Social learning as a link between the individual and the collective: evaluating deliberation on social values

The role of social learning in deliberative processes is an emerging area of research in sustainability science. Functioning as a link between the individual and the collective, social learning has been envisioned as a process that can empower and give voice to a diverse set of stakeholder viewpoints, contribute to more adaptive and resilient management decisions and foster broader societal transformations. However, despite its widespread use in the context of participatory management of natural resources, the empirical properties of social learning remain understudied. This paper evaluates the role of social interaction and social capital in achieving transformative learning in discussions about social values. We employ a longitudinal design involving three consecutive surveys of 25 participants of an expert workshop focused on social values, as well as approximately 12 hours of transcribed audio and video recordings of participant interactions. Our mixed methods approach demonstrates the potential of using changes in social networks and definitions of social values that emerge from qualitative coding as indicators of social learning. We find that individuals with a weaker conceptual understanding of social values are more likely to change their definitions of the concept after deliberation. Though slight, these changes display a shift towards definitions more firmly held by other group members.Peer reviewe

Subcutaneous rupture of the Achilles tendon and ipsilateral fracture of the medial malleolus

BACKGROUND: Although ankle fractures and an Achilles tendon rupture are relatively frequent in isolation, their association in the same injury is uncommon. CASE PRESENTATION: A 38 year old male tree surgeon fell six meters from a tree, sustaining a subcutaneous rupture of the Achilles tendon and an ipsilateral closed fracture of the medial malleolus. The injuries were diagnosed following clinical examination and imaging. CONCLUSION: This injury combination is infrequent, and management of the Achilles tendon rupture should take into account the necessity not to secondarily displace the fracture of the medial malleollus

Development of hypertension over 6 years in a birth cohort of young middle-aged men: the Cardiovascular Risk Factor Study in southern Sweden (CRISS).

OBJECTIVES: To explore the development of hypertension (HT) in a cohort of young middle-aged men. DESIGN: Prospective birth-cohort study of men surveyed over 6 years. SETTING: Helsingborg County Hospital, Sweden, 1990-97. SUBJECTS: A total of 628 men born in 1953-54, all surveyed at 37, 40 and 43 years of age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), S-cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption, ethnicity. HT was defined as SBP > or = 140 mmHg and/or DBP > or = 90 mmHg, or ongoing treatment. Using SBP < 130 mmHg and DBP < 85 mmHg as reference, the odds of conversion to HT in men with high normal blood pressure (BP) (SBP 130-139 mmHg and DBP 85-89 mmHg) was investigated. RESULTS: At age 37, 243 men (39%) had reference BP, 167 (26%) had high normal BP and 218 (35%) were hypertensive. Corresponding numbers at age 40 were 265 (42%), 166 (27%) and 197 (31%); and at age 43, 180 (29%), 142 (22%) and 306 (49%), respectively. High normal BP at baseline was associated with the development of HT both at age 40 (odds ratio (OR)=2.45 confidence interval (CI): 1.42-4.22) and at age 43 (OR=2.46, CI: 1.59-3.80), independent of other cardiovascular disease risk factors and ethnicity. The progression to HT was predicted also by S-cholesterol, alcohol consumption, BMI and weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: Over a short-term period, a substantial proportion of young middle-aged men with high normal BP develop HT with overweight and alcohol consumption as important determinants. These findings have implications for the prevention, screening and medical care of HT in this target population