The human prerogative: a critical analysis of evidence-based and other paradigms of care in substance abuse treatment

Present-day substance abuse treatment is characterized by a compelling demand for applying evidence-based interventions. Vehement discussions between policymakers, practitioners and researchers illustrate this clash of differing paradigms. The aim of this article is to situate evidence-based practice among the leading paradigms of care and to elucidate its implicit assumptions and potential implications. Evidence-based practice is inherent in the empirical-analytical paradigm of care and science, founded upon randomized and controlled studies. This paradigm is compared with the phenomenological-existential and the critical post-structural paradigm, which focus on elaborating the human potential and exploring individuals' subjective interpretations, and on criticizing social inequalities and striving for compliance with human rights, respectively. Evidence-based practice and the methodological rigidity in each paradigm are analyzed critically. We conclude that through the dialectical integration of these diverse approaches, evidence, existence/humanism and social emancipation can be combined for the benefit of the human prerogative of care

A framework for integrating syntax, semantics and pragmatics for computer-aided professional practice: With application of costing in construction industry

Producing a bill of quantity is a knowledge-based, dynamic and collaborative process, and evolves with variances and current evidence. However, within the context of information system practice in BIM, knowledge of cost estimation has not been represented, nor has it been integrated into the processes based on BIM. This paper intends to establish an innovative means of taking data from the BIM linked to a project, and using it to create the necessary items for a bill of quantity that will enable cost estimation to be undertaken for the project. Our framework is founded upon the belief that three components are necessary to gain a full awareness of the domain which is being computerised; the information type which is to be assessed for compatibility (syntax), the definition for the pricing domain (semantics), and the precise implementation environment for the standards being taken into account (pragmatics). In order to achieve this, a prototype is created that allows a cost item for the bill of quantity to be spontaneously generated, by means of the semantic web ontology and a forward chain algorithm. Within this paper, ‘cost items’ signify the elements included in a bill of quantity, including details of their description, quantity and price. As a means of authenticating the process being developed, the authors of this work effectively implemented it in the production of cost items. In addition, the items created were contrasted with those produced by specialists. For this reason, this innovative framework introduces the possibility of a new means of applying semantic web ontology and forward chain algorithm to construction professional practice resulting in automatic cost estimation. These key outcomes demonstrate that, decoupling the professional practice into three key components of syntax, semantics and pragmatics can provide tangible benefits to domain use

Security aspects in cloud based condition monitoring of machine tools

In the modern competitive environments companies must have rapid production systems that are able to deliver parts that satisfy highest quality standards. Companies have also an increased need for advanced machines equipped with the latest technologies in maintenance to avoid any reduction or interruption of production. Eminent therefore is the need to monitor the health status of the manufacturing equipment in real time and thus try to develop diagnostic technologies for machine tools. This paper lays the foundation for the creation of a safe remote monitoring system for machine tools using a Cloud environment for communication between the customer and the maintenance service company. Cloud technology provides a convenient means for accessing maintenance data anywhere in the world accessible through simple devices such as PC, tablets or smartphones. In this context the safety aspects of a Cloud system for remote monitoring of machine tools becomes crucial and is, thus the focus of this pape

Forest Land Ownership Changes in Portugal

Publisher PD

Conceptual models as basis for integrated information warehouse development

Research in the field of information warehousing mostly focuses technical aspects. Only recently some contributions are found dealing with methodical aspects of information warehouse development processes. With respect to the central role information warehouses play for the management a development method is presented which strictly concentrates on management views. Language concepts are developed which allow the specification of information warehouses out of the managements perspective and a representation formalism supporting this language is presented. Methodically the language construction is based on constructive philosophy. Conceptual models are used as meta information in later development phases and it is shown how meta data of etl and olap tools available on the market can be generated out of the conceptual models. The approach presented has been verified by means of a prototype.<br/

An overview of decision table literature 1982-1995.

This report gives an overview of the literature on decision tables over the past 15 years. As much as possible, for each reference, an author supplied abstract, a number of keywords and a classification are provided. In some cases own comments are added. The purpose of these comments is to show where, how and why decision tables are used. The literature is classified according to application area, theoretical versus practical character, year of publication, country or origin (not necessarily country of publication) and the language of the document. After a description of the scope of the interview, classification results and the classification by topic are presented. The main body of the paper is the ordered list of publications with abstract, classification and comments.

Making the Mechanism of Enterprise Performance Management

This paper is devoted to the development and methodological ground of a conception of making the mechanism of enterprise performance management. It describes a model of implementation of performance benchmarking on the enterprise includes the sequence of operations, which enables to connect together several key management functions, and clearly divide the performance management process into several steps. It provides both direct and feedback to ensure continuity of performance management process. Author proposes an organizational mechanism to reduce the time and resources to implement the process of enterprise performance management that consists in an organization of the branch and regional benchmarking agencies (BBA and RBA). The BBA and RBA systems are functionally complement each other, and contribute to the accelerated development of various industries and regions: RBA increases the level of innovation development of efficient enterprises; BBA raises to this level remaining, less-efficient enterprises of the industry.benchmarking agency, economic efficiency, organizational mechanism, performance benchmarking, performance management.

Failure environment analysis tool applications

Understanding risks and avoiding failure are daily concerns for the women and men of NASA. Although NASA's mission propels us to push the limits of technology, and though the risks are considerable, the NASA community has instilled within, the determination to preserve the integrity of the systems upon which our mission and, our employees lives and well-being depend. One of the ways this is being done is by expanding and improving the tools used to perform risk assessment. The Failure Environment Analysis Tool (FEAT) was developed to help engineers and analysts more thoroughly and reliably conduct risk assessment and failure analysis. FEAT accomplishes this by providing answers to questions regarding what might have caused a particular failure; or, conversely, what effect the occurrence of a failure might have on an entire system. Additionally, FEAT can determine what common causes could have resulted in other combinations of failures. FEAT will even help determine the vulnerability of a system to failures, in light of reduced capability. FEAT also is useful in training personnel who must develop an understanding of particular systems. FEAT facilitates training on system behavior, by providing an automated environment in which to conduct 'what-if' evaluation. These types of analyses make FEAT a valuable tool for engineers and operations personnel in the design, analysis, and operation of NASA space systems