bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Belgian sandy beach ecosystem: a review
Authors: Speybroeck Jeroen , Bonte Dries , Courtens Wouter , Gheskiere Tom , Grootaert Patrick , Maelfait Jean‐Pierre , Provoost Sam , Sabbe Koen , Stienen Eric W. M. , Van Lancker Vera , Van Landuyt Wouter , Vincx Magda , Degraer Steven 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis paper reviews the available knowledge on sedimentology, hydrodynamics and five major ecosystem components (microphytobenthos, vascular plants, terrestrial arthropods, zoobenthos, and avifauna) of Belgian sandy beaches. It covers the area from the foredunes to the lower foreshore, takes an ecosystem approach to beaches of this specific geographic area. Morphodynamically, Belgian beaches are (ultra‐)dissipative, macrotidal, and wide. Characteristic grain sizes are 160–380 μm. The sand becomes coarser, beach slopes steeper and tidal range smaller towards the south‐west, where beaches have also been frequently reshaped by human interference such as nourishment. Beach organisms are highly adapted to this unique environment and can reach high numbers. We show that even on a heavily populated coastline subjected to intense recreational and development pressure, beaches provide critical, yet threatened, habitats. Vascular plants growing near the drift line, on the dry beach and in the embryonic dunes are mostly short‐lived and thalassochorous; the most common species include sea rocket (Cakile maritima), prickly saltwort (Salsola kalisubsp.kali), and sea sandwort (Honckenya peploides). These zones are habitat to a highly diverse suite of terrestrial arthropods of halobiontic, halophilous and haloxene species; prominent members are sandhoppers (Talitrus saltator) and dipterans (flies). Microphytobenthos, mainly diatoms, is an important primary producer on Belgian beaches but is not well known. The meio‐ and macrobenthos of Belgian beaches contains specific assemblages such as theScolelepis squamata–Eurydice pulchracommunity of the upper intertidal zone. Birds no longer nest on the beaches itself, but Belgian sandy shores continue to function as important resting and foraging areas for birds such as the sanderlingCalidris alba. We identify several human pressures on the beach ecosystems arising from recreation, beach management and fisheries.
Predictors of surgical site infection in dirty urological surgery
Authors: Stojadinovic Miroslav M , Mićić Sava R , Milovanović Dragan R 
Published: June 2008

Objectives:  Risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) following urologic dirty operations have not been clearly identified. This study was conducted to describe incidence, potential risk factors and common causative pathogens of the SSI in such operations.Methods:  Medical records of patients who had undergone simple nephrectomy or lumbotomy for suppurative renal infection at our institutions from 1999 to 2006 were retrospectively evaluated. The following data were retrieved: presence of SSI, demographic data, laboratory findings, comorbidities, microbiological data, type of renal suppuration, type of urological surgery and antibiotic regimen. Risk factors for SSI were evaluated using the multiple logistic regression model.Results:  Sixty‐five patients (mean age 55.6 ± 13.1 years) were eligible for data analysis. In 20 of them (30.8%) a SSI was identified. The most common isolated pathogens were gram‐negative bacteria. At univariate logistic regression analysis risk factors significantly associated with SSI included: presence of emphysematous infection, hypoalbuminemia, number of predisposing conditions, emergency operations, isolation of Enterobacteriaceae, positive pus culture. The use of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was associated with a decreased risk for SSI. Multiple logistic model identified only the emergency operations and isolated Enterobacteriaceae as independent predictors of SSI (odds ratio [OR] = 11.1) (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.0–40.8) and OR = 3.9 (1.0–14.8), respectively.Conclusions:  Patients with suppurative renal infections are submitted to life‐saving emergency surgery. Urological surgeons should keep in mind that this carries a high risk for subsequent SSI. Effective preventive measures in these circumstance cannot be identified. Further research in this area is necessary to clarify this issue.
Knowledge, Power and Sustainability in Contemporary Rural Europe
Authors: Csurgó Bernadett , Kovách Imre , Kučerová Eva 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis article looks at the evidence employed in the CORASON (the cognitive approach to rural sustainable development: the dynamics of expert and lay knowledge) research project of changing rural power relations in the context of sustainability and knowledge use in Europe. It explores what kinds of knowledge contribute to sustainable development in rural development projects and how they are created or empowered, according to the interest and capacity of the different actors involved. The article examines how actors interpret and negotiate the requirement of sustainability. It discusses how the idea and practice of sustainable development can build on local knowledge as a resource for generating activity and for commoditising local goods and service, looking at the potentials of sustainability projects for future rural development, the types of knowledge used in projects and their social sources, dynamics and social availability. It reviews the proliferating project form of management that locks actors into power relations connected to their capacity for knowledge use and discusses the pressure of urban demands on rural sustainability in the context of local autonomy. These issues are elaborated through a study of the interconnection of knowledge and power and the role of the actors in the creating and using knowledge. On the level of public policy, the authors identify the knowledge–power complex as an important factor of decision‐making in rural policy and develop a critique of rural policy for its inadequate attention to the interconnection between knowledge, power and interest.
Knowledge, Food and Place. A Way of Producing, a Way of Knowing
Authors: Fonte Maria 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis article examines the dynamics of knowledge in the valorisation of local food, drawing on the results from the CORASON project (A ‘cognitive approach to rural sustainable development the dynamics of expert and lay knowledge’). It is based on the analysis of several in‐depth case studies on food relocalisation carried out in 10 European countries (Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Germany, Norway, Poland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece). In the different fields of rural studies (rural sociology, geography, anthropology) there is currently a wide debate about the relocalisation of food production and consumption. Born out of a critique of the ‘conventionalisation’ of organic agriculture, attention to local food has grown in recent years to assume the features of a new orthodoxy or paradigm that is now undergoing, as is suitable to any orthodoxy, deep and critical scrutiny. Many points are discussed, from the definition of ‘local’ to its transformative role in the current agri‐food system and rural community, whether relocalisation of food is a sustainable strategy and whether its character is radical or merely reformist. The perspective adopted here, which is relatively neglected in the literature, derives from the overall focus of CORASON on the role of knowledge in rural development. We look at the valorisation of local food as a knowledge‐based practice that mobilises the various forms of knowledge embodied in both rural and non‐rural actors. Following knowledge in the valorisation of food leads us to differentiate between patterns of food relocalisation across Europe and to analyse the interplay among knowledge forms and actors in the contested construction of the local food project.
LEADER and Innovation
Authors: Dargan Lorna , Shucksmith Mark 
Published: June 2008

AbstractInnovation is widely held to be a key driver of economic growth at the heart of the knowledge economy, although the social and cultural dimensions of innovation are often neglected. Thus, innovation policies are frequently regarded as central to improving a region's competitiveness, but what does this mean in rural contexts and how is this concept understood and negotiated by different actors? This article takes as a point of departure the literature on innovation in urban systems, innovative milieux and ‘learning regions’, and then examines uses of the concept in the LEADER initiative – originally intended to develop innovative approaches to rural development – in 10 countries and at various scales from the EU and nation to the local. Consideration is also given to the forms of knowledge associated with innovation processes.
Knowledge in Sustainable Rural Development: From Forms of Knowledge to Knowledge Processes
Authors: Bruckmeier Karl , Tovey Hilary 
Published: June 2008

AbstractLack of data or empirical information, insecurity about scientific knowledge, and disputes on how to manage knowledge emerge as central concerns when we study changes in rural development under the influence of sustainability discourses. In this synthesis we summarise and interpret results from the CORASON project for sustainable resource management, both within policy discourses and the local realities of rural development projects. We identify a range of operational variants for sustainable development in these projects. The understanding of sustainable development found in rural development practice is more diverse and pluralistic and less standardised than in the policy programmes that guide it, and practitioners are also critical of some premises of these programmes. From the knowledge forms and ideas entering rural development practices emerges a model of sustainable rural development that is less hierarchical and hegemonic than those in policy programmes and comes more from the target groups, beneficiaries and local populations than the actors in the policy process and scientific discourses. It requires more in‐depth study of knowledge interaction in resource management. To describe the emerging ideas of knowledge practices we use the concepts of situated and relational knowledge, formulated in recent epistemological studies but not yet systematically introduced in the analysis of rural development processes.
Knowledge Dynamics and Sustainability in Rural Livelihood Strategies: Two Case Studies from Hungary
Authors: Kelemen Eszter , Megyesi Boldizsár , Kalamász Ildikó Nagy 
Published: June 2008

AbstractSustainability, knowledge forms and rural development are the core concepts combined in this study to explore how different forms of knowledge manifest themselves in rural development and how their dynamics can contribute to rural sustainability. Based on a qualitative research process, we compare two individual livelihood strategies from rural Hungary, the case of a family farmer and a potter. We argue that scientific, local and managerial knowledge forms cannot be identified in pure forms in Hungarian rural initiatives. In the absence of a strong networking capacity, rural entrepreneurs replace knowledge‐sharing and community‐learning processes with individual knowledge‐gathering strategies. As a consequence, person‐bound, multifaceted knowledge sets are used in rural initiatives and are produced according to context; however, the absence of knowledge dynamics hinders actors in developing sustainable solutions. Thus, rural development policy should encourage interaction among different rural actors instead of aiming at providing better education for managerial knowledge.
Japanese encephalitis virus infects neural progenitor cells and decreases their proliferation
Authors: Das Sulagna , Basu Anirban 
Published: June 2008

AbstractJapanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a common cause of encephalitis in humans, especially in children, leads to substantial neuronal injury. The survivors of JEV infection have severe cognitive impairment, motor and behavioral disorders. We hypothesize that depletion of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) by the virus culminates in neurological sequelae in survivors of Japanese encephalitis (JE). We utilized both in vivo model of JEV infection and in vitro neurosphere cultures to study progressive JEV infection. Cellular infection and cell death was determined by flow cytometry. BrdU administration in animals and in neurospheres was used to determine the proliferative ability of NPCs. JEV leads to massive loss of actively proliferating NPC population from the subventricular zone (SVZ). The ability of JEV infected subventricular zone cells to form neurospheres is severely compromised. This can be attributed to JEV infection in NPCs, which however do not result in robust death of the resilient NPC cells. Instead, JEV suppresses the cycling ability of these cells, preventing their proliferation. JEV primarily targets at a critical postnatal age and severely diminishes the NPC pool in SVZ, thus impairing the process of recovery after the insult. This arrested growth and proliferation of NPCs might have an effect on the neurological consequences in JE survivors.
How Much do Public Schools Really Cost? Estimating the Relationship between House Prices and School Quality*
Authors: DAVIDOFF IAN , LEIGH ANDREW 
Published: June 2008

This paper investigates the relationship between housing prices and the quality of public schools in the Australian Capital Territory. To disentangle the effects of schools and other neighbourhood characteristics on the value of residential properties, we compare sale prices of homes on either side of high school attendance boundaries. We find that a 5 percentage point increase in test scores (approximately 1 SD) is associated with a 3.5 per cent increase in house prices. Our result is in line with private school tuition costs, and accords with prior research from the UK and the USA. Estimating the effect of school quality on house prices provides a possible measure of the extent to which parents value better educational outcomes.
Can Additional Patient Experience Items Improve the Reliability of and Add New Domains to the CAHPS® Hospital Survey?
Authors: Rothman Arlyss Anderson , Park Hayoung , Hays Ron D. , Edwards Carol , Dudley R.Adams 
Published: June 2008

Context. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will introduce the reporting of patient surveys in 2008. The Consumer Assessment of Health Care Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Hospital Survey contains 18 questions about hospital care. Internal consistency reliability of the discharge information scale is relatively low and some important domains of care are not represented.Objective. To determine whether adding questions increases the reliability and validity of the survey.Data Sources and Study Setting. Surveys of patients at 181 hospitals participating in the California Hospitals Assessment and Reporting Taskforce (CHART), an initiative for voluntary public reporting of hospital performance in California.Study Design. CHART added nine questions to the CAHPS Hospital Survey; two to improve reliability of the discharge information domain, five to create a coordination of care domain, and two relating to interpreter services.Data Collection. Surveys were sent to randomly selected patients from each CHART hospital.Principal Findings. A total of 40,172 surveys were included. Adding the new discharge information questions improved the internal consistency reliability from 0.45 to 0.72 and the hospital‐level reliability from 0.75 to 0.81. New coordination of care composites had good internal consistency reliabilities ranging from 0.58 to 0.70 and hospital‐level reliabilities ranging from 0.84 to 0.87. The new coordination of care composites were more closely correlated with overall hospital ratings and willingness to recommend than six of the seven original domains.Conclusions. The additional discharge information questions and the new coordination of care questions significantly improved the psychometric properties of the CAHPS Hospital Survey.
Dosage Patterns in Methadone Treatment: Results from a National Survey, 1988–2005
Authors: Pollack Harold A. , D'Aunno Thomas 
Published: June 2008

Objective. To examine the extent to which U.S. methadone maintenance facilities meet established standards for minimum dosages, 1988–2005.Data Source. Data were collected from a nationally representative sample of outpatient treatment facilities in 1988 (n=172), 1990 (n=140), 1995 (n=116), 2000 (n=150), and 2005 (n=146).Study Design. Random‐effects multiple regression analysis was used to examine unit characteristics associated with below recommended doses.Data Collection. Data regarding the proportion of patients who received maintenance dosages of <40, 60, and 80 mg/day were collected from unit directors and clinical supervisors.Principal Findings. Forty‐four percent of patients receive doses of at least 80 mg/day—the threshold identified as recommended practice in recent work. Thirty‐four percent of patients receive doses below 60 mg/day, while 17 percent receive doses below 40 mg/day. Units that serve a high proportion of African American or Latino clients were more likely to report low‐dose care. Units managed by individuals who strongly favor abstinence models (e.g., Narcotics Anonymous) were more likely to provide low‐dose care.Conclusions. One‐third of methadone facilities provide doses below recommended levels. Managerial attitudes about abstinence and their relationship to low doses underscore the contested role of methadone in treatment of opiate disorders.
Phospholipase stimulates lipogenesis in SZ95 sebocytes
Authors: Schagen S. , Perchuc A. M. , Voegeli R. , Imfeld D. , Schreier T. , Zouboulis C. C. 
Published: June 2008

Introduction:  With progressing ageing human sebocytes reduce lipid production. However, the influence of certain aging mechanisms on sebaceous lipid synthesis as well as ways to influence the latter is not fully identified. Certain lipids act as ligands of nuclear receptors such as PPAR. Phospholipase (PLA2) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the sn‐2 fatty acyl bond of phospholipids to yield free fatty acid and lysophospholipid. It has been hypothesized that PPAR may be activated by hydrolysis products of phospholipids and also by eicosanoids obtained through PLA2 activity.Materials and Methods:  A method to quantify sebaceous lipid synthesis of SZ95 sebocytes in vitro was established and the cells were treated by snake venom Bothrops moojeni gel filtration fractions (Botmo GF). Botmo GF fractions were further purified by RP‐HPLC, and a fraction with PLA2 activity (Botmo GF11‐117) and a fraction without enzymatic activity (Botmo GF11‐101) were identified and additionally tested.Results:  Botmo GF fractions increased lipogenesis in SZ95 sebocytes without inducing apparent toxic or apoptotic effects. Botmo GF11‐101 (1 μg/ml) enhanced neutral lipid synthesis by up to 170% and polar lipid synthesis by up to 120%. The enzymatically active PLA2 Botmo GF11‐117 (1 μg/ml) increased synthesis of neutral lipids by up to 200%, and polar lipids by up to 120% compared to untreated SZ95 sebocytes.Conclusion:  PLA2 activation or suppression could be important for human sebaceous lipogenesis. PLA2 modifiers may be attractive for skin lipid research and pharmacological/cosmetic products.
Australasian emergency physicians: A learning and educational needs analysis. Part Four: CPD topics desired by emergency physicians
Authors: Dent Andrew W , Weiland Tracey J , Paltridge Debbie 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjective:  To report the preferences of Fellows of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine for topics they would desire for their continuing professional development (CPD).Method:  A mailed survey of Fellows of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine asked for Likert type responses on the desirability of CPD on 15 procedural skills, 13 management skills, 11 clinical emergency topics, 9 topics related to teaching, 7 related to diagnostics and 5 evidence based practice topics.Results:  CPD in procedural skills of advanced and surgical airways, ED ultrasound, ventilation, skills, plastic procedures and regional anaesthesia were nominated as desirable by 85% of emergency physicians (EP). More than 90% desired CPD in ophthalmological, otorhinolaryngeal, neonatal and paediatric emergencies. Of diagnostic skills, more than 80% considered CPD on computerized tomography, electrocardiography and plain X‐ray interpretation as desirable, well as CPD about teaching in general, simulation and preparing candidates for fellowship exams. Of the 12 management skills, 11 were seen as desirable topics by more than 70%, with counter disaster planning, giving feedback and dealing with complaints the most popular. All evidence based practice related skills, including interpreting statistics and undertaking literature searches were seen as desirable topics by more than 80% of EP.Conclusion:  This information may assist in the planning of future educational interventions for emergency physicians. EP seek CPD on management, educational and other non clinical skills, as well as topics relating directly to patient care.
Effectiveness of pressure‐immobilization first aid for snakebite requires further study
Authors: Currie Bart J , Canale Elizabeth , Isbister Geoffrey K 
Published: June 2008

AbstractIn the prospective Royal Darwin Hospital snakebite study, pressure‐immobilization first aid (PI) was used more often than in previous studies. However, bandages were not uncommonly too loose or not applied to the whole limb and immobilization was often neglected. While PI should continue to be promoted as the standard for Australia for the present, prospective multicentre studies of snakebite with quantitative assays for blood venom concentration will hopefully better elucidate the real effectiveness of PI and define the limitations of timing of application and determine the optimum types of bandage materials to use and the pressure required to be maintained.
False impressions from clear cerebrospinal fluid and a normal computed tomography scan: The pressure is still on for a diagnosis
Authors: Cartner Michaela , Holley Anthony , Allworth Anthony 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe report the case of a 33‐year‐old man presenting with seizures following a 3 week, non‐specific febrile illness characterized by progressive confusion. Despite the presence of risk factors, his HIV serology was negative and he had no premorbid suggestion of immunocompromise. We describe the difficulties in making the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis in the presence of cerebrospinal fluid analysis with the only abnormality initially being hypoglycorrhachia. This case also highlights the importance of measuring an opening pressure, a procedure which should be routine, but is often neglected in the performance of lumbar punctures. Finally, this case reinforces the maxim that cranial CT cannot be relied upon alone to diagnose intracranial hypertension, which also requires clinical examination, including fundoscopy.