scholarly journals Interaction rituals in an open drug scene

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-98
Author(s):  
Trond E Grønnestad ◽  
Hildegunn Sagvaag ◽  
Philip Lalander

Aims: Open drug scenes can be found in most major cities in Europe. Despite often being closed down by the police, the drug community continues to exist, and the drug scenes reappear elsewhere. There seem to be forces that hold these communities together, regardless of the substances used. In this study we explore whether interaction rituals have an impact on the decision by people to stay in the drug scene or to return after quitting their drug use. Method: In this ethnographic study, one of the researchers spent time in an open drug scene in a Norwegian city over a one-year span and gathered data on the human interactions hosted by this scene. In addition, the researcher interviewed eight people from the scene to obtain greater insight into their lives and perceptions of the scene, drawing on Goffman’s and Collins’s theories about rituals. Findings: Three themes emerged. First, drug users bonded as a group and resisted what they called “normal people” passing by. Second, users demonstrated the importance of sharing drugs and services and adhering to the scene’s rules of conduct. The third and final theme is the focus of attention and the production of emotional energy. Conclusion: The experience of being outsiders and the need to hide some of their activities seemed to make it necessary for persons in the drug scene to have their own rules and rituals. These rules and rituals can be regarded as “interaction rituals”. They provide participants with the symbols of group membership, emotional energy, and group solidarity. This makes it hard to leave the scene and might explain why those who do often return.

Author(s):  
N.A. Thomson

In a four year grazing trial with dairy cows the application of 5000 kg lime/ ha (applied in two applications of 2500 kg/ha in winter of the first two years) significantly increased annual pasture production in two of the four years and dairy production in one year. In three of the four years lime significantly increased pasture growth over summer/autumn with concurrent increases in milk production. In the last year of the trial lime had little effect on pasture growth but a relatively large increase in milkfat production resulted. A higher incidence of grass staggers was recorded on the limed farmlets in spring for each of the four years. In the second spring immediately following the second application of lime significant depressions in both pasture and plasma magnesium levels were recorded. By the third spring differences in plasma magnesium levels were negligible but small depressions in herbage magnesium resulting from lime continued to the end of the trial. Lime significantly raised soil pH, Ca and Mg levels but had no effect on either soil K or P. As pH levels of the unlimed paddocks were low (5.2-5.4) in each autumn and soil moisture levels were increased by liming, these factors may suggest possible causes for the seasonality of the pasture response to lime


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-125
Author(s):  
Dana Kubíčková ◽  
◽  
Vladimír Nulíček ◽  

The aim of the research project solved at the University of Finance and administration is to construct a new bankruptcy model. The intention is to use data of the firms that have to cease their activities due to bankruptcy. The most common method for bankruptcy model construction is multivariate discriminant analyses (MDA). It allows to derive the indicators most sensitive to the future companies’ failure as a parts of the bankruptcy model. One of the assumptions for using the MDA method and reassuring the reliable results is the normal distribution and independence of the input data. The results of verification of this assumption as the third stage of the project are presented in this article. We have revealed that this assumption is met only in a few selected indicators. Better results were achieved in the indicators in the set of prosperous companies and one year prior the failure. The selected indicators intended for the bankruptcy model construction thus cannot be considered as suitable for using the MDA method.


10.1558/37291 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-263
Author(s):  
Stefano Rastelli ◽  
Kook-Hee Gil

This paper offers a new insight into GenSLA classroom research in light of recent developments in the Minimalist Program (MP). Recent research in GenSLA has shown how generative linguistics and acquisition studies can inform the language classroom, mostly focusing on what linguistic aspects of target properties should be integrated as a part of the classroom input. Based on insights from Chomsky’s ‘three factors for language design’ – which bring together the Faculty of Language, input and general principles of economy and efficient computation (the third factor effect) for language development – we put forward a theoretical rationale for how classroom research can offer a unique environment to test the learnability in L2 through the statistical enhancement of the input to which learners are exposed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Colby Doyle ◽  
Matthew Gaudet ◽  
Dominic Lay ◽  
Amber McLeod ◽  
Robert Schaeffer

The primary goal of this research is to identify and examine the components of responsible drinking advertisements. We will examine industry and government related advertisements as we try to understand one of our major questions: does the source influence the validity of the message? The next group of major questions that we will be looking to answer is how are the vague quantifiers used in responsible drinking campaigns interpreted by the public?  How many drinks do people consider “too much?” What does “drink responsibly” really mean? The third major question is whether or not an individual’s current consumption patterns of alcohol have any effect on how individuals assess responsible drinking campaigns. Our qualitative research has indicated that social influences can be strongly related with drinking patterns; this will be further examined in our quantitative research. Also, we will be looking into some of the psychology behind industry and government sponsored advertisements as well as gathering and interpreting information from a sample of our target demographic. Our target demographic consists of both male and females between the ages 18-24. Our literature review and qualitative analysis gave us good insight into some of the potential answers to our questions. We will use these potential answers from our previous research to guide us as we attempt to conduct conclusive research based on a sample data of 169 individuals. Our findings will aid us in developing conclusions and recommendations for Alberta Health Services.


2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-42
Author(s):  
Geoff Read

This article explores the case of N’Guyen Van Binh, a South Vietnamese political prisoner exiled for his alleged role in “Poukhombo’s Rebellion” in Cambodia in 1866. Although Van Binh’s original sentence of exile was reduced to one year in prison he was nonetheless deported and disappeared into the maw of the colonial systems of indentured servitude and forced labor; he likely did not survive the experience. He was thus the victim of injustice and his case reveals the at best haphazard workings of the French colonial bureaucracy during the period of transition from the Second Empire to the Third Republic. While the documentary record is entirely from the perspective of the colonizers, reading between the lines we can also learn something about Van Binh himself including his fierce will to resist his colonial oppressors.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-78
Author(s):  
Petr Adamec ◽  
Marián Svoboda

This paper deals with the results of sociological survey focused on identification of the attitudes of elderly people to further education. The research was carried out in September 2010. Experience of elderly people with further education, their readiness (determination) for further education as well as their motivation and barriers in further education were also subjects of this research. Detecting elderly population’s awareness of universities of the third age and finding out their further education preferences were an integral part of the research. Research sample consisted of citizens over 55 years living in the South Moravian region. The survey results are structured by socio-demographic features e.g.: age, sex, educational attainment etc. and provide an interesting insight into the attitudes of the target group to one of the activities that contributes to improvement of their quality of life.


1992 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 63-64
Author(s):  
M. De Siati ◽  
D. Grassi ◽  
E Marzoli ◽  
N. Franzolin
Keyword(s):  

Thirty-one patients with unilateral or bilateral hydrocele were treated by percutaneous needle aspiration and subsequent sclerotherapy with rolitetracycline. Thirty patients were considered cured after a follow-up of one year. In 20 pts. the procedure proved to be definitive after the first sitting, in 6 cases the treatment was repeated twice and in 4 cases three times. Only in 1 a recurrence was observed after the third treatment. No complications related to the procedure were recorded.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1949 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-194
Author(s):  
PAUL A. DI SANT'AGNESE

Additional serologic studies are presented of a group of newborn infants whose antibody production following combined prophylactic inoculation against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis was reported in a previous paper. Duration of Antibody Titers: In the 10 months following the last injection of triple combined antigen a steady decline in diphtheria antitoxin titers was observed which was more marked in patients who had achieved high antibody levels. A similar decrease was found in the percentage of infants with high titers of tetanus antitoxin, but there were no cases whose tetanus antitoxin level dropped to less than the "protective" titer (0.1 unit/cc.). Progressive decrease in diphtheria and tetanus antitoxin titers with passage of time is in agreement with findings of others. After the third and last immunizing injection, a rapid initial decrease was noted in the number of patients with "protective" pertussis agglutinin titers (1:400 or higher); then a levelling off took place and no further change was noted in the next six months. On the other hand, a steady decline was found in the percentage of infants with "high" agglutinin levels (1:3200). To our knowledge this has not been observed before. The young age of our patients at the time of the basic injections may have been responsible for the findings. Antibody Titers After Booster Dose: One group of infants was reinjected at the age of six months (four months after the third and last immunizing injection), another group at one year of age (10 months after the last injection). All booster doses consisted of 0.5 cc. of the same triple combined antigen used in basic immunization. After booster a marked increase was noted in diphtheria antitoxin titers to a level higher than that observed following the basic immunizing injections. Tetanus antitoxin response was considered to have been equally good, although more difficult to evaluate because of the high antitoxin levels present before reinjection. In the case of pertussis agglutinins, it appeared as if there were a "ceiling" of about 60% of infants who could, even after reinjection, develop a "protective" agglutinin titer (1:400 or higher). A striking difference was observed in both pertussis agglutinin levels and diphtheria antitoxin titers achieved by infants reinjected at six months and one year of age. This was thought to be due to immaturity of the immune mechanisms in the younger age group. An added factor in the case of diphtheria antitoxin in some patients may have been the persistence of passive antibodies acquired transplacentally. Antibody titers also were determined six months after booster dose in the infants who had been reinjected at the age of six months. A marked decrease was observed in the percentage of patients with "protective" pertussis agglutinin titers and "high" (1.0 unit/cc.) diphtheria antitoxin levels. No reduction was noted in tetanus antitoxin titers. Effects of Passive immunity to Diphtheria on Active immunization with Diphtheria Toxoid: With only one exception, all infants tested after a booster dose had been administered between 6 and 12 months of age had "protective" diphtheria antitoxin titers (0.03 units/cc. or more). Active immunization against diphtheria was therefore considered to have been achieved in all cases (with one exception) despite the passively transmitted antitoxin present at birth in over half the cases. While passive diphtheria antitoxin present at birth did not prevent "sensitization" of the antibody-forming tissues to the diphtheria antigen, it did decrease significantly the amounts of antitoxin actively produced in response to basic inoculation. Reasons for the success of active diphtheria immunization in this series are discussed. Arguments against active immunization of mothers in pregnancy for protection of their offspring are considered.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 822-867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Brown ◽  
Joanna Englehardt ◽  
David P. Barry ◽  
Da Hei Ku

Kindergarten in the United States has fundamentally changed. It is the new first grade where children are taught increased academic content and experience more standardized testing. There is much debate among education stakeholders about these changes, but such discussions are often siloed— making it difficult to know whether these changes reflect these stakeholders’ understandings of kindergarten specifically or public education in general. This explorative video-cued multivocal ethnographic study addressed this issue by examining how local, state, and national education stakeholders made sense of the changed kindergarten. Such findings provide insight into what it is they viewed driving these academic and instructional changes, what opportunities for further reform exist, and whether these stakeholders will work to support and/or alter such changes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 546-571
Author(s):  
Simon Bailey ◽  
Dean Pierides ◽  
Adam Brisley ◽  
Clara Weisshaar ◽  
Tom Blakeman

Algorithms are increasingly being adopted in healthcare settings, promising increased safety, productivity and efficiency. The growing sociological literature on algorithms in healthcare shares an assumption that algorithms are introduced to ‘support’ decisions within an interactive order that is predominantly human-oriented. This article presents a different argument, calling attention to the manner in which organisations can end up introducing a non-negotiable disjuncture between human-initiated care work and work that supports algorithms, which the authors call algorithmic work. Drawing on an ethnographic study, the authors describe how two hospitals in England implemented an Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) algorithm and analyse ‘interruptions’ to the algorithm’s expected performance. When the coordination of algorithmic work occludes care work, the study finds a ‘dismembered’ organisation that is algorithmically-oriented rather than human-oriented. In the discussion, the authors examine the consequences of coordinating human and non-human work in each hospital and conclude by urging sociologists of organisation to attend to the importance of the formal in algorithmic work. As the use of algorithms becomes widespread, the analysis provides insight into how organisations outside of healthcare can also end up severing tasks from human experience when algorithmic automation is introduced.


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