This Game Whispers

English: My work revolves around the typological transformation of forms and objects as they are diffused or spread between cultures. An object that is appropriated into a new cultural context will likely be adapted through being copied, a process in which it amalgamates with elements of the receiving material culture. It is given new shapes, functions, aesthetics and values and might not in the end be recognisable in comparison to the “original” form. The historical transformation of objects through copying invites fantastical interpretations into universes where objects from our world take unpredictable turns. Spiralling through time and space, constantly creating and being recreated, the object’s copying-journey has the dramatic qualities of a human life story. In this thesis, I first introduce my thoughts on copying and cultural appropriation. I then use these phenomena to present specific historic contexts where jewellery played a foundational role in European colonisation processes. Norsk: Arbeidet mitt dreier seg om den typologiske transformasjonen av former og objekter når de er spredt mellom kulturer. Et objekt som er appropriert inn i en ny kulturell kontekst vil sannsynligvis bli tilpasset gjennom å bli kopiert, en prosess der det smelter sammen med elementer fra den mottagende materielle kulturen. Den får nye former, funksjoner, estetikk og verdier og er kanskje ikke til å kjenne igjen i forhold til den "originale" formen. Den historiske transformasjonen av objekter gjennom kopiering inviterer til fantastiske tolkninger inn i universer der objekter fra vår verden tar uforutsigbare vendinger. Gjenstandens kopieringsreise spiraler gjennom tid og rom, skaper og gjenskapes stadig, og har de dramatiske kvalitetene til en menneskelig livshistorie. I denne oppgaven introduserer jeg først mine tanker om kopiering og kulturell appropriasjon. Jeg bruker deretter disse fenomenene til å presentere spesifikke historiske kontekster der smykker spilte en grunnleggende rolle i europeiske koloniseringsprosesser

Towards a pragmatic approach for dealing with uncertainties in water management practice

Management of water resources is afflicted with uncertainties. Nowadays it is facing more and new uncertainties since pace and dimension of changes (e.g. climatic, demographic) are accelerating and are likely to increase even more in the future. Hence it is crucial to find pragmatic ways to deal with these uncertainties in water management. So far, decision-making under uncertainty in water management is based on either intuition, heuristics and experience of water managers or on expert assessments all of which are only of limited use for water managers in practice. We argue for an analytical yet pragmatic approach to enable practitioners to deal with uncertainties in a more explicit and systematic way and allow for better informed decisions. Our approach is based on the concept of framing, referring to the different ways in which people make sense of the world and of the uncertainties. We applied and tested recently developed parameters that aim to shed light on the framing of uncertainty in two sub-basins of the Rhine. We present and discuss the results of a series of stakeholder interactions in the two basins aimed at developing strategies for improving dealing with uncertainties. The strategies are synthesized in a cross-checking list based on the uncertainty framing parameters as a hands-on tool for systematically identifying improvement options when dealing with uncertainty in water management practice. We conclude with suggestions for testing the developed check-list as a tool for decision aid in water management practice. Key words: water management, future uncertainties, framing of uncertainties, hands-on decision aid, tools for practice, robust strategies, social learnin

Towards breeding of edible perennial lupins for Swedish conditions : theoretical outlook and interspecific hybridization

With regards to current threats posed to society by climate change and lack of food sovereignty in Sweden and globally, the prospects of breeding perennial lupins for food and feed production were examined. This study consisted of a literature study focused on Lupinus polyphyllus, related species and hybrids thereof, and an experimental part on interspecific hybridization between L. polyphyllus and L. mutabilis. Two lines of annual hybrids between L. polyphyllus and L. mutabilis developed by plant breeder B.S. Kurlovich were described and compared with L. angustifolius ‘Boragine’. Attempted crosses between three lines of annual hybrids and naturalized L. polyphyllus conducted in 2020 and 2021 were described. However, no viable hybrid seeds from the crosses were obtained, proving that back-crossing these annual hybrids with L. polyphyllus being extremely difficult. Previous and current breeding efforts regarding L. polyphyllus were studied, and the potential of L. polyphyllus as a perennial grain legume crop were evaluated according to selection criteria for candidate species. Impressive performance, valuable genetic material and important breeding work conducted on L. polyphyllus were highlighted as factors favoring a continued development and study of the species. The species habit of spreading and becoming classified as invasive, as well as the content of toxic quinolizidine alkaloids are two issues of importance in breeding and cultivation. Low alkaloid L. polyphyllus has the potential to emerge as a crop in the northern regions due to its reliable production, the nutritional qualities and its dual-purpose use as both grain and pasture/silage crop

Inviting Interpillar Incoherence Mapping out the Reasons for Horizontal Incoherence in the European Union's External Relations and Why This Matters

This thesis addresses the problem of horizontal incoherence between the first and second pillar of the European Union in its external relations. Horizontal coherence is an important concept for the European Union's legitimacy and strength. Internally, coherence is essential for the Union's democratic legitimacy, as democratic influx comes from the Council. Externally, to the extent incoherent positions result in unfulfilled external policy goals, observing the set of moral duties that legitimize the Union's right to carry out ?social good? is at stake. Scrutinizing interpillar relations in the EU's policy implementation process in the field of external relations, the main suggestion of this essay is that incoherence has two sources of origin: one is the institutionalized intra-EU cleavage of competences within the Union's organizations. The other derives from the theory of organizations, explained consuming Barnett & Finnemore's bureaucracy theory. The theory proposes that through analyzing international organizations such as the EU as bureaucracies rather than as extensions of states? power, we can establish a solid foundation for interpreting their behavior

Burden of disease and identification of intervention targets in extended-spectrum β-lactamase-associated infections

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (EPE) have surged globally since the early 2000s, partly due to dissemination of CTX-M-15 producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) sequence type 131 and its sub-lineages H30-R and H30-Rx. The overarching aim of the thesis was to increase the knowledge of the disease burden in and risk factors for bloodstream infection (BSI) with EPE. For papers I and II, 408 children were enrolled in a cross-sectional study upon seeking emergency medical care at a referral hospital in Bissau with signs of systemic infection (fever or tachycardia). In paper I, we reported that the proportion of these children that were intestinally colonized with E. coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) that produced extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) was 33% and that co-resistance to other antibiotic drugs was common. There was considerable genetic heterogeneity among the isolates, suggesting wide community dissemination. This descriptive knowledge of EPE dispersion in Guinea-Bissau can help inform local antibiotic treatment guidelines for infections potentially caused by Gram-negative bacteria. In Paper II, we assessed the etiology of severe infections in the same population. Pathogenic bacteria were identified from the bloodstream of 12% of the children. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest species (26 findings), followed by non-Typhoidal Salmonella (5) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (4). Bloodstream infection (BSI) was common among non-febrile children. Malaria was clinically diagnosed in 64% of the subjects, but could only be laboratory-verified in 5%. The findings can be used to inform treatment in patients with signs of systemic infection and support previous studies indicating fever as an insufficient predictor of BS. In Paper III, the risk of EPE BSI was studied in a cohort of Swedes with a previous finding of EPE in urine (urine cohort) or feces (feces cohort) from 2007-12 and compared to the risk in the Swedish population. The incidence rate in the urine cohort peaked at 22.4 events per 1000 person-years 31-90 days after the initial finding and fell to 1.8 events after 2-6 years. The cumulative 6-year incidence was 3.8% and 1.6% for the urine and feces cohorts, respectively. The relative risk of incident EPE BSI in the respective cohorts compared to the Swedish population was 62- and 32-fold. Urological disorders and other underlying morbidities were associated with increased risk. Paper IV was a nation-wide case-control study of disease burden and risk factors for community-onset EPE BSI. The incidence rate of EPE BSI in Sweden was 1.7 events per 100 000 person-years during 2007-12. Male sex, high age and urological morbidity were strong risk factors. The 30-day mortality after EPE BSI was 11.7%. Fluoroquinolone consumption 8-91 days before the outcome was associated with 5.5-fold odds, which in a causal interpretation yields a population attributable fraction of 14%. The findings from papers III and IV can be used to identify high-risk populations that are suitable targets for interventions such as eradication therapy and antibiotic stewardship programs. In conclusion, the thesis contributes to the knowledge of BSI and EPE dissemination in Guinea-Bissau and can be used to inform treatment guidelines and public health policy. It also improves our understanding of the natural history of EPE colonization in terms of subsequent risk of EPE BSI and the attribution of morbidity, antibiotic consumption and other risk factors to that outcome

Potentialen för förädling av perenna baljväxter för svenska klimat : en litteraturstudie samt ett pilotexperiment om polyploidi

In consideration of both the struggle facing smallholders and rural societies in Sweden and the environmental crisis, the potential of breeding and cultivation of perennial legumes in Sweden has been examined. The essay is comprised of a literature study and a pilot experiment. In the literature study, focus have been given to pea vetch, Vicia pisiformis L., Siberian pea shrub, Caragana arborescens Lam., thicket bean, Phaseolus polystachios L. and some species of lupins, Lupinus sp. Additionally, the potential of using polyploidization and the prospects of achieve interspecific hybridization with the aim of increasing seed size and yield have been examined. In conclusion, the most promising path to a perennial legume crop for large parts of Sweden appears to be lupin species of the Platycarpos subgenus, i.e. hybrids between L. mutabilis Sweet. and either L. polyphyllus Lindl. or L. perennis L. In the pilot experiment, solutions containing either 0,1% or 0,2% colchicine plus 0,2% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) were applied to lateral buds of Caragana arborescens, as well as to apical meristem of Vicia pisiformis, in an attempt at inducing tetraploidity. However, no differences between treated plants and the control could be identified.Med svårigheterna för småbrukare och svensk landsbygd och den stundande klimatkrisen i åtanke har potentialen för att förädla och odla perenna baljväxter i Sverige undersökts. Arbetet består dels av en litteraturstudie och dels av ett pilotexperiment. I litteraturstudien har fokus legat på ärtvicker, Vicia pisiformis L., sibirisk ärtbuske, Caragana arborescens Lam., vild kidneyböna, Phaseolus polystachios L. samt några arter av lupin, Lupinus sp. Dessutom har potentialen att använda popyploidisering samt att ta fram interspecifika hybrider i syfte att öka fröstorlek och skörd undersökts. Samanfattningsvis verkar den mest lovande tillvägagångsättet att ta fram en perenn baljväxt för odling i större delarna av Sverige vara att utgå ifrån lupinarter från undersläktet Platycarpos, mer specifikt hybrider mellan L. mutabilis Sweet. och antingen L. polyphyllus Lindl. eller L. perennis L. I pilotexperimentet applicerades lösningar med antingen 0,1% eller 0,2% colchicin samt 0,2% dimetylsulfoxid (DMSO) på lateralknoppar av sibirisk ärtbuske samt apikalmeristemet på ärtvicker. Detta i syfte att inducera tetraploidi. Dock kunde inga skillnader mellan de behandlade plantorna och kontrollerna indentifieras

Sensor mapping of amazonian dark earths in deforested croplands

Amazonian Dark Earths (ADEs) are fertile soils for agricultural production as well as important archaeological resources for understanding the pre-Columbian past of the Neotropical lowland rainforest. ADEs are threatened by expanding land exploitation and there is a need to develop efficient approaches to soil mapping and analysis for documenting these soils. In this paper we assess the potential of satellite remote sensing and proximal soil sensing to map, predict and monitor ADEs in land affected by agro-industrial development. We use instruments based on portable x-ray fluorescence (PXRF) and electromagnetic induction (EMI) as well as high-resolution satellite data (Spot 6) for detailed soil surveys at a 10-ha ADE site now mainly used for soybean production on the Belterra Plateau, Pará, Brazil. We predict the regional occurrence of ADE in a c. 250 km 2 test area centred on the known ADE site São Francisco using satellite data. Multivariate adaptive regression splines models were parameterised for predictions of soil organic carbon (SOC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), phosphorus (P) and depth of the A horizon in ADEs from sensor data - both from individual sensors and in sensor combinations. Combining sensors gave the best validation results: the highest modelling efficiencies (E) were 0.70 (SOC), 0.88 (CEC) and 0.74 (for both P and A depth). The most powerful single proximal sensor outputs in the predictions were Sr from the PXRF data and magnetic susceptibility (MSa) as measured by the EMI instrument. In the regional satellite based model we located 17 previously unrecorded ADE sites N2 ha. Ground control checks showed that 10 out of 11 sites were correctly classified. We conclude that these sensors are useful in studies of ADE in deforested cropland and provide new opportunities for detailed studies of the archaeological record

Lost food narratives can grow human health in cities

Peer reviewe

Buried solutions:How Maya urban life substantiates soil connectivity

Soils are a pivot of sustainable development. Yet, urban planning decisions persist in compromising the usability of the urban soils resource. Urban land cover expansion to accommodate an increasing population results in soil sealing. Concealment of and physical obstructions to soils prevent urban populations from engaging with their soil dependency. The concept of soil connectivity recognises that nurturing mutually beneficial soil–society relations is an essential dimension for achieving soil security. The concentrated populations of urban environments acutely require productive soil–society relations and offer the greatest potential for enhancing soil connectivity. Soil connectivity remains notably under-researched, however, resulting in deficient evidence to substantiate exactly how soil connectivity can contribute to sustaining urban life. The entanglement of soil and urban development has been critical throughout history, but seldom recognised in soil security discourse. We review the manifestation of effective soil connectivity in Precolumbian lowland Maya tropical urbanism. Archaeological evidence reveals, first, that lowland Maya urban settlement patterns largely preserved the availability, proximity, and accessibility of soils in the subdivision and configuration of urban open space. Second, Maya urban life included practices that proactively contributed to the formation of soils by adding to the stock of soils and improving beneficial soil properties of the thin and often nutrient-poor soils resulting from the regionally dominant karstic lithology. Third, a range of Maya landscape modifications and engineering practices enabled the preservation and protection of soils within urban environments. We derive evidence-based insights on an urban tradition that endured for well over two millennia by incorporating intensive soil–society relationships to substantiate the concept of soil connectivity. Inspiring urban planning to stimulate soil connectivity through enhancing the engagement with soils in urban life would promote soil security

Assessing framing of uncertainties in water management practice

Dealing with uncertainties in water management is an important issue and is one which will only increase in light of global changes, particularly climate change. So far, uncertainties in water management have mostly been assessed from a scientific point of view, and in quantitative terms. In this paper, we focus on the perspectives from water management practice, adopting a qualitative approach. We consider it important to know how uncertainties are framed in water management practice in order to develop practice relevant strategies for dealing with uncertainties. Framing refers to how people make sense of the world. With the aim of identifying what are important parameters for the framing of uncertainties in water management practice, in this paper we analyze uncertainty situations described by decision-makers in water management. The analysis builds on a series of ¿Uncertainty Dialogues¿ carried out within the NeWater project with water managers in the Rhine, Elbe and Guadiana basins in 2006. During these dialogues, representatives of these river basins were asked what uncertainties they encountered in their professional work life and how they confronted them. Analysing these dialogues we identified several important parameters of how uncertainties get framed. Our assumption is that making framing of uncertainty explicit for water managers will allow for better dealing with the respective uncertainty situations. Keywords Framing - Uncertainty - Water management practic