Distinctions and analogies: mapping social system identity

Systemic design focuses on issues of greater “scale, social complexity and integration” than service or experience design (Systemic Design Association accessed 2018). Given the rapid emergence of the systemic design field, attention has focused on theoretical and methodological development (Jones and Bowes 2017). In this paper, we contribute to this development by formalizing a method, grounded in complexity/resilience theory, for mapping social system identity. From complexity/resilience theory, we adopt the “landscape” and “attractor” metaphors for conceptualizing stability and change in social systems (Sheffer 2009, Byrne and Callaghan 2014). In this approach, existing or potential social systems can be characterized as “regimes,” with dominant regimes described as business-as-usual and alternatives as niche or innovation regimes (Westley et al. 2011). To further develop this approach, we characterize social systems in terms of identity (Vickers 1980), and then relationally analyze social regime identities in terms of their underlying social factors or logics (Thornton et al. 2012). In these terms, a social attractor can be characterized as a constellation of logics, the “attraction” to which, among social actors, individually and collectively, serves to stabilize the regime (Silverman and Hill 2018). Based on this model, we describe a method (and suite of techniques) for mapping analogies and distinctions in selected and bounded social systems and scenarios, as constructed by design strategists and/or by group-process participants. While this method is itself quite straightforward, its application encourages systemicity both in the models that can be developed and in the dialogs and deliberations that can be facilitated. In order to situate this method within a systemic design toolkit, we compare it with the methods described and illustrated by, for example, Sevaldson (2012/2017) and Jones and Bowes (2017), as well as with the wider literature on analogy making and comparative analysis (e.g., Hesse 1966, Hofstadter and Sander 2013). In 2017, seeking to standardize and accelerate adoption of one mapping technique, we developed a “regime shift canvas” (Silverman et al. accessed 2018). This canvas is based on a bricolage of the landscape model with the design “bridge model” (Dubberly et al. 2008). In this bricolage, the “model of what is” in the bridge model represents a business-as-usual social regime and, by analogy and/or distinction, the “model of what might be” represents an alternative social regime or scenario. This canvas can be used in a variety of ways: as a prompt to individual creativity, as a basis for group facilitation, and as a heuristic device that informs the use of other analytical, group process, and/or foresight techniques. This standardization also highlights the limitations of a singular technique and artifact (i.e., “canvas”). We discuss these limitations, and then describe additional techniques for mapping social system identity. Each of these techniques is illustrated herein, with examples drawn from the referenced literature and from student mappings developed in masters degree-level design programs at Pacific Northwest College of Art. In effect, these techniques represent variations on the bridge model, and we diagram each of them as such

Porcine Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Endocarditis with Ring Abscess and Aortic Stenosis

Porcine bioprosthetic valve endocarditis is an infrequent but serious complication of valve replacement surgery. Ring (or annular) abscess is a frequent finding in mechanical valve endocarditis. In contrast, porcine valve endocarditis most often involves the cusps, and annular infection is uncommon. Porcine valvular dysfunction secondary to endocarditis usually takes the form of incompetence, whereas stenosis is less frequent. We report a case of a 76-year-old female who developed endocarditis wilh Staphylococcus epidermidis nine months after placement of a Carpenter-Edwards porcine aortic valve. Her initial presentation included complete heart block and moderate aortic stenosis. Transesophageal echocardiography aided the diagnosis by demonstrating large vegetations, while transthoracic echocardiography showed only slight thickening of the valve leaflets. At operation, there was a circumferential abscess around the sewing ring causing valve dehiscence and virtual discontinuity of the aorta from the left ventricle. Valve degeneration and organisms within the cusps were observed on microscopy. This case illustrates two infrequent complications of porcine aortic valve endocarditis, namely massive annular abscess with invasion of the conducting system and aortic stenosis. It also demonstrates the utility and limitations of transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of this disorder

Work stress and cancer researchers : an exploration of the challenges, experiences and training needs of UK cancer researchers.

Work stress is a significant issue for many UK healthcare professionals, in particular those working in the field of oncology. However, there have been very few attempts to explore the challenges, experiences or training needs of researchers working in cancer research. In doing so, we will be better positioned to support and develop these researchers. 18 UK oncology researchers from a variety of backgrounds took part in a semi-structured interview. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The analysis identified two overarching themes: logistical research issues (workload, accessing/ recruiting participants, finances) and sensitive research issues (emotional demands, professional boundaries, sensitivity around recruitment). One cross-cutting theme, supportive strategies (support and training, coping mechanisms), was seen to influence both logistical and sensitive research issues. While further research is needed to fully understand the causes and impact of work stress on cancer researchers, three specific issues were highlighted: emotional demands are relevant to quantitative and mixed methods researchers as well as those engaged in qualitative research; the researchers’ background (experience; clinical/non-clinical) was influential and an exploration of effective coping strategies is required; and there is a clear need for adequate support systems and training to be available, particularly for early career researchers.</p

Association between hemochromatosis genotype and lead exposure among elderly men: the normative aging study.

Because body iron burden is inversely associated with lead absorption, genes associated with hemochromatosis may modify body lead burden. Our objective was to determine whether the C282Y and/or H63D hemochromatosis gene (HFE) is associated with body lead burden. Patella and tibia lead levels were measured by K X-ray fluorescence in subjects from the Normative Aging Study. DNA samples were genotyped for C282Y and H63D using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP). A series of multivariate linear regression models were constructed with bone or blood lead as dependent variables; age, smoking, and education as independent variables; and C282Y or H63D as independent risk factors and/or effect modifiers. Of 730 subjects, 94 (13%) carried the C282Y variant and 183 (25%) carried the H63D variant. In the crude analysis, mean tibia, patella, and blood lead levels were consistently lower in carriers of either HFE variant compared with levels in subjects with wild-type genotypes. In multivariate analyses that adjusted for age, smoking, and education, having an HFE variant allele was an independent predictor of significantly lower patella lead levels (p < 0.05). These data suggest that HFE variants have altered kinetics of lead accumulation after exposure. Among elderly men, subjects with HFE variants had lower patella lead levels. These effects may be mediated by alterations in lead toxicokinetics via iron metabolic pathways regulated by the HFE gene product and body iron stores

The protein kinase R modifies gut physiology to limit colitis

Here we investigate the function of the innate immune molecule protein kinase R (PKR) in intestinal inflammation. To model a colitogenic role of PKR, we determine the physiological response to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) of wild-type and two transgenic mice strains mutated to express either a kinase-dead PKR or to ablate expression of the kinase. These experiments recognize kinase-dependent and -independent protection from DSS-induced weight loss and inflammation, against a kinase-dependent increase in the susceptibility to DSS-induced injury. We propose these effects arise through PKR-dependent alteration of gut physiology, evidenced as altered goblet cell function and changes to the gut microbiota at homeostasis that suppresses inflammasome activity by controlling autophagy. These findings establish that PKR functions as both a protein kinase and a signaling molecule in instituting immune homeostasis in the gut

Star Formation Activity in the Galactic HII Complex S255-S257

We present results on the star-formation activity of an optically obscured region containing an embedded cluster (S255-IR) and molecular gas between two evolved HII regions S255 and S257. We have studied the complex using optical, near-infrared (NIR) imaging, optical spectroscopy and radio continnum mapping at 15 GHz, along with Spitzer-IRAC results. It is found that the main exciting sources of the evolved HII regions S255 and S257 and the compact HII regions associated with S255-IR are of O9.5 - B3 V nature, consistent with previous observations. Our NIR observations reveal 109 likely young stellar object (YSO) candidates in an area of ~ 4'.9 x 4'.9 centered on S255-IR, which include 69 new YSO candidates. Our observations increased the number of previously identified YSOs in this region by 32%. To see the global star formation, we constructed the V-I/V diagram for 51 optically identified IRAC YSOs in an area of ~ 13' x 13' centered on S255-IR. We suggest that these YSOs have an approximate age between 0.1 - 4 Myr, indicating a non-coeval star formation. Using spectral energy distribution models, we constrained physical properties and evolutionary status of 31 and 16 YSO candidates outside and inside the gas ridge, respectively. The models suggest that the sources associated within the gas ridge are of younger population (mean age ~ 1.2 Myr) than the sources outside the gas ridge (mean age ~ 2.5 Myr). The positions of the young sources inside the gas ridge at the interface of the HII regions S255 and S257, favor a site of induced star formation.Comment: 46 pages, 14 figures, 5 tables. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa