Om sin te maak. Pleidooi vir 'n gesprek tussen organisasiekunde en hermeneutiek

CITATION: Lategan, B. 2019. Om sin te maak. Pleidooi vir 'n gesprek tussen organisasiekunde en hermeneutiek. LitNet Akademies, 16(2):356-373.The original publication is available at https://www.litnet.co.zaDie artikel vestig die aandag op ’n belangrike nuwe ondersoek in organisasiekunde, naamlik die doktorale navorsing van Christiaan Maasdorp soos onder meer vervat in sy proefskrif getitel “Narrativity and organisation: an investigation in sensemaking theory” (Universiteit Stellenbosch 2018). In die eerste gedeelte van die artikel word Maasdorp se kritiek op Karl Weick se teorie van “sensemaking” in organisasies bespreek. In die tweede gedeelte word Maasdorp se voorstel ontleed om leemtes in hierdie teorie met insigte uit Ricoeur se hermeneutiese filosofie te verbeter en te versterk. Dit gaan hierby veral om Ricoeur se opvatting van narratiewe identiteit wat volgens Maasdorp ’n stewiger basis en ’n meer geskikte raamwerk bied vir wat Weick wil bereik. In die slotgedeelte word aspekte van Ricoeur se benadering wat Maasdorp nie voldoende benut nie, aan die orde gestel. Dit raak veral die verandering en vernuwing in en van organisasies wat in Ricoeur se begrip van die herbeskrywing van die werklikheid opgesluit lê. Maasdorp het ’n gesprek begin wat verder voortgesit behoort te word.The article has a threefold purpose: To introduce an important new doctoral study in organisation theory; to provide a critical overview of core aspects of the dissertation and to develop these further; and to stimulate a conversation between sensemaking theory and hermeneutics.Publisher's versio

The Use of Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplements:A Modified Delphi Consensus Panel Report

PURPOSE: Evidence supporting the use of dietary supplements, in particular, multivitamin/multimineral supplements (MVMS), has been mixed, complicating the ability of health care professionals to recommend their use. To clarify the role that MVMS can play in supporting human health, a series of consensus statements was developed based on expert opinion. METHODS: A panel of 14 international experts in nutritional science and health care was convened to develop consensus statements related to using MVMS in supporting optimal human health. The modified Delphi process included 2 rounds of remote voting and a final round of voting at a roundtable meeting where evidence summaries were presented and discussed. The level of agreement with each of 9 statements was rated on a 5-point Likert scale: agree strongly; agree with reservation; undecided; disagree; or disagree strongly. Consensus was predefined as ≥80% of the panel agreeing strongly or agreeing with reservation to a given statement. FINDINGS: Consensus was reached for all statements. The panel determined that MVMS can broadly improve micronutrient intakes when they contain at least the micronutrients that are consumed insufficiently or have limited bioavailability within a specified population. MVMS formulations may also be individualized according to age, sex, life cycle, and/or other selected characteristics. There are specific biological processes and health outcomes associated with deficient, inadequate, and adequate micronutrient levels. Adequate intake is necessary for normal biological functioning required for good health; in some instances, higher than recommended micronutrient intakes have the potential to provide additional health benefits. Meeting daily intakes established by dietary reference values should be an explicit public health goal for individuals and populations. Use of MVMS is one approach to ensure that adequate micronutrient needs are met in support of biological functions necessary to maintain health. Long-term use of MVMS not exceeding the upper limit of recommended intakes has been determined to be safe in healthy adults. There is insufficient evidence to indicate that MVMS are effective for the primary prevention of chronic medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, for certain otherwise healthy subpopulations (eg, pregnant women, older adults) and some individuals with existing medical conditions who experience inadequacies in micronutrient intake, addressing inadequacies by using MVMS can provide health benefits. IMPLICATIONS: This consensus panel has described key issues related to the use of MVMS among individuals at risk of or presenting with inadequacies in micronutrient intake or biomarker status

Towards a simple global-standard bioassay for a key ecosystem process: organic-matter decomposition using cotton strips

Cotton-strip bioassays are increasingly used to assess ecosystem integrity because they provide a standardized measure of organic-matter decomposition – a fundamental ecosystem process. However, several different cotton- strip assays are routinely used, complicating the interpretation of results across studies, and hindering broader synthesis. Here, we compare the decay rates and assemblages of bacteria and fungi colonizing the three most commonly used cotton materials: Artist’s canvas, Calico cloth, and Empa fabric. Cotton strips from each material type were incubated in 10 streams that span a wide range of physicochemical properties across five ecoregions. Additionally, to evaluate responses to environmental stress without potentially confounding biogeographical effects, we deployed identical bioassays in five streams across an acidification gradient within a single ecoregion. Across all streams decomposition rates (as tensile strength loss [TSL]) differed among the three cotton ma- terials; Calico cloth decomposed fastest (time to 50% TSL [T50]=16.7d), followed by the Empa fabric (T50 = 18.3 d) and then Artist’s canvas (T50 = 21.4 d). Despite these differences, rates of TSL of the three cotton materials responded consistently to variation in environmental conditions; TSL of each fabric increased with stream temperature, dissolved-nutrient concentrations and acid-neutralizing capacity, although Artist’s canvas and Calico cloth were more sensitive than Empa fabric. Microbial communities were similar among the mate- rials, and values of community structure (e.g., phylotype richness and diversity) were comparable to those reported for decaying leaves in streams from the same region, the major natural basal carbon resource in forested-stream ecosystems. We present linear calibrations among pairs of assays so that past and future studies can be expressed in a “common currency” (e.g., Artist’s-fabric equivalents) ‘past and future studies’ repeated two times in the sentence. Lastly, given its relatively low within-site variability, and the large number of streams where it has been used (> 700 across the globe), we recommend Artist’s fabric for future work. These results show that cotton provides an effective and realistic standardized substrate for studying heterotrophic microbial assemblages, and acts as a reasonable proxy for more chemically complex forms of detritus. These findings add to growing evidence that cotton-strip bioassays are simple, effective and easily standardized indicators of het- erotrophic microbial activity and the ecosystem processes that result

In praise of strangeness : exploring the hermeneutical potential of an unlikely source

CITATION: Lategan, B. C. 2018. In praise of strangeness. Exploring the hermeneutical potential of an unlikely source. Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 4(1):267-296, doi:10.17570/stj.2018.v4n1.a13.The original publication is available at https://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/stjIn a field already investigated extensively, the article focuses on a particular aspect, namely on the nature of the interaction between the self and the other. The leading question is: What is the hermeneutical potential of the other and the stranger in relation to the self? The following dimensions are examined: the direction of flow of the interaction, the power relations involved in the process, the claim of the other on the self and the existential dimensions of strangeness.The first section examines various approaches to the other in a number of disciplines: anthropology and ethnology, art and art history, religion, philosophy, communication theory, and pedagogy. Several common traits are evident: The flow of action is pre-dominantly from the self to the other; the power relationship is unequal, skewed in favour of the self; the other is rarely perceived in his or her own right but is compared with the self who serves as norm; and strangeness is seen as inherently problematic and accompanied by negative connotations. There is consequently a constant attempt to scale down differences and to domesticate the other by various means.An alternative approach aims at reversing the normal power relationship and releasing the potential of change for the self in the encounter with the other. This requires a conscious decision to change the direction of action – from the other to the self and not vice versa. Furthermore, to break the binary hold of subject on object, the decentring of the subject is necessary. This requires the recognition of the “incompleteness” of human existence (Nyamnjoh) which opens the self for new possibilities. Acceptance of the radical openness of systems (in this case the “system” of human relationships) is the key to release the “excess” of potential available to the self in the encounter with the other and with what is strange and alien.In this context, the strategies of liberating and of enrichment through the other becomes important. Even when considering the dark side of strangeness, these strategies still apply and illustrate more clearly the existential necessity of strangeness. The potential of the other and of strangeness for liberating and enriching the self remains undervalued.https://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/stj/article/view/1872Publisher's versio

Ricoeur in South Africa : some remarks on his impact beyond philosophy

CITATION: Lategan, B. C. 2018. Ricoeur in South Africa : some remarks on his impact beyond philosophy. Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 4(2):115–134, doi:10.17570/stj.2018.v4n2.a06.The original publication is available at https://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/stjThe work of Paul Ricoeur is of much wider significance than just for the field of philosophy. This contribution discusses the impact of his ideas on developments in South Africa in three areas beyond philosophy: discourse analysis, concepts of selfhood, and the role of memory in social transformation. His dynamic understanding of communication helped to liberate discourse analysis in South Africa from an a-historical approach by focusing on the role of the reader, the context of reception and the transformative power of the text. His innovative work on the relationship between the self and the other has the potential to lead to a more inclusive understanding of being human together and to an enriched and expanded concept of identity. His extensive work on memory, history and forgetting can provide the basis to unlock the future potential of memory and for a memory liberated from being defined and held ransom by the past.https://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/stj/article/view/1894Publisher's versio

The challenge of contextuality

CITATION: Lategan, B. C. 1991. The challenge of contextuality. Scriptura, 9:1-6, doi:10.7833/9-0-1965.The original publication is available at http://scriptura.journals.ac.zaWhy the wide-spread interest in contextuality, also and especially in dealing with biblical material? Is this the latest fad every self-respecting exegete is supposed to master in order to impress his or her peers? Is it merely a short term interest, without any lasting theological or hermeneutical significance? The concept of contextuality certainly can be pursued for the wrong reasons. It could therefore be helpful to place this specific interest against a wider backdrop. As this has been done in more detail elsewhere (cf Lategan 1993), only a very brief outline is offered here to show how contextuality forms part of a much wider and longer development in the interpretation of biblical material.https://scriptura.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/1965Publisher's versio

Bybelkunde vir bybelonderrig

CITATION: Lategan, B. C. 1990. Bybelkunde vir bybelonderrig. Scriptura, 34:1-11, doi:/10.7833/34-0-1861.The original publication is available at http://scriptura.journals.ac.zaThe paper analyses the dilemma of religious instruction in schools and the factors which contribute to the present unsatisfactory situation. The question is asked whether the expectations concerning religious instruction are realistic and the various reactions to this problem are discussed. Finally, the significance of the new awareness that biblical interpretation must be situated in the broader context of life itself, is examined and the paper is concluded with some suggestions of what this may imply for religious instruction in the South African situation.https://scriptura.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/1861Publisher's versio

The effect of rumen inert fat supplementation and protein degradability in starter and finishing diets on veal calf performance

The original publication is available at http://www.sasas.co.za/Thirty six Holstein bull calves were divided into six groups to determine the effect of protein degradability and rumen inert fat supplementation in starter and finishing diets on nutrient digestibility and veal production. Calves received low (LD) or high (HD) degradable protein diets, with or without rumen inert fat supplementation. Two commercial fat sources were used, Morlac (mlc) and Golden Flake (gf), included in the experimental diets at 2.5% of dry matter (DM). A commercial milk replacer was fed to all calves at 4 L/day for 42 days, followed by 2 L/day until weaning at 49 days of age. Starter diets were offered ad lib. from day 14 to 10 weeks of age and finishing diets ad lib. from 11 to 20 weeks of age. All calves were slaughtered at 20 weeks to determine carcass weight and dressing percentage. There were no significant differences in body weight gain or dry matter intake over the entire 20 week period. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved when fat was supplemented to LD, but not to HD diets. The FCR (DM intake/kg gain) of LD, HD, LDmlc, HDmlc, LDgf and HDgf diets was 3.45, 3.44, 3.07, 3.81, 3.02 and 3.43, respectively. All 36 calves were used in a digestibility trial during week 18 of the study, using chromium oxide as a marker. Apparent digestibility values (%) for LD, HD, LDmlc, HDmlc, LDgf and HDgf, respectively, were 61.7, 65.9, 75.4, 69.0, 75.5 and 67.2 for DM, 61.4, 61.6, 71.3, 68.2, 75.4 and 66.1 for crude protein and 58.6, 66.5, 76.0, 70.9, 78.4 and 70.8 for fat. Dry matter and fat digestibilities were significantly higher when fat was added to LD diets, but not to HD diets. The CP digestibility was significantly higher when fat was added to either the LD or the HD diets. It was concluded that rumen inert fat supplementation to calf diets appears to improve feed conversion ratio and DM and fat digestibilities, but only when added to low degradable protein diets and only after 10 weeks of age. Crude protein digestibility appears to improve with fat supplementation to either high or low degradable protein diets.Publishers' versio

Towards a more open and "pragmatic" reading of Romans 13:1–7?

CITATION: Lategan, B. 2015. 'n Verskuiwing na 'n oper en meer "pragmatiese" lees van Romeine 13:1–7? LitNet Akademies, 12(2):259-272.The original publication is available at http://www.litnet.co.zaRomeine 13:1–7 bly ’n omstrede teks wat voortgaan om ’n groot verskeidenheid (dikwels botsende) interpretasies op te lewer. Die gedeelte roep vrae op oor mag, die verhouding tussen kerk en staat, onderwerping aan wat as ’n onregverdige regering ervaar word, burgerlike ongehoorsaamheid en nog meer. Die doel van die artikel is om die strategieë wat lesers in die onlangse verlede gebruik het, te ondersoek en te toets aan ’n indeling van interpretasies wat reeds in 1992 ontwikkel is. Veral na die groot magsverskuiwinge in die wêreld aan die einde van die vorige eeu en die toename van internasionale terreur het dié gedeelte weer in die kollig gekom. Die slotsom is dat nog steeds van bekende leesstrategieë gebruik gemaak word, maar dat daar ’n merkbare verskuiwing na ’n meer “pragmatiese” benadering is. Hierdie benadering aanvaar die kompleksiteit van sowel die teks as die verskeidenheid van lesers en hul onderskeie omstandighede en soek na maniere om in die matriks van mag en magsmisbruik, wet en orde, kritiese bewussyn, eie verantwoordelikheid en die nastreef van die algemene welsyn, werkbare en praktiese oplossings vir die omgang met mag te ontwikkel.Romans 13:1–7 is a controversial text which continues to generate a wide spectrum of pro- and contra-readings. The passage raises (among others) questions regarding power and the origin of power, church and state, submission to authorities, civil disobedience and the pursuit of the common good. The purpose of the article is to analyse the strategies used by recent interpreters and to test these against a typology of readings already developed in 1992. After the shifts in global power at the end of the previous century and the rise of international terrorism, the passage again came under scrutiny. The conclusion is that readers continue to use well-known strategies, but that there is also a trend towards a “pragmatic” approach. This approach recognises the complexities related to the text, to the readers and to their very different contexts. In an attempt to negotiate the complex matrix of power and the abuse of power, law and order, critical consciousness, individual responsibility, and the pursuit of the common good, the goal is to find practical and workable ways to deal with the realities of power.http://www.litnet.co.za/n-verskuiwing-na-n-oper-en-meer-pragmatiese-lees-van-romeine-131-7/Publisher's versio