The social determination of health and the transformation of rights and ethics: a meta-critical methodology for responsible and reparative science

The hyper-neoliberal era has seen the collapse of the ethos of life and the formation of a civilisation of extreme greed. In this global context, the preeminence of a technologically endowed but epistemologically and ethically misguided form of science has contributed to forms of ‘scientific illiteracy’ and strategies of planned ignorance that nourish a neo-conservative form of governance. The challenge of transforming the paradigm of bioethics and the right to health beyond the biomedical horizon is an urgent priority. Building on the strengths of a social determination approach and a meta-critical methodology and rooted in critical epidemiology, this essay proposes powerful tools for a radical shift in thought and action linked to rights and ethics. Together, medicine, public health, and collective health provide a path forward to reform ethics and advance the rights of humans and nature

Ectomycorrhizal fungal communities and their functional traits mediate plant–soil interactions in trace element contaminated soils

There is an increasing consensus that microbial communities have an important role in mediating ecosystem processes. Trait-based ecology predicts that the impact of the microbial communities on ecosystem functions will be mediated by the expression of their traits at community level. The link between the response of microbial community traits to environmental conditions and its effect on plant functioning is a gap in most current microbial ecology studies. In this study, we analyzed functional traits of ectomycorrhizal fungal species in order to understand the importance of their community assembly for the soil–plant relationships in holm oak trees (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota) growing in a gradient of exposure to anthropogenic trace element (TE) contamination after a metalliferous tailings spill. Particularly, we addressed how the ectomycorrhizal composition and morphological traits at community level mediate plant response to TE contamination and its capacity for phytoremediation. Ectomycorrhizal fungal taxonomy and functional diversity explained a high proportion of variance of tree functional traits, both in roots and leaves. Trees where ectomycorrhizal fungal communities were dominated by the abundant taxa Hebeloma cavipes and Thelephora terrestris showed a conservative root economics spectrum, while trees colonized by rare taxa presented a resource acquisition strategy. Conservative roots presented ectomycorrhizal functional traits characterized by high rhizomorphs formation and low melanization which may be driven by resource limitation. Soil-to-root transfer of TEs was explained substantially by the ectomycorrhizal fungal species composition, with the highest transfer found in trees whose roots were colonized by Hebeloma cavipes. Leaf phosphorus was related to ectomycorrhizal species composition, specifically higher leaf phosphorus was related to the root colonization by Thelephora terrestris. These findings support that ectomycorrhizal fungal community composition and their functional traits mediate plant performance in metal-contaminated soils, and have a high influence on plant capacity for phytoremediation of contaminants. The study also corroborates the overall effects of ectomycorrhizal fungi on ecosystem functioning through their mediation over the plant economics spectrum

Secular values and the location of religion: a spatial analysis of an English medical centre

What do contemporary controversies in healthcare reveal about secular values and the location of religion within an English medical centre? Using a socio-spatial methodology designed to break open ideological perspectives and normative values, we analyse the doctor-patient relationship, complementary and alternative medicine, and an issue that bridges the two, evidence-based medicine. In the physical, social and mental spaces of the medical centre we uncover the traces of religious activity and roles and of alternative therapeutic regimes often informed by spiritual or religious systems. Furthermore we disclose the heterogeneity of values that comprise the secular worldview of one group of contemporary general practitioners

Interactive Multidimensional Modeling of Linked Data for Exploratory OLAP

Exploratory OLAP aims at coupling the precision and detail of corporate data with the information wealth of LOD. While some techniques to create, publish, and query RDF cubes are already available, little has been said about how to contextualize these cubes with situational data in an on-demand fashion. In this paper we describe an approach, called iMOLD, that enables non-technical users to enrich an RDF cube with multidimensional knowledge by discovering aggregation hierarchies in LOD. This is done through a user-guided process that recognizes in the LOD the recurring modeling patterns that express roll- up relationships between RDF concepts, then translates these patterns into aggregation hierarchies to enrich the RDF cube. Two families of aggregation patterns are identified, based on associations and generalization respectively, and the algorithms for recognizing them are described. To evaluate iMOLD in terms of efficiency and effectiveness we compare it with a related approach in the literature, we propose a case study based on DBpedia, and we discuss the results of a test made with real users

Inter-Organizational Networks Among Intergovernmental Organizations In Peace Operations

Notwithstanding the growing consensus on benefits associated with collaborations among intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) in peace operations, academic research has thus far neglected pressing questions of why and how IGOs collaborate within a network context in peace operations and how these inter-organizational collaborations among IGOs, IGO networks, might account for the success/failure of these operations. More specifically, this dissertation concentrates on how structural properties of IGO networks, such as the extensiveness of ties between network partners, and the cohesiveness of such networks, may account for peace operations’ performance in accomplishing their core goals: violence abatement, conflict containment and conflict settlement (Diehl and Druckman 2010). Drawing on a multidisciplinary framework bringing together insights from international relations, social network analysis and organizational studies, I argued, consistent with the extant literature, centralized and closed IGO networks—whether formally structured through time or ad hoc in each conflict—will have a moderating effect on network effectiveness. Particularly, I hypothesized that since they will improve and facilitate coordination in peace operations and achieve a more coherent IGO presence, dense and centralized inter-organizational networks formed by IGOs would be more likely to be successful in implementing the core tasks of peace missions. This study uses newly collected relational data of inter-organizational collaborations among IGOs in peace operations deployed in internal armed conflicts and covers the period 1990 to 2013 to examine and assess the role of these collaborations, and their structural characteristics in peace operations outcomes. My hypotheses are tested using inferential network analysis and logit models to capture the effect of inter-organizational networks on peace operations outcomes. Though I found strong evidence that dense IGO networks are more likely to succeed in abating violence and containing conflicts in peace operations, my findings demonstrate that centralization, i.e., whether the network cohesion is centered around focal organization(s), does not matter for the performance of such missions, and the effectiveness of collaborations. I found mixed evidence regarding the role of the host country and the conflict characteristics associated with the success of peace operations

Predicting Security Incidents in High Secure Male Psychiatric Care

Purpose The contribution of environmental and organisational factors in predicting security incidents within a high secure male psychiatric setting is considered using a series of connected studies; a systematic literature review comprising 41 studies and five inquiries (Study 1) to identify core themes of likely importance; application of these themes to incident data through assessment of the ward culture, as perceived by 73 male psychiatric patients and 157 staff (Study 2); and detailed examination of noted relevant factors in the form of interpersonal style, meaningful activity and physical environmental characteristics in a study comprising 62 patients and 151 staff (Study 3). It was predicted that security incidents would be identified through inclusion of environmental and organisational factors. Results The systematic review demonstrated the importance of accounting for staff characteristics, patient interactions, physical environment and meaningful activity. The subsequent study noted the importance of only specific aspects of the social environment, with the final study demonstrating that incidents were associated with controlling interpersonal styles of staff, lower perceived fairness, and less involvement in off-ward activities. Perception of fair treatment and off-ward activities mediated the staff interpersonal style and security incident relationship. Conclusions The research proposes a preliminary framework - the McKenna Framework for understanding Incidents in Secure Settings (M-FISS) – to explain the occurrence of security incidents in secure psychiatric care

Ectomycorrhizal fungal communities and their functional traits mediate plant–soil interactions in trace element contaminated soils

There is an increasing consensus that microbial communities have an important role in mediating ecosystem processes. Trait-based ecology predicts that the impact of the microbial communities on ecosystem functions will be mediated by the expression of their traits at community level. The link between the response of microbial community traits to environmental conditions and its effect on plant functioning is a gap in most current microbial ecology studies. In this study, we analyzed functional traits of ectomycorrhizal fungal species in order to understand the importance of their community assembly for the soil–plant relationships in holm oak trees (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota) growing in a gradient of exposure to anthropogenic trace element (TE) contamination after a metalliferous tailings spill. Particularly, we addressed how the ectomycorrhizal composition and morphological traits at community level mediate plant response to TE contamination and its capacity for phytoremediation. Ectomycorrhizal fungal taxonomy and functional diversity explained a high proportion of variance of tree functional traits, both in roots and leaves. Trees where ectomycorrhizal fungal communities were dominated by the abundant taxa Hebeloma cavipes and Thelephora terrestris showed a conservative root economics spectrum, while trees colonized by rare taxa presented a resource acquisition strategy. Conservative roots presented ectomycorrhizal functional traits characterized by high rhizomorphs formation and low melanization which may be driven by resource limitation. Soil-to-root transfer of TEs was explained substantially by the ectomycorrhizal fungal species composition, with the highest transfer found in trees whose roots were colonized by Hebeloma cavipes. Leaf phosphorus was related to ectomycorrhizal species composition, specifically higher leaf phosphorus was related to the root colonization by Thelephora terrestris. These findings support that ectomycorrhizal fungal community composition and their functional traits mediate plant performance in metal-contaminated soils, and have a high influence on plant capacity for phytoremediation of contaminants. The study also corroborates the overall effects of ectomycorrhizal fungi on ecosystem functioning through their mediation over the plant economics spectrum

Wilderness Imagery in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM): A Phenomenological Perspective

The author employed phenomenological methodology to examine clients’ experiences of wilderness imagery in music psychotherapy sessions utilizing the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM). GIM is a music-centered approach to psychotherapy in which the client engages with spontaneously generated imagery while listening to specially selected programs of music from the Western classical canon. The resultant imagery provides the basis for therapeutic experiences. Client experiences at times include imagery of wilderness. Due to the conflicting and at times contradictory ways of defining wilderness, the author utilized a broad definition: that which is primarily nonhuman. Three individuals with whom the researcher had conducted at least four GIM sessions prior to the study participated. Each participant engaged in a semi-structured interview focused on their experiences of wilderness imagery in one session of their choosing. Twelve themes emerged from these interviews: The experiences involved extraordinary interactions with wilderness images, and events felt both unexpected and predetermined. The degree of agency felt in choice-events was important to their experiences. Wilderness imagery provided both support and challenges for the participants. There was a sense of openness and expansiveness, as well as continuity of affect, associations, feelings, or images through shifting settings or images. Each participant became wilderness images, yet there was a sense of separateness. Wilderness was accompanied by energy sensations, and wilderness contained that which they needed. Wilderness images were experienced as analogs to waking life. Finally, the full meaning of these experiences continued to emerge over time. These themes illustrated complementarity in the participants’ experiences of wilderness imagery. This way of understanding incongruent or opposing qualities, experiences, or beliefs provides a more integrative alternative to the idea of paradox in therapy. Additionally, their experiences pointed to an alternative organizational system in wilderness that tended to be nonlinear and unpredictable

Interactive multidimensional modeling of linked data for exploratory OLAP

Exploratory OLAP aims at coupling the precision and detail of corporate data with the information wealth of LOD. While some techniques to create, publish, and query RDF cubes are already available, little has been said about how to contextualize these cubes with situational data in an on-demand fashion. In this paper we describe an approach, called iMOLD, that enables non-technical users to enrich an RDF cube with multidimensional knowledge by discovering aggregation hierarchies in LOD. This is done through a user-guided process that recognizes in the LOD the recurring modeling patterns that express roll-up relationships between RDF concepts, then translates these patterns into aggregation hierarchies to enrich the RDF cube. Two families of aggregation patterns are identified, based on associations and generalization respectively, and the algorithms for recognizing them are described. To evaluate iMOLD in terms of efficiency and effectiveness we compare it with a related approach in the literature, we propose a case study based on DBpedia, and we discuss the results of a test made with real users.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft