Compatible Criteria Research Articles

Preservation of Abandoned Historic Centres—The Case of Poggioreale antica (Sicily)

Among the fourteen towns most damaged by the earthquake that struck western Sicily in 1968, Poggioreale was subjected to total relocation a few kilometres away, and to the transfer of its whole population. More than half a century later, the damaged settlement is still largely recognisable and has been experiencing a new season of interest for some years now, both from the local community and various kinds of outsiders who imagine economic spin-offs of an uncertain nature in its enhancement. The research we present questions the chance of survival for the settlement, forgotten for decades, in the context of interventions aimed at its reuse. Alternative strategies are discussed: on the one hand, that of bringing the ancient centre back to life, even in part, with a limited inclusion of collective functions and without claiming to inhabit it again; on the other hand, and in the authors’ opinion, more likely, that of reusing the ruins as an archaeological area preserving their memory in a different form. In either case, the kinds of operations to be carried out on the body of the ancient buildings for their physical preservation play a key role. These issues are addressed as a whole through the canonical procedure of correlating the phases of knowledge, interpretation, and definition of minimal and compatible intervention criteria.

BRONQUIECTASIAS NÃO FIBROCÍSTICAS: UM PERFIL EPIDEMIOLÓGICO EM HOSPITAL PEDIÁTRICO

Objectives: to describe the epidemiological profile of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in a pediatric hospital and to expand the knowledge of this comorbidity in the pediatric population. Methods: Chest CT scans performed from January 2016 to January 2020 in a pediatric care service were selected. The reports were consulted, verifying those with compatible criteria currently accepted for the diagnosis of bronchiectasis. The medical records of those selected underwent a review process in search of the variables analyzed. Patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and with outdated medical records were excluded. Results: Of the 2319 reports studied, 42 patients were identified. Among these, 59.5% were female, 66.7% were followed up at a pneumopediatrics outpatient clinic, and the mean age at the time of imaging diagnosis was 9.3 years (±4.9). At follow-up, 57.1% of patients underwent spirometry and 35.7% underwent sputum culture. The most observed bacterial growth was that of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (33.4%) and the most frequent spirometric pattern was restrictive (29.2%). Of the presumptive etiologies, the most prevalent was recurrent pneumonia (21.4%), followed by bronchiolitis obliterans (14.3%) and collagen diseases (14.3%). Conclusions: The results found in this study allowed a better characterization of this subgroup of patients. In addition, the importance of diagnosing non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis is reinforced, as its therapy requires specific and individualized management.

The Effect of Levofloxacin Combinations on CRP Decrease in SARS CoV-2 Pneumonia

Objective: Covid 19 pneumonia, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is a disease with severe damage to the lung. It was reported that in Covid 19, rate of 74% antibiotics were used, and secondary bacterial infections were detected in at least 17.6% of the patients who used antibiotics. In this study, the effects of antibiotics in Covid 19 patients who do not use the steroid ​​on CRP decrease were aimed.
 Materials and Methods: It was done in Ersin Arslan Training and Research Hospital Covid Wards between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. The study included with positive PCR test (SARS-CoV-2), 18 age and more than, with pneumonia in CT, but users of steroid were excluded. Ages, genders, comorbidities, WBC values, neutrophil values, CRP values (​​in the first 24 hours and the 3rd day), lung involvements in CT and antibiotics ​​of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. Accordingly, a total of 202 patients who compatible criteria were included in the study. Chi Square Test was used in the statistical analysis of the data.
 Results: The mean age was 60.2±2.57 (19-89). 53.9% of the patients were males and 46.1% females. There was a history of chronic disease in 54.9% of the patients. Findings of pneumonia in CT were 67.8% multifocal, and 32.2% unifocal. Covid 19 pneumonia was more often in males, in over 60 ages and in have a history of chronic disease. Antibiotics used were levofloxacin (L) and combined levofloxacin with piperacillin/tazobactam (LT) and meropenem (LM) and ceftriaxone (LC). When the 1st and 3rd day CRP values ​​were compared; as L<LT<LM<LC rate of decrease were calculated. It was determined that LM and LC were preferred more often in patients with comorbidities. There was no statistically significant difference between the rates of decrease on CRP values ​​of levofloxacin and its combinations in patients with normal WBC values.
 Conclusion: According to this study, in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia; there is no significant difference between the rates of decrease on CRP values ​​of levofloxacin and its combinations. Antibiotics should be preferred if bacterial infection is suspected when the patient's clinic and infection parameters are evaluated. It should be taken into account that secondary coinfection rates are not high in the selection of antibiotics in Covid 19. Further studies are needed to detect bacterial coinfections early in patients.

Criteria for building types selection in preserved areas to pre-assess the Building Integrated Photovoltaics solar potential -The case study of Como land area

The implementation of RES technologies in preserved areas encounters specific challenges and barriers due to the pre-existence of valuable heritage and natural values. This research aims at identifying a clear methodology to evaluate the potential application of Building Integrated Photovoltaics systems (BIPV) in heritage buildings and protected land areas. The study, realized in the framework of the Interreg V-A Italy-Switzerland project “BIPV meets history”, presents the methodology for analyzing the best BIPV exploitation possibilities to validate their applicability in a preserved land area in the province of Como (Italy). This methodology considered several characteristics such as the predisposition, limits, suitable BIPV technologies and so forth. After the identification of the most recurrent building types and the related relevant characteristics for the solar potential exploitation have been identified, the analysis focused on the historical buildings that despite the high energy retrofitting potential encounter the major technical and heritage constraints for BIPV. The study resulted into a building classification database, which lists a series of parameters and identifies the main architectural elements and compatible criteria with the BIPV application. This study creates the base for the evaluation of effective energy savings related to the use of BIPV technology on heritage buildings and landscapes and demonstrate their potential for improving the energy efficiency of historic buildings and sites, safeguarding their heritage values.

Which criteria is a better predictor of ICU admission in trauma patients? An artificial neural network approach

PurposeOne of the most critical concerns in the intensive care unit (ICU) section is identifying the best criteria for entering patients to this part. This study aimed to predict the best compatible criteria for entering trauma patients in the ICU section. MethodThe present study was a historical cohort study. The data were collected from 2448 trauma patients referring to Shahid Rajaee Hospital between January 2015 and January 2017 in Shiraz, Iran. The artificial neural network (ANN) models with cross-validation and logistic regression (LR) with a backward method was used for data analysis. The final analysis was performed on a total of 958 patients who were transferred to the ICU section. ResultsBased on the present results, the motor component of the GCS score at each cutoff point had the highest importance. The results also showed better performance for the AUC and accuracy rate for ANN compared with LR. ConclusionThe most critical indicators in predicting the optimal use of ICU services in this study were the Motor component of the GCS. Results revealed that the ANN had a better performance than the LR in predicting the main outcomes of the traumatic patients in both the accuracy and AUC index. Trauma section surgeons and ICU specialists will benefit from this study's results and can assist them in making decisions to predict the patient outcomes before entering the ICU.

Grassroots Approaches for Sustaining Biocultural Diversity and Livelihood Security: Insights from Indian Eastern Himalaya.

Bioculturally significant plants, which have played a key role in sustaining the livelihoods of tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh, India, are facing threats from changing land use patterns, climatic aberrations and socioeconomic stressors. This study highlights two unique grassroots approaches to conserving these species and their associated cultural knowledge within the traditional land use systems of Arunachal Pradesh: Community Knowledge Gardens (CKGs) and Clan Reserve Forests (CRFs). Four CKGs and one CRF, transformed from existing traditional land use systems, were investigated in three socio-ecologically diverse landscapes of Nyishi, Adi and Monpa communities. Study participants, including both men and women, played an active role in devising locally compatible criteria and protocols for strengthening the conservation of key plant species within their traditional land use systems, through CKG and CRF approaches. A total of 86 plant species, conserved through the CKGs and 44 from the Adi CRF, were identified as having high food, ethnomedicinal and cultural values. The Shannon-Weaver index of richness of plant species conserved was highest in the Nyishi CKG, with a value of 38; while for Adi and Monpa it was 30 and 18, respectively. The pattern of Shannon-Weaver diversity index was in the order of 2.91, 2.64 and 2.63, respectively for the CKGs of these three communities. In comparison to individual CKGs, relatively higher species diversity (3.18) was found in the Adi CRF. Increased sharing of traditional knowledge among the community members, regular incomes and equitable sharing of the tangible and intangible benefits of using plant species were identified as important success indicators of the CKGs and CRF. In addition to providing valuable insights on biocultural knowledge and enabling the participants to strengthen their existing local land use practices for conserving valued plant biodiversity, the study outcomes have the potential to inform and strengthen the policies on environmental sustainability.

Lean, agile, resilience and green (LARG) paradigm in supply chain operations: a trial in a seaport system

ABSTRACT Seaport inefficiencies have caused hindrances on the seaport operations especially on operational disruption which eventually contributes to high cost expenses, unnecessary waste and environmental pollution, and capital losses. As a result, the business and environmental sustainability cannot be attained and affecting the whole supply chain. Therefore, a Lean, Agile, Resilience and Green (LARG) performance model is proposed as a mechanism to curb these issues and improving the competitiveness of seaports. The compatible LARG criteria in seaport supply chain have been identified and analysed using an extensive literature and expert's reviews. In order to meet the aim of the paper, fifteen (15) experts from various maritime background (i.e. academic and industry experts) have been selected to give the relative important of each LARG paradigms by using an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The result shows that operational performance has the highest contribution to the seaport supply chain performance followed by economic performance and environmental performance. The outcome of this paper can be utilised as a guideline for seaport practitioners to develop a management tool to boost their performance from the LARG aspect. Furthermore, this LARG management tool can be applied globally as it can be adjusted and adaptable suited the seaport preferences.

Renal Allografts from Brain Dead Donors Following Cerebral Gunshot Wounds

Renal allografts from brain dead donors following cerebral gunshot wounds. Introduction Severe brain injury following cerebral gunshot wounds may expose large amounts of tissue factor to the circulation and develop disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). DIC can lead to renal dysfunction. Objectives Analyse the validity for transplantation of kidneys harvested from brain dead donors (BDD) following cerebral gunshot wounds and the outcome of the transplanted renal grafts. Methods Retrospective descriptive study of renal allografts harvested from BDD following cerebral gunshot wounds, at a single center, between June 1, 2007 and May 31, 2017. Data on donors (patients´ characteristics, blood tests, associated injuries) and recipients (graft survival, rejection) were collected. Results We analysed data from six BDD following cerebral gunshot wounds (age 40.3 ± 9.6 years) without any cardiovascular risk factors, except one patient who had hypertension. All patients presented brain death in the first 24 hours of hospital admission. None of them had any associated injuries. One patient suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest (during 20 minutes) prior to ICU admission. One of the patients had elevated creatinine levels in the blood tests when he was admitted to the hospital. But, during the ICU length of stay, up to 50% of the patients presented acute renal failure. Fifty percent of the patients presented compatible or suggestive criteria for DIC. Four kidney grafts were not valid for transplantation because: acute renal failure (two kidney grafts), poor graft perfusion (one case) and complex vascular anomalies (one case). Eight kidney grafts (66.67%) were transplanted. Seven kidney grafts were transplanted in our center. One of them was explanted, in the first 24 hours after transplantation, due to cortical necrosis (pathology report: glomerular and vascular thrombotic microangiopathy lesions). Figure 1. The donor's contralateral kidney was not implanted due to poor perfusion. The pathology report of this kidney was: multiple fibrin trombi in glomerular capillaries and small-vessels (Figure 2). The remaining 6 grafts presented adequate function one year after the transplantation, except in one case which suffered underlying disease recurrence.Conclusion An accurate evaluation of kidney grafts from BDD following cerebral gunshot wounds is required, because those patients are at risk for DIC and acute renal failure. Almost all transplanted renal allografts from BDD, following cerebral gunshot wounds, had good results in our study. Pre-transplant biopsy and, perhaps, the reduction of ischemia time may be indicated. Further studies with larger simple sizes are needed.

Analysis of outcome at discharge after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in Japan according to the Japanese stroke databank.

The outcomes at discharge for ruptured cerebral aneurysms after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) were investigated using data from the Japanese stroke databank. Among 101,165 patients with acute stroke registered between 2000 and 2013, 4693 patients had SAH caused by ruptured saccular aneurysm. Of these, 3593 patients (1140 men and 2453 women; mean age 61.3±13.7years) were treated by surgical clipping (SC) and/or endovascular coiling (EC). The outcomes of modified Rankin scale (mRS) at discharge were compared between the SC and EC groups. There were 2666 cases in the SC group, 881 cases in the EC group, and 46 cases in the SC and EC group. The rates of poor outcome of mRS >2 were 33.0 and 45.5% in the SC and EC groups (p<0.05), respectively. Cases were selected using two types of criteria compatible with both treatments. Under the first compatible criteria, the rates of poor outcome of mRS >2 were 18.9 and 24.8% in the SC and EC groups (p<0.05), respectively. Under the second compatible criteria, the rates of poor outcome of mRS >2 were 16.0 and 14.8% in the SC and EC groups (p=0.22), respectively. No significant differences were found in clinical characteristics or outcomes between the two groups. Multivariate analysis of aneurysmal SAH revealed no significant risk for poor outcome associated with the treatment method. The present study was not a randomized controlled study, but no significant differences in mRS at discharge were found between SC and EC in the Japanese stroke databank.

Psychanalyse et science : (re)faire dialoguer les sœurs ennemies. Objets et méthodes différents, démarches analogues et complémentaires

We question here the objects and methodologies used in science and in psychoanalysis to show that beyond visible big differences, one can find a denominator common to these two “elder and younger sisters”. Their approaches appear to us historically and epistemologically similar: in their beginnings, they both at first analyse metaphors, one in order to substitute a more effective formalism, the other to undo the effects these metaphors produce in the body (hysterical conversion); as they both develop further, they then both deconstruct (unlike philosophy) the fiction of ‘being’: one substitutes the delusion of substance with relations between parameters, the other does away with the fantasy of a unified psyche (“person”, “individual”) to give way to a “divided subject” (already found in Freud). A misunderstanding about criteria of scientific legitimacy holds them in a reciprocal mistrust, despite the fact that they already share several criteria, and even though ‘extended galileanism’ (J.-C. Milner) would permit their collaboration through complementarity. What we will define then as “analysciences” can be a bridge between science and psychoanalysis. After a brief look at the neurosciences/psychoanalysis complementary relations, we will introduce an example of these analysciences: Analysis of Subjective Logics (ALS) uses linguistic tools to test psychoanalytic hypotheses applied to a material collected from common speech, therefore accessible to everyone. The validation of its results (at the National Centre for Scientific Research, Marseilles), their reproducibility, their predictability set it thus in the realm of testable scientific conjectures. We will conclude with the theoretical and practical implications of this possibility of a dialogue between psychoanalysis and science i.e. a deepening of each one's own methodology, without submission nor condescension, coupled to an agreement on compatible criteria of scientificity will lead to the mutual enrichment and enhancement of each one's methods, issues and topics, and results…

Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for irritable bowel syndrome.

New strategies for the care of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are developing and several novel treatments have been globally produced. New methods of care should be customized geographically because each country has a specific medical system, life style, eating habit, gut microbiota, genes and so on. Several clinical guidelines for IBS have been proposed and the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology (JSGE) subsequently developed evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for IBS. Sixty-two clinical questions (CQs) comprising 1 definition, 6 epidemiology, 6 pathophysiology, 10 diagnosis, 30 treatment, 4 prognosis, and 5 complications were proposed and statements were made to answer to CQs. A diagnosis algorithm and a three-step treatment was provided for patients with chronic abdominal pain or abdominal discomfort and/or abnormal bowel movement. If more than one alarm symptom/sign, risk factor and/or routine examination is positive, colonoscopy is indicated. If all of them, or the subsequent colonoscopy, are/is negative, Rome III or compatible criteria is applied. After IBS diagnosis, step 1 therapy consisting of diet therapy, behavioral modification and gut-targeted pharmacotherapy is indicated for fourweeks. Non-responders to step 1 therapy proceed to the second step that includes psychopharmacological agents and simple psychotherapy for fourweeks. In the third step, for patients non-responsive to step 2 therapy, a combination of gut-targeted pharmacotherapy, psychopharmacological treatments and/or specific psychotherapy is/are indicated. Clinical guidelines and consensus for IBS treatment in Japan are well suited for Japanese IBS patients; as such, they may provide useful insight for IBS treatment in other countries around the world.

Prodromal depression in pancreatic cancer: retrospective evaluation on ten patients.

Since the description by Yaskin in 1931, it has been observed that pancreatic cancer and depression are two clinical entities that share a high affinity. This observation relies on the higher incidence of depressive syndromes associated with pancreatic cancer than in any other type of digestive tumor, and on the possible occurrence of depressive symptoms several months before the diagnosis of cancer. We present here a series of cases whose screening returned positive for depression-related diagnoses in the months prior to revelation of the cancer. We employed a structured psychiatric interview based on DSM-IV criteria (SCID-I). The diagnoses considered were major depressive episode, minor depressive episode, and subsyndromal depression. All subjects were free of psychiatric history. Some 15 patients were initially included: 10 presented compatible criteria for a past depressive episode, 2 presented a major depressive episode, 4 met the diagnosis of minor depression, and 4 evidenced subsyndromal depression over the one-year period prior to cancer diagnosis. This series of cases is consistent with previous work on the subject that suggested an increased vulnerability to depressive events in the premorbid phase of pancreatic cancer. If the possibility of depressive syndromes constituting the early stages of neoplastic disease is a common idea, it is still impossible to determine the natural history of these two disorders and therefore their causal linkage.

A influência do cristianismo no Direito Romano

O artigo versa sobre a adaptação das técnicas romanas ao sistema jurídico regido pelos princípios cristãos, abordando a forma adotada pelos legisladores cristãos através de critérios compatíveis com o Evangelho, evitando leis que se choquem com os ensinamentos de Cristo. O cristianismo opõe-se ao extremo desregramento de costumes a que havia chegado a sociedade romana e orienta o legislador pela reforma dos costumes, fazendo considerar a caridade uma virtude.

Two commentaries on interventions for the management of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis

The Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Medline, Embase and PEDro databases were searched with no language restrictions. Handsearching of a number of relevant dental journals and the reference lists of identified articles was also conducted. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing any form of non-surgical or surgical therapy for TMJ OA in adults were included. Only studies with clinical and/or radiological diagnosis of TMJ OA according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) guideline or compatible criteria were considered. Pain/tenderness/discomfort in the TMJs or jaw muscles, self assessed range of mandibular movement and TMJ sounds were the primary outcomes considered. Secondary outcomes included the measurement of quality of life or patient satisfaction, morphological changes of the TMJ and TMJ sounds Study selection, data abstraction and risk of bias assessment were carried out independently by two reviewers. Meta-analysis was not conducted owing to clinical heterogeneity. Although three RCTs were included in this review, pooling of data in a meta-analysis was not possible due to wide clinical diversity between the studies. The reports indicate a not dissimilar degree of effectiveness with intra-articular injections consisting of either sodium hyaluronate or corticosteroid preparations, and an equivalent pain reduction with diclofenac sodium as compared with occlusal splints. Glucosamine appeared to be just as effective as ibuprofen for the management of TMJ OA. In view of the paucity of high level evidence for the effectiveness of interventions for the management of TMJ OA, small parallel group RCTs which include participants with a clear diagnosis of TMJ OA should be encouraged and especially studies evaluating some of the possible surgical interventions.

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Management and Role of Radiation Therapy

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a neoplasm derived from the mesothelial surfaces of the pleura. There are tree different mesothelioma types: Epithelioid Mesothelioma; Sarcomatoid; Biphasic /Mixed Mesothelioma. Patients with mesothelioma have a poor prognosis with a median survival ranging from 6 to 18 months depending on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Standard Management: For patients with clinical stage I-III and Epithelial or Mixed histology who are considered medically fit, surgery is recommended with extrapleural pnemonectomy (EPP) or pleurectomy/decortication (P/D). Adjuvant radiation therapy is recommended for patients with good performance status: the goal of adjuvant radiotherapy is to improve local control and it is an effective palliative treatment for relief of chest pain associated with mesothelioma. Chemotherapy alone is recommended for those who are not operable, those with clinical stage IV MPM or those with sarcomatoid histology. Radiotherapy: The target volumes delineation, defined by the radiation oncologist, is crucial because of large and irregularly shaped area at risk, high dose required for local control, the promixity of many structures as ipsilateral kidney, heart, spinal cord, esophagus, controlateral lung and the ipsilateral lung itself in inoperable cases. Actually sophisticated RT techniques such as IMRT, IGRT, and especially helical-slit IMRT (HT) might become appropriate alternatives for either definitive or palliative treatment for suitable patients based on compatible pulmonary toxicity criteria. The actual MPM guidelines suggest that the dose of radiation should be based on the purpose of the treatment. So the dose of radiation for adjuvant therapy should be 50-54 Gy with negative margins and 54-60 Gy with microscopic-macroscopic positive margins, in 1.8-2.0 Gy/day. For prophylactic radiation to surgical sites, a total dose of 21 Gy (3 x 7 Gy) is recommended.

Development of a Computer Program for the Design of Adhesive Joints

Adhesive joints are increasingly being used due to their improved mechanical performance and a better understanding of the mechanics of failure. To predict the joint strength, one must have the stress distribution and a suitable failure criterion. The literature contains many closed-form solutions for the stress distribution. However, the models are sometimes difficult to implement and use. The objective of the present work was to compile existing models of increasing complexity into user friendly software. Three main situations were considered: elastic adherends and adhesive, elastic adherends with nonlinear adhesive and nonlinear analyses for both adherends and adhesive. The adherends were both isotropic (metals) and anisotropic (composites). The joints considered are the single and double lap joints for most of the models. However, a sandwich model initially proposed by Crocombe can be used for any type of joint provided the boundary conditions are known. For each model proposed the compatible failure criteria are included to enable the user not only to have the stress distribution but also the failure load for a given joint/load scenario. Experimental tests corresponding to the three cases described above were carried out to validate the models implemented.

Pitfalls and errors in the diagnosis of collagenous and lymphocytic colitis

The diagnosis of both CC and LC is based on a compatible clinical picture and well-established objective histological criteria. The motivation degree of the involved physicians is essential in the diagnosis of microscopic colitis. The gastroenterologist should refer every patient with chronic watery diarrhea to perform a colonoscopy in spite of the benign course of the disease and the absence of alarm symptoms or signs. The endoscopist should take multiple stepwise biopsy samples of the colonic mucosa despite that the mucosa looked macroscopically normal. Finally, the pathologist should be motivated to use objective histological criteria to make the diagnosis. In this context, it is important to define the terminology as clearly as possible to avoid confusion.

Proposta de metodologia de avaliação e diagnóstico de gestão hospitalar

Compete à gestão hospitalar atender a missão do hospital, voltada tanto ao negócio quanto à assistência à saúde, otimizando muitas vezes os escassos recursos financeiros a fim de oferecer assistência com qualidade à população. O objetivo deste trabalho foi propor uma metodologia de avaliação e diagnóstico da gestão hospitalar com base no Programa Gaúcho da Qualidade e Produtividade e no Programa Brasileiro de Acreditação Hospitalar. Este estudo caracteriza-se por ser uma pesquisa descritiva, bibliográfica, que permitiu elaborar um alinhamento de critérios entre os dois programas com o intuito de verificar pontos convergentes e divergentes. Essa análise propiciou concluir que ambos os programas apresentam critérios compatíveis e complementares.

Swedish pig producers and their perspectives on animal welfare: a case study

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the views of Swedish pig producers concerning animal welfare, the schemes practised for animal welfare in Sweden, and the ramifications of animal welfare for Swedish retailers and consumers.Design/methodology/approachThe Swedish study for animal welfare covers a pig‐production sector of 2,794 producers (2005). The pig production study was one of three such studies conducted as part of the EU's Welfare Quality project with semi‐structured interviews (the other two studies were on cattle and poultry production). The stratified sample included 60 pig producers, both conventional and organic, selected from all areas of Sweden.FindingsThe main results show a high level of animal care exercised in the Swedish pig production sector. Although there are no specific animal welfare schemes implemented, there is a high level of animal care provided by farmer participation in quality assurance schemes that include animal welfare stipulations, among other criteria.Practical implicationsThe results from this pig production study will serve as input for a subsequent study of the on‐farm practice of animal welfare for the Welfare Quality project and as information material for policy to argue for more compatible criteria of welfare schemes at national level as well as for more homogeneous practice and standards of animal welfare within the EU.Originality/valueThis is the first in‐depth study on animal welfare in Swedish agriculture that takes into account a wide array of views and experiences of both conventional and organic producers. Prior to this animal welfare study only studies with a narrow focus on animal welfare, for example about organic production, and the State Audit Institution's report, which focuses on the effectiveness in animal welfare monitoring, have been produced.

Good Governance Through E-Governance?

Abstract In the light of the new wave of competition among governments fuelled by the global discourse of “good governance,” the present study examines China's motivation and strategy for establishing an e-government in this global competitive context. By examining the many different political, economic and social incentives for e-governance, it will be shown that China differs from developed countries both in the structure of its e-government as well as in its content priority. The Chinese government has copied developed country models to a certain extent to enhance its governance. In order to encourage China's endeavours to improve its governance, the author tried to develop a series of compatible criteria for evaluating e-governments in general and China's informatization practice in particular.