104 research outputs found
Innovative Education in Agroecology: Experiential Learning for a Sustainable Agriculture
The transdisciplinary field of agroecology provides a platform for experiential learning based on an expanded vision of research on sustainable farming and food systems and the application of results in creating effective learning landscapes for students. With increased recognition of limitations of fossil fuels, fresh water, and available farmland, educators are changing focus from strategies to reach maximum yields to those that feature resource use efficiency and resilience of production systems in a less benign climate. To help students deal with complexity and uncertainty and a wide range of biological and social dimensions of the food challenge, a whole-systems approach that involves life-cycle analysis and consideration of long-term impacts of systems is essential. Seven educational case studies in the Nordic Region and the U.S. Midwest demonstrate how educators can incorporate theory of the ecology of food systems with the action learning component needed to develop student potentials to create responsible change in society. New roles of agroecology instructors and students are described as they pursue a co-learning strategy to develop and apply technology to assure the productivity and security of future food system
âThey Called Them Communists ThenââŠâWhat D'You Call âEm Now?ââŠâInsurgents?â. Narratives of British Military Expatriates in the Context of the New Imperialism
This paper addresses the question of the extent to which the colonial past provides material for contemporary actors' understanding of difference. The research from which the paper is drawn involved interview and ethnographic work in three largely white working-class estates in an English provincial city. For this paper we focus on ten life-history interviews with older participants who had spent some time abroad in the British military. Our analysis adopts a postcolonial framework because research participants' current constructions of an amorphous 'Other' (labelled variously as black people, immigrants, foreigners, asylum-seekers or Muslims) reveal strong continuities with discourses deployed by the same individuals to narrate their past experiences of living and working as either military expatriates or spouses during British colonial rule. Theoretically, the paper engages with the work of Frantz Fanon and Edward Said. In keeping with a postcolonial approach, we work against essentialised notions of identity based on 'race' or class. Although we establish continuity between white working-class military emigration in the past and contemporary racialised discourses, we argue that the latter are not class-specific, being as much the creations of the middle-class media and political elite
Alternative Systems of Inquiry for a Sustainable Agriculture
Summary Scientific investigation has long been dominated by positivism, which holds that an independent reality driven by immutable laws exists. Consequently, it should be possible to define sustainability in absolute terms. Advances in alternative paradigms, however, suggest: that any attempt precisely to define sustainability is flawed; that problems are always open to interpretation; that the resolution of one problem inevitably leads to the production of another âproblem?situationâ, as problems are endemic; that the key feature now becomes the capacity of actors continually to learn about these changing conditions, so that they can act rapidly to transform existing activities; and that systems of learning and inquiry are needed to seek the multiple perspectives of the various stakeholders and encourage wider involvement and action. These systems of inquiry are participatory in nature, and the information and action arising from them is judged by a framework of trustworthiness criteria. ResumĂ© Les systĂšmes de renseignement alternatifs pour l'agriculture durable Depuis longtemps, l'enquĂȘte scientifique se trouve dominĂ©e par le positivisme, qui maintient l'existence d'une rĂ©alitĂ© indĂ©pendante mue par des lois ellesmĂȘmes immuables. Par consĂ©quent, il devrait ĂȘtre possible de dĂ©finir la durabilitĂ© dans des termes absolus. Toutefois, les progrĂšs au niveau des paradigmes alternatifs auraient tendance Ă suggĂ©rer, d'abord, que toute tentative de dĂ©finir la durabilitĂ© de maniĂšre prĂ©cise est Ă priori fausse; ensuite, que tout problĂšme est capable d'interprĂ©tations diffĂ©rentes; que la solution d'un problĂšme mĂšne inĂ©luctablement Ă la production de situations problĂ©matiques, Ă©tant donnĂ© que les problĂšmes sont endĂ©miques; que le facteur primordial est dĂ©sormais, la capacitĂ© des acteurs Ă apprendre continĂ»ment quelles sont ces situations changeantes, de sorte qu'ils puissent agir rapidement pour transformer les activitĂ©s existantes; et que la mise en place de systĂšmes d'enquĂȘte et d'acquisition des connaissances sont nĂ©cessaires afin que l'on puisse interroger les nombreuses perspectives des divers participants et par lĂ , encourager une participation plus grande et plus active. Ces systĂšmes d'enquĂšte sont intrinsĂšquement participatoires, aussi l'information et l'action qui en dĂ©coulent doiventelles ĂȘtre jugĂ©es dans le cadre d'un ensemble de critĂšres de fiabilitĂ©. Resumen Sistemas alternativos de investigaciĂłn para una agricultura sostenible La investigaciĂłn cientĂfica ha sido dominada durante mucho tiempo por el positivismo, que mantiene la existencia de una realidad independiente manejada por leyes inmutables. Consecuentemente, debe ser posible definir el mantenimiento en tĂ©rminos absolutos. Sin embargo, el avance de paradigmas alternativos sugiere: a) cualquier intento de definir la sostenibilidad con precisiĂłn es defectuoso; b) los problemas siempre estĂĄn abiertos a la interpretaciĂłn; c) la soluciĂłn de un problema inevitablemente lleva a la producciĂłn de otra situaciĂłn problemĂĄtica, ya que los problemas son endĂ©micos; d) el rasgo clave es la capacidad de los protagonistas para aprender continuamente de estas condiciĂłnes cambiantes, y poder actuar rĂĄpidamente en la transformaciĂłn de las actividades existentes; y e) se necesitan sistemas de averiguaciĂłn y aprendizaje para registrar las mĂșltiples perspectivas de las varias partes interesadas y estimular un compromiso y una acciĂłn mas emplios. Estos sistemas de averiguaciĂłn son de por sĂ participatorios, y la informaciĂłn y acciĂłn que de ellos surgen son juzgadas por un conjunto de criterios de fiabilidad
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Experiences of peer workers and mental health service users with a peer support intervention: applying and critiquing a behaviour change techniques taxonomy
Objective: There is growing evidence for the benefits of peer support in mental health services. Less is known about the specific mechanisms whereby peer support brings about change. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of adults using mental health services and peer workers to investigate whether the contents of an intentionally provided one-to-one peer support intervention can be adequately described using a standard taxonomy of behaviour change techniques (BCTs).
Method: This qualitative comparative case study involved semi-structured interviews with 11 peer workers and 10 people they supported, in 2017â2018. They participated in a randomised controlled trial of a peer support intervention. Data were coded using both an analytical framework, derived from Michie and colleagueâs taxonomy of BCTs, and inductive thematic analysis.
Results: The findings revealed that the intervention included BCTs from all 16 BCT groupings in the taxonomy, with the emphasis on the groupings of âsocial supportâ, âcomparison of behaviourâ, âcomparison of outcomesâ, âregulationâ âshaping knowledgeâ, âidentityâ and âcovert learningâ. Thematic analysis revealed a new group, ârelational aspectsâ, consisting of five new BCTs: sharing of the peer workerâs experiential knowledge; promoting reciprocity, autonomy, and confidentiality; and validation of a safe and trusting relationship.
Discussion: A standard taxonomy of BCTs was shown to be broadly applicable to describing the contents of an intentional one-to-one peer support intervention for adults using mental health services. The taxonomy may need to be extended to consider additional BCTs related to encouraging the therapeutic relationship
Agroecology Education and Research: An Academic Platform for Organic Farming
Agroecology education and research programs are gaining prominence in universities. This emerging field provides an appropriate and convenient platform for bringing organic farming into academia. Agroecology deals with complex systems, uncertainty, and the future. Examples from organic farming and local food systems often provide valuable examples of applications of the principles of ecology in designing a sustainable agriculture. The agroecology MSc program in the NOVA network is a successful example of how organic farming can be brought into university programs, and how interdisciplinary education and research can tap into a regional faculty in agriculture
Learning through exchange about organic agriculture - case of Europe and Australia
LEAFSE is the catch word for an innovative program of exchange study for young Australians and Europeans, with organic agriculture as the focal point of their Masters level studies. Two years ago, the European Commission and the Australian Department of Education, Science and Technology (DEST) came up with the call for applications for a pilot project to support international mobility of tertiary students between the two continents. The grand aims set for the exchange included providing students with an international outlook and a range of perspectives, preparing them for the global marketplace, enable their understanding and empathy for different cultures and traditions and foster exchange of information. A number of us with an interest and an already existing academic network in organic agriculture proposed LEAFSE - Learning through Exchange - Agriculture, Food Systems and Environment, a winning project, which was chosen as the single pilot project from a field of well over a dozen contenders. Within the broader theme of Agriculture, Food Systems and Environment, we named organic farming as the focal point of the exchange, and we were aware of the immense possibilities for learning through exchange inter-continentally in this field.
Under this project, Master's level students from EU study for a semester at a partner university in Australia, and students from Australia study for a semester at a partner university in EU. The partners in the programme are,
from Europe:
âą The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark
âą University of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
âą Wageningen University and Research Centre, The Netherlands
âą University of Kassel, Witzenhausen, Germany, and
from Australia:
âą University of Western Sydney, New South Wales
âą University of New England, New South Wales
âą University of Western Australia, Western Australia
âą University of Queensland, Queensland
The project has an innovative but manageable framework for mobility of the students, a joint programme of study which incorporates many novel elements including holistic thinking, experiential and integrated learning and use of newer tools of communication technologies, and above all, a structure that fosters a high degree of inter-cultural understanding and network building. When completed, the pilot phase of the project would have enabled exchange of 36 students from each continent, nine from each participating institution. The respective government agencies provide the students with an adequate stipend to cover travel and living expenses for six months of study.
The project has been running on target and the results of the first year of exchange have been more than impressive. This presentation will be a joint effort by the faculty and a number of participating students to demonstrate the cultural, agricultural, pedagogic, and practical lessons that have been learnt from this exchange in the field of organic farming. It will also highlight some of the challenges which need to be overcome in our efforts towards shaping sustainable agricultural and food systems which are cognizant of our respective environments
The risk of venous thromboembolism associated with peripherally inserted central catheters in ambulant cancer patients
Background
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). PICCs are increasingly utilised in the management of cancer patients, a group which carries both additional risks for vascular thromboembolism as well as for complex morbidity. We analysed a cohort of cancer patients subjected to PICC insertion in a single cancer centre for the incidence of all-type vascular thromboembolism (VTE) and investigated relative risk factors.
Methods
In this clinical audit, the records of patients referred for PICC insertion in our centre in the period between 1/1/2011 and 1/4/2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcomes investigated were a) PICC-related deep vein thrombosis (PRDVT) and b) distant VTE (lower limb DVT and pulmonary embolism). 4Fr single lumen PICCs were placed in all patients. The Kaplan Meier method was used to study time from PICC insertion to PRDVT/VTE. Survival curves were compared using the log rank method. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were used to assess local, distant and combined endpoints.
Results
Four hundred ninety patients were included in the analysis of which 27 (5.5%) developed a PRDVT. Statistically significant risk factors for developing PRDVT in multivariate analysis included more than one attempt for insertion (OR 2.61, 95%CI: 1.12â6.05) and the use of fluoropyrimidine containing chemotherapy (OR 4.27, 95%CI 1.3â14.07). Twenty-six patients developed a distant VTE. Male gender was the only significant risk factor for distant VTE. When all-type VTE were considered together fluoropyrimidine containing chemotherapy (OR 4.54, 95% CI 1.63â12.61), male gender (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.04â3.93) and white cell count (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.00â1.26) were statistically significant as risk factors in this analysis.
Conclusions
This is a large study of VTE following PICC insertion in cancer patients which also looks at the rate of distant VTE. The observed PRDVT incidence is comparable with available literature. Fluoropyrimidine containing chemotherapy and more than one attempt for PICC insertion were independent predictors of PICC-associated VTE whilst the former remained an independent predictor of all-type VTE. Anticoagulation did not prevent thrombotic events in this cohort
Tissue culture of ornamental cacti
Cacti species are plants that are well adapted to growing in arid and semiarid regions where the main problem is water availability. Cacti have developed a series of adaptations to cope with water scarcity, such as reduced leaf surface via morphological modifications including spines, cereous cuticles, extended root systems and stem tissue modifications to increase water storage, and crassulacean acid metabolism to reduce transpiration and water loss. Furthermore, seeds of these plants very often exhibit dormancy, a phenomenon that helps to prevent germination when the availability of water is reduced. In general, cactus species exhibit a low growth rate that makes their rapid propagation difficult. Cacti are much appreciated as ornamental plants due to their great variety and diversity of forms and their beautiful short-life flowers; however, due to difficulties in propagating them rapidly to meet market demand, they are very often over-collected in their natural habitats, which leads to numerous species being threatened, endangered or becoming extinct. Therefore, plant tissue culture techniques may facilitate their propagation over a shorter time period than conventional techniques used for commercial purposes; or may help to recover populations of endangered or threatened species for their re-introduction in the wild; or may also be of value to the preservation and conservation of the genetic resources of this important family. Herein we present the state-of-the-art of tissue culture techniques used for ornamental cacti and selected suggestions for solving a number of the problems faced by members of the Cactaceae family
Drinking to ease the burden: a cross-sectional study on trauma, alcohol abuse and psychopathology in a post-conflict context
Ertl V, Saile R, Neuner F, Catani C. Drinking to ease the burden: a cross-sectional study on trauma, alcohol abuse and psychopathology in a post-conflict context. BMC Psychiatry. 2016;16(1): 202.Background
It is likely that alcohol use and abuse increase during and after violent conflicts. The most prominent explanation of this phenomenon has been referred to as self-medication hypothesis. It predicts that psychotropic substances are consumed to deal with conflict-related psychic strains and trauma. In northern Uganda, a region that has been affected by a devastating civil war and is characterized by high levels of alcohol abuse we examined the associations between war-trauma, childhood maltreatment and problems related to alcohol use. Deducing from the self-medication hypothesis we assumed alcohol consumption moderates the relationship between trauma-exposure and psychopathology.
Methods
A cross-sectional epidemiological survey targeting war-affected families in post-conflict northern Uganda included data of male (nâ=â304) and female (nâ=â365) guardians. We used standardized questionnaires in an interview format to collect data on the guardiansâ socio-demography, trauma-exposure, alcohol consumption and symptoms of alcohol abuse, PTSD and depression.
Results
Symptoms of current alcohol use disorders were present in 46 % of the male and 1 % of the female respondents. A multiple regression model revealed the unique contributions of emotional abuse in the families of origin and trauma experienced outside the family-context in the prediction of menâs alcohol-related symptoms. We found that alcohol consumption moderated the dose-effect relationship between trauma-exposure and symptoms of depression and PTSD. Significant interactions indicated that men who reported more alcohol-related problems experienced less increase in symptoms of PTSD and depression with increasing trauma-exposure.
Conclusions
The gradual attenuation of the dose-effect the more alcohol-related problems were reported is consistent with the self-medication hypothesis. Hence, the functionality of alcohol consumption has to be considered when designing and implementing addiction treatment in post-conflict contexts
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