Ecosystem service evaluation based on local knowledge of residents using spatial text-mining.

This study aims to evaluate the ecosystem services of Upo wetland, one of the best-known Ramsar sites in Korea, reflecting the characteristics of the ecological assets and local knowledges in the area. Application of spatial text-mining begins with collecting local perceptions and knowledge of residents on the 17 ecological assets of Upo site and surrounding area. Our results identified five important ecosystem services: flood control during heavy rainfall, water purification by aquatic plants, cultural and natural heritages, agricultural products and water provision for crop cultivation.

Diverse values of nature for sustainability.

Twenty-five years since foundational publications on valuing ecosystem services for human well-being, addressing the global biodiversity crisis still implies confronting barriers to incorporating nature's diverse values into decision-making. These barriers include powerful interests supported by current norms and legal rules such as property rights, which determine whose values and which values of nature are acted on. A better understanding of how and why nature is (under)valued is more urgent than ever.

Risk factors for the development of Clostridium difficile colitis in a surgical ward.

Purpose: Clostridium difficile colitis (CDC) is a nosocomial infection. We attempted to discover the risk factors for the development of CDC in patients admitted to our surgical ward.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients admitted to our surgical ward between January 2010 and July 2011.