Systems Approach Framework Research Articles

Bimanual training in stroke: How do coupling and symmetry-breaking matter?

BackgroundThe dramatic consequences of stroke on patient autonomy in daily living activities urged the need for new reliable therapeutic strategies. Recently, bimanual training has emerged as a promising tool to improve the functional recovery of upper-limbs in stroke patients. However, who could benefit from bimanual therapy and how it could be used as a part of a more complete rehabilitation protocol remain largely unknown. A possible reason explaining this situation is that coupling and symmetry-breaking mechanisms, two fundamental principles governing bimanual behaviour, have been largely under-explored in both research and rehabilitation in stroke.DiscussionBimanual coordination emerges as an active, task-specific assembling process where the limbs are constrained to act as a single unit by virtue of mutual coupling. Consequently, exploring, assessing, re-establishing and exploiting functional bimanual synergies following stroke, require moving beyond the classical characterization of performance of each limb in separate and isolated fashion, to study coupling signatures at both neural and behavioural levels. Grounded on the conceptual framework of the dynamic system approach to bimanual coordination, we debated on two main assumptions: 1) stroke-induced impairment of bimanual coordination might be anticipated/understood by comparing, in join protocols, changes in coupling strength and asymmetry of bimanual discrete movements observed in healthy people and those observed in stroke; 2) understanding/predicting behavioural manifestations of decrease in bimanual coupling strength and/or increase in interlimb asymmetry might constitute an operational prerequisite to adapt therapy and better target training at the specific needs of each patient. We believe that these statements draw new directions for experimental and clinical studies and contribute in promoting bimanual training as an efficient and adequate tool to facilitate the paretic upper-limb recovery and to restore spontaneous bimanual synergies.SummarySince bimanual control deficits have scarcely been systematically investigated, the eventual benefits of bimanual coordination practice in stroke rehabilitation remains poorly understood. In the present paper we argued that a better understanding of coupling and symmetry-breaking mechanisms in both the undamaged and stroke-lesioned neuro-behavioral system should provide a better understanding of stroke-related alterations of bimanual synergies, and help clinicians to adapt therapy in order to maximize rehabilitation benefits.

A Systems Approach Framework for Coastal Zones

This Special Feature Volume examines the potential value of the Systems Approach Framework (SAF) as a methodological framework for the transition to sustainable development in coastal zones. This article provides insight on the Systems Approach, the theory behind it, and how its practical application to coastal zone systems (CZSs) was developed. The SAF is about information for management through a focus on how to generate a higher, dynamic level of information about complex CZSs and how to render this information more useful to end users through a participatory suite of communication methods. The SAF is an open research methodology that investigates the function of systems in order to simulate specific issues or questions concerning their function. The research articles that are included in this Volume demonstrate examples of coupled multidisciplinary methods integrated into SAF simulations appropriate to a selected policy issue and to the social-environmental conditions of each Study Site Application. Their findings are not the result of funded research projects; instead, they are byproducts of pilot applications conducted to develop and improve the SAF methodology. The final article of this Volume synthesizes these results in the context of the SAF as a higher level instrument for integrated coastal zone management.

The Systems Approach Framework as a Complementary Methodology of Adaptive Management: a Case Study in the Urban Beaches of Barcelona

Tomlinson, B., S. Sastre, D. Blasco, and J. Guillén. 2011. The systems approach framework as a complementary methodology of adaptive management: a case study in the urban beaches of Barcelona. Ecology and Society 16(4): 28. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-04484-160428

Mussel Production and Water Framework Directive Targets in the Limfjord, Denmark: an Integrated Assessment for Use in System-Based Management

Dinesen, G. E., K. Timmermann, E. Roth, S. Markager, L. Ravn-Jonsen, M. Hjorth, M. Holmer, and J. G. Støttrup. 2011. Mussel production and water framework directive targets in the Limfjord, Denmark: an integrated assessment for use in system-based management. Ecology and Society 16(4): 26. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-04259-160426

Addressing Sustainability of Clam Farming in the Venice Lagoon

The clam fishing and aquaculture system in the Venice Lagoon still appears insufficiently resilient to buffer external and internal perturbations, such as productivity fluctuations, unregulated fishing, and market related dynamics, despite the efforts of regional and local authorities to achieve the sustainable development. According to the System Approach Framework (SAF), based on previous studies and stakeholder interactions, we developed a model integrating ecological, social, and economic (ESE) aspects. We chose the aspects necessary to represent the essential dynamics of major ecological, social, and economic clam farming system components to project the consequences of implementing alternative management policies and to address the ecological and social carrying capacity. Results of the simulations suggest that a properly managed farming system can sustain an acceptable income and support the local community, while reducing negative environmental impacts, social conflicts, and consumer health risks and improving system resilience. The results highlight the importance of an interdisciplinary, participatory, and adaptive approach in planning the management of this important renewable resource.

A Case of Enhancing Sexual Confidence: Both the Client and the Therapist Are the Experts

This case study demonstrates the challenges and possibilities of working on a sexual relationship with a single client and provides an example of integration of sex therapy within the ethical and theoretical framework of a collaborative systemic approach. It illustrates the author's view on the therapeutic relationship involving the expertise of both the client and the therapist. A model for integration of systemic approach and sex therapy is proposed.

Регион как территориальная система

The article considers different directions in national and international regional studies. The author analyses the notion of region in the framework of system approach.

Sustainable Control of Water-Related Infectious Diseases: A Review and Proposal for Interdisciplinary Health-Based Systems Research

ObjectiveEven when initially successful, many interventions aimed at reducing the toll of water-related infectious disease have not been sustainable over longer periods of time. Here we review historical practices in water-related infectious disease research and propose an interdisciplinary public health oriented systems approach to research and intervention design.Data sourcesOn the basis of the literature and the authors’ experiences, we summarize contributions from key disciplines and identify common problems and trends. Practices in developing countries, where the disease burden is the most severe, are emphasized.Data extractionWe define waterborne and water-associated vectorborne diseases and identify disciplinary themes and conceptual needs by drawing from ecologic, anthropologic, engineering, political/economic, and public health fields. A case study examines one of the classes of water-related infectious disease.Data synthesisThe limited success in designing sustainable interventions is attributable to factors that include the complexity and interactions among the social, ecologic, engineering, political/economic, and public health domains; incomplete data; a lack of relevant indicators; and most important, an inadequate understanding of the proximal and distal factors that cause water-related infectious disease. Fundamental change is needed for research on water-related infectious diseases, and we advocate a systems approach framework using an ongoing evidence-based health outcomes focus with an extended time horizon. The examples and case study in the review show many opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations, data fusion techniques, and other advances.ConclusionsThe proposed framework will facilitate research by addressing the complexity and divergent scales of problems and by engaging scientists in the disciplines needed to tackle these difficult problems. Such research can enhance the prevention and control of water-related infectious diseases in a manner that is sustainable and focused on public health outcomes.

Cellar waste minimization in the wine industry: a systems approach

Waste minimization is slowly being adopted in the wine industry, owing to a combination of powerful drivers, which are either internally or externally motivated. However, these waste minimization practices in the wine industry are still carried out in an ad hoc fashion and have proven to be inefficient in many cases. The lack of a systematic methodology of synthesizing and targeting specific waste streams by the industry has been identified as a major cause of failure in realizing the full potential of waste minimization in the wine industry. This paper discusses a systems approach framework based on three fundamental concepts, viz. the identification of waste sources, detailed causative analysis of the wastes, as well as the derivation of feasible waste minimization alternatives based on the qualitative data and information obtained during process flowsheet evaluations. The application of the qualitative waste minimization methodology described in this study, led to the identification of 90 waste minimization strategies. Approximately 48% of the total number of strategies targeting intrinsic and extrinsic wastes falls in the category of process execution and management (operating practices). On the basis of these findings, waste minimization can yield considerable benefits to the wine industry on condition that it is incorporated as an integral part of the entire vinification process.

Decisions about critical events in device-related scenarios as a function of expertise

This paper presents the perspectives of personnel involved in decision-making about devices in critical care. We use the concept of “sharp and blunt ends” of practice to describe the performance of health care professionals. The “sharp end” is physically and temporally close to the system; the “blunt end” is removed from the system in time and space and yet affects the system through indirect influence on the sharp end. In this study, the sharp end is represented by the clinicians (nurses and doctors) and the blunt end by the administrators and biomedical engineers. These subjects represent the professionals involved in the decision-making process for purchasing biomedical equipment for the hospital. They were asked to “think aloud” while evaluating three error scenarios based on real events. The responses were recorded and transcribed for analysis. The results show differences in interpretation of critical events as a function of professional expertise. The clinicians (sharp-end practitioners) focused on clinical and human aspect of errors while the biomedical engineers focused on device-related errors. The administrators focused on documentation and training. These different interpretations mean that the problems are represented differently by these groups of subjects, and these representations result in variable decisions about devices. These results are discussed within a systems approach framework to help us assess the completeness of the problem representations of the subjects, their awareness of critical events, and how these events would collectively contribute to the occurrence of error.

Integrated Management Systems for Enhancing Project Quality, Safety and Environment

Over the last thirty years the construction industry has fully embedded quality management systems (QMS) within construction project management. In recent years, environmental regulation and health and safety legislation have introduced additional dedicated management requirements – environmental management systems (EMS) and health and safety management systems (H&SMS). It has been suggested that management systems, in particular those used for quality assurance, have been somewhat bureaucratic and of questionable value to construction project management. The need exists for enhanced systems that enable a contracting organisation to control the key management functions of quality, together with environment and safety with maximum effectiveness and minimum bureaucracy. The findings presented in this paper show that a reconfigured approach could bring together these individual and often separate functions within an Integrated Management System (IMS). The concept of IMS is now an emerging management approach within construction following the lead by manufacturing and UK contractors are already considering its application. This is supported by certification bodies who have introduced the integrated management system assessment or IMSA. A number of UK contracting organisations are at the forefront of both national and international IMS developments. Based on primary questionnaire and interview survey data from UK contracting organisations, this paper examines the purpose, characteristics, properties and development framework of a single system approach, or the IMS for quality, safety and environment, and considers its application by contracting organisations.

Impact of Watershed Development Programme: Experiences and Issues

Water management in irrigated area is quite a different task as compared to that under rainfed regions. Here it becomes essentially a component of resource planning. Watershed management programmes undertaken with the government and non-governmental initiatives have shown excellent results towards resource conservation, as well as, monitoring the use rates. The present paper applies a system approach framework to analyse the impoct of watershed management in Maharashtra. The paper gives a complete framework for such analysis and discusses If case study of the National Watershed Development Programme of Maharashtra. The impact analysis helped in bringing out the positive externalities and point out towards the minimisation of entropy in the production process. The paper concludes on a need for conducive institutional structure to achieve this.

Compound nucleus formation in reactions between massive nuclei: Fusion barrier

The evaporation residue cross sections {sigma}{sub ER} in reactions between massive nuclei have been analyzed within different models of complete fusion. The calculations in the framework of the optical model, the surface friction model, and the macroscopic dynamic model can give the results which are by few orders of magnitude different from experimental data. This takes place due to neglect of the competition between complete fusion and quasifission. A possible mechanism of compound nucleus formation in heavy-ion-induced reactions has been suggested. The analysis of the complete fusion of nuclei on the basis of dinuclear system approach has allowed one to reveal an important feature of the fusion process of massive nuclei, that is, the appearance of the fusion barrier during dinuclear system evolution to a compound nucleus. As a result, the competition between complete fusion and quasifission arises and strongly reduces the cross section of the compound nucleus formation. A model is proposed for calculation of this competition in a massive symmetric dinuclear system. This model is applied for collision energies above the Coulomb barrier. The {sigma}{sub ER} values calculated in the framework of dinuclear system approach seem to be close to the experimental data. For illustration the reactions {supmore » 100}Mo+{sup 100}Mo, {sup 110}Pd+{sup 110}Pd, and {sup 124}Sn+{sup 96}Zr have been considered.« less

Transportation Systems for Developing Regions

There seems to be a strong correlation between a region’s prosperity and the level of transportation it enjoys. The relationship between transportation and economic development of regions has been recognized by economists and planners. However, the exact nature of this relationship has not been easy to quantify. The planning of a transport system for development should be closely related to general regional development planning. Transportation is not an end by itself; its purpose is to aid the realization of desired regional economic development patterns.A systems approach framework is proposed whereby transportation system planning is integrated into the regional development planning process. The main feature of the approach is that it derives alternative plans from a consideration of goals and objectives. The role of analysis is discussed. It is argued that in developing regions simple models have a particular advantage for the study of the relationships between transportation and development. An example is given of how a simple abstract model of transportation can aid in the evaluation of the transport requirements for alternative regional development policies, and thus aid in the evaluation of such policies.