Many urban communities in the United States faced deteriorating physical infrastructure and social environment in the second half of the 20^th century. To restore such inner city neighborhoods, many neighborhoods have adopted historic preservation as a means to both aesthetically and fiscally improve the condition. This paper studies a historic district in the Tree Streets neighborhood, Johnson City, Tennessee in regard to its road toward historical preservation and neighborhood restoration. We find that through decades of a local civic organization’s efforts and government planning initiatives, the community has successfully turned from a university slum into a livable neighborhood. We also find that the benefits are not strictly nostalgic but there is a positive economic impact of historic preservation designation on property values. The making of the historic district in the Tree Streets neighborhood both socially and economically has provided a great example of smart growth for Johnson city and other American cities to revitalize urban residential neighborhoods in central cities.

Objective: Major improvement has been made in the medical management of stroke in the UK between 2008 and 2010 based on the indicators measured in the National Sentinel Audit. However based on the same audit, no corresponding improvement has been effected to patient functional impairment levels on hospital discharge in the corresponding time frame. This study derived patient-to-therapist ratios as a means of exploring the amount of rehabilitation time for stroke patients while in hospital care. Method: A purpose specific survey was developed for completion by stroke teams. From a contact list compiled primarily in collaboration with the 28 National Stroke Improvement Networks, the N^th name technique was used to target stroke teams in each geographical area covered by the 28 networks. Results: A total of 53 surveys were returned representing 20 of the 28 network areas providing 71% national coverage. Analysis conducted on 19 of the 37 inpatient hospital care units that were discrete units, had no missing data for staff numbers, unit bed numbers, number of stroke patients treated per annum, average unit length-of-stay, and unit occupancy rates. Staffing levels for some therapies were below the Department of Health staffing assumptions suggesting that stroke units are challenged to provide the recommended therapy time. Conclusions: Most stroke units surveyed are operating below the DH staffing assumption levels and are therefore challenged in providing the amount of therapy and patient time recommended in the National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines to facilitate optimal functional recovery for stroke patients.

Cognitive deficits related to tumour or treatment are estimated to be present in the majority of patients diagnosed with a primary brain tumour, with a large variation based on tumour site, extent, and grade, as well as nature of intervention. These deficits have a significant impact on patient’s quality of life and functional status. The improved patient survival duration in recent years has increased the need to detect, understand and intervene on these cognitive deficits, and optimise patient pathways for treatment. This article reviews the nature of deficits arising in patients with primary brain tumour, and the association of the deficits with neuroanatomical site of tumour. The approach to interventions through adaptation and remediation is outlined, with aim of improving function, promoting generalization of outcomes and optimizing any neuroplasticity that may arise. The evidence for pharmacological therapies and cognitive rehabilitation is presented, and a framework for implementation is provided.