Participatory modelling in an introductory systems thinking and system dynamics class

In the system dynamics field there is a rich literature on participatory system dynamics / group model building and a rich literature on teaching students system dynamics. However, these two have not yet been combined and there is a lack of insights on using participatory system dynamics in a teaching context. This paper starts to close this gap by reporting two examples of participatory system dynamics teaching. It discusses the purposes of such kind of teaching, relating it to the different components of teaching participatory modelling vs. using a participatory process to teach system dynamics concepts as well as the learning objectives related to participatory process vs. model content vs. system dynamics insights

Theorising and modelling competing institutional logics in decision-making

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Dealing with soft variables and data scarcity: Lessons learnt from the quantification in a participatory System Dynamics model

System Dynamics simulation models are commonly used for exploring, structuring and managing complex problems in order to design more effective policies and inform decision-making. They are often used to investigate areas in which limited knowledge is available, describing nonlinear relationships and including variables representing intangible elements of the system. Indeed, SD practitioners build and depend on formal simulation models to overcome the cognitive limitations to grasp the dynamic complexity of the problem situation, and to make reliable behavioural inferences. While this explorative nature is one of the key advantages of SD models, it also represents a major challenge for modellers working on the quantification and parametrization of the qualitative aspects of a (participatory) model, namely soft variables and data scarce contexts, especially when it is not possible to apply conventional analytical methods. There is a limited availability of procedures to obtain and analyse qualitative information. This paper investigates quantification good practices; on the other side, it describes a quantification process carried out during a participatory SD modelling process on the use of natural space in Thamesmead, an area undergoing urban regeneration in London, United Kingdom

Determinants of successful breastfeeding initiation in healthy term singletons: a Swiss university hospital observational study

Aims: Breastfeeding significantly benefits mothers and infants. We aimed to identify the determinants of its successful initiation. Methods: A retrospective study of 1893 mothers delivering healthy term singletons at a Swiss university hospital from 1/2008 to 3/2009 determined the associations between multiple breastfeeding and early postpartum parameters by univariate and multiple regression analysis. Results: Multiparity was associated with nursing exclusively at the breast at discharge (P<0.001), less use of maltodextrin supplement (P<0.05), bottle/cup (both P<0.001), but more pacifier use (P<0.05). Among obese mothers, nursing exclusively at the breast at discharge was less frequent, and use of all feeding aids more frequent, than among normal-weight women (both P<0.001). Neuraxial anesthesia was associated with use of maltodextrin and bottle (both P<0.05) compared to no anesthesia. Delayed first skin-to-skin contact and rooming-in for <24 h/day were each associated with maltodextrin and cup (P<0.05). Nursing exclusively at the breast at discharge was less frequent (P<0.001), and bottle use more frequent (P<0.05), in women with sore nipples than in those without. Conclusions: Obesity is a potent inhibitor of breastfeeding initiation. Delivery without anesthesia by a multiparous normal-weight mother, followed by immediate skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in for 24 h/day, and dedicated nipple care, provides the best conditions for successful early postpartum breastfeeding without the need for feeding aids or nutritional supplement

Generalized resistance to pruritogen-induced scratching in the C3H/HeJ strain

Previously the effect of the pruritogens, such as histamine and chloroquine, was tested in 11 inbred mouse strains, and this study aimed to identify resistant and sensitive strains, consistent with the observation that underlies the large variability in human populations. In the present study, we used the low responder C3H/HeJ (C3H) and the more sensitive C57BL/6J (C57) strain to find out if resistance and sensitivity to develop pruritus is restricted to only histamine and chloroquine or extends to other known pruritogens as well. We tested five additional commonly known pruritogens. We established dose-response relationships by injecting four concentrations of the pruritogens in the range of 0.3, 1, 3, and ten-fold in the nuchal fold. Then we assessed the scratching behavior for 30 min after injection with an automated custom-designed device based on the bilateral implantation of mini-magnets in the hind paws and on single cages placed within a magnetic coil. We found that the resistance to pruritogens is a general phenotype of the C3H strain and extends to all pruritogens tested, including not only histamine and chloroquine, but also endothelin, trypsin, 5-HT (serotonin), the short peptide SLIGRL, and Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). C57 was more sensitive to all pruritogens and, in contrast to C3H, dose-response relationships were evident for some of the pruritogens. In general, comparable peak scratch responses were observed for the 0.3-fold concentrations of the pruritogens in C57 whereas C3H required at least the ten-fold concentration and still displayed only between 5 and 33% of the scratch responses observed in C57 for the respective pruritogen. The general resistance to pruritogens and the low level of scratching behavior found in the C3H strain is an interesting trait and represents a model for the study of the heritability of itch. It is accompanied in C3H with a higher sensitivity in assays of nociception

Information Gathering about Pregnancy, Birth, and Puerperium—Good and Fake Information

Recent research on the subject of information-gathering processes among pregnant women has revealed a shift towards online sources. Health professionals’ knowledge about sources of information has been shown to improve the understanding and counseling of patients. The objective of this study was to create an overview of all types of sources relevant to information gathering and to put their role and perception into perspective. Methods: A total of 249 women were included in this study and recruited over a period of one month at the University Hospital of Zurich (USZ). Exclusion criteria included cases of fetal demise and late abortions. The survey on information-gathering processes was divided into three stages: pregnancy, birth, and puerperium. The different sources of information were compared based on women’s characteristics. Results: The response rate was 78% (n = 197). The main findings include a significant difference in information gathering based on varying levels of education, with women at the lowest educational level using the Internet the least during pregnancy (p = 0.029). During puerperium, significant differences could be observed in the involvement of the gynecologist. Primipara women as well as women of lower educational levels contacted their gynecologist less in contrast to multipara women (p = 0.006) and women of higher educational levels (p = 0.011). Overall, health professionals were considered to be the most important source of information. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that parity and educational level influence the information-gathering process. As the most important source for information gathering, health professionals must use this advantage to better assist their patients in accessing reliable information