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Resolving the crisis in L2 motivational self-system research : Constructive dialogue and argument-based validation
No full textAl-Hoorie, Hiver, and In’nami (2024) offer compelling arguments for why L2 motivational self-system research is currently in a state of validation crisis. Seeking a constructive resolution to the crisis, in this response we argue that two fundamental conditions are needed for the field to emerge stronger: psychological readiness and methodological maturity. For psychological readiness, we call for a reframing of the “crisis” narrative. We highlight the need to value controversy, to normalize failure and (self-)correction, and to resist the allure of novelty. For methodological maturity, we suggest that an argument-based approach to validation can provide a constructive solution to current controversies. We present an integrated framework that can guide systematic validation efforts, and we demonstrate its application using a recent validation study as an example.CC BY</p
Nurses' Experiences of Providing Existential/Spiritual Care to the Patient in Palliative Care
No full textBakgrund: Existentiell/andlig vård utgör en grundläggande del av den palliativa vården och syftar till att möta individens behov av mening, hopp, försoning och trygghet i livets slutskede. Denna vårdform tar hänsyn till det existentiella lidande och de frågor som kan uppstå när en människa konfronteras med döden, bland annat frågor som rör livets betydelse, relationer och oro inför det okända. I detta sammanhang spelar sjuksköterskan en central roll genom att bygga förtroendefulla relationer och erbjuda stöd genom närvaro, empati och lyhörda samtal. Ett sådant bemötande kan bidra till att lindra lidande och främja patientens välbefinnande under den sista tiden i livet. Syfte: Syftet med denna litteraturstudie är att beskriva sjuksköterskors erfarenhet av att förmedla existentiell/andlig vård till patienter som vårdas palliativt. Metod: Denna studie utgår från en litteraturöversikt med fokus på kvalitativa forskningsmetoder. Urvalet av vetenskapliga artiklar gjordes genom systematiska sökningar i databaserna PubMed, CINAHL och APA PsycInfo, vilket resulterade i tolv artiklar som bedömdes som relevanta. Det insamlade materialet har analyserats med hjälp av reflexiv tematisk analys enligt den metod som beskrivs av Braun och Clarke (2022). Resultat: Syftet besvarades genom fyra huvudteman och tio underteman som behandlar sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av att förmedla existentiell/andlig vård till patienter i palliativ vård. ”Att kämpa” beskriver balansen mellan motsatser, otillräcklighet och frustration. ”Att utmanas” handlar om ansvar, avsaknad av tydliga riktlinjer och osäkerhet som uppstår i vårdsituationen. ”Att identifiera och bearbeta” belyser emotionella påfrestningar samt behovet av utbildning. ”Att närvara” lyfter vikten av förståelse och medkänsla i mötet med patientens existentiella behov. Slutsats: Sjuksköterskors möte med existentiellt lidande i livets slutskede präglas av känslomässig belastning och av ett djupt mänskligt engagemang. De står i en kamp mellan att balansera mellan motsatser som otillräcklighet och frustration. Sjuksköterskorna utmanas av otydliga riktlinjer och den osäkerhet som uppstår i vårdsituationen och att då samtidigt vara närvarande för att möta patientens existentiella behov. Den egna bearbetningen är av särskild vikt för att kunna utveckla förmågan att bemöta de svåra frågorna och samtidigt förmedla trygghet till patienten.Background: Existential care is a fundamental part of palliative care and aims to meet the individual's needs for meaning, hope, reconciliation, and security at the end of life. This form of care considers the existential suffering and the questions that may arise when a person is confronted with death, including issues related to the meaning of life, relationships, and fear of the unknown. In this context, the nurse plays a central role by building trusting relationships and offering support through presence, empathy, and attentive conversations. Such an approach can help alleviate suffering and promote the patient's well-being during the final stage of life. Aim: The aim is to describe nurses' experiences of providing existential/spiritual care to patients receiving palliative care. Method: This study is based on a literature review focusing on qualitative research methods. The selection of scientific articles was conducted through systematic searches in the databases PubMed, CINAHL, and APA PsycInfo, resulting in twelve relevant articles. The collected material was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke (2022). Results: The aim was addressed through four main themes and ten subthemes, exploring nurses’ experiences of providing existential/spiritual care to patients in palliative care. “Struggling” describes the balance between opposing demands, feelings of inadequacy, and frustration. “Being challenged” concerns the sense of responsibility, lack of clear guidelines, and uncertainty arising in care situations. “Identifying and processing” highlights emotional strain and the need for education. “Being present” emphasizes the importance of understanding and compassion in encounters with patients’ existential needs. Conclusion: Nurses’ encounters with existential suffering at the end of life are marked by emotional strain and deep human commitment. They face an ongoing struggle to balance opposing feelings such as inadequacy and frustration. They are challenged by unclear guidelines and the uncertainty that arises in care situations and to remain present to meet the patient’s existential needs. Processing their own emotions is essential in order to face the difficult existential questions, and at the same time convey a sense of security to the patient
Automated Detection of Vulnerabilities in ERC20-based Smart Contracts : Using Fuzzing, Symbolic Execution and Static Analysis in Ethereum-based Environments
No full textThe security of smart contracts deployed on Ethereum-based environments is a growing concern, especially as these contracts increasingly govern critical operations in decentralized applications. Traditional manual auditing methods are often time-consuming, error-prone, and insufficient to detect complex or deeply embedded vulnerabilities. This paper proposes an automated approach to detect vulnerabilities in Ethereum smart contracts through the integration of fuzzing and symbolic execution techniques. The framework combines property-based fuzzing using Echidna with symbolic execution via Mythril and static analysis via Slither to enhance vulnerability coverage. The goal is to identify common vulnerabilities such as re-entrancy, integer overflows, access control misconfigurations, and unchecked external calls. A comprehensive evaluation is conducted on smart contracts sourced from open datasets such as verified Etherscan repositories. The results are assessed based on detection accuracy, false positive and negative rates, code coverage, and execution time. This research demonstrates that combining fuzzing, symbolic execution, and static analysis in an automated pipeline provides a robust foundation to improve smart contract security in Ethereum ecosystems
Investigating the Adoption of QUIC and Its Impact on Network Security Visibility
No full textQUIC (HTTP/3) is a modern transport protocol designed to improve performance and security through built in encryption and faster connection setup. However, its design presents new challenges for traditional network security tools such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, which rely on inspecting unencrypted traffic. This thesis investigates QUIC’s global adoption and its impact on network visibility. A large scales can of the top 1 million and 10 million domains revealed QUIC support in approximately 38% and 30% of cases, respectively, indicating rapid adoption. Practical tests using pf Sense and Snort showed that these tools can detect QUIC at a transport level but cannot inspect or analyze its contents. To address this, the study explores emerging solutions such as encrypted traffic analytics and machine learning based fingerprinting. These findings highlight the need for adaptive, privacy aware approaches to security in increasingly encrypted network environments
Optimizing Access Control Policies Using Game Theory : A Nash Equilibrium Approach
No full textDen här artikeln diskuterar en ny metod för optimal utformning av åtkomst policyer med hjälp av spelteorins principer för att balansera dynamiken mellan rollbaserad åtkomstkon-troll (RBAC) och attributbaserad åtkomstkontroll (ABAC). Den modellerar policydesign processen som den strategiska interaktionen mellan angripare och försvarare med hjälp av Nash Equilibrium analys för att fastställa en optimal policyablandning som förbättrar säker-heten. Projektet är baserat på empirisk statistik från IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024 som ger detaljerad statistik över kostnaden. Det är också baserat på framgångsfrekvenser för vanliga cyberattacker som Phishing och Token Theft. Dessa framgångsfrekvenser härleddes från två simuleringsmiljöer. Denna statistik används för att uppskatta realistiska utbetalningsmatriser, som sedan används för att beräkna Nash Equilibrium. Resultaten stöds sedan med hjälp av agentbaserade simuleringar baserade på Mesa-ramverket, där prestanda för policyinställningar kan observeras under dynamiska scenarier.Resultat indikerar att hybridmetoden, ungefär 61% RBAC och 39% ABAC, presterar mycket bättre än implementeringen av ren ABAC eller ren RBAC. Det minskar antalet intrångsfrekvensen med 16% jämfört med ren ABAC och 05% jämfört med ren RBAC, och utnyttjar de strukturerade kontrollerna av RBAC vid sidan av den kontextkänsliga anpassningsförmågan hos ABAC. Forskningen visar att åtkomstkontroll kan optimeras strategiskt genom att använda förutseende tillvägagångssätt för motståndares beteende, vilket minskar svarstiden på potentiella hot.This paper discusses one such novel approach to the optimal design of access policies using the principles of game theory to balance the dynamics between Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC). It models the policy design process as the strategic interaction between attackers and defenders using Nash Equilibrium analysis to determine an optimal policy blend that improves security. The approach is grounded in empirical statistics based on the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024 that provides detailed statistics of the average costs. And also based on success rates of common cyber attacks such as Phishing and Token Theft. The success rates were derived from two simulations environments. These statistics are used to estimate realistic payoff matrices, which are then utilized to compute the Nash Equilibrium. The findings are then supported using agent-based simulations based on the Mesa framework, where the performance of policy settings can be observed under dynamic scenarios. Outcomes indicate that the hybrid approach 61% RBAC and 39% ABAC, performs much better than the implementation of pure ABAC or pure RBAC. It decreases breach rates by 16% compared to pure ABAC and by 05% compared to pure RBAC, leveraging the structured controls of RBAC alongside the context-sensitive adaptability of ABAC. The research shows that access control can be strategically optimized using anticipatory approaches to adversary behavior, decreasing response time to potential threats
Development of a Decision Support System for Automated Anomaly Detection : Shifting from Condition-Based to Predictive Maintenance
No full textIn today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, ensuring smooth operations while min-imizing downtime is essential for maintaining efficiency and competitiveness. Modern industrial systems generate vast amounts of data from sensors, event logs, and other monitoring tools, providing valuable insights into equipment performance and poten-tial failures. The growing adoption of data-driven strategies has enabled the shift from traditional, reactive maintenance to predictive maintenance (PdM), leveraging machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and automation to anticipate and prevent breakdowns. This thesis focuses on enhancing maintenance decision-making through the development of an advanced DSS. The DSS is designed to classify detected issues into two categories: those that can be resolved by operators and those requiring inter-vention from specialized technicians or system engineers. By providing structured guid-ance and actionable recommendations, the system aims to improve response times, op-timize maintenance workflows, and reduce unplanned downtime. Results from the study demonstrate that the DSS can reduces maintenance delays by streamlining issue classification and resolution processes. Initial evaluations indicate improved operational efficiency, reduced technician workload, and better resource allocation. The accuracy of the DSS depends heavily on the quality and completeness of the event log data. Inconsistent or insufficient data can lead to misclassification of issues, affecting the system’s reliability. Furthermore, the system’s effectiveness may vary across different industrial environments, requiring customization to adapt to specific workflows and machine types. Future work can extend the system by integrating forecasting tech-niques. By utilizing historical data and frequency analysis, predictive models can be de-veloped to anticipate failures before they occur, further enhancing maintenance effi-ciency. The findings contribute to the broader field of industrial maintenance by demonstrating how AI-driven decision support can streamline troubleshooting pro-cesses and reduce unplanned downtime. Finally, while automation improves efficiency, operator training and user adoption are crucial to ensuring the DSS is used correctly and effectively in real-world scenarios
A beginner's guide to reflexivity in energy research and social science
No full textReflexivity is a critical practice in research, enabling scholars to examine the interpretive, political, and rhetorical dimensions of their work. This perspective paper explores the role of reflexivity in the study of energy transitions, where implicit assumptions often shape research trajectories and outcomes. Drawing on Susur and Karakaya’s (2021) typology, we analyze hidden assumptions across three empirical contexts—aviation, electricity networks, and bio-energy carbon capture and storage. Our reflexive practice reveals common biases, including a tendency towards techno-optimism, the delimitation of spatiotemporal boundaries that may overstate technological viability, and an implicit normalization of capitalist logics that may reinforce social inequities. We argue that a deliberate, iterative approach to reflexivity enhances the robustness of research on sustainability and energy transitions, helping to uncover taken-for-granted worldviews, definitions, and methodological choices. By sharing our own reflections, we seek to encourage greater reflexivity in energy research, fostering more nuanced, critical, and inclusive approaches to addressing today’s complex and wicked problems. We conclude by offering recommendations on how reflexivity can be systematically integrated into the research process to strengthen both analytical depth and transformative potential.CC BY 4.0</p
Static Initialization of Bitfields in the Plan 9 C Compilers
No full textBitfields in C is one way of packing data to keep down memory footprint,but the Plan 9 compilers do not support static initialization of structs containing bitfields. A patch to the compilers is presented, that makes maintaining ports of external code easier. Modifications has been made separately for every architecture in the current impl
Making a Difference : The nurse's role in encounters with children suspected of being subjected to violence
No full textBackground: Violence against children is a global public health issue with serious consequences for children's mental and physical health. Nurses play a central role in identifying and acting upon suspected child abuse. By law, they are mandated to report such cases, yet research indicates that violence against children often remains hidden within healthcare settings. Aim: The aim of this literature review was to highlight nurses' experiences of identifying and taking action when encountering children suspected of being subjected to violence.Method: A literature-based review with focus on qualitative research. A systematic literature search was carried out in the databases CINAHL and PubMed. Twelve scientific articles were selected. Data were analysed using Friberg’s (2022) five-step model. Results: The study identified two main themes reflecting nurses' experiences when encountering children suspected of being subjected to violence. Nurses described challenges such as lack of knowledge, ethical dilemmas, emotional strain, and insufficient support. They also highlighted strategies to promote child safety, including collaboration with families and relying on observation, intuition, and experience to identify and act on suspicions. Conclusion: Nurses face significant emotional and structural challenges in identifying and addressing suspected child abuse. Strengthening organizational support, improving education, and fostering child-centered approaches are crucial to enhance nurses’ ability to protect vulnerable children.Syftet med denna studie var att ta reda på sjuksköterskors erfarenheter när de försöker identifiera fall där misstänkt våldsutsatthet hos barn förekommer och vad som påverkar deras möjligheter att agera. Resultaten visade att många sjuksköterskor kände sig osäkra i mötet med barn som misstänks vara utsatta för våld. De beskrev att det är svårt att veta hur man ska tolka tecken på våld, och att det ofta saknas stöd från arbetsgivaren. Många upplevde även att det är känslomässigt tungt och att det finns en rädsla för att göra fel. Det framkom att sjuksköterskor använde sig av olika strategier vid oro eller misstanke om att ett barn far illa, däribland att lita på egna erfarenheter, följa sin magkänsla samt noggrant observera barnets beteende. Ett barncentrerat bemötande där barnet får känna sig trygg och lyssnad på, lyftes fram som vägledande.Bakgrunden till studien är att våld mot barn är ett stort samhällsproblem. Det kan få allvarliga konsekvenser för barns hälsa. Vården inklusive sjuksköterskor har ett ansvar att uppmärksamma våldsutsatthet hos barn.För att undersöka sjuksköterskors erfarenheter gjordes en litteraturbaserad studie. Det innebär att redan publicerade kvalitativa forskningsartiklar analyserades. To talt granskades och analyserades nio vetenskapliga artiklar med femstegsmodellen. Slutsatsen är att sjuksköterskor behöver mer utbildning, tydligare rutiner och stöd i sitt arbete för att våga och kunna agera när de misstänker att ett barn utsatts för våld. Sjuksköterskans roll är avgörande i arbetet mot våld mot barn, då hen genom sin närvaro kan skapa en känsla av trygghet i mötet med barnet. Genom att lyssna, våga fråga och använda sitt professionella omdöme kan sjuksköterskor göra skillnad
Care is something that just happens : School-age educare teachers’ reflections on care in practice
No full textIntroduction For decades, care has been a central value within Swedish school-age educare (SAEC). Nevertheless, maintaining the responsibilities of care is complex and multi-faceted. Previous research shows that wellbeing among children in SAEC age has decreased (Udsathed Center for Ungdomsforskning, 2022). Further, the occurrence of violence among children in SAECs can be understood as a lack of care (Borg, 2024). These studies point to a care under pressure where the development and wellbeing of children become affected. Theoretical framework The theoretical framework emanates from Joan Tronto’s (1998) Ethic of care, and more specifically from concepts covering two phases of care; caring about and caring for. Caring about is a general and abstract aspect of care work and concerns paying attention to the need of caring. Caring for requires listening to needs, recognizing unspoken needs and deciding which needs to care for. Caring for is in turn related to the actual work performed by the caregiver. It concerns taking responsibility for meet an identified need. Research questions or hypotheses The aim with this study is to explore how SAEC teachers reflect on care and how they perceive their possibilities to provide care. Methodology Data consists of 14 qualitative interviews with SAEC teachers (female 11; male 3). Semi-structured interviews related to vignettes and explored teachers’ reflections on care. The ongoing analysis is inspired by thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2019). Tentative findings are presented by way of three themes related to the concepts within the theoretical framework, caring about, caring for and challenges. The study has been conducted in line with the Swedish Research Council’s ethical principles. Results Within the theme Caring about, reflections concern care as a natural way of acting, something that is inside the person. It is described as implicit knowledge because of its intuitive character. Within the theme Caring for, reflections concern how the teachers see the child and meets the individual child in its needs. Also, this includes how they interpret signals from the child. Within the theme challenges, reflections evolve around structural challenges, such as group sizes, number of teachers, organization, available and suitable rooms and environments. Additionally, challenges are described between policy and the needs of the child from a child perspective. Discussion The tentative findings highlight the complexity of care related to SAEC. The SAEC context is described in some interviews as an arena for doing care, but in other interviews, as having poor conditions which also risk leading to no care or instrumental care because of the feeling of emotional exhaustion, according to the teachersCC BY NC </p