Civil society involvement in the governance of green infrastructure: An analysis of policy recommendations from EU-funded projects.

Green Infrastructures (GI) help build and develop climate resiliency and biodiversity. Moreover, the ecosystem services (ESS) that GI generates can be a source of social and economic value. Public policies to support GIs are necessary, but they cannot be successful without the involvement of relevant stakeholders. Because GI is a rather obscure concept for most non-specialists, their contribution to sustainability is not always apparent, and this makes it difficult to mobilize resources. This paper analyzes the policy recommendations of 36 projects focused on GI governance, funded by the European Union (EU) in the last decade or so. Using the Quadruple Helix (QH) approach, we find that GIs are perceived as a mostly governmental responsibility, with civil society and business engaged to a limited extent. We argue that non-governmental players should be more actively involved in decisions concerning GI to foster more sustainable development.

Haemostatic squeezing and purse-string sutures: optimising surgical techniques for early excision of critical infantile haemangiomas.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Surgical excision of critical infantile haemangiomas (HMs) is usually delayed until intralesional blood flow spontaneously decreases, but fibrofatty tissue and exuberant skin invariably remain even after total involution. The aim of this study was to describe 2 surgical techniques used for early excision in 50 selected cases of HM defined critical in site or size. METHODS: Among a total of 952 patients affected by HM observed from 1999 to 2005, 50 children (5.2%) were submitted to early surgical removal of the tumour (age range, 6-24 months). In group 1, a technique of lenticular incision and linear closure was used in 34 patients using an original clamp for haemostasis during excision. In group 2, a modified round-block excision and purse-string closure technique was performed in 16 patients. RESULTS: Only 2 patients required transfusion to replace intraoperative blood losses. Infection, delayed wound healing, and cheloids occurred in 3 patients in group 2. Satisfactory cosmetic results have been observed in most cases in both groups at a follow-up ranging from 6 months to 6 years. CONCLUSIONS: The range of indications for early surgical removal of critical HM might be enlarged to achieve earlier the better cosmetic results. A few surgical tricks can minimize intraoperative bleeding and optimise the surgical scar.