The Beirut Dozen: traditional domestic garden as spatial and cultural mediator

Traditional domestic gardens in Beirut are associated with the detached house typology that appear in the second half of the nineteenth century. Inspired by rural origins, the domestic garden nevertheless evolved by taking on new spatial and cultural dimensions. This study explores these dimensions. The aim is to investigate the role of the urban domestic garden to determine whether it was intended as an appendage to the house or conceived and perceived independently. Space syntax analysis is applied to 12 central-hall, detached houses to investigate garden morphology in relation to house interior configuration and the public domain beyond. The findings demonstrate that far from passive backdrop, the domestic garden served as a spatial and cultural mediator, negotiating private domain and public realm, house and city, tradition and innovation. Analyzing garden spatial characteristics and house alignment point to the garden's role as a 'refuge', visually screening the house and its residents, and equally as a 'prospect' advantaging insiders over outsiders

The Authors Abuse of the Moral Right in the Jordanian Legislation: A Comparative Study

The moral rights of the author are fundamental and protect their intellect and creativity. Despite its importance to the author in particular and society in general, leaving such rights unrestricted is not acceptable because the objective of the law is to regulate various transactions and relationships between people. Therefore, establishing frameworks governing copyright law is deemed useful. By way of examining Jordanian, local, and international legislation, the researchers find that the legislator has not effectively regulated this matter to prevent the author from exercising their moral rights in a way that harms others. Despite the close connection between the moral right and the economic one, the issue of moral right abuse by the author has not been addressed, even though its elements are present in some of the authors practices. Furthermore, the legal texts tackling the subject are more contentious due to their vague and ambiguous wording, leaving legal interpreters to exert effort to understand the intentions behind these words and terms. In the quest to investigate this topic, the study draws several conclusions, the most important of which is the absence of any obstacle to applying the theory of the authors abuse of their moral rights in their practices. The study also shows that the value of compensation specified in the law is not defined by criteria, making it impossible to estimate the value of the loss suffered by the affected party as a result of the authors exercise of their moral rights, as the value of profit is not identified

Landscape approaches for ecosystem management in Mediterranean Islands

This book presents a series of essays, drawing on the twm concepts of ecosystem management and landscape approaches, to elucidate and reflect on the present situation and future evolution of Mediterranean islands. This publication brings together contributions from Mediterranean individuals, non-Mediterranean individuals, islanders and non-islanders there is, after all, no geographical limit on who and what we can learn from. The essays presented here each contribute a specific perspective on the future evolution of Mediterranean islands. This book presents a series of essays, drawing on the twin concepts of ecosystem management and landscape approaches, to elucidate and reflect on the present situation and future evolution of Mediterranean islands. This publication brings together contributions from Mediterranean individuals, non-Mediterranean individuals, islanders and non-islanders; there is, after all, no geographical limit on who and what we can learn from. The essays presented here each contribute a specific perspective on the future evolution of Mediterranean islands. Following this introductory chapter, the first section of the book focuses on the contributions that can be made by the discipline of landscape ecology. loannis Vogiatzakis and Geoffrey Griffiths first explain the concepts and relevance of landscape ecology, also presenting and discussing a range of applied tools that can facilitate landscape planning in Mediterranean islands. Louis F. Cassar then reviews the 'offshoot' discipline of restoration ecology, making a strong case for offsetting the environmental damage inflicted on natural ecosystems over millennia of human occupation, with constructive efforts to effectively restore and/or rehabilitate ecosystems. The two following chapters bring the socio-economic dimension into the discussion. Godfrey Baldacchino first presents two contrasting paradigms for the development of island territories, reviewing the dual influences of ecological and economic factors, and exploring ways in which the two can be brought together in successful development strategies. Gordon Cordina and Nadia Farrugia then address the demographic dimension of development, presenting a model to explain the economic costs of high population densities on islands. The third block of chapters expands on the relevance of social and cultural dynamics to the management of Mediterranean Islands. Isil Cakcï, Nur Belkayali and Ilkden Tazebay explain the evolution of the concept of a 'cultural landscape', focusing on the challenges of managing change in landscapes with strong heritage values. The chapter concludes with a case study on the Turkish island of Gökçeada (lmbros), which is experiencing major challenges in balancing the conservation of a cultural landscape on the one hand, and the management of inevitable change, on the other. Elisabeth Conrad then discusses the role of social capital in managing the landscape resources of Mediterranean islands, reviewing the potential for this intangible social fabric to facilitate or impede the sustainable evolution of island territories. The fourth section includes four chapters, each of which addresses a different aspect relevant to policy development and implementation in Mediterranean islands. Salvino Busuttil presents an essay outlining the political influences on the management of coastal landscapes, the latter so relevant to Mediterranean island territories. The essay derives from the author's professional experience in various policy-related institutions for environmental management within the Mediterranean region. Maggie Roe then reflects on issues of landscape sustainability, focusing on the neglected aspect of intelligence. She discusses ways in which landscape research, knowledge and understanding can feed directly into frameworks for 'sustainable' landscape planning. In the subsequent chapter, Adrian Phillips takes from his substantial experience with international landscape policy, reviewing the gradual emergence of international and national landscape 'tools', to draw out lessons for application in Mediterranean islands. In the final chapter of this section, Riccardo Priore and Damiano Galla present a comprehensive discussion of the European Landscape Convention, the first international instrument to focus exclusively on landscape. The authors explain the innovative character of this convention, and discuss its potential implementation in Mediterranean islands. The publication concludes with a series of case studies, highlighting specific constraints, experiences and opportunities in different Mediterranean islands. Theano Terkenli explores the landscapes of tourism in Mediterranean islands - perhaps no other industry has played such a fundamental role in shaping the evolution of Mediterranean landscapes in recent years. The author reviews the theoretical relationship between landscape and tourism across Mediterranean islands, before focusing on the specific case of the Greek Cycladic islands. In the following chapter, Alex Camilleri, Isabella Colombini and Lorenzo Chelazzi present an in-depth review of the context and challenges being faced on a number of minor Mediterranean islands, namely those of the Tuscan archipelago (Elba, Giglio, Capraia, Montecristo, Pianosa, Gorgona and Giannutri), and Comino, the latter forming part of the Maltese archipelago. The comparison between these various islands enables an appreciation of both commonalities across these islands, as well as considerations that are specific to the context of each in dividual island. JeremyBoissevain then adopts an anthropological lens to review the cautionary tale of landscape change in Malta, exploring underlying causes of landscape destruction and limited civil engagement. In the subsequent chapter, Jala Makhzoumi outlines the richness of Mediterranean islands' rural landscapes, focusing on olive landscapes in Cyprus. Her research demonstrates the economic and ecological robustness of various olive cultivation practices, and whilst warning of several threats to such sustainable regimes, she outlines strategies for reconfiguring our approach to rural heritage, in order to integrate such assets into sustainable development strategies. Finally, Stephen Morse concludes the section with an evaluation of sustainable development indicators, and the contribution that these can make towards enhancing the management of Mediterranean island territories. He illustrates his arguments with reference to the two island states of Malta and Cyprus. To conclude, in the final chapter of this publication, we review key insights emerging from the various chapters, and summarize considerations for ecosystem management and sustainable development in Mediterranean Islands. We truly hope that this publication makes some contribution towards safeguarding the "magic' of Mediterranean islands, whilst embracing their dynamic characteristics.Published under the patronage of UNESCO and with the support of the Maltese National Commission for UNESCOpeer-reviewe

Positive predictive value of automated database records for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children and youth exposed to antipsychotic drugs or control medications: a tennessee medicaid study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life-threatening complication of treatment with some atypical antipsychotic drugs in children and <b>youth</b>. Because drug-associated DKA is rare, large automated health outcomes databases may be a valuable data source for conducting pharmacoepidemiologic studies of DKA associated with exposure to individual antipsychotic drugs. However, no validated computer case definition of DKA exists. We sought to assess the positive predictive value (PPV) of a computer case definition to detect incident cases of DKA, using automated records of Tennessee Medicaid as the data source and medical record confirmation as a "gold standard."</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The computer case definition of DKA was developed from a retrospective cohort study of antipsychotic-related type 2 diabetes mellitus (1996-2007) in Tennessee Medicaid enrollees, aged 6-24 years. Thirty potential cases with any DKA diagnosis (ICD-9 250.1, ICD-10 E1x.1) were identified from inpatient encounter claims. Medical records were reviewed to determine if they met the clinical definition of DKA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 30 potential cases, 27 (90%) were successfully abstracted and adjudicated. Of these, 24 cases were confirmed by medical record review (PPV 88.9%, 95% CI 71.9 to 96.1%). Three non-confirmed cases presented acutely with severe hyperglycemia, but had no evidence of acidosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Diabetic ketoacidosis in children and youth can be identified in a computerized Medicaid database using our case definition, which could be useful for automated database studies in which drug-associated DKA is the outcome of interest.</p

The Effect of Using Some Grammar ‎Teaching Methods on the Basic Ninth ‎Grade Students’ Acquisition of Some ‎Grammatical Concepts

The effect of using some methods of teaching syntax on acquiring some ‎syntactic concepts by students of the ninth basic stage.‎ The study aimed at knowing the effect of using some methods of teaching‎syntax on acquiring some syntactic concepts by students of the ninth ‎basic stage. Such concepts are included in the chapter of ( alternatives, ‎adverbs of manner and other adherents).‎ This chapter was taught during the second semester 2002/2003.‎ The population of the study was made of (750) students. The sample of ‎the study was made of (240) students who were divided into (8) groups ‎on a stratified random basis. They were given an achievement test made ‎of (60) items. The results of the study showed no significant differences ‎that could be attributed to the sex at (0.05 = a), but there were significant ‎differences that could be attributed to the teaching method.‎ Other significant differences at 0.05 = a) were found and attributed bo‎the achievement level.‎ In light of the results, the researcher put forward some recommendation