interneurons and voltage-clamp recordings of ipsilateral segmental motor neurons in 69 isolated nerve cords, we assessed the strength and dynamics of premotor inhibitory synaptic output onto the entire ensemble of heart motor neurons and the associated conduction delays in both coordination modes. We conclude that premotor interneurons establish a stereotypical pattern of intersegmental synaptic connectivity, strengths, and dynamics that is invariant across coordination modes, despite wide variations among preparations. These data coupled with a previous description of the temporal pattern of premotor interneuron activity and relative phasing of motor neuron activity in the two coordination modes enable a direct assessment of how premotor interneurons through their temporal pattern of activity and their spatial pattern of synaptic connectivity, strengths, and dynamics coordinate segmental motor neurons into a functional pattern of activity.
Interferon type I and type II responses in an Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) SHK-1 cell line by the salmon TRAITS/SGP microarray
Authors: Martin S. A. M. , Taggart J. B. , Seear P. , Bron J. E. , Talbot R. , Teale A. J. , Sweeney G. E. , Høyheim B. , Houlihan D. F. , Tocher D. R. , Zou J. , Secombes C. J.
Published: September 2007

Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines that have proinflammatory, antiviral, and immunomodulatory effects and play a central role during a host response to pathogens. The IFN family contains both type I and type II molecules. While there are a number of type I IFNs, there is only one type II IFN. Recently both type I and type II IFN genes have been cloned in salmonid fish and recombinant proteins produced showing IFN activity. We have stimulated an Atlantic salmon cell line (SHK-1) with both type I and type II recombinant salmonid IFNs and analyzed the transcriptional response by microarray analysis. Cells were exposed to recombinant IFNs for 6 or 24 h or left unexposed as controls. RNA was hybridized to an Atlantic salmon cDNA microarray (salmon 17K feature TRAITS/SGP array) in order to assess differential gene expression in response to IFN exposure. For IFN I and II, 47 and 72 genes were stimulated, respectively; most genes were stimulated by a single IFN type, but some were affected by both IFNs, indicating coregulation of the IFN response in fish. Real-time PCR analysis was employed to confirm the microarray results for selected differentially expressed genes in both a cell line and primary leukocyte cultures.
Acute Improved Hemodynamics following Inhaled Iloprost in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Krug Sabine , Hammerschmidt Stefan , Pankau Hans , Wirtz Hubert , Seyfarth Hans-Jürgen
Published: September 2007

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a potential consequence to pulmonary embolism. The histologic picture is similar to idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (IPAH) suggesting that vascular remodeling also contributes to CTEPH. The treatment of choice is pulmonary endarterectomy. However, this treatment option is not adequate for all patients with CTEPH. Currently, no data exist on standard vasodilative therapy for CTEPH. Intravenous and oral prostanoids, both well-known vasodilators in IPAH, have been used with promising results, whereas the same has not been consistently observed for inhaled iloprost. Objective: In this study, we examined acute hemodynamic effects of inhaled iloprost in patients with CTEPH. Methods: In a prospective study, right heart catheterization was performed in 20 patients (mean age 56 years, New York Heart Association class II–IV) at the time of diagnosis of CTEPH. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), cardiac output (CO), mean systemic arterial pressure (MAP) and oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) were obtained before and 20 min after inhaling 5 µg iloprost. Subsequently, all patients were evaluated for pulmonary endarterectomy. Six patients were eligible for surgery. Results: Significant changes in pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics were observed following the inhalation of iloprost (before to after inhalation): PVR: 1,057 ± 404.3 to 821.3 ± 294.3 dyn·s·cm–5, p < 0.0001; mPAP: 50.55 ± 8.43 to 45.75 ± 8.09 mm Hg, p = 0.0002; CO: 3.66 ± 1.05 to 4.05 ± 0.91 l/min, p < 0.0106. MAP and PaO2 decreased significantly (MAP: 94.15 ± 11.58 to 89.45 ± 14.29 mm Hg, p = 0.0111; PaO2: 7.33 ± 1.17 to 6.64 ± 1.25 kPa, p = 0.0260). Conclusions: Hemodynamic changes directly following inhalation of iloprost suggest a significant contribution of a reversible component of vasoconstriction to pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with CTEPH.
Effect of Ranolazine, an Antianginal Agent With Novel Electrophysiological Properties, on the Incidence of Arrhythmias in Patients With Non–ST-Segment–Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Scirica Benjamin M. , Morrow David A. , Hod Hanoch , Murphy Sabina A. , Belardinelli Luiz , Hedgepeth Chester M. , Molhoek Peter , Verheugt Freek W.A. , Gersh Bernard J. , McCabe Carolyn H. , Braunwald Eugene
Published: September 2007

Background—

Ranolazine, a piperazine derivative, reduces ischemia via inhibition of the late phase of the inward sodium current (late I
Na
) during cardiac repolarization, with a consequent reduction in intracellular sodium and calcium overload. Increased intracellular calcium leads to both mechanical dysfunction and electric instability. Ranolazine reduces proarrhythmic substrate and triggers such as early afterdepolarization in experimental models. However, the potential antiarrhythmic actions of ranolazine have yet to be demonstrated in humans.

Methods and Results—

The Metabolic Efficiency With Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome (MERLIN)–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 36 (MERLIN-TIMI 36) trial randomized 6560 patients hospitalized with a non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome to ranolazine or placebo in addition to standard therapy. Continuous ECG (Holter) recording was performed for the first 7 days after randomization. A prespecified set of arrhythmias were evaluated by a core laboratory blinded to treatment and outcomes. Of the 6560 patients in MERLIN-TIMI 36, 6351 (97%) had continuous ECG recordings that could be evaluated for arrhythmia analysis. Treatment with ranolazine resulted in significantly lower incidences of arrhythmias. Specifically, fewer patients had an episode of ventricular tachycardia lasting ≥8 beats (166 [5.3%] versus 265 [8.3%];
P
<0.001), supraventricular tachycardia (1413 [44.7%] versus 1752 [55.0%];
P
<0.001), or new-onset atrial fibrillation (55 [1.7%] versus 75 [2.4%];
P
=0.08). In addition, pauses ≥3 seconds were less frequent with ranolazine (97 [3.1%] versus 136 [4.3%];
P
=0.01).

Conclusions—

Ranolazine, an inhibitor of late I
Na
, appears to have antiarrhythmic effects as assessed by continuous ECG monitoring of patients in the first week after admission for acute coronary syndrome. Studies specifically designed to evaluate the potential role of ranolazine as an antiarrhythmic agent are warranted.
A Comparison of Three Canopy Interception Models for a Leafless Mixed Deciduous Forest Stand in the Eastern United States
Authors: Klingaman Nicholas P. , Levia Delphis F. , Frost Ethan E.
Published: September 2007

Canopy interception of incident precipitation is a critical component of the forest water balance during each of the four seasons. Models have been developed to predict precipitation interception from standard meteorological variables because of acknowledged difficulty in extrapolating direct measurements of interception loss from forest to forest. No known study has compared and validated canopy interception models for a leafless deciduous forest stand in the eastern United States. Interception measurements from an experimental plot in a leafless deciduous forest in northeastern Maryland (39°42′N, 75°50′W) for 11 rainstorms in winter and early spring 2004/05 were compared to predictions from three models. The Mulder model maintains a moist canopy between storms. The Gash model requires few input variables and is formulated for a sparse canopy. The WiMo model optimizes the canopy storage capacity for the maximum wind speed during each storm. All models showed marked underestimates and overestimates for individual storms when the measured ratio of interception to gross precipitation was far more or less, respectively, than the specified fraction of canopy cover. The models predicted the percentage of total gross precipitation (PG) intercepted to within the probable standard error (8.1%) of the measured value: the Mulder model overestimated the measured value by 0.1% of PG; the WiMo model underestimated by 0.6% of PG; and the Gash model underestimated by 1.1% of PG. The WiMo model’s advantage over the Gash model indicates that the canopy storage capacity increases logarithmically with the maximum wind speed. This study has demonstrated that dormant-season precipitation interception in a leafless deciduous forest may be satisfactorily predicted by existing canopy interception models.
Melting of Snow Cover in a Tropical Mountain Environment in Bolivia: Processes and Modeling
Authors: Lejeune Yves , Bouilloud Ludovic , Etchevers Pierre , Wagnon Patrick , Chevallier Pierre , Sicart Jean-Emmanuel , Martin Eric , Habets Florence
Published: September 2007

To determine the physical processes involved in the melting and disappearance of transient snow cover in nonglacierized tropical areas, the CROCUS snow model, interactions between Soil–Biosphere–Atmosphere (ISBA) land surface model, and coupled ISBA/CROCUS model have been applied to a full set of meteorological data recorded at 4795 m MSL on a moraine area in Bolivia (16°17′S, 68°32′W) between 14 May 2002 and 15 July 2003. The models have been adapted to tropical conditions, in particular the high level of incident solar radiation throughout the year. As long as a suitable function is included to represent the mosaic partitioning of the surface between snow cover and bare ground and local fresh snow grain type (as graupel) is adapted, the ISBA and ISBA/CROCUS models can accurately simulate snow behavior over nonglacierized natural surfaces in the Tropics. Incident solar radiation is responsible for efficient melting of the snow surface (favored by fresh snow albedo values usually not exceeding 0.8) and also for the energy stored in snow-free areas (albedo = 0.18) and transferred horizontally to adjacent snow patches. These horizontal energy transfers (by conduction within the upper soil layers and by turbulent advection) explain most of the snowmelt and prevent the snow cover from lasting more than a few days during the wet season in this high-altitude tropical environment.
Northern Lake Impacts on Local Seasonal Climate
Authors: Long Z. , Perrie W. , Gyakum J. , Caya D. , Laprise R.
Published: September 2007

It is well known that large lakes can perturb local weather and climate through mesoscale circulations, for example, lake effects on storms and lake breezes, and the impacts on fluxes of heat, moisture, and momentum. However, for both large and small lakes, the importance of atmosphere–lake interactions in northern Canada is largely unknown. Here, the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM) is used to simulate seasonal time scales for the Mackenzie River basin and northwest region of Canada, coupled to simulations of Great Bear and Great Slave Lakes using the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) to examine the interactions between large northern lakes and the atmosphere. The authors consider the lake impacts on the local water and energy cycles and on regional seasonal climate. Verification of model results is achieved with atmospheric sounding and surface flux data collected during the Canadian Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX) program. The coupled atmosphere–lake model is shown to be able to successfully simulate the variation of surface heat fluxes and surface water temperatures and to give a good representation of the vertical profiles of water temperatures, the warming and cooling processes, and the lake responses to the seasonal and interannual variation of surface heat fluxes. These northern lakes can significantly influence the local water and energy cycles.
Probabilistic Flood Forecasting with a Limited-Area Ensemble Prediction System: Selected Case Studies
Authors: Verbunt M. , Walser A. , Gurtz J. , Montani A. , Schär C.
Published: September 2007

A high-resolution atmospheric ensemble forecasting system is coupled to a hydrologic model to investigate probabilistic runoff forecasts for the alpine tributaries of the Rhine River basin (34 550 km2). Five-day ensemble forecasts consisting of 51 members, generated with the global ensemble prediction system (EPS) of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), are downscaled with the limited-area model Lokal Modell (LM). The resulting limited-area ensemble prediction system (LEPS) uses a horizontal grid spacing of 10 km and provides one-hourly output for driving the distributed hydrologic model Precipitation–Runoff–Evapotranspiration–Hydrotope (PREVAH) hydrologic response unit (HRU) with a resolution of 500 × 500 m2 and a time step of 1 h. The hydrologic model component is calibrated for the river catchments considered, which are characterized by highly complex topography, for the period 1997–98 using surface observations, and validated for 1999–2002.

This study explores the feasibility of atmospheric ensemble predictions for runoff forecasting, in comparison with deterministic atmospheric forcing. Detailed analysis is presented for two case studies: the spring 1999 flood event affecting central Europe due to a combination of snowmelt and heavy precipitation, and the November 2002 flood in the Alpine Rhine catchment. For both cases, the deterministic simulations yield forecast failures, while the coupled atmospheric–hydrologic EPS provides appropriate probabilistic forecast guidance with early indications for extreme floods. It is further shown that probabilistic runoff forecasts using a subsample of EPS members, selected by a cluster analysis, properly represent the forecasts using all 51 EPS members, while forecasts from randomly chosen subsamples reveal a reduced spread compared to the representative members. Additional analyses show that the representation of horizontal advection of precipitation in the atmospheric model may be crucial for flood forecasts in alpine catchments.
Alpine Stream Temperature Response to Storm Events
Authors: Brown Lee E. , Hannah David M.
Published: September 2007

Despite continued interest in meteorological influences on the thermal variability of river systems, there are few detailed studies of stream temperature dynamics during storm events. This paper reports high-resolution (15 min) water column and streambed temperature data for storm events of contrasting magnitude, duration, and intensity for three streams (draining glacier, snow, and groundwater sources) across an alpine river system during summers 2002 and 2003. The results demonstrate clear spatial and temporal differences in water column and streambed thermal responses to precipitation events and streamflow peaks. Analysis of all storms across the three sites showed a decrease in water column temperature for 75% of events, with significant negative relationships between stream temperature and precipitation magnitude, precipitation intensity, and stream discharge peaks. Temperature decreases of 10.4°C were recorded, but temperature increases were less marked at up to 2.3°C. Temperature response to precipitation was dampened with increasing depth into the streambed at all sites. Spatial and temporal differences in thermal response to storm events were controlled by precipitation and stream discharge peak characteristics (above) plus antecedent basin conditions, which together determine the nature and rapidity of hydrological response. In this steep alpine basin, stream temperature variability appears to be enhanced by quick routing of precipitation to the river channel (i.e., direct precipitation/channel interception, rapid surface flow over impermeable bedrock/thin alpine soils, and subsurface flow through highly weathered scree slopes). This research highlights the need for integrated hydrometeorological research of precipitation event–hydrological response–stream temperature interactions to advance understanding of runoff generation processes driving event-scale thermal dynamics in alpine and other river systems.
The Impact of the Sierra Nevada on Low-Level Winds and Water Vapor Transport
Authors: Kim Jinwon , Kang Hyun-Suk
Published: September 2007

To understand the influence of the Sierra Nevada on the water cycle in California the authors have analyzed low-level winds and water vapor fluxes upstream of the mountain range in regional climate model simulations. In a low Froude number (Fr) regime, the upstream low-level wind disturbances are characterized by the rapid weakening of the crosswinds and the appearance of a stagnation point over the southwestern foothills. The weakening of the low-level inflow is accompanied by the development of along-ridge winds that take the form of a barrier jet over the western slope of the mountain range. Such upstream wind disturbances are either weak or nonexistent in a high-Fr case. A critical Fr (Frc) of 0.35 inferred in this study is within the range of those suggested in previous observational and numerical studies. The depth of the blocked layer estimated from the along-ridge wind profile upstream of the northern Sierra Nevada corresponds to Frc between 0.3 and 0.45 as well. Associated with these low-level wind disturbances are significant low-level southerly moisture fluxes over the western slope and foothills of the Sierra Nevada in the low-Fr case, which result in significant exports of moisture from the southern Sierra Nevada to the northern region. This along-ridge low-level water vapor transport by blocking-induced barrier jets in a low-Fr condition may result in a strong north–south precipitation gradient over the Sierra Nevada.
Estimates of the Global Water Budget and Its Annual Cycle Using Observational and Model Data
Authors: Trenberth Kevin E. , Smith Lesley , Qian Taotao , Dai Aiguo , Fasullo John
Published: September 2007

A brief review is given of research in the Climate Analysis Section at NCAR on the water cycle. Results are used to provide a new estimate of the global hydrological cycle for long-term annual means that includes estimates of the main reservoirs of water as well as the flows of water among them. For precipitation P over land a comparison among three datasets enables uncertainties to be estimated. In addition, results are presented for the mean annual cycle of the atmospheric hydrological cycle based on 1979–2000 data. These include monthly estimates of P, evapotranspiration E, atmospheric moisture convergence over land, and changes in atmospheric storage, for the major continental landmasses, zonal means over land, hemispheric land means, and global land means. The evapotranspiration is computed from the Community Land Model run with realistic atmospheric forcings, including precipitation that is constrained by observations for monthly means but with high-frequency information taken from atmospheric reanalyses. Results for E − P are contrasted with those from atmospheric moisture budgets based on 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) data. The latter show physically unrealistic results, because evaporation often exceeds precipitation over land, especially in the Tropics and subtropics.
Assessing the Errors of Cloud Liquid Water and Precipitation Flux Retrievals in Marine Stratocumulus Based on Doppler Radar Parameters
Authors: Kogan Yefim L. , Kogan Zena N. , Mechem David B.
Published: September 2007

The errors of formulations of cloud retrievals based on radar reflectivity, mean Doppler velocity, and Doppler spectrum width are evaluated under the controlled framework of the Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs). Cloud radar parameters are obtained from drop size distributions generated by the high-resolution Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies (CIMMS) large-eddy simulation (LES) model with explicit microphysics. It is shown that in drizzling stratocumulus the accuracy of cloud liquid water (Ql) retrieval can be substantially increased when information on Doppler velocity or Doppler spectrum width is included in addition to radar reflectivity. In the moderate drizzle case (drizzle rate R of about 1 mm day−1) the mean and standard deviation of errors is of the order of 10% for Ql values larger than 0.2 g m−3; in stratocumulus with heavy drizzle (R > 2 mm day−1) these values are approximately 20%–30%. Similarly, employing Doppler radar parameters significantly improves the accuracy of drizzle flux retrieval. The use of Doppler spectrum width σd instead of Doppler velocity yields about the same accuracy, thus demonstrating that both Doppler parameters have approximately the same potential for improving microphysical retrievals. It is noted that the error estimates herein represent the theoretical lower bound on retrieval errors, because the actual errors will inevitably increase, first and foremost, due to uncertainties in estimation contributions from air turbulence.
Effective Hydraulic Parameters in Horizontally and Vertically Heterogeneous Soils for Steady-State Land–Atmosphere Interaction
Authors: Mohanty Binayak P. , Zhu Jianting
Published: September 2007

In this study, the authors investigate effective soil hydraulic parameter averaging schemes for steady-state flow in heterogeneous shallow subsurfaces useful to land–atmosphere interaction modeling. “Effective” soil hydraulic parameters of the heterogeneous shallow subsurface are obtained by conceptualizing the soil as an equivalent homogeneous medium. It requires that the effective homogeneous soil discharges the same mean surface moisture flux (evaporation or infiltration) as the heterogeneous media. Using the simple Gardner unsaturated hydraulic conductivity function, the authors derive the effective value for the saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks or the shape factor α under various hydrologic scenarios and input hydraulic parameter statistics. Assuming one-dimensional vertical moisture movement in the shallow unsaturated soils, both scenarios of horizontal (across the surface landscape) and vertical (across the soil profile) heterogeneities are investigated. The effects of hydraulic parameter statistics, surface boundary conditions, domain scales, and fractal dimensions in case of nested soil hydraulic property structure are addressed. Results show that the effective parameters are dictated more by the α heterogeneity for the evaporation scenario and mainly by Ks variability for the infiltration scenario. Also, heterogeneity orientation (horizontal or vertical) of soil hydraulic parameters impacts the effective parameters. In general, an increase in both the fractal dimension and the domain scale enhances the heterogeneous effects of the parameter fields on the effective parameters. The impact of the domain scale on the effective hydraulic parameters is more significant as the fractal dimension increases.
Consistent Parameterization of Roughness Length and Displacement Height for Sparse and Dense Canopies in Land Models
Authors: Zeng Xubin , Wang Aihui
Published: September 2007

While progress has been made in the treatment of turbulence below, within, and above canopy in land models, not much attention has been paid to the convergence of canopy roughness length and displacement height to bare soil values as the above-ground biomass, or the sum of leaf and stem area indices, becomes zero. Preliminary formulations have been developed to ensure this convergence for the Community Land Model version 3 (CLM3) and are found to significantly improve the wintertime simulation of sensible heat flux (SH) compared with observational data over the Cabauw site in the Netherlands. The simulation of latent heat flux (LH) is also moderately improved. For global offline CLM3 simulations, the new formulations change SH by more than 5 W m−2 over many regions, while the change of LH is less than 1 W m−2 over most of the regions.
The Childhood Factor
Authors: Thompson Catharine Ward , Aspinall Peter , Montarzino Alicia
Published: September 2007

This article explores the significance of childhood experience of woodlands and other green or natural places in relation to adult patterns of use and attitudes to such places. It draws on data collected in different parts of Britain. Questionnaires were used to explore the frequency of adults' visits to green places, the frequency with which they reported visiting such places as children, and their attitudes to different attributes of the places they visited. The data show a strong relationship between frequent childhood visits and being prepared to visit woodlands or green spaces alone as an adult. By contrast, not visiting as a child was associated with a very low likelihood of later adult visits. The data also suggest that the physical and the emotional benefits of access to green space are strongly reflected in childhood experience. The significance of these findings for today's children, as they become adults, is discussed.
Community Participation in Urban China: Identifying Mobilization Factors
Authors: Qingwen Xu
Published: September 2007

The rise of community participation is premised on perceived benefits that participation brings to community programs in terms of added efficiency, sustainability, and the collective community power. It is critical for social service professionals to gain the knowledge and skills to mobilize community members to join together and move from personal social concerns to collective concerns via organized community actions. However, the type of people who are likely to become involved in community mobilization efforts, and the motives for such participation, vary by country and culture. The purpose of this article is to present an urban community in Beijing and to identify factors that have affected community mobilization in urban China. Why might community mobilization factors in urban China be of interest to Western community practitioners and scholars? What is the appropriate theoretical framework within which to consider them? This article discusses these questions and raises questions for future research.
Exploring Spanish Nongovernmental Organizations for Development: An Empirical Approach
Authors: Fuertes-Fuertes Iluminada , Maset-Llaudes Amparo
Published: September 2007

In Spain, as in other developed countries, the old public sector—private sector dichotomy is no longer valid as, between them, the two sectors cannot cover all social groups. As a result, the third sector has emerged strongly, with nongovernmental organizations for development (NGODs) being a clear example of this. This type of organization is assumed to have a series of specific values, among which some of the most important are the fostering of social capital, financial autonomy, political independence, transparency, and good governance. This study analyzes the current position of this emerging sector in Spain. To achieve this, a series of index numbers have been established to measure these comparisons in order to study the types of relationships existing between them. The results show that the Spanish NGOD sector is developing toward transparency. However, from a financial point of view, it is still very dependent, not very critical, and very atomized.
Quality in Education Defines ESD
Authors: Pigozzi Mary Joy
Published: September 2007

Education has a central role to play in attaining sustainable development—by inculcating values that encourage sustainable practices. To play this role effectively, education should go beyond developing cognitive understanding and ability, and address the economic, social and other dimensions of learning as well. Quality education and education for sustainable development (ESD) seek to achieve similar learning outcomes—those that enable learners to make decisions and choices that foster sustainable development—and thus are complementary. This paper presents a frame-work for understanding educational quality, showing how education for sustainable development can and should be a part of every aspect of a quality education rather than being presented as only a standalone subject. This framework is relevant for both industrialised and less industrialised countries. It is also relevant for all organised learning opportunities—it is not limited to schooling.
Hidden Sources
Authors: Webster Ken
Published: September 2007

Education for sustainability has attempted to extend the range of concerns teachers and students are meant to address from the environmental into the social and economic. But this has brought with it aspects of an anti-industrial sentiment and an essentially defensive, issues-focused agenda aimed at the individual. It has weakened the role of understanding and applying the insights offered by natural systems which probably represents the best chance of framing an education for sustainability as comprehensible, aspirational and purposeful.
Learning for Deep Change
Authors: Wheeler Keith A.
Published: September 2007

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) practitioners could benefit from recent innovations in the field of organizational development, particularly those of Peter Senge, that outline how institutions can become “learning organizations,” which are responsive to change to meet the needs of their members. These techniques could be used to help schools, universities, and nongonvernmental organizations develop a capacity to promote ESD.
RCE Rhine-Meuse
Authors: van Dam-Mieras M.C.E. , Rikers J.H.A.N.
Published: September 2007

In the context of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD), United Nations University (UNU) initiated the creation of a network of Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) for Education for Sustainable Development. This paper describes the philosophy behind the activities performed by one of those RCEs, RCE Rhine-Meuse, an RCE initiative in the triangle formed by the cities of Eindhoven (the Netherlands), Cologne (Germany) and Leuven (Belgium). A small and flexible structure was created that allows the organisation to operate at the lowest possible level of costs. Safeguards in relation to both academic quality and stakeholder participation were instituted to guarantee a lasting commitment on the part of regional actors; and a strategic advisory board made up of regional stakeholders and academic professionals was formed. Some examples of RCE Rhine-Meuse projects are given.
Examining the Literature
Authors: Wright Tarah , Pullen Sarah
Published: September 2007

Using the tool of bibliometry, this study examines journal articles related to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in academic journals from 1990 to 2005. It offers a statistical description of the literature, and analyses the development of ESD publications within the journal literature to date. The results show that the number of ESD journal articles has been increasing in the literature but in a nonlinear fashion. The number of academic journals publishing ESD articles also increased from 1990 to 2005 but not at the same rate. The number of authors publishing articles related to ESD has increased significantly. Further, this study demonstrates that ESD research is being published in both traditional disciplinary and interdisciplinary journals. Finally, the study illustrates the global nature of ESD publications activities.
Setting the Stage for a Strategic Research Agenda for the UNDESD
Authors: McKeown Rosalyn
Published: September 2007

Twenty-eight researchers whose work is related to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) met in February 2006 at UNESCO for three days of discussion to advance the thinking on how research can create a foundation for the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD). The overall purpose of the workshop was to exchange information and experiences on research and development issues in ESD and to initiate work on the development of a research agenda for the Decade. Discussion topics included: the status of ESD research; linking researchers and practitioners; identifying research priorities; tools, resources and capacity building; processes for developing national research agendas; funding; and next steps.
Researcher-Practitioner Conference in Japan Seeks to Reorient EE to ESD and Set Research Themes
Authors: Paden Mary
Published: September 2007

In February–March 2006, researchers and practitioners from over 70 countries met at a seven-day conference in Tokyo and Kyoto to evaluate Environmental Education (EE) research and practices in the Asia-Pacific region, and to explore ways of integrating EE and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The conference reflected on similarities in the evolution of EE in the region and emphasized the common need for best practice indicators. In-depth dialogue and analysis aimed at identifying key EE/ESD research themes for the Decade and linking them with practice. Presentations from participants generated eight major themes, which, among other things, brought forth the implications of a nation's political will for EE/ESD implementation, highlighted the stages of professional development of EE/ESD, and explored the power relations in ESD with an emphasis on issues of justice, equity and access. The conference provided a broader perspective for understanding ESD to aid a smooth reorientation of EE to ESD.
A Priority for ESD Research
Authors: Monroe Martha C.
Published: September 2007

Research in the disciplines of education, science education, and environmental education has a rich history. While research in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) may be related to these traditions, there is a need for ESD to carve a new niche that promotes high quality and effective ESD programmes. With an eye towards practice and applied research, this paper suggests that research in ESD focus on strategies that promote sustainable behaviours and engage adult citizens in decision making. Researchers can build on the relevant work in psychology, sociology, education, policy and communication that relates to environmental behaviour and citizen participation. ESD researchers will play important roles on teams of engineers, agriculturalists, economists and architects, for example, as they implement more sustainable technologies.
Asia-Pacific Contributions to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
Authors: Tilbury Daniella , Janousek Sonja
Published: September 2007

The concept of a United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) has its roots in the Asia-Pacific. Arguably, so far, more countries within the Asia-Pacific have engaged in advancing the DESD agenda than any other region in the world. This paper focuses on regional, sub-regional and national efforts to promote learning for sustainable development under the banner of DESD. Most of the efforts have served to promote the concept through launches, conferences and meetings of experts and practitioners in ESD. There is now a need to turn these meetings into opportunities for critical reflection about how to improve and extend current best practice and to reach out to those stakeholders who are yet to engage with this agenda. The paper argues that the successful implementation of the DESD requires long-term strategic efforts that will motivate engagement beyond 2014. Monitoring progress and assessing achievements will improve decision making and action taking, and will deliver key strategic out-comes sought through the Decade.
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Rates of Subgroups of Asian American Women in California
Authors: Kagawa-Singer Marjorie , Pourat Nadereh , Breen Nancy , Coughlin Steven , Abend McLean Teresa , McNeel Timothy S. , Ponce Ninez A.
Published: September 2007

Although breast and cervical cancer screening rates for Asian American (AA) women are the lowest of any ethnic group in California, few causes for this are known. The authors used the 2001 California Health Interview Survey, conducted in five Asian languages, to conduct the first evaluation of Pap and mammography screening rates for a representative sample of 2,239 AA women. Wide variations in screening rates were found among the seven different subgroups of AA women studied: adjusted Pap test use ranged from 81% (Filipina Americans) to 61% (Vietnamese Americans). Mammography rates ranged from 78% (Japanese Americans) to 53% (Korean Americans). Disaggregating the AA data and using separate multivariate logistic regressions revealed that different factors were independently associated with the low screening rates for each subgroup. The measurement of additional contextual information is needed to identify structural barriers and community resources to provide clearer guidance for the design of effective screening promotion programs for AA subpopulations.
Re-emerging infections
Authors: Mayon-White R.
Published: September 2007

n recent months, influenza has been receiving general interest from the media and serious attention from health ministries around the world as a re-emerging threat. The interest is because of the ability of influenza viruses to mutate in ways that enable them to escape the controlling influence of human immunity and to spread with increased virulence. This article considers why influenza may soon re-emerge, and contrasts the threat of influenza with the re-emergence of a common bacterial respiratory pathogen, Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as the group A streptococcus).
Using a blended e-learning model to provide accessible infection prevention and control training for NHS staff: The NHSU/TVU/Intuition approach
Authors: Pratt R.J. , Pellowe C.M. , Shelley J. , Adams J. , Loveday H.P. , King D. , Jones S.R.L.J.
Published: September 2007

ver the past two decades, healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) have emerged as a significant threat to high quality health care. The technological advances made in the treatment of many diseases and disorders are being undermined by the transmission of infections within healthcare settings, especially the emergence of antimicrobial resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci that are now endemic in some healthcare environments. The financial and personal costs of HCAI in terms of the economic consequences to the National Health Service (NHS) and the physical, social and psychological costs to patients and their relatives have increased both government and public awareness of the risks associated with healthcare interventions and in particular the consequences of HCAI.

The risk of acquiring HCAI continues to attract intense media interest. Reports of dirty hospitals and stories of healthcare workers failing to observe even the most rudimentary hygiene and other infection prevention and control measures are causing profound anxiety among service users. The public is fast losing confidence in the NHS to safely care for them and this dissatisfaction has propelled HCAI to the top of an increasingly urgent political healthcare agenda.

The Department of Health (DH) has focused a number of initiatives on combating HCAI, including the development of national evidence-based infection prevention and control guidelines for acute and primary care settings (Pratt et al, 2001; Pellowe et al, 2003), a research programme to identify a range of effective strategies for combating antimicrobial resistance and more recently setting out a strategy for reducing HCAI and improving environmental hygiene in healthcare settings (DH, 2002; DH, 2004). DH strategy emphasises the importance of ensuring that infection prevention and control training is included in the induction programme for all NHS staff, both clinical and nonclinical, including agency and locum staff, and that this training becomes part of their continuing personal development plans.

Professor Christine Beasley, the chief nursing officer at the DH has since taken responsibility for actualising many aspects of this strategy, especially ensuring that the required training is made available for all 1.3 million NHS staff by the end of 2005. Providing that training became the responsibility of the NHS University (NHSU), which commissioned the Richard Wells Research Centre at Thames Valley University London (TVU) along with their Dublin-based educational development partner, Intuition Publishing Ltd, to develop an appropriate and accessible state-of-the-art blended e-learning training programme.

In this article, we describe how we designed and structured the programme so that it can be used as an essential tool in orientation/induction, staff development and in-service education programmes for all NHS staff.
Re-emerging infections Part 5: Vaccine-preventable diseases
Authors: Mayon-White R.
Published: September 2007

ne question asked by those who doubt the efficacy of vaccination is whether improvements in general health could explain the reduction in incidence and severity of diseases like measles and whooping cough. This doubt is countered by those who advocate vaccination by pointing to the experience that these diseases can, and will, re-emerge with fatal cases if vaccination levels fall.

Measles is one of the best examples of this debate. Whooping cough gives a historical perspective to the debate on vaccine efficacy, while outbreaks of mumps are topical. Diphtheria, poliomyelitis and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) are give further examples of how important surveillance is to ensure that vaccines are used to best effect.
The evidence base and infection risks from flowers in the clinical setting
Authors: Gould D. , Chudleigh J. , Gammon J. , Ben Salem R.
Published: September 2007

he need for evidence-based practice in health care is now well accepted. Best practice is likely to change over time with the emergence of new research evidence and may be influenced by other factors, such as acceptability to the general public.

Controlled clinical trials supply the most robust evidence, but in the field of infection control trials are often difficult to conduct because of expense (large sample sizes are usually necessary) and ethical constraints. Infection control guidance is frequently based on less robust research evidence and common sense. Occasionally new practices become part of clinical routines despite the lack of supporting evidence. Banning flowers from general hospital wards falls into this category.

Although the water in which flowers stand can become a reservoir of potentially pathogenic bacteria, there is no evidence that they have ever caused hospital-acquired infection and simple precautions can be taken to reduce potential risks. Banning flowers from general wards is not popular with the public and is unnecessary according to the evidence available.
Contamination of computer keyboards in clinical areas: potential reservoir for nosocomial spread of organisms
Authors: Waghorn DJ , Wan WY , Greaves C. , Whittome N. , Bosley HC , Cantrill S.
Published: September 2007

here has been a dramatic increase in the use of computers in healthcare settings in recent years. Staff move from computer to patient and back as part of their daily routine. To ascertain whether computer keyboards may harbour organisms and act as potential reservoirs for nosocomial spread, swabs were taken from the keyboards and mice of 48 computers situated in a variety of clinical areas. All 48 keyboards were contaminated; 4% were colonised with recognised bacterial pathogens and 96% harboured organisms that in certain clinical circumstances could cause nosocomial infections. Computer keyboards and mice should be cleaned regularly and the use of plastic covers may facilitate this. Cleaning requirements should take a higher priority when both purchasing and designing new healthcare equipment. However, all such improvements remain secondary to the need for strict hand hygiene practice in clinical areas.