Effectiveness of rehabilitation based on recreational activities:A systematic review

AIM: To summarize the evidence from randomized controlled trials(RCTs) on the rehabilitation effects of recreational activities.METHODS: Studies were eligible if they were RCTs. Studies included one treatment group in which recreational activity was applied. We searched the following databases from 1990 to May 31, 2012: MEDLINE via Pub Med, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Ichushi-Web. We also searched all Cochrane Databases and Campbell Systematic Reviews up to May 31, 2012. RESULTS: Eleven RCTs were identified, which included many kinds of target diseases and/or symptoms such as stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, acquired brain injury,chronic non-malignant pain, adolescent obesity, high-risk pregnancy, and the frail elderly. Various intervention methods included gaming technology, music, dance, easy rider wheelchair biking, leisure education programs, and leisure tasks. The RCTs conducted have been of relatively low quality. A meta-analysis(pooled sample; n = 44, two RCTs) for balance ability using tests such as "Berg Balance Scale" and "Timed Up and Go Test" based on game intervention revealed no significant difference between interventions and controls. In all other interventions, there were one or more effects on psychological status, balance or motor function, and adherence as primary or secondary outcomes.CONCLUSION: There is a potential for recreational activities to improve rehabilitation-related outcomes, particularly in psychological status, balance or motor function, and adherence.

A RESEARCH ON URBAN RECREATIONISTS' TRAVELING BEHAVIORS IN SHANGHAI

Urban recreationists consist of those who have used urban recreational facilities, no matter they are local residents or nonlocals. Traveling models will exert impacts not only on the use of urban recreational facilities but also on the development and management of recreational resources. Taking Shanghai as a sample of destinaton and origin of urban recreationists, the author did his study based on data from comprehensive travel measurement and users' survey, including field questionnaire survey, mailing questionnaire survey, home survey, and cordon monitonng. To analyze traveing models of urban recreationists in Shanghai, the author used techniques of Recreational Activity Space (RAS) and the Use Curve (UC) Analysis. Rogarding Shanghai as an origin, the author first discussed types and characteristics of the RASs which are presented by isotourist lines in the proper and outskirts of Shanghai, the Yangtze Delta and the China's Mainland respectively. These RASs reflect the trave directional bias of Shanghainese. Then the author regarded Shanghai as a deshnahon and analyzed the RASs of tounsts from Otier provinces, which demonstrated the attractiveness of and distance decay of Shanghai. He found that a U-shaped UC model existed in the distance decay under the influence of attractiveness and distance. Finally, the author suggested, that the availability, periodicity and attractiveness, besides distance, are the basic mechanisms that affect the urban recreationists' traveling models in a city such as Shanghai.

Design and Construction of a Forest Village in Greece

The aim of this paper is the study for the construction of a forest village in the area of Souvardo in Kalavrita in the prefecture of Achaia. This paper presents the history and purpose of forest villages, as well as the laws that govern them. The methodology of the paper is analyzed and the particular characteristics of the study area are examined with the accompaniment of the general characteristics related to the formation of the space. Further, aerial photographs are listed with the help of Google Earth program, giving emphasis to the general plan of the study area. The reception building and the host installation of the forest village are described, as well as the building and topographic plans are designed with the use of AutoCAD and Photoshop programs. Furthermore, the cost of the development project is analyzed. Finally, the conclusions of the study and recommendations to the visitor of the area about sights, natural landscapes and archaeological sites axe given. Criteria for intervention and promotion of tourism and proposals for tourism development in the area, such as ideas for the development of cultural tourism and ecotourism in the region, are suggested.

Evaluation of bacterial pathogen diversity,abundance and health risks in urban recreational water by amplicon next-generation sequencing and quantitative PCR

The microbial quality of urban recreational water is of great concern to public health.The monitoring of indicator organisms and several pathogens alone is not sufficient to accurately and comprehensively identify microbial risks.To assess the levels of bacterial pathogens and health risks in urban recreational water,we analyzed pathogen diversity and quantified four pathogens in 46 water samples collected from waterbodies in Beijing Olympic Forest Park in one year.The pathogen diversity revealed by 16 S r RNA gene targeted next-generation sequencing（NGS） showed that 16 of 40 genera and 13 of 76 reference species were present.The most abundant species were Acinetobacter johnsonii,Mycobacterium avium and Aeromonas spp.Quantitative polymerase chain reaction（q PCR） of Escherichia coli（uid A）,Aeromonas（aer A）,M.avium（16S r RNA）,Pseudomonas aeruginosa（oaa） and Salmonella（inv A） showed that the aer A genes were the most abundant,occurring in all samples with concentrations of 10^（4–6） genome copies/100 m L,followed by oaa,inv A and M.avium.In total,34.8% of the samples harbored all genes,indicating the prevalence of these pathogens in this recreational waterbody.Based on the q PCR results,a quantitative microbial risk assessment（QMRA） showed that the annual infection risks of Salmonella,M.avium and P.aeruginosa in five activities were mostly greater than the U.S.EPA risk limit for recreational contacts,and children playing with water may be exposed to the greatest infection risk.Our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of bacterial pathogen diversity and pathogen abundance in urban recreational water by applying both NGS and q PCR.