3,581 research outputs found
Towards a Theory of Constrained Relativism: Comparing and Combining the Work of Pierre Bourdieu, Mary Douglas and Michael Thompson, and Alan Fiske
In this article, I seek to compare Pierre Bourdieu\'s theory of practice, the cultural theory developed by Mary Douglas and Michael Thompson, and the relational models theory pioneered by Alan Fiske, and attempt to sketch how these theories could possibly be combined. I argue that the three theories are among the most interesting conceptual enterprises in the social sciences of the last few decades, as they all represent –quite similar– syntheses of long-standing social-science dualisms, such as objectivism vs. subjectivism, social structure vs. free will, functionalism vs. social conflict, etc. Besides these commonalities, I spell out the relative strengths and weaknesses of each of these approaches. This allows me to conclude by considering whether, and how, it might be possible to synthesise these syntheses by picking the most interesting features of the three theories, and avoiding their less appealing ones.[No keywords]
Application of the Waveform Relaxation Technique to the Co-Simulation of Power Converter Controller and Electrical Circuit Models
In this paper we present the co-simulation of a PID class power converter
controller and an electrical circuit by means of the waveform relaxation
technique. The simulation of the controller model is characterized by a
fixed-time stepping scheme reflecting its digital implementation, whereas a
circuit simulation usually employs an adaptive time stepping scheme in order to
account for a wide range of time constants within the circuit model. In order
to maintain the characteristic of both models as well as to facilitate model
replacement, we treat them separately by means of input/output relations and
propose an application of a waveform relaxation algorithm. Furthermore, the
maximum and minimum number of iterations of the proposed algorithm are
mathematically analyzed. The concept of controller/circuit coupling is
illustrated by an example of the co-simulation of a PI power converter
controller and a model of the main dipole circuit of the Large Hadron Collider
Implementation of a multicomponent family support intervention in adult intensive care units: study protocol for an embedded mixed-methods multiple case study (FICUS implementation study)
- Background: The implementation of complex interventions is considered challenging, particularly in multi-site clinical trials and dynamic clinical settings. This study protocol is part of the family intensive care units (FICUS) hybrid effectiveness-implementation study. It aims to understand the integration of a multicomponent family support intervention in the real-world context of adult intensive care units (ICUs). Specifically, the study will assess implementation processes and outcomes of the study intervention, including fidelity, and will enable explanation of the clinical effectiveness outcomes of the trial.
- Methods and analysis: This mixed-methods multiple case study is guided by two implementation theories, the Normalisation Process Theory and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Participants are key clinical partners and healthcare professionals of eight ICUs allocated to the intervention group of the FICUS trial in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Data will be collected at four timepoints over the 18-month active implementation and delivery phase using qualitative (small group interviews, observation, focus group interviews) and quantitative data collection methods (surveys, logs). Descriptive statistics and parametric and non-parametric tests will be used according to data distribution to analyse within and between cluster differences, similarities and factors associated with fidelity and the level of integration over time. Qualitative data will be analysed using a pragmatic rapid analysis approach and content analysis.
- Ethics and dissemination: Ethics approval was obtained from the Cantonal Ethics Committee of Zurich BASEC ID 2021-02300 (8 February 2022). Study findings will provide insights into implementation and its contribution to intervention outcomes, enabling understanding of the usefulness of applied implementation strategies and highlighting main barriers that need to be addressed for scaling the intervention to other healthcare contexts. Findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
- Protocol registration number: Open science framework (OSF)https://osf.io/8t2ud Registered on 21 December 2022
How to test cultural theory: Suggestions for future research
This symposium highlighted the relevance of the cultural theory (CT) pioneered by anthropologists Mary Douglas, Steve Rayner, and Michael Thompson and political scientists Aaron Wildavsky and Richard Ellis for explaining political phenomena. In this concluding article, we suggest ways in which CT can be further tested and developed. First, we describe how the theory has been applied thus far and some of the achievements of these applications. Then, we examine some of the challenges revealed by this research. Finally, we discuss ways of applying CT that promise to help meet these challenges. These methods include nesting case studies and combining case study and survey research, simulations, experiments, and approaches from social neuroscience.</jats:p
A phase I and pharmacokinetic study of weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with metastatic esophageal cancer
PURPOSE: To determine the maximum-tolerated dose, toxicity profile, and
pharmacokinetics of a fixed dose of paclitaxel followed by increasing
doses of carboplatin, given weekly to patients with advanced esophageal or
gastric junction cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Paclitaxel was administered
on day 1 as a 1-h infusion at a fixed dose of 100 mg/m(2) followed by a
1-h infusion of carboplatin targeting an area under the curve (AUC) of 2-5
mg x min/ml, with cycles repeated on days 8, 15, 29, 36, and 43. RESULTS:
Forty patients [36 males; median (range) age, 57 (40-74) years] were
enrolled. Dose-limiting toxicity was observed at a carboplatin AUC of 5 mg
x min/ml and consisted of treatment delay attributable to
myelosuppression. No grade 3/4 treatment-related nonhematological toxicity
was observed. The highest dose intensity (>95% of the planned dose over
time) was achieved with a carboplatin AUC of 4 mg x min/ml. The mean
(+/-SD) AUCs of unbound (Cu) and total paclitaxel were 0.662 +/- 0.186 and
7.37 +/- 1.33 micro M x h, respectively. Clearance of Cu was 188 +/- 44.6
liter/h/m(2), which is not significantly different from historical data (P
= 0.52). Cremophor EL clearance was 123 +/- 23 ml/h/m(2), similar to
previous findings. Of 37 patients evaluable for response, 1 had complete
response, 19 had partial response, and 10 had stable disease, accounting
for an overall response rate of 54%. CONCLUSIONS: This regimen is very
tolerable and effective, and the recommended doses for additional studies
are paclitaxel (100 mg/m(2)), with carboplatin targeting an AUC of 4 mg x
min/ml
Quantitative PCR in soil-transmitted helminth control programs : four potential applications
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Fungicides and the grapevine wood mycobiome: a case study on Tracheomycotic Ascomycete Phaemoniella chlamydospora reveals potential for two novel control strategies
Original ResearchPhaeomoniella chlamydospora is a tracheomycotic fungus that colonizes the xylem of
grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.), causing wood discoloration, brown wood streaking, gummosis,
and wood necrosis, which negatively affect the overall health, productivity, and life span of
vines. Current control strategies to prevent or cope with P. chlamydospora infections are
frequently ineffective. Moreover, it is unclear how fungicides commonly applied in vineyards
against downy and powdery mildew agents affect the wood mycobiome, including wood
pathogens such as P. chlamydospora. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing to
assess the effects of foliar spray of grapevines with inorganic (copper oxychloride and sulfur),
synthetic (penconazole and fosetyl-aluminum), and natural (Blad) fungicides currently used
against the downy and powdery mildews. The subjects of our investigation were (i) the resident
wood mycobiome, (ii) the early colonization by a consortium of fungal wood endophytes
(ACEA1), (iii) the wood colonization success of P. chlamydospora, and (iv) the in planta
interaction between P. chlamydospora and ACEA1, under greenhouse conditions, in rooted
grapevine cuttings of cv. Cabernet Sauvignon. The data obtained suggest that the resident
mycobiome is affected by different fungicide treatments. In addition, the early colonization
success of the endophytes composing ACEA1 varied in response to fungicides, with relative
abundances of some taxa being overrepresented or underrepresented when compared with
the control. The wood colonization by P. chlamydospora comported significant changes in the
mycobiome composition, and in addition, it was greatly affected by the foliar spray with Blad,
which decreased the relative abundance of this pathogen 12-fold (4.9%) when compared
with the control (60.7%) and other treatments. The presence of the pathogen also decreased
considerably when co-inoculated into the plant with ACEA1, reaching relative abundances
between 13.9% and 2.0%, depending on the fungicide treatment applied. This study shows
that fungicides sprayed to prevent infections of powdery and downy mildews have an control strategies to fight P. chlamydospora, namely, the foliar spray with Blad and the use of
ACEA1. Further studies to confirm these results are requiredinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services. Urban ecosystems
Action 5 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 requires member states to Map and Assess the state of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES). This report provides guidance for mapping and assessment
of urban ecosystems. The MAES urban pilot is a collaboration between the European Commission, the European Environment Agency, volunteering Member States and cities, and stakeholders. Its ultimate
goal is to deliver a knowledge base for policy and management of urban ecosystems by analysing urban green infrastructure, condition of urban ecosystems and ecosystem services. This report presents guidance for mapping urban ecosystems and includes an indicator framework to assess the condition of urban ecosystems and urban ecosystem services. The scientific framework of mapping and assessment is designed to support in particular urban planning policy and policy on green infrastructure at urban, metropolitan and regional scales. The results are based on the following different sources of information: a literature survey of 54 scientific articles, an online-survey (on urban ecosystems, related policies and planning instruments and with participation of 42 cities), ten case studies (Portugal: Cascais, Oeiras, Lisbon; Italy: Padua, Trento, Rome; The Netherlands: Utrecht; Poland: Poznań; Spain: Barcelona; Norway: Oslo), and a two-day expert workshop. The case studies constituted the core of the MAES urban pilot. They provided real examples and applications of how mapping and assessment can be organized to support policy; on top, they provided the necessary expertise to select a set of final indicators for condition and ecosystem services. Urban ecosystems or cities are defined here as socio-ecological systems which are composed of green infrastructure and built infrastructure. Urban green infrastructure (GI) is understood in this report as the multi-functional network of urban green spaces situated within the boundary of the urban ecosystem. Urban green spaces are the structural components of urban GI.
This study has shown that there is a large scope for urban ecosystem assessments. Firstly, urban policies increasingly use urban green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in their planning process. Secondly, an increasing amount of data at multiple spatial scales is becoming available to support these policies, to provide a baseline, and to compare or benchmark cities with respect to the extent and management of the urban ecosystem. Concrete examples are given on how to delineate urban ecosystems, how to choose an appropriate spatial scale, and how to map urban ecosystems based on a combination of national or European datasets (including Urban Atlas) and locally collected information (e.g., location of trees). Also examples of typologies for urban green spaces are presented.
This report presents an indicator framework which is composed of indicators to assess for urban ecosystem condition and for urban ecosystem services. These are the result of a rigorous selection
process and ensure consistent mapping and assessment across Europe. The MAES urban pilot will continue with work on the interface between research and policy. The framework presented in this report needs to be tested and validated across Europe, e.g. on its applicability at city scale, on how far the methodology for measuring ecosystem condition and ecosystem service delivery in urban areas can be used to assess urban green infrastructure and nature-based solutions
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