Cooperative Research Network Research Articles

The Grass Problem: Agrostology, Agriculture, and Environmental Transformation in the New South

When the nation emerged from the Civil War, good grass was still at the core of most people’s ideas about good agriculture. The American South’s two extensive systems of agriculture—plantation-based cotton growing and open-range husbandry—thus stood in marked contrast to the grass-based, intensive agriculture of the North and seemingly represented an obstacle to the region’s full economic and cultural reintegration with the rest of the nation. Beginning in the 1880s, crop scientists from the US Department of Agriculture embarked on a decades-long effort to transform the South’s extensive systems of agriculture, which had long been seen as archaic and increasingly came under attack as wasteful and environmentally damaging. Unable to challenge the socioeconomic system undergirded by white supremacy that was generating many of the region’s agricultural problems, scientists in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) framed the issue as a fundamentally ecological one: the South, in their view, had a “grass problem,” a phrase that referred to the difficulty of growing turfgrasses in the region, but served as a synecdoche for a suite of environmental, social, and economic problems related to cotton cultivation and open-range husbandry. Their efforts to facilitate the emergence of a grass-based agriculture by circumventing the ecological constraints of turfgrasses in the South helped legitimize the efforts of the USDA in the region more broadly and provide important context for the development and acceptance of a cooperative research network that helped to transform a regional environment.

Sustainable intensification to coordinate agricultural efficiency and environmental protection: a systematic review based on metrological visualization

ABSTRACT Sustainable intensification (SI) is a necessary approach to overcome the contradictions between food demands and resource and environmental constraints. We reviewed 2,475 papers on the topic ‘Sustainable Intensification,’ from Web of Science (WOS), with the help of visualizations drawn by CiteSpace and Biblioshiny. The objectives are: (i) to clarify the concept and connotations of SI, and (ii) to draw conclusions on the current situation, hotspots, and trends in SI research. The results show that: (1) Although SI has become one of the most frequently and widely used terms, its precise definition needs to be defined. (2) The number of papers on the topic of SI has been increasing, especially in the last five years. (3) A group of core authors, a representative journal cluster, and a cooperative research network have all been established. (4) Arable agriculture is the main field of SI research.

Ambientes e Produtos Homeodinâmicos: perspectivas e contribuições à saúde e ao bem-estar do ser humano

Pela perspectiva da homeodinâmica (ROSE, 1998), os processos de regulação da vida, e o decorrente equilíbrio alcançado, se elaboram em um fluxo dinâmico e em contínua transformação, diferente da possível ideia de um equilíbrio fixo e imutável. Alinhado a esta perspectiva, está o conceito dos “Ambientes e Produtos Homeodinâmicos”, cunhado pelos cofundadores da Rede de Cooperação Transdisciplinar em Pesquisa e Inovação DASMind | UNICAMP [Design, Art, Space and Mind], também autores deste artigo. O referido conceito é sediado nos campos das artes, da arquitetura, do urbanismo, e do design, e parte de uma abordagem transdisciplinar e complexa, para compreender a concepção, o projeto, o planejamento, o desenvolvimento e a implantação de ambientes arquitetônicos e urbanos, bem como de produtos físicos e/ou digitais, em profunda sinergia com a esfera corpo-mente-espiritualidade dos indivíduos. Trata-se de assumir os ambientes e os objetos como importantes atores nesse contínuo e dinâmico processo de ajustamento interno do corpo. Como instrumentos homeodinâmicos, preventivos e restauradores da saúde e do bem estar, estes ambientes e produtos, para além de uma participação passiva na vida humana, são projetados para atuar de modo consistente e dinâmico sobre o organismo humano.

The attendance about sport events of the 50+ cohorts

The population of Hungary, similar to the European countries, shows an ageing tendency. The life expectancy at birth and after 65 is growing, as a consequence of which the increased years of life can become meaty besides adequate life quality. An important related area is activity and sports. Accordingly, it can become a priority task to involve the older generations into sport consumption and sport tourism. In their study the authors examine the connections between the attitudes toward sports and sport tourism among the Hungarian population with particular regard to the 50-70 years old people. Based on the results of the survey, carried out within the framework of the project EFOP-3.6.2-16-2017-003: “Cooperative Research Network in Economy of Sport, Recreation and Health”, focusing on the sport consumption habits of the Hungarian population the sport-attitudes and travels by reason of sport of the elderly cohorts are demonstrated. On this basis proposals, sports and public health programmes and sports tourism projects can be drafted, which could level up the consumption and activities of the elderly to a higher level.

A motivációk és az életstílus hatása a sportfogyasztás területeire

THE AIMS OF THE PAPER The aim of the study is to identify areas where the literature of sport consumption can be further enriched, thereby identifying possible areas for future research. Sport marketing experts usually divide sport consumption into three different fields, which are active participation in sports, consumption of sport events as experiences, and consumption of sporting goods. In most cases scientific researchers deal with these fields separately and only concentrate on one of them. Due to separate studies, valuable information may remain hidden from the researchers and thus from practitioners. A further aim of the study is to draw attention to comprehensive phenomena that would allow for a better understanding of the processes by examining sport consumption issues across the categories. METHODOLOGY For our findings we made this review type article by using the wide range of marketing and sports marketing literature. MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS From the consumption’s point of view, it would be expedient to extend the classical categorization of sport consumption and widen it with two further categories. This is also true in the field of sport consumption motivation, as there are many separate studies, but few with comprehensive focus across different categories. It would be important to examine the effects of basic interest in sport (motivation) on sport consumption categories, which would be a new idea compared to the popular category-specific research. Also a new research direction would be the study of the impact of lifestyle on sport consumption. The role of lifestyle in sport consumption is recognized by many researchers, however the literature of this type of research field is very limited. RECOMMENDATIONS The relevance of these research topics is demonstrated by the fact that with the knowledge provided, sports related companies can segment and form target groups more precisely, which would also create the possibility of better positioning. In today's sport economy, due to the numerous players and fierce competition, this could be a key issue for the success of a particular sport companies. Acknowledgements: This research was partially supported by the Human Resource Development Operational Programme, grant No.: EFOP-3.6.2-16-2017, Cooperative Research Network in Economy of Sport, Recreation and Health.

Associations between Swiss Needle Cast Severity and Foliar Nutrients in Young-Growth Douglas-Fir in Coastal Western Oregon and Southwest Washington, USA

Abstract Swiss needle cast (SNC) is a foliage disease of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) caused by Nothophaeocryptopus gaeumannii, an ascomycete fungus (Mycosphaerellaceae) that causes tree growth reductions in the Pacific Northwest. The epidemiology of the fungus is generally well known, but the relations between disease expression and foliar nutrition are unclear. In this study, we used data from the Swiss Needle Cast Cooperative research and monitoring plot network in western Oregon and SW Washington to assess associations between SNC severity, carbon, and nine foliage nutrients (nitrogen, Na, K, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, Al, S). Foliage samples were collected from midcrown of selected Douglas-firs from each plot. SNC severity was determined on 2-year-old needles by multiplying disease incidence and fungal reproductive (pseudothecia) density. Disease severity and nutrient relations were determined using linear mixed models. SNC severity showed statistically significant positive trends with concentrations of carbon, nitrogen, Na, K, and S, no relation with concentrations of Ca, Mg, or Al, and slightly negative trends that were not significant for P and Mn. This is the first such analysis of associations between a conifer foliage disease and foliage nutrients across a landscape; subsequently, there is little published literature on how or why these nutrients may interact with disease.

A sportfogyasztás és a sportmotivációt mérő skálák

THE AIMS OF THE PAPER The examination of sport consumption requires the exploration of a complex topic. Analyzes can be performed from different aspects. The focus of this study is the marketing aspect of sport consumption, especially with a consumer behavior focus. Thus, the relation between sport, government and companies is not the part of this study. The aim of our research is to review and supplement the classical categorization of sport consumption. Another aim of this study is to summarize the available internationally validated scales for examining sport-related motivations, and to lay down the starting points for expanded research mainly on the motivation of laic, hobby athletes. METHODOLOGY For our findings we made this review type article by using the wide range of marketing and sports marketing literature. MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS The examination of sport consumption consists three elements: active participation in doing sports, consumption of sport products, and consumption of sport events in live or through different media channels. This study expands this aspect by distinguishing doing sports on professional or laic, hobby level, purchasing of sport products and services, or even the consumption of experiences online and offline. RECOMMENDATIONS The examination of the motivations of hobby and competitive athletes is an important aspect in the study of sport consumption. In order to understand the motives of these consumers and to measure the strength of their motivations, researchers have created different scales. Among these scales, we found that H-SMS is the most suitable for measuring sport-related motivations in Hungarian research. This research was partially supported by the Human Resource Development Operational Programme, grant No.: EFOP-3.6.2-16-2017, Cooperative Research Network in Economy of Sport, Recreation and Health.

How Nurses Can Partner With National Institutes of Health StrokeNet to Deliver Best Research and Care to Stroke Patients.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) StrokeNet is a cooperative research network supported by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and was established to facilitate maximization of efficiencies in stroke treatments. The main components include the National Coordinating Center at the University of Cincinnati, the National Data Management Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, and 25 Regional Coordinating Centers across the United States. Site selection is based on many criteria, a few being strong stroke research abilities and geographical location. The network was NIH funded and began building its infrastructure in 2013.1 Centers are submitting competitive renewal applications in the fall of 2017 for a second 5-year award. Benefits of the stroke research network are beginning to come to fruition. For decades, bedside and clinic nurses have inadvertently been exposed to clinical research involving alteplase and other investigational interventions to improve stroke outcomes. Nurses’ learning has likely been enhanced by working with various treatments and the need to acquire keen assessment skills. Benefits of first-hand involvement have increased understanding of processes, such as urgency of treatment times and risks of bleeding. These components are now recognized as stroke care standards.2 Guideline development by a group of experienced research nurses has facilitated knowledge dissemination.3 It is difficult to imagine that even indirect exposure to investigational treatments does not benefit nurses and ultimately patients. Being at the forefront of stroke research continues to have potential to expose nurses to the next generation of clinical practice. Comprehensive stroke centers are required by The Joint Commission to demonstrate use of evidence-based care stroke guidelines and participate in research.4 Nurses play a significant role in research and in strategies to limit bias and enhance objectivity of an investigation. However, there are times when nurses may struggle ethically with …

A bibliometric study of the Journal of School Health : 1965–2014

Abstract Background As an important international journal in the field of school health, the Journal of School Health has drawn wide attention from researchers and readers around the world. Therefore, it is important to conduct a systematic retrospective study of the journal. With the aim of understanding the development of the journal and the evolutionary process of cooperative study of this field comprehensively, we employed bibliometric analysis using the articles published in the Journal of School Health from 1965. Methods Using bibliometrics, 5242 articles published in the journal were extracted and then analyzed using the visualization software CiteSpace III. Results The annual published amount of literature showed a declining tendency; however, the frequency of citation displayed an increase year by year. Among prolific authors, the number of reports published by JH Price, L Kann and RJ McDermott are at the top. Among the high frequency keywords used in the research journal, “adolescents”, “children” and “programs” have become popular in the journal's vocabulary. CDCP, Univ Texas and Univ Calif are positioned in the forefront of the involved institutions when ranked by degree of contribution. Conclusions The Journal of School Health provides an important platform for sharing research achievements and promoting cooperation in this field. The amount of articles published in the journal is continually improving; its cooperative research network promoted by famous scholars and institutions is forming. As more researchers and institutions join, the network will grow and relationships will become increasingly close. However, limitations to cooperation at the regional or interagency scope remain.

Experimental Theoretical Study based on mathematical correlations used in the determination of volume flows of non-intrusive character for lithium bromide solution

This work has as proposed the development of experimental theoretical study based on mathematical correlations able to estimate volume flows of non-intrusive character as functions of diameter and pressure for lithium bromide solution linked to an ultrasonic meter, type transit time, model UFM 170. The experimental bench that gave support to this work has been developed on the premises of the Federal University of Paraiba-UFPB in lab-IES Sustainable Energy Institute and RECOGAS, Cooperative Research Network North / Northeast Natural Gas. This study was developed in LabVIEW platform, with the help of EES - software (Engineering Equation Solver). This study aims to describe all the positive and negative aspects experienced in the subject of this work in order to contribute with flow measurement techniques non-intrusive that would be applied in absorption refrigeration systems.

ECP01-01 - European federation of psychiatric trainees research activities: an international psychiatric trainees research network

Research is one of the most attractive fields for young doctors training in psychiatry. The acquisition of research skills by all trainees has been recommended by recent consensus documents on standards of psychiatric training in Europe. However, not always trainees have adequate access to all the phases of a research project during their residencies. Joining professional associations provides opportunities for participating in research activities and establishing networks with other colleagues. In this respect, the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) in 2008 started a research group with the aim of facilitating trainee-led collaborative studies. Over the years several international research projects on training-related areas have been conducted and published in international peer-reviewed journals. EFPT members can participate to all the phases of the projects as national coordinators and share with other colleagues their research competencies. Furthermore, many EFPT research projects have had the possibility to rely on supervision by internationally renowned experts. Currently, the topics of the main ongoing studies are: 1) Early career psychiatrists views on psychiatric training (in collaboration with European Psychiatric Association - Early Career Psychiatric Committee); 2) Relationship between trainees and pharmaceutical industries; 3) Child and Adolescent psychiatric training; 4) Trainees’ views on the future of psychiatry and psychiatric training; 5) Trainees’ access to information and use of information technologies during training. In this presentation, issues in research training will be discussed, the EFPT cooperative trainee-led research network will be described and an overview of the results of the ongoing studies will be provided.

Urocortins Improve Dystrophic Skeletal Muscle Structure and Function through Both PKA- and Epac-Dependent Pathways

In Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the absence of dystrophin causes progressive muscle wasting and premature death. Excessive calcium influx is thought to initiate the pathogenic cascade, resulting in muscle cell death. Urocortins (Ucns) have protected muscle in several experimental paradigms. Herein, we demonstrate that daily s.c. injections of either Ucn 1 or Ucn 2 to 3-week-old dystrophic mdx(5Cv) mice for 2 weeks increased skeletal muscle mass and normalized plasma creatine kinase activity. Histological examination showed that Ucns remarkably reduced necrosis in the diaphragm and slow- and fast-twitch muscles. Ucns improved muscle resistance to mechanical stress provoked by repetitive tetanizations. Ucn 2 treatment resulted in faster kinetics of contraction and relaxation and a rightward shift of the force-frequency curve, suggesting improved calcium homeostasis. Ucn 2 decreased calcium influx into freshly isolated dystrophic muscles. Pharmacological manipulation demonstrated that the mechanism involved the corticotropin-releasing factor type 2 receptor, cAMP elevation, and activation of both protein kinase A and the cAMP-binding protein Epac. Moreover, both STIM1, the calcium sensor that initiates the assembly of store-operated channels, and the calcium-independent phospholipase A(2) that activates these channels were reduced in dystrophic muscle by Ucn 2. Altogether, our results demonstrate the high potency of Ucns for improving dystrophic muscle structure and function, suggesting that these peptides may be considered for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network Postmortem Examination Protocol

After reviewing the state of knowledge about the scope and causes of stillbirth (SB) in a special workshop sponsored by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the participants determined that there is little guidance regarding the best use of postmortem examination (PM) to address the pathogenesis of stillbirth. In this report, we describe the PM procedure designed and used in the NICHD-supported Stillbirth Cooperative Research Network (SCRN). Perinatal pathologists, clinicians, epidemiologists, and biostatisticians at four tertiary care centers, a data coordinating center, and NICHD developed a standardized approach to perinatal PM, which was applied to a population-based study of stillbirth as part of the SCRN. The SCRN PM protocol was successfully instituted and used at the four medical centers. A total of 663 women with stillbirth were included: 620 delivered a single stillborn infant, 42 delivered twins, and one delivered triplets for a total of 676 stillborn infants. Of these women, 560 (84.5%) consented to PM (572 stillborn infants) that was conducted according to the SCRN protocol. A standardized PM protocol was developed to evaluate stillbirth consistently across centers in the United States. Novel testing and approaches that increase the yield of the PM can be developed using this model.

Geoweb Services for Sharing Modelling Results in Biodiversity Networks

AbstractBiodiversity researchers in different institutions deal with predictive models for species distribution. These models are useful for biodiversity conservation policies. Species distribution modelling tools need large datasets from different sources and use many algorithms. To improve biodiversity science, scientists need to share models, data and results, and should be able to reproduce experiments from others. This article presents a geoweb service architecture that supports sharing of modelling results and enables researchers to perform new modelling experiments. We show the feasibility of the proposed architecture by developing a set of prototype services, called Web Biodiversity Collaborative Modelling Services – WBCMS. They provide a set of geospatial web services that support the sharing of species distribution models. The article includes an example of a model instance that explains the WBCMS prototype. We believe that WBCMS shows how to set up a cooperative research network on biodiversity research.

Exposición a contaminantes atmosféricos durante el embarazo y desarrollo prenatal y neonatal: protocolo de investigación en el proyecto INMA (Infancia y Medio Ambiente)

Introduction The INMA (INfancia y Medio Ambiente [Spanish for Environment and Childhood]) project is a cooperative research network. This project aims to study the effects of environment and diet on fetal and early childhood development. This article aims to present the air pollutant exposure protocol during pregnancy and fetal and early childhood development of the INMA project. Methods The information to assess air pollutant exposure during pregnancy is based on outdoor measurement of air pollutants (nitrogen dioxide [NO 2], volatile organic compounds [VOC], ozone, particulate matter [PM 10, PM 2,5] and of their composition [polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons]); measurement of indoor and personal exposure (VOC and NO 2); urinary measurement of a biological marker of hydrocarbon exposure (1-hydroxypyrene); and data gathered by questionnaires and geographic information systems. These data allow individual air pollutant exposure indexes to be developed, which can then be used to analyze the possible effects of exposure on fetal development and child health. Conclusion This protocol and the type of study allow an approximation to individual air pollutant exposure to be obtained. Finally, the large number of participants (N = 4,000), as well as their geographic and social diversity, increases the study's potential.

Report on the 3rd Global Workshop (General Consultation) of the FAO/ESCORENA European Cooperative Research Network on Flax and Other Bast Plants “Bast Fibrous Plants for Healthy Life,” Held on October 24-28, 2004 in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Srpska

(2006). Report on the 3rd Global Workshop (General Consultation) of the FAO/ESCORENA European Cooperative Research Network on Flax and Other Bast Plants “Bast Fibrous Plants for Healthy Life,” Held on October 24-28, 2004 in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Srpska. Journal of Natural Fibers: Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 89-94.

The Report on the International Conference of the FAO/ESCORENA European Cooperative Research Network on Flax and Other Bast Plants “Flax and Allied Fibre Plants for Human Welfare,” National Research Centre (NRC), December 8-11, 2003, in Cairo, Egypt

(2005). The Report on the International Conference of the FAO/ESCORENA European Cooperative Research Network on Flax and Other Bast Plants “Flax and Allied Fibre Plants for Human Welfare,” National Research Centre (NRC), December 8-11, 2003, in Cairo, Egypt. Journal of Natural Fibers: Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 87-89.

The FAO European Cooperative Research Network on Flax and Other Bast Plants

(2004). The FAO European Cooperative Research Network on Flax and Other Bast Plants. Journal of Natural Fibers: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 133-137.

Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation 2002: patient and graft survival and rejection in pediatric recipients of a first liver transplant in the United States and Canada.

Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) is a cooperative research network comprising 38 pediatric liver transplant centers in North America. Data from the 1092 patients who have received a first liver transplant since 1995 were analyzed for factors influencing patient survival, graft survival and acute rejection. The 3, 12, 24 and 36 month Kaplan-Meier estimates of patient/graft survival were 90.9/85.5, 86.3/80.2, 84.3/76.0, and 83.8/75.3% respectively. Univariate analysis identified initial diagnosis, type of graft (whole vs. living and cadaveric technical variant), growth failure and continuous hospitalization or ICU admission prior to transplantation as significantly influencing patient and graft survival. Subsequent multivariate analysis identified as risk factors for death: fulminant liver failure (RR = 3.05, p < 0.05), cadaveric technical variant grafts (RR = 1.95, p < 0.05), continuous hospitalization pre-transplant (RR = 1.79, p < 0.05), height deficit >2 s.d. from mean (RR = 3.22, p < 0.05). Risk factors for graft loss included: fulminant liver failure (RR = 2.27, p < 0.05), cadaveric technical variant grafts, (RR = 1.97, p < 0.05). Eleven percent of the 1092 patients were re-transplanted; vascular complications, particularly hepatic artery thrombosis (8.3% overall; 36.3% of graft failures), were responsible for the majority of re-transplants. Infection was the single most important cause of death (40 of 141, 28.4%) and was a contributing cause in 55 (39%), particularly with bacterial or fungal organisms. The cumulative Kaplan-Meier estimates of first rejection at 3, 12, 24 and 36 months were 44.8, 52.9, 59.1, and 60.3%. Initial immunosuppression with tacrolimus reduced the probability of rejection (RR = 0.62, p < 0.05). Eleven percent of rejections were steroid-resistant; chronic rejection led to 7 of 121 (5.8%) re-transplants. The SPLIT registry, in compiling data from a large number of centers, reflects the current outcomes for pediatric liver transplants in North America.

Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT): year 2000 outcomes.

Initiated in 1995, the Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) registry database is a cooperative research network of pediatric transplantation centers in the United States and Canada. The primary objectives are to characterize and follow trends in transplant indications, transplantation techniques, and outcomes (e.g., patient/graft survival, rejection, growth parameters, and immunosuppressive therapy.) As of June 15, 2000, 29 centers registered 1144 patients, 640 of whom received their first liver-only transplant while registered in SPLIT. Patients are followed every 6 months for 2 years and yearly thereafter. Data are submitted to a central coordinating center. One/two-year patient survival and graft loss estimates are 0.85/0.82 and 0.77/0.72, respectively. Risk factors for death include: in ICU at transplant (relative risk (RR)=2.63, P<0.05) and height/weight deficits of two or more standard deviations (RR=1.67, P<0.05). Risk factors for graft loss include: in ICU at transplant (RR=1.77, P<0.05) and receiving a cadaveric split organ compared with a whole organ (RR=2.3, P<0.05). The percentage of patients diagnosed with hepatic a. and portal v. thrombosis were 9.7% and 7%, respectively; 15% had biliary complications within 30 days. At least one re-operation was required in 45%. One/two-year rejection probability estimates are 0.60/0.66. Tacrolimus, as primary therapy posttransplant, reduces first rejection risk (RR=0.70, P<0.05). Eighty-nine percent of school-aged children are in school full-time, 18 months posttransplant. This report provides one of the first descriptions of characteristics and clinical courses of a multicenter pediatric transplant population. Observations are subject to patient selection biases but are useful for generating hypothesis for future studies.