On boundaries and disciplines: constructing a set of key systems thinkers

Over the past four years, the Open University has been working on an internal project of systems scholarship, called 'Systems Thinkers'. We have examined the life and work of fifty key thinkers, held discussions on their significance, and are in the process of writing a book and a postgraduate course about these thinkers. This work has raised many interesting questions about the boundaries of systems as an intellectual and practical discipline. In this paper, we will discuss some of these questions, asking what it means to be a discipline and how to establish its boundaries

Forming ideal types by understanding. Application to the psychoanalytic treatment of suicidal men

This paper discusses the application of a qualitative methodology—forming ideal types by understanding—to the psychoanalytic psychotherapy of suicidal men. The paper focuses on a particular phase of the methodology: the validation through external expert replication. Data of cases from psychoanalytic treatment, analysed by the originating group in Germany, is analysed by a group in London, UK, which formed to undertake the task of blind comparison. We describe the contribution of this method in the field of psychoanalytic research, the method developed for generating data and the processes through which data are analysed. We demonstrate the comparative findings from the first (German) and second (UK) analyses and explore the meanings of the similarities and differences. The paper concludes with an appraisal of the strengths and limitations (in terms) of moderate levels of generalisation of results from this method for research in the field of qualitative psychotherapy researc

"The monetary policy framework of the ECB"

In this short presentation I cannot discuss the concrete definition of the ECB’s final target which is an increase of the harmonised index of consumer prices in the euro area of "below 2 percent". Thus, I will focus on the monetary policy framework that the ECB has developed in order to achieve its target

Evaluation of the learning and skills measure

In April 2009, the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills commissioned York Consulting, in association with Old Bell 3, to undertake research to inform the implementation of the Learning and Skills Measure. The broad aims of the research were to focus on the likely impacts of the Measure on the 14-19 Learning Pathways nationally and to assess the degree to which wider choice is secured as a result of policy implementation

How green in our library?

An environment group has had a presence within Leeds Met Libraries since December 2004. Initially the group chose to look at simple things which could have a positive impact on how we use resources in the workplace. We introduced recycling bins for plastic cups and cans in the staff tearooms, provided dispensers for plastic carrier bags near the self-service machines and arranged training hours for library staff to learn more about environmental issues and to look at their carbon footprint. In May 2006, the group decided to continue their work via an e-mail discussion forum where any issues of environmental concern were raised, with dedicated members of the group continuing to action if appropriate. We found that as time went on, there was an increased interest in environmental matters, so much so that in April 2009 the group reformed, with a new membership and a new title of Green Initiatives Group. The remit of the group is: - To raise awareness of and promote green issues amongst library staff. - To exchange best practice in the university and in the Higher Education library sector. - To build relationships with other ethical organisations working in the Leeds area. One of our aims is to be aware of initiatives taking place in the wider university and to be able to communicate relevant information to library staff about what the university is involved in environmentally. Below is a brief outline of what we have achieved as a group and current projects we are working on

A Framework on Moment Model Reduction for Kinetic Equation

By a further investigation on the structure of the coefficient matrix of the globally hyperbolic regularized moment equations for Boltzmann equation in [Z. Cai, Y. Fan and R. Li, Comm. Math. Sci., 11 (2013), pp. 547-571], we propose a uniform framework to carry out model reduction to general kinetic equations, to achieve certain moment system. With this framework, the underlying reason why the globally hyperbolic regularization in [Z. Cai, Y. Fan and R. Li, Comm. Math. Sci., 11 (2013), pp. 547-571] works is revealed. The even fascinating point is, with only routine calculation, existing models are represented and brand new models are discovered. Even if the study is restricted in the scope of the classical Grad's 13-moment system, new model with global hyperbolicity can be deduced.Comment: 22 page

Clostridium difficile infection in the United States: A national study assessing preventive practices used and perceptions of practice evidence

We surveyed 571 US hospitals about practices used to prevent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Most hospitals reported regularly using key CDI prevention practices, and perceived their strength of evidence as high. The largest discrepancy between regular use and perceived evidence strength occurred with antimicrobial stewardship programs.Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(8):969–971</jats:p

Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, vol. 85

Covering Leg 85 of the cruises of the Drilling Vessel Glomar Challenger Los Angeles, California, to Honolulu, Hawaii March-April 1982. Includes six chapters: 1. INTRODUCTION: BACKGROUND AND EXPLANATORY NOTES, DEEP SEA DRILLING PROJECT LEG 85, CENTRAL EQUATORIAL PACIFIC 2. SITE 571 3. SITE 572 4. SITE 573 5. SITE 574 6. SITE 57