Sustainable development and neo-liberal globalisation in international politics: Competing paradigms defining the waste management problem

The unsustainable production and consumption patterns leading to a problem with waste management require technical and administrative solution on a local, regional or national level. Efforts may be challenged by processes of globalisation and international politics. The author discusses the contradiction between the United Nation's focus on sustainable development and the World Trade Organization's emphasis on economic growth and trade liberalisation, and addresses the question whether development will become more unsustainable when current development paradigms are not change

Thalamic pathology and memory loss in early Alzheimer’s disease: moving the focus from the medial temporal lobe to Papez circuit

It is widely assumed that incipient protein pathology in the medial temporal lobe instigates the loss of episodic memory in Alzheimer’s disease, one of the earliest cognitive deficits in this type of dementia. Within this region, the hippocampus is seen as the most vital for episodic memory. Consequently, research into the causes of memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease continues to centre on hippocampal dysfunction and how disease-modifying therapies in this region can potentially alleviate memory symptomology. The present review questions this entrenched notion by bringing together findings from post-mortem studies, non-invasive imaging (including studies of presymptomatic, at-risk cases) and genetically modified animal models. The combined evidence indicates that the loss of episodic memory in early Alzheimer’s disease reflects much wider neurodegeneration in an extended mnemonic system (Papez circuit), which critically involves the limbic thalamus. Within this system, the anterior thalamic nuclei are prominent, both for their vital contributions to episodic memory and for how these same nuclei appear vulnerable in prodromal Alzheimer’s disease. As thalamic abnormalities occur in some of the earliest stages of the disease, the idea that such changes are merely secondary to medial temporal lobe dysfunctions is challenged. This alternate view is further strengthened by the interdependent relationship between the anterior thalamic nuclei and retrosplenial cortex, given how dysfunctions in the latter cortical area provide some of the earliest in vivo imaging evidence of prodromal Alzheimer’s disease. Appreciating the importance of the anterior thalamic nuclei for memory and attention provides a more balanced understanding of Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, this refocus on the limbic thalamus, as well as the rest of Papez circuit, would have significant implications for the diagnostics, modelling, and experimental treatment of cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease

Speech and language therapy for aphasia following stroke

Background  Aphasia is an acquired language impairment following brain damage that affects some or all language modalities: expression and understanding of speech, reading, and writing. Approximately one third of people who have a stroke experience aphasia.  Objectives  To assess the effects of speech and language therapy (SLT) for aphasia following stroke.  Search methods  We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched 9 September 2015), CENTRAL (2015, Issue 5) and other Cochrane Library Databases (CDSR, DARE, HTA, to 22 September 2015), MEDLINE (1946 to September 2015), EMBASE (1980 to September 2015), CINAHL (1982 to September 2015), AMED (1985 to September 2015), LLBA (1973 to September 2015), and SpeechBITE (2008 to September 2015). We also searched major trials registers for ongoing trials including ClinicalTrials.gov (to 21 September 2015), the Stroke Trials Registry (to 21 September 2015), Current Controlled Trials (to 22 September 2015), and WHO ICTRP (to 22 September 2015). In an effort to identify further published, unpublished, and ongoing trials we also handsearched theInternational Journal of Language and Communication Disorders(1969 to 2005) and reference lists of relevant articles, and we contacted academic institutions and other researchers. There were no language restrictions.  Selection criteria  Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing SLT (a formal intervention that aims to improve language and communication abilities, activity and participation) versus no SLT; social support or stimulation (an intervention that provides social support and communication stimulation but does not include targeted therapeutic interventions); or another SLT intervention (differing in duration, intensity, frequency, intervention methodology or theoretical approach).  Data collection and analysis  We independently extracted the data and assessed the quality of included trials. We sought missing data from investigators.  Main results  We included 57 RCTs (74 randomised comparisons) involving 3002 participants in this review (some appearing in more than one comparison). Twenty-seven randomised comparisons (1620 participants) assessed SLT versus no SLT; SLT resulted in clinically and statistically significant benefits to patients' functional communication (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06 to 0.49, P = 0.01), reading, writing, and expressive language, but (based on smaller numbers) benefits were not evident at follow-up. Nine randomised comparisons (447 participants) assessed SLT with social support and stimulation; meta-analyses found no evidence of a difference in functional communication, but more participants withdrew from social support interventions than SLT. Thirty-eight randomised comparisons (1242 participants) assessed two approaches to SLT. Functional communication was significantly better in people with aphasia that received therapy at a high intensity, high dose, or over a long duration compared to those that received therapy at a lower intensity, lower dose, or over a shorter period of time. The benefits of a high intensity or a high dose of SLT were confounded by a significantly higher dropout rate in these intervention groups. Generally, trials randomised small numbers of participants across a range of characteristics (age, time since stroke, and severity profiles), interventions, and outcomes.  Authors' conclusions  Our review provides evidence of the effectiveness of SLT for people with aphasia following stroke in terms of improved functional communication, reading, writing, and expressive language compared with no therapy. There is some indication that therapy at high intensity, high dose or over a longer period may be beneficial. HIgh-intensity and high dose interventions may not be acceptable to all

Executive Dysfunction in MCI: Subtype or Early Symptom

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may take several forms, and amnestic MCI (aMCI) has been recognized as an early stage of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Impairment in executive functions including attention (eMCI) may be indicative of several neurodegenerative conditions. Executive impairment is frequently found in aMCI, it is significant for prognosis, and patients with eMCI may go on to develop AD. Recent studies have found changes in white matter integrity in patients with eMCI to be more sensitive than measures of cortical atrophy. Studies of genetic high-risk groups using sensitive cognitive neuroscience paradigms indicate that changes in executive function may be a cognitive marker useful for tracking development in an AD pathophysiological process

ESG og lønnsomhet i byggenæringen: Hvordan kan et selskap som OBOS jobbe bedre med bærekraft?

Executive Master of Management i Bærekraft i praksis fra Handelshøyskolen BI, 2023Utfordringene med bærekraft i verden er store og vil påvirke norsk økonomi, gjennom endringer knyttet til klima og ressurstilgang, og som følge av politiske tiltak med mål om å fremme en mer bærekraftig utvikling. Dette medfører både trusler og muligheter for norske selskapers lønnsomhet. Byggenæringen er Norges største fastlandsnæring og berører mange bærekrafttema. Høy ressursbruk bidrar f.eks. til at næringen står for rundt 15% av Norges utslipp av klimagasser og næringen er også den største enkeltkilden til avfall. OBOS er et av de største selskapene i norsk byggenæring. På denne bakgrunn undersøker jeg i oppgaven hvordan OBOS kartlegger og rapporterer på bærekraft (ESG) og hvordan OBOS vurderer sammenhenger mellom ESG og lønnsomhet, i lys av forskning på området. Til sist gir jeg anbefalinger om hvordan OBOS og byggenæringen kan jobbe bedre med ESG. I kapittel 1 gjennomgås bærekraftutfordringer i hovedtrekk samt karakteristika ved byggenæringen og OBOS. I kapittel 2 gjennomgås først steg-for-steg-modellen for innføring av bærekraft i et selskap (Ditlev-Simonsen C. D., 2022), samt de viktigste standarder og krav som gjør seg gjeldende for kartlegging og rapportering på ESG. Deretter gjennomgås forskning på ESG og lønnsomhet, med fokus på Henisz’ fem punkter: 1) Økt salg, 2) Kostnads-reduksjoner, 3) Regelverk og intervenering (dvs. strategisk frihet og gjennomslag), 4) Økt produktivitet, og 5) Optimalisering av investeringer (Henisz, 2019). I kartleggingen av OBOS’ ESG-rapportering i kapittel 3 konsentrerer jeg meg om oppfølging av FNs bærekraftsmål 11 (bærekraftige byer) og 13 (stoppe klima-endringene). Kartleggingen viser at OBOS innenfor temaet «bærekraftige byer» har bruk av sosiale boligmodeller som største satsing. Sosiale boligmodeller senker terskelen for at flere kan komme til å eie sin egen bolig, noe som er viktig i pressområder. Når det gjelder målet «stoppe klimaendringene», så har OBOS mål om å kutte klimagassutslipp knyttet til nybygg med 45% innen 2026 og rapporterer omfattende om klimatiltak. Med hensyn til ESG og lønnsomhet, så peker «økt salg» (gjennom sosiale boligmodeller) seg ut (Henisz’ punkt 1) i OBOS’ kommunikasjon. I perioden 2017-2022 har rapportering knyttet til bærekraft (ESG) fått stadig mer plass i OBOS’ årsrapporter. I kapittel 4 drøftes funnene. Det vurderes at OBOS overordet sett rapporterer grundig og i tråd med beste praksis, men at det er tre forhold hvor rapporteringen om arbeid med bærekraftige byer og klima kunne vært bedre: 1. Årsrapportene dokumenterer ikke at de som benytter seg av sosiale boligmodeller ellers ikke ville ha kunnet komme seg inn på boligmarkedet. Det er derfor uklart i hvilken grad tiltaket reelt bidrar til sosial bærekraft. 2. Klimarapporteringen preges av tiltaksbeskrivelser og viser ikke om OBOS er i rute til å nå sitt utslippsmål, eller om nødvendige tiltak er planlagt. 3. Forbildeprosjektene «O’en» og «The Urban Village» innen miljø- og klima er lansert, men rapportering på oppstart og fremdrift mangler i siste årsrapport. Når det gjelder ESG og lønnsomhet, vurderes det at Henisz’ punkt 1) «Økt salg» og punkt 3) «Regelverk og intervenering» har vært særlig viktige for OBOS. - Satsingen på sosiale boligmodeller økte kundegrunnlaget og har vært viktig for å opprettholde og utvikle salg, særlig når markedet strammet seg til. - Satsingen på å være et sosialt ansvarlig og miljøbevisst selskap har bidratt til å sikre legitimitet for virksomheten blant interessenter (inkl. politikere), og bidratt til å gi OBOS en strategisk frihet og å få gjennomslag for prosjekter. På bakgrunn av gjennomgangen gis følgende anbefalinger: - Flere boligselskaper, særlig i pressområder, bør ta i bruk sosiale boligmodeller, for å øke salg og bidra til mer sosial bærekraft, særlig i pressområder. - Mer data om hvordan sosiale boligmodeller fungerer i praksis bør fremskaffes, med henblikk på evt. å justere modellene for å øke bidraget til sosial bærekraft. - OBOS’ klimarapportering bør bedres, slik at utviklingen over tid fremgår tydelig, samt om OBOS er i rute til å nå klimamål. Evt. bør supplerende tiltak innføres. - I byggenæringen trengs det bedre og standardiserte verktøy for å måle og kvalitetssikre hele verdikjedens klimaavtrykk, noe bransjen bør fremskaffe. - Forbildeprosjekter er viktige for å sette mål og øke innovasjon. OBOS bør rapportere konsistent på fremdrift og realisere prosjektene de har lansert. - Byggenæringen bør ta ESG på alvor, siden næringen har stor ESG-risiko knyttet til ressursbruk og utslipp, og siden ESG-tiltak kan brukes til å øke lønnsomhet. Til sist kommenteres svakheter og forbedringspunkter ved oppgaven. Dette er en oppgave med begrenset omfang, noe som gjør at metoden har vært avgrenset til desktopanalyse av materiale tilgjengelig på internett. Det er også flere viktige bærekrafttema for byggenæringen, for eksempel likestilling og sirkulærøkonomi, som det ikke har vært plass til å se nærmere på i denne oppgaven

Rāma: Helt, gud og politisk symbol

The article “Rāma: Hero, God and Political Symbol” outlines three different ways in which the Rāma-figure has been used in Indian history. As a basis, hermeneutical problems related to the critical interpretation of the Rāmāyana are briefly discussed, and the main story of the epic is outlined.In the core parts of the Rāmāyana epic, Rāma can still be recognised as representing the ethos of the warrior-class (ksatrīya-varna). The Rāma of this historical phase, approximately covering the era between 400 B.C. and the Gupta era (320-500 A.D.), incarnates the dharma of the ksatrīya; which implies protection of the just, combat against the powers of chaos, and the maintaining of the norms and the social divisions of society. When the classical Rāmāyana finds its basic form during the Gupta period, under the hands of Vaisnavite Brahmins, Rāma is extolled as being an incarnation of the supreme god Visnu. As such, Rāma is God, having incarnated on earth to save mankind from evil and the universe from the powers of chaos. Brahminical notions of purity are now considered essential to the Rāma-figure, with the effect that the conclusion of the original story has to be rewritten so that Rāma does not take his abducted - and thus defiled - wife Sītā back after she has been liberated from the evil rāksasa Rāvana. The ksatrīya-Rāma has thus been replaced with a vaisnava-Rāma, a Rāma incarnating a different set of values.As a parallel to this historical development, the article proceeds to outline how, during the last twenty years, Rāma has become a symbol of a new Hindu-nationalistic consciousness. In this context, Rāma is imagined as a warrior ready to fight for the assertion of “hinduness” (hindutva), in opposition to what is considered a century’s old suppression carried out by Muslim rulers, the British Raj and the independent, secular Indian state. Political campaigns and the conflict around the Babri-masjid in Ayodhyā, are highlighted in order to show how Rāma, through the stratagems of the Hindu nationalistic movement, has recently emerged as a symbol of an aggressive Hindu consciousness. The article stresses that the main presuppositions for the Hindu nationalistic use of Rāma are to be found in the political culture of modern India, which takes its outset in forms of organisation and concepts of political thought imported by the British. There is thus nothing essentially and eternally “Indian” about the present Hindu nationalism.Finally, the article notes that the very fact that an ancient Indian symbol in the Hindu nationalistic context is revitalised and transformed to fit the circumstances of the present, reflects the inherent power of what we generally call “Hinduism” (a modern term originally coined by European scholars). As was the case when the original warrior-hero Rāma in the Gupta era was made into an incarnation of the supreme God, due to the mode of the religious sentiments of the time and the interest of certain classes, Rāma has lately become a political symbol, due to the mode of the political sentiments in the India of the present and the interests of certain classes. Again, the complex blend of change and continuity, so characteristic of “Hinduism”, leaps to mind

Hemispheric asymmetry in visual discrimination and memory: ERP evidence for the spatial frequency hypothesis

Event related potentials (ERPs) were recorded during delayed discrimination of simple spatial frequency gratings in the high and low frequency bands. Analyses of the waveforms N170, P220, N310, P400, and slow wave (SW) indicated significant and regionally specific interaction of spatial frequency and hemisphere for N170 amplitude. This interaction was independent of memory conditions, and appeared to be in the opposite direction of what is predicted by the spatial frequency model of hemispheric asymmetry. Additional interactions between spatial frequency and hemisphere were observed for N310 in the encoding process (reference stimulus) and for SW in the retrieval process (test stimulus). The general hypothesis of an interaction of spatial frequency and hemisphere in visual cognition is supported, but the findings indicate caution in interpreting an increase in physiological measures as an indication of more efficient brain processing. Moreover, several stages of information processing may contribute to the asymmetry observed in behavioral studies, and hemispheric balance may change dynamically during the time course of processing