Interactive Planning: An Applied Systems Thinking Approach from the Perspective of a Participant-Observer

The systems approach to thinking is at a precipice. Our world is composed of systems and sub-systems so intrinsically linked that any attempt to make changes can upset system interdependencies. Systems thinking is a mindset and method of thinking and seeing things as “wholes,” patterns, interconnections, and interdependencies rather than analyzed parts and sub-parts. The systems approach and the methodologies informed by this approach offer an improved understanding of organizational performance. The systems methodology of interactive planning involves organizational stakeholders as the key ingredient to idealize creative outcomes for organizational problems. The interactive planning process involves carrying out a mess formulation to understand a problematic situation’s current reality and an idealized design to create an innovative reality that dissolves problems and promotes sustainable growth and development (Ackoff, 1981). This proposed study examined the interactive planning process’s effectiveness from the perspectives of a participant-observer. The areas of opportunity included integration into interactive planning with other complementary methodologies and theoretical frameworks that aid in its execution. Another area of investigation in this study was identifying the facilitator skill sets needed for improved idealized design engagement. The experiential knowledge from the researcher as a participant-observer with design session participants provided insight into this methodological approach, adding to the body of knowledge of interactive planning and idealized design creations. The researcher concludes that an effective idealized design outcome results from the effectiveness of a facilitator and facilitation. The effectiveness is contingent on a consistent and delicate balance of mindset, adeptness, experience, understanding of the interactive planning methodology’s application, and skill sets that hinge on coaching tenets, brainstorming techniques, and virtual technology platforms. vi

Cyclonic storm-surge risk: a hedonic case study of residential property in Exmouth, Western Australia

Australia is particularly vulnerable to coastal hazards as 85% of the population lives along the coast and there is growing demand for coastal development. The town of Exmouth in north-western Australia was used as a case study to investigate economic strategies for coastal disaster risk reduction as it typifies expanding coastal development in areas prone to extreme weather events, such as cyclones. The extent to which perceptions of risk of cyclonic storm-surge inundation and flooding influenced the price buyers paid for residential property from 1988-2013 were examined using a Hedonic Price model. This incorporated dwelling variables, proximity to the coast, Cyclone Vance storm-surge levels {4m} and 1-in-100 year flood levels. The analysis indicated that prices did not reflect the real societal cost of risk and the influence of greater coastal amenity over-rode any sensitivity to potential risk by buyers. This study is highly relevant in view of the expansion of residential settlement and industry along the coast of northern Australia and the predicted effects of extreme weather events under climate change scenarios

Effectiveness of a social support intervention on infant feeding practices : randomised controlled trial

Background: To assess whether monthly home visits from trained volunteers could improve infant feeding practices at age 12 months, a randomised controlled trial was carried out in two disadvantaged inner city London boroughs. Methods: Women attending baby clinics with their infants (312) were randomised to receive monthly home visits from trained volunteers over a 9-month period (intervention group) or standard professional care only (control group). The primary outcome was vitamin C intakes from fruit. Secondary outcomes included selected macro and micro-nutrients, infant feeding habits, supine length and weight. Data were collected at baseline when infants were aged approximately 10 weeks, and subsequently when the child was 12 and 18 months old. Results: Two-hundred and twelve women (68%) completed the trial. At both follow-up points no significant differences were found between the groups for vitamin C intakes from fruit or other nutrients. At first follow-up, however, infants in the intervention group were significantly less likely to be given goats’ or soya milks, and were more likely to have three solid meals per day. At the second follow-up, intervention group children were significantly less likely to be still using a bottle. At both follow-up points, intervention group children also consumed significantly more specific fruit and vegetables. Conclusions: Home visits from trained volunteers had no significant effect on nutrient intakes but did promote some other recommended infant feeding practices

Exploring The Frequency Of Close-In Jovian Planets Around M Dwarfs

We discuss our high precision radial velocity results of a sample of 90 M dwarfs observed with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope and the Harlan J. Smith 2.7 m Telescope at McDonald Observatory, as well as the ESO VLT and the Keck I telescopes, within the context of the overall frequency of Jupiter-mass planetary companions to main sequence stars. None of the stars in our sample show variability indicative of a giant planet in a short period orbit, with a 3.8 M_Jup and a 3.5 M_Jup and a < 0.7 AU. Our results point toward a generally lower frequency of close-in Jovian planets for M dwarfs as compared to FGK-type stars. This is an important piece of information for our understanding of the process of planet formation as a function of stellar mass

Extracting quantum dynamics from genetic learning algorithms through principal control analysis

Genetic learning algorithms are widely used to control ultrafast optical pulse shapes for photo-induced quantum control of atoms and molecules. An unresolved issue is how to use the solutions found by these algorithms to learn about the system's quantum dynamics. We propose a simple method based on covariance analysis of the control space, which can reveal the degrees of freedom in the effective control Hamiltonian. We have applied this technique to stimulated Raman scattering in liquid methanol. A simple model of two-mode stimulated Raman scattering is consistent with the results.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures. Presented at coherent control Ringberg conference 200

Coherent control using adaptive learning algorithms

We have constructed an automated learning apparatus to control quantum systems. By directing intense shaped ultrafast laser pulses into a variety of samples and using a measurement of the system as a feedback signal, we are able to reshape the laser pulses to direct the system into a desired state. The feedback signal is the input to an adaptive learning algorithm. This algorithm programs a computer-controlled, acousto-optic modulator pulse shaper. The learning algorithm generates new shaped laser pulses based on the success of previous pulses in achieving a predetermined goal.Comment: 19 pages (including 14 figures), REVTeX 3.1, updated conten

Mus musculus deficient for secretory antibodies show delayed growth with an altered urinary metabolome

© 2019 The Author(s). Background: The polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) maintains the integrity of epithelial barriers by transporting polymeric antibodies and antigens through the epithelial mucosa into the lumen. In this study, we examined the role of pIgR in maintaining gut barrier integrity, which is important for the normal development in mice. Methods: Cohorts of pIgR -/- mice and their wildtype controls were housed under Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) conditions and monitored for weight gain as an indicator of development over time. The general physiology of the gastrointestinal tract was analysed using immunohistochemistry in young (8-12 weeks of age) and aged mice (up to 18 months of age), and the observed immunopathology in pIgR -/- mice was further characterised using flow cytometry. Urinary metabolites were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which revealed changes in metabolites that correlated with age-related increase in gut permeability in pIgR -/- mice. Results: We observed that pIgR -/- mice exhibited delayed growth, and this phenomenon is associated with low-grade gut inflammation that increased with ageing. The gross intraepithelial lymphocytic (IEL) infiltration characteristic of pIgR -/- mice was redefined as CD8α+αβ+ T cells, the majority of which expressed high levels of CD103 and CD69 consistent with tissue resident memory T cells (TRM). Comparison of the urinary metabolome between pIgR -/- and wild-type mice revealed key changes in urinary biomarkers fucose, glycine and Vitamin B5, suggestive of altered mucosal permeability. A significant increase in gut permeability was confirmed by analysing the site-specific uptake of sugar probes in different parts of the intestine. Conclusion: Our data show that loss of the secretory antibody system in mice results in enhanced accumulation of inflammatory IELs in the gut, which likely reflects ongoing inflammation in reaction to gut microbiota or food antigens, leading to delayed growth in pIgR -/- mice. We demonstrate that this leads to the presence of a unique urinary metabolome profile, which may provide a biomarker for altered gut permeability