Systems thinkers think About systems education under the April 2010 (volcanic ash) clouds of Austria

The fragmented nature of systems education with multiple traditions expressed in very different ways at different institutions with ultimate confusing effects on the community of learners (students, managers, policy makers, etc), led to a group of Systems Thinkers to discuss and create generic curricula for education and learning about systems for the generalist and specialist tracks. An active network of systems educators and stakeholders who can benefit from enhanced systems education in having to deal with complex issues, was also explored. In this presentation some guidelines for designing introductory and advanced courses will be discussed. The Introduction to Systemic Thinking and Practice course is intended as an introductory course for students from all disciplines. The Advanced Systemic Thinking and Practice course is intended as a more advanced course for students who are faced with complex issues that require a trans-disciplinary and integrated approach. The designs contain a set of key systems concepts and frameworks relevant to the appropriate level, along with some indicative tools and methods which will enable students to explore the concepts. The value of a Global Network of Systems Educators will also be discussed and how this network could help to fulfil the needs of managers, policy makers and society in general. An example will be given of how the integration of this network with the UQ-UNESCO/MAB Global Learning Laboratories NET could lead to more people (decision-and policy makers in Governments, managers, businesses, etc.) having the ability to practice systems thinking – all of these contributing to Systems Thinking becoming a more mainstream part of a sustainable society

Preliminary data on the presence of bacteria in the uterus of pregnant cows

Bacterial invasion of the uterus during the postpartum period has been well described. Recent papers using 16S rRNA gene sequencing techniques suggest that the nonpregnant uterus contains a diverse flora of bacteria that are not necessarily pathogenic. In contrast, the pregnant uterus has until now been considered a sterile environment. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether bacteria were present in the uteri of pregnant cows. Uteri from pregnant, slaughtered animals (n = 47) were sampled. The surface of the uterus was wiped with alcohol, flame sterilized, and cut open with sterile scissors. Samples were taken from the endometrium and from the placentomes. The samples were embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 3 microns, and prepared for fluorescence in situ hybridization using a probe targeting the 16S rRNA of the domain bacteria, so that all bacteria regardless of species were visualised. Using fluorescence microscopy, the presence of bacteria within or on the surface of the endometrium and within the placentomes was noted. The stage of pregnancy was estimated to range from 26 to 263 days by measuring the size of the embryo or fetus. The endometrial samples from 85.1% (40/47) of pregnant cows contained bacteria. In 22 cows, the bacteria were localised within the endometrial tissue, whereas in the remaining 18 cows, the bacteria were on the epithelial surface. Placental samples were obtained from 43 cows, and 76.7% (33/43) of these contained bacteria. The presence of bacteria in the pregnant uterus may suggest that a cow can carry a pregnancy despite the presence of few potentially pathogenic bacteria or that normal flora exist in the uterus as in, for example, the vagina. In conclusion, bacteria were present in the endometrium and placentomes of pregnant cows. Further analyses using rRNA gene sequencing techniques will aim to confirm the presence of bacteria in the bovine pregnant uterus and to investigate which species of bacteria are present in the uterus during pregnancy. </jats:p

From Bertalanffy to Discipline-Independent-Transdisciplinarity

When Bertalanffy advocated a new scientific discipline called general system theory, this generalist mode of understanding was to be based on the isomorphism of laws, principles, and models in the different sciences, and on structural uniformities (isomorphies) in the subject matters of those sciences. There is a conceptual shift in Bertalanffy’s work from the logico-mathematical mode to a deeper more complex understanding. There is a corresponding shift in the understanding of isomorphies from the isomorphy of laws and principles to the isomorphy of qualities of real systems. The recognition of isomorphies in real situations and systems has resulted in the creation of the modern generalist mode of understanding and from there the development of discipline-independent-transdisciplinarity. This paper gives an introduction to this form of transdisciplinarity, and explains how this mode of understanding naturally develops a universal transdisciplinary language

Paul Davies and Why Time Is Not a Flow

John Steele interviewed Paul Davies on the subject of time. In that interview Davies stated that time is not a flow, which is correct. His reasoning for that conclusion, however, was flawed, based on a confused version of the flowing river analogy with time. A correct version of the analogy is presented, followed by an analysis of Davies’ argument. A detailed explanation is presented of the intrinsic nature of the type of change that time is. Transdisciplinary methodology based on isomorphies is used to bring forth the nature of temporal change, and reveal why time is not a flow

Foundational Origins of Change in the Universe

The universe is continuously new due to the roles of seven omnipresent sources of change. These foundational sources of change are here identified and described. While each source of change is unique, they each initiate change in the form of noncoexistent-sequential-difference, which is the core characteristic of change. The occurrence of noncoexistent-sequential-difference, the occurrence of change, initiates the existence of something new. Each unique source of change initiates a unique form of newness. These sources of change, and the different manners in which their change occurs as noncoexistent-sequential-difference, and the forms of newness they initiate, are interrelated due to existential-context, existential-dependency, factor development, and deep-structure. Complex forms of change, such as plate tectonics, biological evolution, the development of culture, and stellar evolution, are based on the seven foundational forms of change together interrelating with diverse other factors

Detail design of a multifunctional blue-green roof : case : Lillestrøm

Fortetting av urbane områder setter press på eksisterende blågrønne strukturer og med forventet økt nedbør i framtiden, som følge av klimaendringene, trengs det en strategi for å imøtekomme dette. Tak har lenge vært en ubrukt ressurs når det gjelder håndteringen av overvann, og her er det et stort potensial. Ved å etablere blågrønne tak vil man kunne håndtere og fordrøye en god del av nedbøren gjennom et år, og avlaste byens vannledningsnett. I tillegg til overvannshåndtering kan denne femte fasaden blant annet bli tilgjengeliggjort for mennesker, bli en del av byens grønnstruktur og styrke byens biomangfold. Denne masteroppgaven er en detaljprosjekteringsoppgave av et flerfunksjonelt blågrønt tak i Lillestrøm. Første del av oppgaven vil ta for seg hva blågrønne tak er og se på fordeler og ulemper. Videre vil oppgaven undersøke Lillestrøm og Lillestrøm kommunes byutviklingsplan for å sette prosjektet i sammenheng med byen. Prosjekteringsdelen vil ta et dypdykk i utvalgte detaljer som konstruksjon av pergola, benker og plantekasser. Dette vil bli visualisert gjennom detaljsnitt, planer og 3D-modell. Resultatet er et flerfunksjonelt blågrønt tak som dekker temaene overvannshåndtering, biomangfold og tilbyr opplevelser for mennesker.Densification of urban areas puts pressure on existing blue-green structures and with expected increased precipitation in the future, as a result of climate change, a strategy is needed to meet this. Roofs have long been an unused resource when it comes to managing surface water, and here there is great potential. By establishing blue-green roofs, it will be possible to handle a good part of the precipitation over a year, and relieve the city’s water network. In addition to surface water management, this fifth façade can be made available to people, become part of the city’s green structure and strengthen the city’s biodiversity. This master’s thesis is a detailed design project of a multifunctional blue-green roof in Lillestrøm. The first part of the thesis will address what blue-green roofs are and look at the advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, the thesis will examine Lillestrøm and Lillestrøm municipality’s urban development plan to put the project in context with the city. The design part will take a deep dive into selected details such as the construction of the pergola, benches and planters. This will be visualized through detail sections, plans and a 3D model. The result is a multifunctional blue-green roof that covers the topics of stormwater management, biodiversity and creates experiences for people.M-L