81,491 research outputs found
Hedeniusâ Soteriological Argument from Evil
In this paper I explicate and assess a logical argument from evil put forth by the Swedish analytic philosopher Ingemar Hedenius in his book Tro och vetande, by far the most famous and influential critique of Christianity in Swedish intellectual history. I seek to show that Hedeniusâ argument is significantly different from, and indeed stronger than, the paradigmatic logical argument from evil in the analytic tradition, i.e. that of John Mackie. Nevertheless, Hedeniusâ argument is, I argue, ultimately unconvincing
Well-fuctioning home composters
In recent years, the Work Efficiency Institute (TTS) has compared thermal composters, regulating materials and compost accelerators and studied user's experiences on home composting by a questionnaire. The aim has been to produce information on composting, so that home composting can be made as easy as possible
FrÄn koja till plan
This thesis concerns questions regarding how childrenâs perspectives on the outdoor environment can be approached in a planning context. Attention is drawn to the general understanding of childhood and the definition of outdoor environment as variables in different planning contexts. Together these variables define in which way children become visible in the planning context. Childrenâs participation is emphasized in contemporary planning. This thesis argues that understanding and insights concerning childrenâs experiences and understanding of their own places can create complementary lines of communication. The first article provides the empirical and methodological point of departure. Through walkabouts with children, questions are developed concerning childrenâs use and experiences of outdoor environments. These questions are compared and related to problems, insights and experiences that planners have concerning environments for children. Parts of two perspectives are described in order to elucidate some of the problems that can arise due to differences between a childâs perspective and a plannerâs perspective. In the second article childrenâs own places is the pivot. Through in depth studies of childrenâs dens it is shown that finding a suitable place, collecting, sorting and manipulating with environment and accessible materials are crucial parts of starting a den making process and appropriating a place as oneâs own. Specific examples are put forward which show the close relationship between childrenâs experience and understanding of the outdoor environment and their construction and design of dens. Childrenâs dens are used to exemplify and clarify the difference between childrenâs perspectives and plannerâs perspectives. The last article is concerned with the theoretical and practical analysis of these questions. Through interviews, studies of planning documents and reflections on my own planning experience an analysis is made of the importance of maps and plans as tools in the planning process. It is argued that the bias of these tools emphasizes and reinforces the visual point of departure to the physical environment and outdoor places, while childrenâs multi-sensuous and acting oriented point of departure is difficult to handle and process in maps and plans. A practical contribution is suggested on how to improve insights and understanding of childrenâs perspectives in planning contexts
How do government agencies use evidence?
Executive summary: Significant research gaps remain in our understanding about what happens in side government agencies in relation to the production, commissioning, assessment and incorporation of research-based evidence into their policy advice and their program delivery and review activities. Practices and capabilities vary enormously across types of public agencies, levels of government, and policy areas. Understanding these patterns and potentialities better would help focus attention on effective methods for improving the quality of decision-making through evidenceÂ-informed processes.
Currently, public agencies gather administrative information from their own operations, as a necessary component of undertaking program management and reporting; but there is little information about how rigorous information related to programs is actually used for performance management and program review. Little is known about how agencies access information from âexternalâ sources of expertise, which external sources are favored over others, and how external information is used for developing better programs or performance metrics. One key feature of an evidence-Âbased policy process would be extent to which evaluation processes are built into the standard operating procedures of policy and service delivery units. Building an analysis and evaluation culture requires the availability of skilled staff as well as organizational leadership that values high quality analysis.
Although it is widely agreed that evidence-Âbased improvements to policy and administrative systems are both desirable and possible, we cannot expect that a democratic public policy system could be primarily shaped by objective research findings. Various forms of evidence, both rigorous and otherwise, will continue to inform the policy process. Democratic leaders will pay attention to stakeholders and public opinion as well as scientific evidence. However, persistent efforts and targeted investments could help to create more systematic link ages between rigorous research and the processes of policy-Âmaking. Progress towards a more evidence-Âinformed policy and administrative system would require commitment and investment at several levels â individuals, organizational units, and cross-Âorganizational relationships.
Rigorous research findings on key issues are not yet available in many areas for informing policy and program managers. Creating such a research base takes time and resources. Even where reliable evidence has been documented, it is not always available in formats that meet the practical needs of policy and program managers. The professional knowledge of experienced service providers and program managers is especially relevant in social care domains where robust experimental knowledge is unlikely to emerge. Scientific and professional knowledge need to interact. The âtranslationâ of research findings into 7 codes, standards and procedures for professional practice has advanced in many areas but extracting âlessonsâ from research findings and adopting them successfully in professional practice entails complex issues of education, relation ships and collaboration.
This brief review highlights known areas of strength in the research base for evidence-Âbased policies and programs, together with matters where there are significant research gaps hindering a solid understanding of evidenceÂuse by government agencies in social policy-making and program development. The review draws attention to important background differences between the roles and resources for the various levels of government, and differences in administrative cultures and practices between policy areas and across national boundaries. This analysis leads to the identification of several key priorities for further research, taking into account what is already known concerning the key re search issues. These priorities include better understanding of:
how major policy reforms, and associated program implementation, have been significantly assisted by rigorous research;
the lessons that emerge from implementation and translational research in service innovation;
sources of variation in the use of expert information by a range of different public agencies;
factors that might improve the use of research-Âbased evidence by government agencies in priority fields of social policy;
support for lower levels of government to conduct their core activities in ways that make effective use of relevant information;
methods for encouraging best practice in relation to evidence-Âbased tri als, improving interaction and exchange processes, organizing expert fo rums and civic engagement, improving research receptivity and capabil ity within public agencies;
methods for institutionalizing respect for rigorous evidence across the turbulence of political and electoral changes;
the appropriate adoption and adaptation of international experience
Drying off the dairy cow
Most dairy cows generally have a non-lactating, âdry periodâ prior to parturition. As the milk production of dairy cows has increased dramatically during the last decades, cows managed conventionally with a 12 to 13 month-calving interval are dried off (DO) while still producing significant quantities of milk. The DO period is probably one of the most physiologically demanding periods for the high-yielding dairy cow, and may negatively affect animal welfare, but few studies have been performed in this area. Therefore, the general aim of the present work was to investigate how different DO procedures and milk yield at DO affect metabolism and udder health of the dairy cow. Furthermore, the effects of different calving intervals and breed were also evaluated. Three studies are included in this thesis. In the first study cows were randomly assigned to two different feeding treatments. One group was fed straw ad libitum, while the other group was fed silage [4 kg dry matter (DM)] daily and straw ad libitum to evaluate metabolic changes and health during DO. In the second study, the effects of daily milk yield at DO, different calving intervals (12 and 15 months) and breed on metabolism and udder health were studied when feeding additional silage at DO. The third study was conducted on over 10 000 lactating cows and the association between daily milk yield prior to DO and veterinary-treated clinical mastitis (VTCM) from DO until early lactation was evaluated. The overall results of this thesis show that extensively restrictive feeding DO protocols may have negative effects on metabolism. The plasma concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) was markedly elevated during DO as an effect of restrictive feeding. Furthermore, plasma NEFA was related to the milk yield prior to DO. Feeding straw only during DO affected the rumen environment as shown by increased pH, a reduced concentration of volatile fatty acids, urea, and lower number of protozoa. Restrictive feeding also increased the plasma cortisol, which indicates an elevated metabolic load in this group. In addition, high milk yield at DO increased the risk for VTCM and the number of open teat canals during the dry period. Swedish Holsteins were at higher risk for VTCM from DO until early lactation compared to Swedish Red and White cows. In conclusion, this thesis shows that the common DO procedure to feed straw only may give rise to metabolic disturbances. However, this might be avoided without any apparent negative effects on udder health if a limited amount of silage is added during DO. As high daily milk yields at DO increase the risk for mastitis, alternative ways to reduce the milk yield at DO should be considered
Kunskap genom bilder
The origin of this dissertation is an investigation of an academic course, Graphic Arts and Design for students of natural and social sciences. The benefits of attending the class were an increased ability to solve problems, new and different ways to observe the environment, better self confidence, and a higher esteem of the working process. The participants considered that the artistic activities affected their academic courses since the exercises were seen as creative and meaningful, which led to a changed attitude towards their studies. The exercises developed a comprehensive view and an ability to concentrate, which were conducive to problem solving. Research about transfer effects indicate a connection between artistic skills and academic results, but has found it impossible to state scientifically. In this dissertation these observations are the point of departure, with focus on a discussion of the act of drawing in connection with the cognitive approach of pragmatism, Michael PolanyiÂčs concept of tacit knowing, and some theories on the function of metaphors. The result is an attempt at a theory of knowledge that includes artistic experiences. Creating a picture means turning imagination into a concrete object. This does not indicate a depiction of an idea, but a direction of imagination into an articulation other than verbal thoughts or ideas. The picture shows a moment in the ongoing process of imagination. The act of drawing transforms hitherto unarticulated forms of experience into artefacts possible to reflect upon. This act of drawing often requires that seemingly incompatible categories of experience are being connected, and the world thus being articulated in new shapes. This is done by overcoming the resistance to leave old and familiar categories. The range of imagination increases and, with more alternatives at hand and an enhanced ability to formulate and solve problems, the world appears more complex. Such a process entails that when the world is accepted in a new articulation, knowledge has grown and the relation to the world has changed
Hur bör Sverige genomföra artiklarna 8j och 10c i syfte att uppnÄ Aichi-mÄl 18 i FN:s Konvention om biologisk mÄngfald?
Detta Àr en utredning som Centrum för biologisk mÄngfald har gjort under 2013 pÄ uppdrag av NaturvÄrdsverket i syfte att analysera vilka myndigheter som kan tÀnkas beröras av ett nationellt genomförade av dessa bÀgge artiklar i FN:s konvention om biologisk mÄngfald (CBD). Artiklarna 8j och 10c handlar om att samhÀllet ska ta bÀttre hÀnsyn till urfolks- och lokala samhÀllens kultur och naturresursanvÀndande och frÀmja ett fortsatt hÄllbart sedvanebruk av biologisk mÄngfald. För att verkligen kunna uppnÄ de högt stÀllda mÄlen med artiklarna krÀvs mycket lÄngt gÄende förÀndringar i samhÀllet och hur myndigheterna arbetar. I rapporten ges ett förslag pÄ handlingsplan för att försöka nÄ mÄlen till Är 2020, vilket Àr det uppstÀllda Äret för detta enligt CBD-beslutet. Traditionell kunskap, dvs. praktisk erfarenhetsbaserad kunskap som förts vidare frÄn generation till generation, bedöms vara en viktig förutsÀttning för att uppnÄ ett framtida hÄllbart samhÀlle
Samverkan och lÀrande kring sÄrbehandling : erfarenheter frÄn olika professionsperspektiv i primÀrvÄrd och utbildning
Aim: The overall aim of this thesis is to explore collaboration and knowledge development in wound
management in practice and in education. One specific aim is to investigate district nursesâ (DNsâ)
wound management according to wound appearance, assignment of responsibilities for diagnosis and
care, guidelines for wound treatment and DNsâ collaboration with other professional groups (I).
Another is to describe DNs' experiences of nursing actions in wound management (II), and
experiences of knowledge and knowledge development in wound care when treating patients with
different types of wounds (III). Further aim is to explore General Practitionersâ (GPsâ) experiences of
their role in leg ulcer management with emphasis on perceptions of knowledge in wound management
and collaboration with DNs (IV). The last specific aim is to explore attitudes and perceptions from
nursing and medical students towards the other profession in relation to wound care (V).
Methods: Data were collected by questionnaire (I). Descriptive statistical analysis and content
analysis of the textual data were conducted. For study II-IV qualitative interviews were performed
with eight DNs (II), 16 DNs (III) and 16 GPs (IV). Content of interviews were analyzed using
qualitative content analysis (II-III) and thematic analysis (IV). One study applied both questionnaire
and focus groups (V). Analyses of questionnaires were made by descriptive statistics and thematic
analysis of focus groups (V).
Results: DNs' wound management cases consisted in total of 310 wounds in 283 patients. The most
common acute wounds were traumatic wounds while pressure ulcers and venous leg ulcers dominated
of slow healing wounds. Collaboration between DNs and GPs was lacking. The area of responsibility
of different professional groups was not defined and guidelines for wound treatment were often
lacking. Interprofessional collaboration was regarded as important for wound healing (I). DNs strived
to provide expert wound care while working independently. These aspirations were aggravated by
organizational shortcomings, such as lack of authority and resources required to carry out their nursing
actions optimally (II). DNs experienced wound management as knowledge-intensive and knowledge
development as ongoing process based on learning alongside with clinical practice (III). GPs
described their role in wound management as consultant and coordinator in charge of the diagnosis.
They perceived their wound care knowledge as being depending on their education and clinical
experience. Collaboration with DNs was governed by organizational factors (IV). Nursing and
medical students showed a positive attitude towards interprofessional collaboration. They experienced
the need for clarity of roles in wound care. Structures of authoritarian attitudes, care culture and old
traditions were seen as obstacles to future collaboration. Interprofessional education (IPE) was seen as
an opportunity to acquire wound care knowledge and jointly learn about each otherâs professions and
thus IPE was seen as a tool in to the profession (V).
Conclusion: DNs and GPs work multiprofessionally in parallel activities and interact with each other
only when problems occur in wound treatment. Collaboration is largely controlled by the
organization. The wound care knowledge is mainly based on clinical experience which is extensive
for DNs and sporadic for GPs. Nursing and medical students have positive attitudes towards
interprofessional collaboration and see the IPE as a tool into the profession
VÀgar framÄt för nÄgra nationella myndigheters implementering av konventionen om biologisk mÄngfald och lokal och traditionell kunskap av betydelse för biologisk mÄngfald
PÄ uppdrag av NaturvÄrdsverket genomförde Centrum för biologisk mÄngfald under 2014 en utredning, vilket resulterade i denna rapport. Syftet med uppdraget var att göra en fördjupad analys över vilka insatser ett antal svenska statliga myndigheter behöver göra för att uppnÄ Sveriges Ätaganden enligt FN:s konvention om biologisk mÄngfald vad gÀller artikel 8j (sÀrskild hÀnsyn till s.k. traditionell kunskap som finns hos urfolk och lokala samhÀllen med traditionella sedvÀnjor) och artikel 10c (hÀnsyn till hÄllbart sedvanebruk). Idén Àr att de framlagda förslagen ska bidra till att Sverige Är 2020 ska nÄ Aichi-mÄl 18 gÀllande dessa frÄgor, som Sverige varit delaktiga i att besluta om inom mÄngfaldskonventionen. Traditionell kunskap, dvs. praktisk erfarenhetsbaserad kunskap som förts vidare frÄn generation till generation, bedöms vara en viktig förutsÀttning för att bevara och hÄllbart nyttja biologisk mÄngfald samt uppnÄ ett framtida hÄllbart samhÀlle
Does Cedomon work?
In 2003 there was an experiment in Agrifood Research Finland (Vihti), which compared Cedomon, Baytan, wood smoke treatment and no-treatment. Barley and oat were chosen to the experiment
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