First generation biofuels provide a number of ecosystem services (e.g., fuel, climate regulation) but they also compromise other ecosystem services (e.g., food, freshwater services) which are of paramount value to human wellbeing. However, this knowledge is fragmented and little is known about how the ecosystem services provided and/or compromised by biofuels link to human wellbeing. In fact, whether biofuels production and use can have a negative or positive impact on the environment and society depends on several interconnected factors. This paper provides a critical review of the drivers, impacts and tradeoffs of biofuel production and use. In particular, it rationalizes the evidence coming from diverse academic disciplines and puts it into perspective by employing the ecosystem services framework popularized by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA). An outcome of this systematic review is a simplified conceptual framework that illustrates the main trade-offs of biofuel production and use by employing a consistent language grounded on the concepts of ecosystem services. Given the almost complete lack of literature explicitly linking biofuels and ecosystem services, our review concludes by identifying priority research areas on the interface of biofuels, ecosystem services and human wellbeing.
<p>The purpose of the present work is to provide a basis for a more detailed study of the nature and history of the system of meditation and spiritual relaization peculiar to the Bonpo lamaist tradition, called A Khrid: "The teachings (<em>khrid</em>) concerning the Unconditioned (<em>a</em>)." (Mark Turin 2004-04-28)</p>
The Bön religion is one of the main religious traditions of Tibet. It shares many affinities with Tibetan Buddhism, as is evidenced by this beautifully produced work on Bön art. Per Kværne is one of the leading Western scholars of Bön, and this volume brings together the results of the best and most up-to-date research on Bön, dispelling many myths and misconceptions by outlining the history, doctrines, ritual practices, and institutions of Bön. The major part of the book is devoted to the description of the major genres of Bön art, where many of the styles will be familiar to students of Tibetan Buddhist art, although the pantheon is quite different. The paintings, miniatures, and bronzes (dating from the 14th to the present century), beautifully reproduced in 60 color plates, are described in detail, with the deities (both peaceful and wrathful) and historical figures identified and contextualized. In many cases, prayers and invocations to the deities are provided in translation.
The Bön religion is one of the main religious traditions of Tibet. It shares many affinities with Tibetan Buddhism, as is evidenced by this beautifully produced work on Bön art. Per Kværne is one of the leading Western scholars of Bön, and this volume brings together the results of the best and most up-to-date research on Bön, dispelling many myths and misconceptions by outlining the history, doctrines, ritual practices, and institutions of Bön. The major part of the book is devoted to the description of the major genres of Bön art, where many of the styles will be familiar to students of Tibetan Buddhist art, although the pantheon is quite different. The paintings, miniatures, and bronzes (dating from the 14th to the present century), beautifully reproduced in 60 color plates, are described in detail, with the deities (both peaceful and wrathful) and historical figures identified and contextualized. In many cases, prayers and invocations to the deities are provided in translation.
<p>The Bön religion is one of the main religious traditions of Tibet. It shares many affinities with Tibetan Buddhism, as is evidenced by this beautifully produced work on Bön art. Per Kværne is one of the leading Western scholars of Bön, and this volume brings together the results of the best and most up-to-date research on Bön, dispelling many myths and misconceptions by outlining the history, doctrines, ritual practices, and institutions of Bön. The major part of the book is devoted to the description of the major genres of Bön art, where many of the styles will be familiar to students of Tibetan Buddhist art, although the pantheon is quite different. The paintings, miniatures, and bronzes (dating from the 14th to the present century), beautifully reproduced in 60 color plates, are described in detail, with the deities (both peaceful and wrathful) and historical figures identified and contextualized. In many cases, prayers and invocations to the deities are provided in translation.</p>
<p>The Bön religion is one of the main religious traditions of Tibet. It shares many affinities with Tibetan Buddhism, as is evidenced by this beautifully produced work on Bön art. Per Kværne is one of the leading Western scholars of Bön, and this volume brings together the results of the best and most up-to-date research on Bön, dispelling many myths and misconceptions by outlining the history, doctrines, ritual practices, and institutions of Bön. The major part of the book is devoted to the description of the major genres of Bön art, where many of the styles will be familiar to students of Tibetan Buddhist art, although the pantheon is quite different. The paintings, miniatures, and bronzes (dating from the 14th to the present century), beautifully reproduced in 60 color plates, are described in detail, with the deities (both peaceful and wrathful) and historical figures identified and contextualized. In many cases, prayers and invocations to the deities are provided in translation.</p>
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The future is uncertain and our world is complex, ambiguous and dynamic. To approach this context, this chapter presents fundamental philosophical assumptions, as well as a range of key concepts, which all are central for managing risk and resilience for sustainable development. It introduces a coherent philosophical framework for understanding and addressing our world, which is intended to bridge between the various functional sectors and academic disciplines necessary for building a safe and sustainable society. It also introduces a comprehensive approach to the concepts of development, sustainability, risk, value, hazard, vulnerability, capacity and resilience, as well as laying the foundation for managing risk for sustainable development.
BACKGROUND:To explore if health related quality of life(HRQoL) increased after traditional yoga(TY), mindfulness based cognitive therapy(MBCT), or cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), in patients on sick leave because of burnout.
METHODS:
Randomized controlled trial, blinded, in ninety-four primary health care patients, block randomized to TY, MBCT or CBT (active control) between September 2007 and November 2009. Patients were living in the Stockholm metropolitan area, Sweden, were aged 18-65 years and were on 50%-100% sick leave. A group treatment for 20 weeks, three hours per week, with homework four hours per week. HRQoL was measured by the SWED-QUAL questionnaire, comprising 67 items grouped into 13 subscales, each with a separate index, and scores from 0 (worse) to 100 (best). SWED-QUAL covers aspects of physical and emotional well-being, cognitive function, sleep, general health and social and sexual functioning. Statistics: Wilcoxon's rank sum and Wilcoxon's sign rank tests, Bonett-Price for medians and confidence intervals, and Cohen's D.
RESULTS:
Twenty-six patients in the TY (21 women), and 27 patients in both the MBCT (24 women) and in the CBT (25 women), were analyzed. Ten subscales in TY and seven subscales in MBCT and CBT showed improvements, p < 0.05, in several of the main domains affected in burnout, e.g. emotional well-being, physical well-being, cognitive function and sleep. The median improvement ranged from 0 to 27 points in TY, from 4 to 25 points in CBT and from 0 to 25 points in MBCT. The effect size was mainly medium or large. Comparison of treatments showed no statistical differences, but better effect (small) of both TY and MBCT compared to CBT. When comparing the effect of TY and MBCT, both showed a better effect (small) in two subscales each.
CONCLUSIONS:
A 20 week group treatment with TY, CBT or MBCT had equal effects on HRQoL, and particularly on main domains affected in burnout. This indicates that TY, MBCT and CBT can be used as both treatment and prevention, to improve HRQoL in patients on sick leave because of burnout, reducing the risk of future morbidity.
The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate the subjective experiences of 29 university students who participated in an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program for academic evaluation anxiety. Participants who self-referred to the Student Counseling Service underwent individual semi-structured interviews about how they experienced the personal relevance and practical usefulness of taking the MBSR program. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed through a team-based explorative-reflective thematic approach based on a hermeneutic-phenomenological epistemology. Five salient patterns of meaning (themes) were found: (1) finding an inner source of calm, (2) sharing a human struggle, (3) staying focused in learning situations, (4) moving from fear to curiosity in academic learning, and (5) feeling more self-acceptance when facing difficult situations. We contextualize these findings in relation to existing research, discuss our own process of reflexivity, highlight important limitations of this study, and suggest possible implications for future research.
The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate the subjective experiences of 29 university students who participated in an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program for academic evaluation anxiety. Participants who self-referred to the Student Counseling Service underwent individual semi-structured interviews about how they experienced the personal relevance and practical usefulness of taking the MBSR program. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed through a team-based explorative-reflective thematic approach based on a hermeneutic-phenomenological epistemology. Five salient patterns of meaning (themes) were found: (1) finding an inner source of calm, (2) sharing a human struggle, (3) staying focused in learning situations, (4) moving from fear to curiosity in academic learning, and (5) feeling more self-acceptance when facing difficult situations. We contextualize these findings in relation to existing research, discuss our own process of reflexivity, highlight important limitations of this study, and suggest possible implications for future research.
<p>This article gives a brief sketch of the early scholarly pursuits of Georg Morgenstierne with special attention paid to his interests in and study of Tibetan. Although more well known as a scholar of Iran, Morgenstierne studied Tibetan early in his career, focusing mainly on Sanskrit literature in Tibetan translation. (Ben Deitle 2005-11-01)</p>
Objective Assess changes in quality of life and in sense of coherence (SOC), after an intervention involving a self-development course using mind-body medicine (MBM) activities. Design A questionnaire study using a health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instrument, the SWEDQUAL, with 13 subscales and scores ranging from 0 to 100, combined with the SOC-13 scale, healthcare utilisation, medication and sick listing data. Setting A training centre for MBM. Eligible course attendants (study group, SG, n = 83) assessed their HRQOL before and 6 months after a 1-week course. A control group (CG) of individuals who had previously attended the course (n = 69), matched for age, sex and length of course time to the SG, also made assessments. Main outcome Changes in HRQOL and SOC in SG and CG. Results Of the 13 HRQOL subscales, eight showed clinically significant improvement in the SG (> 9%, p < 0.01), namely, General health perceptions (9%), Emotional well-being [negative (45%) and positive (26%)], Cognitive functioning (24%), Sleep (15%), Pain (10%), Role limitation due to emotional health (22%) and Family functioning (16%). Sexual, marital and physical function and role in the SG as well as all CG scores were similar to average population values. The assessed SOC also improved in the SG after intervention (p < 0.01), challenging previous statements of ' the stableness of SOC'. Use of psychotropic medication was slightly reduced in the younger aged SG participants after intervention. Conclusions This group of men and women (SG), starting from a clinically significant low health assessment, had improved their HRQOL and SOC after the course intervention.
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BACKGROUND: Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy for depression has been tested in several trials but there are no internet studies on behavioral activation (BA), and no studies on BA over the internet including components of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The aim of this study was to develop and test the effects of internet-delivered BA combined with ACT against a waiting list control condition as a first test of the effects of treatment.METHODS: Selection took place with a computerized screening interview and a subsequent semi-structured telephone interview. A total of 80 individuals from the general public were randomized to one of two conditions. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks after which both groups were assessed. We also included a 3 month follow-up. The treatment included interactive elements online and a CD-ROM for mindfulness and acceptance exercises. In addition, written support and feedback was given by a therapist every week.
RESULTS: Results at posttreatment showed a large between group effect size on the Beck Depression inventory II d=0.98 (95%CI=0.51-1.44). In the treated group 25% (10/40) reached remission defined as a BDI score ≤ 10 vs. 5% (2/40) in the control group. Results on secondary measures were smaller. While few dropped out from the study (N=2) at posttreatment, the average number of completed modules was M=5.1 out of the seven modules.
LIMITATIONS: The study only included a waiting-list comparison and it is not possible to determine which treatment components were the most effective.
CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there is initial evidence that BA with components of ACT can be effective in reducing symptoms of depression.
BACKGROUND: Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy for depression has been tested in several trials but there are no internet studies on behavioral activation (BA), and no studies on BA over the internet including components of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The aim of this study was to develop and test the effects of internet-delivered BA combined with ACT against a waiting list control condition as a first test of the effects of treatment.METHODS: Selection took place with a computerized screening interview and a subsequent semi-structured telephone interview. A total of 80 individuals from the general public were randomized to one of two conditions. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks after which both groups were assessed. We also included a 3 month follow-up. The treatment included interactive elements online and a CD-ROM for mindfulness and acceptance exercises. In addition, written support and feedback was given by a therapist every week.
RESULTS: Results at posttreatment showed a large between group effect size on the Beck Depression inventory II d=0.98 (95%CI=0.51-1.44). In the treated group 25% (10/40) reached remission defined as a BDI score ≤ 10 vs. 5% (2/40) in the control group. Results on secondary measures were smaller. While few dropped out from the study (N=2) at posttreatment, the average number of completed modules was M=5.1 out of the seven modules.
LIMITATIONS: The study only included a waiting-list comparison and it is not possible to determine which treatment components were the most effective.
CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there is initial evidence that BA with components of ACT can be effective in reducing symptoms of depression.
BACKGROUND: Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy for depression has been tested in several trials but there are no internet studies on behavioral activation (BA), and no studies on BA over the internet including components of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The aim of this study was to develop and test the effects of internet-delivered BA combined with ACT against a waiting list control condition as a first test of the effects of treatment.METHODS: Selection took place with a computerized screening interview and a subsequent semi-structured telephone interview. A total of 80 individuals from the general public were randomized to one of two conditions. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks after which both groups were assessed. We also included a 3 month follow-up. The treatment included interactive elements online and a CD-ROM for mindfulness and acceptance exercises. In addition, written support and feedback was given by a therapist every week.
RESULTS: Results at posttreatment showed a large between group effect size on the Beck Depression inventory II d=0.98 (95%CI=0.51-1.44). In the treated group 25% (10/40) reached remission defined as a BDI score ≤ 10 vs. 5% (2/40) in the control group. Results on secondary measures were smaller. While few dropped out from the study (N=2) at posttreatment, the average number of completed modules was M=5.1 out of the seven modules.
LIMITATIONS: The study only included a waiting-list comparison and it is not possible to determine which treatment components were the most effective.
CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there is initial evidence that BA with components of ACT can be effective in reducing symptoms of depression.
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