What Can Faith-Based Forms of Violent Conflict Prevention Teach Us About Liberal Peace?

Faith-based actors are often recognised as contributors to both conflict and peace. However, their work to prevent violent conflict, rather than bring an end to or recover from it, is largely unexplored. This is despite the growth of conflict prevention as a global social norm and field of practice. Based on collaborative research with faith groups and organisations in Nigeria, the Solomon Islands and Zanzibar (Tanzania), this paper examines faith-based forms of violent conflict prevention. It argues that faith-based approaches exist on a spectrum, from instinctive and ad hoc initiatives run by individuals and local places of worship to large-scale, systematised interventions led by global faith-based development organisations. Yet, while faith-based approaches to violent conflict prevention vary in form and function, they are consistent and distinctive in their emphasis on building resilient relationships at the local level, modelling forms of prevention embedded within local culture and that recognise the emotional and spiritual dimensions of transformative change. Faith-based approaches offer insights valuable to the wider conflict prevention field, which is increasingly critiqued for its liberal underpinnings and emphasis on technical and technological solutionism. Lessons emerge for others implementing prevention programmes, who could adapt elements of the unhurried, values-led, relationally sensitive approach demonstrated by some faith-based actors, albeit within their own structural limitations. Policymakers should support such adaptations and expand their view of prevention to explicitly include faith-based forms of activity, as to do otherwise risks missing opportunities and reproducing existing failures

Tumor-reactive immune cells protect against metastatic tumor and induce immunoediting of indolent but not quiescent tumor cells

Two major barriers to cancer immunotherapy include tumor-induced immune suppression mediated by myeloid-derived suppressor cells and poor immunogenicity of the tumor-expressing self-antigens. To overcome these barriers, we reprogrammed tumor-immune cell cross-talk by combined use of decitabine and adoptive immunotherapy, containing tumor-sensitized T cells and CD25+ NKT cells. Decitabine functioned to induce the expression of highly immunogenic cancer testis antigens in the tumor, while also reducing the frequency of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and the presence of CD25+ NKT cells rendered T cells, resistant to remaining myeloid-derived suppressor cells. This combinatorial therapy significantly prolonged survival of animals bearing metastatic tumor cells. Adoptive immunotherapy also induced tumor immunoediting, resulting in tumor escape and associated disease-related mortality. To identify a tumor target that is incapable of escape from the immune response, we used dormant tumor cells. We used Adriamycin chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which simultaneously induce tumor cell death and tumor dormancy. Resultant dormant cells became refractory to additional doses of Adriamycin or radiation therapy, but they remained sensitive to tumor-reactive immune cells. Importantly, we discovered that dormant tumor cells contained indolent cells that expressed low levels of Ki67 and quiescent cells that were Ki67 negative. Whereas the former were prone to tumor immunoediting and escape, the latter did not demonstrate immunoediting. Our results suggest that immunotherapy could be highly effective against quiescent dormant tumor cells. The challenge is to develop combinatorial therapies that could establish a quiescent type of tumor dormancy, which would be the best target for immunotherapy

Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a common diagnosis seen in intensive care units worldwide. The incidence of pancreatitis has increased over the last decade. It ranks third amongst the gastrointestinal diseases resulting in hospital admissions. The destructive complications of pancreatitis make it a life-threatening disease. If pancreatitis progresses to the severe form the mortality rate significantly increase from one percent to upwards of thirty percent. Pancreatitis is associated with high rates of morbidity, mortality, and prolonged hospital admissions(Goozen, Besselink, Santroort, & Bollen, 2013). An increased understanding of the pathophysiology of pancreatitis has changed the approach to treatment from early surgical treatment to a more conservation and all encompassing approach utilizing antibiotic therapy, multidisciplinary team involvement, early nutrition, and other forms of supportive care. A majority of the supportive care is provided directly by the bedside nurse(Sahora, Jakesz, & Gotzinger, 2009). This topic was chosen to increase nurses\u27 knowledge of the pathophysiology of pancreatitis, the presentation of the disease symptoms, the treatment, and the implications that the care provided can have on patient outcomes

Editorial Board

Objective: The internally validated fulIPIERS model predicts adverse maternal outcomes in women with pre-eclampsia within 48 h after eligibility. Our objective was to assess generalizability of this prediction model. Study design: External validation study using prospectively collected data from two tertiary care obstetric centers. Methods: The existing PETRA dataset, a cohort of women (n = 216) with severe early-onset pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, HELLP syndrome or hypertension-associated fetal growth restriction was used. The fulIPIERS model equation was applied to all women in the dataset using values collected within 48 h after inclusion. The performance (ROC area and R-squared) of the model, risk stratification and calibration were assessed from 48 h up to a week after inclusion. Results: Of 216 women in the PETRA trial, 73 (34%) experienced an adverse maternal outcome(s) at any time after inclusion. Adverse maternal outcome was observed in 32 (15%) cases within 48 h and 62 (29%) within 7 days after inclusion. The fulIPIERS model predicted adverse maternal outcomes within 48 h (AUC ROC 0.97, 95% CI: 0.87-0.99) and up to 7 days after inclusion (AUC ROC 0.80, 95% CI: 0.70-0.87). Conclusions: The fullPIERS model performed well when applied to the PETRA dataset. These results confirm the usability of the fulIPIERS prediction model as a 'rule-in' test for women admitted with severe pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, HELLP syndrome or hypertension-associated fetal growth restriction. Future research should focus on intervention studies that assess the clinical impact of strategies using the fullPIERS model. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Voices through the margins : a qualitative study exploring voice and marginality in the experiences of three women who have physical disabilities

This study investigates the lives of three women who have physical disabilities by exploring their individual constructions of voice and their experiences with marginality. Drawing on the work of Gilligan (1982, 1993), Belenky, Clinchy, Goldberger, andTarule (1986), hooks (1984, 1989, 1990), and Reinharz (1994), the research focuses on voice as a metaphor for the women’s personal identities. A metatheoretical definition of voice, based on knowledge (Belenky et al., 1986), expression (Reinharz, 1994), relationship (Gilligan, 1982, 1993), and resistance and transformation (Delpit, 1988; Freire, 1970/1993; Greene, 1990; hooks, 1984, 1989, 1990), was developed for application in this study. The data were obtained through the use of qualitative research techniques, including three sources from each woman: (a) semistructured interviews, (b) constructions of life experiences, and (c) disability information. The findings are presented through the women’s narratives in three case studies. The major themes described in these studies are: Personal Identity Description-how each woman sees herself, Personal Identity Construction-how each woman defines herself, and Personal Identity Location-how each woman positions herself. Each woman’s voice, grounded primarily in one aspect (e.g., knowledge, expression, and relationship), became resistant and transformative through her contexts of interaction. Coming to voice was a unique process for each woman, although there were striking similarities in the three women’s experiences

A31N-03: Lower-Tropospheric CO2 from Near-Infrared ACOS-GOSAT Observations

We present two new products from near-infrared GOSAT observations: lower tropospheric (LMT, from 0-2.5 km) and upper tropospheric/stratospheric (U, above 2.5 km) carbon dioxide partial columns. We compare these new products to aircraft profiles and remote surface flask measurements and find that the seasonal and year-to-year variations in the new partial columns significantly improve over the ACOS-GOSAT initial guess/a priori, with distinct patterns in the LMT and U seasonal cycles which match validation data. For land monthly averages, we find errors of 1.9, 0.7, and 0.8 ppm for retrieved GOSAT LMT, U, and XCO2; for ocean monthly averages, we find errors of 0.7, 0.5, and 0.5 ppm for retrieved GOSAT LMT, U, and XCO2. In the southern hemisphere biomass burning season, the new partial columns show similar patterns to MODIS fire maps and MOPITT multispectral CO for both vertical levels, despite a flat ACOS-GOSAT prior, and CO/CO2 emission factor consistent with published values. The difference of LMT and U, useful for evaluation of model transport error, has also been validated with monthly average error of 0.8 (1.4) ppm for ocean (land). The new LMT partial column is more locally influenced than the U partial column, meaning that local fluxes can now be separated from CO2 transported from far away

Can the BBC survive the digital age?

Abstract The BBC is a public service broadcaster that is highly regarded by the British television audience. However, it is subject to increasing threats to its continuing viability from digital private sector television providers. A part of the threat to the BBC is the way in which it is funded through the TV licence. This article examines the threats to the survival of the BBC through a review of relevant literature and with reference to a survey conducted by the author. The research confirms the high regard in which the BBC is held by the British public and argues for its continuing existence. 2 The BBC has been an extremely successful broadcasting company. However in the approach to the Digital Switchover it faces increasing uncertainty because of competition with new digital commercial channels which hold niche audiences. The future of broadcast television such as the BBC is uncertain, and there are many reasons why it may not survive; 'the predictions of the death of broadcast television are every bit as loud now as were those of the end of cinema in the face of competition from television' (Ellis, 2002, p.175). The BBC sees its purpose to support British interests in the world and has a reputation for its impartiality. The BBC is committed to the concept of public broadcasting, providing a platform for local and national debate. It has three main aims; to inform, educate and entertain. In 2001 and 2002 the BBC started operating four free to air digital television channels: 'BBC 3, a mixed genre, entertainment-led youth channel; BBC 4, a channel for culture, science, the arts and ideas; and two children's channels' (Brown, 2004, p.486). These channels differed from other digital TV channels because they are connected to the people of Britain as a collective group rather than being tailored to a specific audience In order to take on the opposition of other digital commercial channels BBC has devised several strategies to keep its audience. In 2005 job cuts were announced to release money to fund more quality programming (BBC News Channel, 2005, p.1). As a result of these job cuts the BBC now relies more on freelance film makers and private sector providers for its programming. However, this can be regarded as a positive move because it brings out a more vibrant diversity in programming; 'the BBC are now legally obliged to commission at least 25 per cent of programming from independent production companies' (Shepherd, 1997, p7.) In bringing private talent and programming onto the BBC's channels it is creating a more experimental range of programmes that have new ideas and can push boundaries. 3 To compete against the new DTV channels the BBC also needed to adapt to the new multichannel era of television. In 2002 the BBC launched Freeview in partnership with BSkyB and Crown Castle. The BBC promoted Freeview during its own programming schedule as an easy one off payment which gave viewers access to thirty channels with no extra charge. With the promotion of free digital channels, the BBC had created BSkyB's biggest rival. Freeview was a chance for people to dip into digital television without committing to a subscription: 'Within a year of its launch, it became BSkyB's main competitor, pushing the take-up of DTV to over 50 per cent of households.' (Wells cited in Brown, 2004, p.487). The BBC also promoted the BBC HD channel with clever and impressive advertising with the title "TV goes cinematic", which was to be available on Sky, Virgin Media and FreeSat. The advert for the new channel included a fictional dramatic scene based on the BBC's own 'Antiques RoadShow', where the actions were made cinematic with special effects. In 2003, all the BBC channels were offered free-to-air with an alternative satellite facility: 'the BBC withdrew from BSkyB's satellite encryption service, saving £85 million' (Brown, 2004, p.487), giving the BBC a further advantage. Despite the opposition of commercial digital channels, research has shown that the 'BBC 1 still reaches 86 per cent of the population, the highest reach of any of the big channels&apos

Movement-Based Embodied Contemplative Practices: Definitions and Paradigms

Over the past decades, cognitive neuroscience has witnessed a shift from predominantly disembodied and computational views of the mind, to more embodied and situated views of the mind. These postulate that mental functions cannot be fully understood without reference to the physical body and the environment in which they are experienced. Within the field of contemplative science, the directing of attention to bodily sensations has so far mainly been studied in the context of seated meditation and mindfulness practices. However, the cultivation of interoceptive, proprioceptive and kinesthetic awareness is also said to lie at the core of many movement-based contemplative practices such as Yoga, Qigong, and Tai Chi. In addition, it likely plays a key role in the efficacy of modern somatic therapeutic techniques such as the Feldenkrais Method and the Alexander Technique. In the current paper we examine how these practices are grounded in the concepts of embodiment, movement and contemplation, as we look at them primarily through the lens of an enactive approach to cognition. Throughout, we point to a series of challenges that arise when Western scientists study practices that are based on a non-dualistic view of mind and body