The Death Knell For the Death Penalty and the Significance of Global Realism to its Abolition from Glossip v. Gross to Brumfield v. Cain

Objectives For the last decade a host of different projects have been launched to allow persons who are concerned about their hearing status to quickly and at a low cost test their hearing ability. Most often, this is carried out without collecting complementary information that could be correlated with hearing impairment. In this two-part study we first, present the development and validation of a novel Internet-based hearing test, and second, report on the associations between this test and phonological representation, quality of life and self-reported hearing difficulties. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting An opportunity sample of participants was recruited at the Stockholm central station for the first study. All parts of the second study were conducted via the Internet, with testing and self-report forms adapted for online use. Participants The first part of the study was carried out in direct contact with the participants, and participants from the second study were recruited by means of advertisements in newspapers and on webpages. The only exclusion criterion was that participants had to be over 18 years old. Most participants were between 60 and 69 years old. There were almost an equal number of men and women (total n=316). Outcome measures 48 participants failed the Internet-based hearing screening test. The group failing the test reported more problems on the Amsterdam Inventory of Auditory Disability. In addition, they were found to have diminished phonological representational skills. However, no difference in quality of life was found. Conclusions Almost one in five participants was in need of contacting their local hearing clinic. This group had more complaints regarding tinnitus and hyperacusis, rated their own hearing as worse than those who passed, and had a poorer capability of generating accurate phonological representations. This study suggests that it is feasible to screen for hearing status online, and obtain valid data

Physical contact in physical education, sports coaching and the preschool – a scoping review

Physical contact between adults and children in educational setting has been a well debated subject in research over the past 20 years. Although physical contact is often regarded as an important pedagogical tool, it has given rise to an increased awareness amongst sports coaches, physical education and preschool teachers about the possible negative consequences of its use in these settings. The aim of this article is to map the current literature on physical contact in physical education, sports coaching and the preschool and identify research gaps by means of a scoping review, i.e. after 20 years of research in the field of intergenerational touch what can be said to be known in the field and what possible gaps are there in the research? The research questions are: (i) Which journals, countries, settings, theories and methods are represented in the research field? (ii) Which central themes and knowledge gaps can be identified? The results show that the research field has expanded significantly in the last 20 years, both in terms of the number of published articles, the number of countries represented in the research and the number of journals in which articles on the topic have been published. The central themes identified in the articles included in the review cover the following topics: fears related to physical contact, resistance, cultural differences, the functions and needs of physical contact and the professional identity of sports coaches, physical education and preschool teachers. It is concluded that studies that could lead the research field forward would ideally focus on intersectionality, or how practitioners’ fears of physical contact impact their pedagogical work with students.Physical contact in physical education, sports coaching and the preschool – a scoping reviewpublishedVersio

Increased T cell breadth and antibody response elicited in prime-boost regimen by viral vector encoded homologous SIV Gag/Env in outbred CD1 mice

BACKGROUND: A major obstacle for the development of HIV vaccines is the virus’ worldwide sequence diversity. Nevertheless, the presence of T cell epitopes within conserved regions of the virus’ structural Gag protein and conserved structures in the envelope (env) sequence raises the possibility that cross-reactive responses may be induced by vaccination. In this study, the aim was to investigate the importance of antigenic match on immunodominance and breadth of obtainable T cell responses. METHODS: Outbred CD1 mice were immunized with either heterologous (SIVmac239 and HIV-1 clade B consensus) or homologous (SIVmac239) gag sequences using adenovirus (Ad5) and MVA vectors. Env (SIVmac239) was co-encoded in the vectors to study the induction of antibodies, which is a primary target of current HIV vaccine designs. All three vaccines were designed as virus-encoded virus-like particle vaccines. Antibody responses were analysed by ELISA, avidity ELISA, and neutralization assay. T cell responses were determined by intracellular cytokine staining of splenocytes. RESULTS: The homologous Env/Gag prime-boost regimen induced higher Env binding antibodies, and induced stronger and broader Gag specific CD8+ T cell responses than the homologous Env/heterologous Gag prime-boost regimen. Homologous Env/heterologous Gag immunization resulted in selective boosting of Env specific CD8+ T cell responses and consequently a paradoxical decreased recognition of variant sequences including conserved elements of p24 Gag. CONCLUSIONS: These results contrast with related studies using Env or Gag as the sole antigen and suggest that prime-boost immunizations based on homologous SIVmac239 Gag inserts is an efficient component of genetic VLP vaccines—both for induction of potent antibody responses and cross-reactive CD8+ T cell responses

Institutional Dynamics in a Re-ordering World

The chapters in this volume point to a profound re-definition of structuring frames for action and of normative and cognitive reference sets. All chapters, individually and as a whole, document in other words significant institutional transformation. The transnationalization of our world, sometimes hastily labeled “globalization”, is not only – and far from it – about flows of goods, capital or people. Nor is transnationalization simply a discourse even though it does have important discursive dimensions. Our transnationalizing world is a re-ordering world, a world where institutional rules of the game are in serious transition. Furthermore, the chapters in this volume clearly suggest – and many mundane contemporary experiences confirm it – that the impact of re-ordering processes is significant and consequential for our everyday lives. [First paragraph

Welfare of Atlantic salmon in closed and open systems

Akvakultur är den snabbast växande animalieproduktionen i världen. År 2016 producerades 80 miljoner ton matfisk varav atlantlax utgjorde 4 %. Norge är världens största laxproducent och producerar ca 1,2 miljoner ton matfisk per år. Den stora ökningen har delvis lett till ett ökat intresse för fiskars välfärd. Syftet med litteraturstudien är att identifiera fyra relevanta välfärdsindikatorer och jämföra dess implikation hos atlantlax i två olika produktionssystem; recirkulerande akvakultursystem (RAS) och kasse. För att kunna mäta välfärd behövs en definition samt välfärdsindikatorer som kan mäta hur fiskens välfärdsbehov tillgodoses. Fyra välfärdsindikatorer har undersökts; dödlighet, tillväxt, temperatur och densitet. I jämförelse med kasse var tillväxten högre i RAS och temperaturen kunde lättare anpassas efter laxens behov. Dödligheten och densiteten var däremot högre i RAS vilket kan anses vara negativt för fiskens välfärd. När det gäller huruvida välfärdsbehoven har tillgodosetts i de två systemen uppfyllde RAS temperatur och tillväxt i högre grad än kasse medan kasse var bättre lämpat för laxen gällande dödlighet och densitet. Valet av indikatorer och studier kan ha påverkat det slutliga utfallet och det är därmed svårt att avgöra vilket system som faktiskt erbjuder bästa välfärden för atlantlaxen. Min hypotes om att kasse skulle uppfylla välfärdsbehoven i högre grad än RAS stämde därmed delvis.Aquaculture is globally the fastest growing animal production sector. It is important to study the fish welfare in the production. The main purpose with this litterature review is to adress four important welfare indicators of Atlantic salmon, and compare the welfare in two different production systems; recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and net-pens. In order to measure welfere, a definition is needed and welfare indicators that can assess the welfare of the fish. Four indicators was chosen; mortality, growth, temperature and stocking density. Growth was better in RAS as well as the ability to optimize the water temperature. Mortality and stocking density was also higher in RAS which could inply lower welfare in RAS compared to net-pens. About the fulfillment of the welfare needs in the two systems, RAS was better suited for the salmon in the aspect of growth and temperature while net-pen was better in the aspect of mortality and stocking density. My hypothesis that net-pens would be better suited for fish welfare was partly correct

Fasta körspår till framtiden

Uppsatsen har skrivits på uppdrag av Lena Holm och Johan Arvidsson. Denna studie är en del av deras stora forskningsprojekt ”Fasta körspår- skördepotential och effekt på markstruktur” med ett långliggande försök som startades år 2010. Bakgrunden till denna studie är att klimatet ständigt förändras och jordens medeltemperatur stiger, vilket leder till brist på vatten i stora områden i världen. Det förändrade klimatet har lett till ett allt mer extremt tillstånd med kraftiga regn och extrem torka runt om i världen. Med dagens moderna odlingsmetoder kan odling i allt mer utsatta områden existera även i framtiden, men det kräver en förändring och en ökad kunskap kring olika tekniker. När regnet blir allt mer extremt måste det också till ett odlingssystem som är mer anpassat efter dessa extrema mängder nederbörd. Det kan vara genom till exempel bättre förmåga att infiltrera de stora mängderna vatten under kortare tid än idag. I stora odlingsländer som Australien i världen blir reducerad bearbetning eller "no-till" (direktsådd) allt vanligare då kostnaderna ständigt jagas samtidigt som detta lett till ett mer hållbart sätt att bruka jorden på. Dagens maskiner är allt oftare utrustade med GPSteknik som hjälper lantbrukare i världen att bruka jorden på ett mer effektivt och resurssparande sätt. Med tekniken kan överlappet minskas, vilket ger en positiv effekt i form av minskade insatser så som diesel utsäde och växtnäring. GPS-tekniken har lett till att man på stora brukningsarealer provat att centrera körspåren för att minimera den trafikerade ytan på fältet och där igenom reducera packningsskadornas omfattning. Syftet med studien var att undersöka om markstrukturen påverkades positivt av att körspåren koncentrerades i jämförelse med om marken trafikerades slumpmässigt. Den syftade också till att jämföra effekterna mellan olika bearbetningsmetoder. De parametrar som undersöktes i studien är skrymdensitet och infiltration. Studiens avgränsningar var att prover endast togs ut ur matjordslagret på 10 till 15 cm djup. Endast ett försök under ett år ingår. Skördeeffekter behandlades inte i denna studie. I resultatet av studien framkom att det fanns skillnader mellan olika bearbetningsmetoder, både för skrymdensitet och infiltration. Det fanns några behandlingar som skiljer sig signifikant från de andra. Tydligt framkom att direktsådd gav en högre skrymdensitet, vilket tyder på en mer kompakt jord. Inga signifikanta skillnader kunde urskiljas mellan den konventionella trafikeringsmetoden och fasta körspårs spårfria yta. För infiltrationsresultaten visade det att det fanns signifikanta skillnader mellan de olika bearbetningsmetoderna. Konventionellt trafikerad direktsådd var den bearbetningsmetoden som skiljde sig signifikant genom de mycket låga värdena för infiltration. Dock fanns det inga signifikanta skillnader mellan de olika trafikeringsmetoderna. I diskussionen jämfördes resultaten med riktvärden. För skrymdensitet låg alla resultatsvärden bra till i förhållande till riktvärdena. För infiltration var variationen större, från 1,3 cm till 10,2 cm/timme. Men trots det var alla värden även här inom ramen för riktvärdena. Infiltration och skrymdensitet är två parametrar som påverkar varandra mycket. Om jorden är kompakt kommer den heller inte att infiltrera tillfredställande och om jorden inte infiltrerat vattnet kommer grödorna att ta skada vilket även sker när jorden är för kompakt då bland annat rottillväxten hämmas och grödan påverkas negativt.This essay is written at the request of Lena Holm and Johan Arvidsson. The study is a part of their major research project “Control traffic- harvest potential and effects on soil structure” with long-term trails that stated up in year 2010. The background of this study is that the climate is changing constantly and the global temperature increases. The result of this is less water in some parts of the world (too dry) and at the same time water flooding in another part of the world. Rainfall becomes more heavy when it comes. Modern tillage methods (without plow) are increasing in the world. The cropping system must be prepared for the future climate to infiltrate a lot of rain water and at the same time take care of the soil water. In bigger countries as Australia, no-till is a common tillage system. Today it´s important to look after the costs relative to input materials like diesel, nutrients and manpower. GPS has taken the world further, to help minimize these costs in terms of overlapping. The “controlled traffic farming” is one way in the direction with permanent trumlines every year. Through this the traffic area decreases and minimizes the risk of soil compaction from modern heavy machines. The aim of the study was to investigate if the soil structure were influenced positively if the tramlines were fixed compared with conventional trafficking (CTF). It also intended to consider if there is any differences between different cultivation methods. The studied parameters were bulk density and infiltration in the profile (10-15cm deep). The result showed that there were differences between tillage methods both for bulk density and infiltration. In the conventional traffic, no-till has the highest bulk density, which means that it is very compact. In general the no-till treatments were more compact than the other treatments. There were no significant differences between tillage methods and traffic models. The infiltration result shows that there were significant differences between the different tillage methods. The conventional no-till system has the significantly lowest infiltrations capacity. But there is not differences between tillage methods and traffic methods. The discussion part of the essay compares the results with benchmark values (a indicator value). This shows that all of the results from the study are within the frame, none of them are too high or too low. The bulk density results are all within the frame of value. The infiltration value has greater variety, from 1,3 - 10,2 cm/hour. Even though, they were all within the frame. The infiltration and the bulk density interact. If the soil is compact it will not infiltrate. If the water stays on the surface, it will destroy the crop in flooding. And if the soil is too compact the root growth will be inhibited which then inhibits the plant

Betydelsen av bärbara elektroniska hjälpmedel för barn med kognitiv funktionsnedsättning och deras familjer

The aim of this study was to describe how families with children, having cognitive disabilities, interacted with portable electronic assistive devices in their daily life. More specifically, its aim was to study the needs for families when they decided to use electronic assistive devices as assistance in their everyday lives, what everyday function they added value to and if they had the same meaning for children and parents. The study was based on ten interviews with family members from four families, where the children had began to use Handi or iPhone as cognitive assistance. Categories were identified and from those, eight themes were created that played important roles in the everyday lives of the families. The analyses were based on the indivduals’ experiences of their portable electronic assistive devices. The teoretical perspective is Salutogenetic perspectiv and KASAM. The interwied parents expected the electronic assisitive devices to strengthen the children's sense of coherence and increase their participation, autonomy and equality to children of the same age. The parents expressed that assistive devices were a resource for both the children and themselves as they made the children more independent, having taking over the role of everyday reminding. That resulted in lower stress levels, less anxiety and less conflicts in the families. The family situation as a whole developed in a positive direction. There was a high degree of agreement among the children and parents regarding the importance of the electronic assistive devices. This study gives a clear indication that children´s needs can not be classified by just looking at age or development, they have to be seen in their context, the family. The needs of the whole family has to be considered in order to promote the wellbeing and development of the children