scholarly journals Global bioethical challenges of medicalising psychedelics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Miceli McMillan
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Global Challenges ◽  
Normative Issues

Abstract Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is an emerging psychiatric treatment that is attracting significant scientific, medical, and public attention. Whilst preliminary results from empirical studies are promising, the medical use of these compounds is highly controversial. Surprisingly, and despite the current controversies caused by the re-medicalisation of psychedelics, bioethicists have remained mysteriously silent. This paper aims to stimulate further bioethical reflection regarding the re-medicalisation of psychedelics. The current paper aims to do this by applying a normative phenomenological lens of analysis. Namely, this paper applies Martin Heidegger's critique of modern technology, and Fredrik Svenaeus' extension of this critique, to the re-medicalisation of psychedelics. I argue that when this critique of modern technology is applied several normative issues become apparent. Specifically, it becomes apparent that the re-medicalisation of psychedelics risks turning the ecological sources, cultural contexts, and experiences induced by psychedelics into resources to be exploited for human goals; all of which risks endangering ecosystems, appropriating traditional knowledge, and reducing the therapeutic effects of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Furthermore, I suggest that preserving non-reductionist, non-instrumentalising traditional ways of understanding psychedelic compounds is essential in mitigating these consequences. More discussion by bioethicists is necessary as these consequences represent important global challenges for the psychedelic renaissance that require immediate addressing.

Yogic Intervention in Sexual Dysfunction - A Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakshith K. R. ◽  
Shivakumar . ◽  
Kaushal Sinha ◽  
Vijeth Kumar L. A.
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Yoga Therapy ◽  
Cognitive Component ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
The Mind

Yoga is an ancient practice with Eastern roots that involves both physical postures (Asanas) and breathing techniques (Pranayamas). Yoga therapy for male sexual problems can effectively be treated through Yoga therapy, particularly with the help of Yoga poses and breathing exercises, Yoga has proven itself highly very effective in the treatment of a number of incurable and sometimes terminable diseases. Then again, Yoga's therapeutic effects are just a spin-off and supplementary. Yoga which has proved to be very effective in the treatment of many impossible and incurable diseases, the therapeutic effect of Yoga is only a by product and incidental. Problems related to sex can very well be handled with Yoga as most often these problems are more related to the mind than body. Either they are caused by lack of confidence or stress or fatigue or fear and very few times some physical cause is there. There is also a cognitive component focusing on meditation and concentration, which aids in achieving the goal of union between the self and the spiritual. Although numerous empirical studies have found a beneficial effect of Yoga on different aspects of physical and psychological functioning, claims of Yoga's beneficial effects on sexuality derive from a rich but no empirical literature. The goal of this article is to review the philosophy and forms of Yoga, to review the no empirical and (limited) empirical literatures linking Yoga with enhanced sexuality, and to propose some future research avenues focusing on Yoga as a treatment for sexual disorder.

scholarly journals Promoting Clusters and Networks for Small and Medium Enterprises to Economic Development in the Globalization Era

SAGE Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824401769715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Foghani ◽  
Batiah Mahadi ◽  
Rosmini Omar
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Global Challenges ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Global Arena ◽  
Asian Developing Countries

This research attempts to explore the importance of cluster-based systems in preparation for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to go global, and it is an ongoing research. The findings of this research are aimed at providing insights to policy makers, academicians, and practitioners with the objective of creating initiatives, strategies, and policies, which reflect the primary aim of supporting SMEs in managing global challenges. SMEs that are cluster-based have the potential to facilitate the successful inclusion of SMEs in the growth of productivity and networks of global distribution. Most Asian developing countries are in the dark when it comes to this matter. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relations between the capabilities of the networks and clusters in developing SMEs’ preparedness in facing business players in the global arena. This study’s scope includes specific Asian developing countries. Even though the issue of clusters in SMEs has been well researched in developed countries, such empirical studies are still lacking in the Asian region despite its prevalent collectivism practice. In the concluding analysis, the study intends to develop a model emphasizing the cluster-based industrial SMEs toward globalization.

Cyberbullying and Internet Safety

2016 ◽  
pp. 529-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deirdre M. Kelly ◽  
Chrissie Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Democratic Participation ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Critical Perspective ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Online Harassment ◽  
Internet Safety ◽  
Cyber Aggression ◽  
Online Abuse

The chapter considers cyberbullying in relation to Internet safety, concentrating on recent, high quality empirical studies. The review discusses conventional debates over how to define cyberbullying, arguing to limit the term to repeated, electronically-mediated incidents involving intention to harm and a power imbalance between bully and victim. It also takes note of the critical perspective that cyberbullying—through its generic and individualistic framing—deflects attention from the racism, sexism, ableism, and heterosexism that can motivate or exacerbate the problem of such bullying. The review concludes that: (a) cyberbullying, rigorously defined, is a phenomenon that is less pervasive and dire than widely believed; and (b) cyber-aggression and online harassment are more prevalent, yet understudied. Fueled by various societal inequalities, these latter forms of online abuse require urgent public attention. The chapter's recommendations are informed by a view of young people as apprentice citizens, who learn democratic participation by practicing it.

Home and Office: Some Trends of Modernization among the Kanya-Kubja Brahmans

1971 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Khare
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Ideal Types ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Cultural Transformations ◽  
The Social ◽  
Deductive Method ◽  
Deductive Theory ◽  
Basic Beliefs

Recently Singer (1966: 497–505), while reviewing a book on economic development and Hinduism, underlined the necessity of recognizing the ‘deficiencies’ of the hypothetico-deductive method in studying social change in India. He alluded to Weber's thesis (ideal-typical relations of the Hindu ‘ethic’ to economic development) and its possible ‘distortions’ under this approach, especially if applied ‘as a basis for quick diagnoses of the ideological and structural factors impeding or facilitating economic development…’ (p. 498), or when applied to a general analysis of the social and cultural ‘transformations’ involved in modernization. He noted two major limitations: first, that under hypothetico-deductive use of ideal types one tries to deduce ‘realistic consequences from basic beliefs, values, motives postulated in isolation from concrete social and cultural contexts’ (p. 501), and second (which is perhaps a related consequence), that when deducing general tendencies, one fails ‘to specify conditions and magnitudes under which the conclusions are valid’ (p. 502). While Singer recognizes that this approach ‘will eventually complement’anthropologists’ narrative, descriptive, and inductive approaches, he stresses that the present need is to accumulate relevant empirical studies of the latter kind, against which we can check the conclusions of hypothetico-deductive theory.

Culture, strategy formulation, and firm performance: a meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvio Borrero ◽  
Alejandro Acosta ◽  
Aida F. Medina
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Future Orientation ◽  
Strategy Formulation ◽  
Partial Explanation ◽  
Analytical Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Contexts

PurposeThis article explores how strategy formulation affects firm performance to determine whether rational/analytical strategy formulation is more effective than emergent/reflexive strategy formulation. Additionally, the article assesses if such superiority holds for different cultural contexts.Design/methodology/approachMeta-analysis was performed using the Raju, Burke, Norman, and Landis (RBNL) procedure applied to a dataset of 43 empirical studies reporting 54 effect sizes on strategy–performance relationships.FindingsImplementing a formal strategy formulation process positively relates to firm performance. Rational/analytical formulation approaches are more effective than emergent/reflexive approaches in enhancing firm performance, especially for cultures with low future orientation, high uncertainty avoidance, and high power distance.Research limitations/implicationsThe reduced number of published empirical studies limited the scope and generalizability of the results across countries, industries, or firms. This limitation might be especially true for Latin American firms given the absence of relevant studies in this region. Another potential limitation is related to the distinction between strategy formulation and strategy implementation. Given the empirical nature of the studies meta-analyzed, strategic tools are used as a proxy to determine the formulation approach.Practical implicationsFirms that operate in short-term oriented, uncertainty-avoiding, and elitist cultures should favor implementing rational/analytical strategy formulation techniques rather than emergent/reflexive approaches. Although prescriptive recommendations are limited by the lack of studies in Latin America, firms in this region would seem to be better off using rational/analytical strategy formulation approaches.Originality/valueThese findings provide a partial explanation for the varying results yielded by strategy formulation and suggest cultural contexts in which rational/analytical strategy formulation should be more effective than emergent/reflexive approaches.

“Medical Cannabis” as a Contested Medicine: Fighting Over Epistemology and Morality

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 488-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Zarhin ◽  
Maya Negev ◽  
Simon Vulfsons ◽  
Sharon R. Sznitman
Keyword(s):  
Medical Profession ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Policy Debate ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Science And Policy ◽  
Moral Economies ◽  
Strong Objectivity ◽  
Based Medicine ◽  
Epistemological Views

Few empirical studies have explored how different types of knowledge are associated with diverse objectivities and moral economies. Here, we examine these associations through an empirical investigation of the public policy debate in Israel around medical cannabis (MC), which may be termed a contested medicine because its therapeutic effects, while subjectively felt by users, are not generally recognized by the medical profession. Our findings indicate that beneath the MC debate lie deep-seated issues of epistemology, which are entwined with questions of ethics and morality. Whereas some stakeholder groups viewed evidence-based medicine and mechanical objectivity as the only valid knowledge base, others called for recognition of a particular experience-based knowledge, championing regulatory, administrative, or strong objectivity. Stakeholders’ interpretations of what should be considered as ethical courses of (in)action corresponded to their epistemological views, with most criticizing the regulators for relying on regulatory subjectivity instead of objectivity. Our in-depth mapping of this arena allowed us not only to shed light on the emergence of the new entity called “medical cannabis” but also to reexamine the link between epistemology, ethics, and action and to elucidate how heterogeneous groups view the validity and objectivity of knowledge and the interface between medicine, science, and policy.

Routine Outcome Monitoring (ROM) in Belgian and Dutch forensic patients

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 2063-2063
Author(s):  
K. Goethals
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Forensic Psychiatry ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Forensic Patients ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Outcome Monitoring ◽  
Forensic Psychiatric ◽  
The University

IntroductionBy means of ROM, the efficacy of forensic psychiatric treatment can be measured in domains of risk of recidivism, level of psychopathology, and quality of life. Although, research of the efficacy of this treatment has several methodological pitfalls.ObjectivesTo review the literature of ROM in forensic psychiatry; to consider the way of implementing ROM; to present relevant instruments in the domains as mentioned above.AimsTo investigate whether forensic psychiatric treatment leads to less symptoms, and a decrease of reoffending; to investigate the correlation between degrees of psychopathology and quality of life.MethodsPatients are recruited from the University Forensic Center (UFC), Antwerp, Belgium, which is a outpatient facility for treatment of sex offenders. In the future patients from other facilities will be included. Several instruments are used to measure the degree of psychopathology, risk of recidivism, and quality of life.ResultsPreliminary results are presented and discussed in this paper.

scholarly journals A Systematic Literature Review of the Potential Therapeutic Effects of Ayahuasca Tea Prepared From the Use of Banisteriopsis Caapi and Psychotria Viridis

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 112
Author(s):  
Adriane Cordeiro Trevisani ◽  
João Pedro Cordeiro Trevisani ◽  
Moacir Haverroth ◽  
Ailton Da Cruz Melo ◽  
Isabela Carvalho dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Efficacy And Safety

Ayahuasca is a drink of indigenous origin made as a decoction obtained from medicinal plants found mainly in Acre, state of Brazil, which are the leaves of Psychtoria viridis, popularly known as “chacrona” in Brazil, and the stem of Banisteriopsis caapi, commonly known as mariri or jagube. The decoction is used in religious practices for the therapy of diseases that affect the human being, such as psychological disorders, neurological, parasitic and bacterial infections. Considering the existing bioactive compounds and the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca, this study aims to carry out a literature review of scientific articles (PubMed, Scielo and LILACS) in order to gather knowledge within 30 years of study about the therapeutic potentials of ayahuasca. In the current literature, the studies focus on the area of neuropsychology, dealing with ayahuasca as a form of therapy for neurological and neuromotor disorders. In addition, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant actions have already been reported. However, new studies are still needed in these areas in order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ayahuasca and its component plant species, in order to use it as an alternative therapy, especially in the population from which the traditional knowledge about this beverage came from.

scholarly journals 113 times Tomcat: A dataset

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Destefanis ◽  
Mahir Arzoky ◽  
Steve Counsell ◽  
Stephen Swift ◽  
Marco Ortu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Software Engineering ◽  
Software Quality ◽  
Software Metrics ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Preliminary Results

Measuring software to get information about its properties and quality is one of the main issues in modern software engineering. The aim of this paper is to present a dataset of metrics associated to 113 versions of Tomcat. We describe the dataset along with the adopted criteria and the opportunities of research, providing preliminary results. This dataset can enhance the reliability of empirical studies, enabling their reproducibility, reducing their cost, and it can foster further research on software quality and software metrics.

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