Understanding systems thinking:an agenda for applied research in industry

Why systems thinking is valuable is relatively easy to explain.  However, in the authors’ work as university educators, teaching a student processes of enquiry that are themselves systemic is a difficult undertaking.  The capacity to view the world in systemic ways seems an innate characteristic that some individuals possess.  Might it be the case that being a systems thinker is dependent on holding a particular worldview?  Systems theorists have evolved tools and methodologies to help people do systems thinking.  Is being a user of systems methods the same as being a systems thinker? Are certain cognitive competencies, styles, or preferences required for people to make effective use of such tools and methodologies

Withdrawal of parenteral phenobarbitone - Implications for resource-poor countries

Parenteral phenobarbitone is an integral part of the management of status epilepticus, especially in the context of resource-poor countries. It is highly effective at controlling seizures. It is safe, cheap, can be given by rapid intravenous push or intramuscular route, boluses can be repeated, and it is recommended as part of the Advanced Paediatric Life Support guidelines. The proposed alternatives lack efficacy, practicality and/or place the child in status epilepticus at risk of respiratory compromise. The impact of the loss of parenteral phenobarbitone would be increased cardiac complications, lack of early seizure control, prolonged seizures resulting in brain damage and systemic complications. Increased numbers of patients will require artificial ventilation in centres without facilities, and centres with facilities will be unable to cope with the load of ventilated patients because of lack of safe transport systems and bed space

A vibration measurement system for deaf people’s emergency apparatus

A vibration measurement system for deaf people’s emergency warning equipment is presented in this paper. Deaf alarm devices are among the most supportive products that help to alert deaf people in various emergency circumstances. Applicable British standards recommend that acceptable working parameters for such products are frequency: 25 to 150 Hz, enough vibration strength, intensity and stable performance against lifetime. This paper presents research that has been conducted to test and validate the performance of a variety of alerting devices using the proposed vibration measurement system. It introduces the laboratory arrangements, practical measurements carried out and its compliance with the British standards. The products investigated were the Mk I, Mk II Deaf Alerters, the Deafgard alerting device and the C-TEC 24V Pillow Pad. Measurements were taken using an ADXL335 accelerometer, to determine the vibration strength. Other parameters considered were temperature variation, efficiency and lifetime of the products

Approach to epilepsy in childhood

No Abstract

Peripheral neuropathies of childhood

Includes synopsis.Incldues bibliographical references (p. 195-220).Peripheral nerve disease was described by Galen (AD 130-200) over a thousand years ago.(3) Detailed anatomical illustrations were documented by Andreas Vesalius in his major work 'De humani corporis fabrica' in 1543.(4) Over the last two centuries an explosion in knowledge in the area has occurred, with a further exponential increase in the last 20 years mostly related to understandings in the field of molecular genetics.(5) Although some degree of diagnostic closure was possible for a number of the hereditary peripheral neuropathies, this has not been the end point of knowledge but only the beginning

Fluoroalkyl radical cyclisation reactions

This thesis is divided into four chapters. Chapter one contains three different introductory sections of relevance to the research carried out and opens with a short account of the applications of fluorinated organic molecules and materials. As the complexity of the molecules increases, some of the typical reagents and methods for fluorination are introduced. The effects which fluorination can have are explained by reference to the modes of action of appropriate biologically active molecules. The second part of the introduction contains material relating to the concept of "philicity" of radicals which is required for a full understanding of chapter two. Finally, a literature survey of 5-exo-trig cyclisation reactions of -heteroatom substituted radicals is presented together with the objectives of our own research. Chapter two consists of research in the area of fluoroalkyl radical cyclisation chemistry. An account of the novel use of dibromofluoromethane as an alkylating agent to prepare fluoroalkyl radical precursors is followed by a description of their 5-exo-trig- cyclisation reactions. Results from the use of tri(n-butyl)tin hydride / AIBN conditions are discussed with regard to the efficiency of cyclisation and the stereochemistry of the resultant cyclopentanoids produced as a function of the character of the radical. Samarium diiodide and cobalt mediated cyclisations are also demonstrated. The synthesis of a chiral building block intended as an intermediate to allow our methodology to provide nucleoside analogues appears towards the end of chapter two, as does an account of preliminary attempts to perform atom transfer cyclisation reactions involving difluoroalkyl radicals. Chapter three provides a formal description of the experimental results and the procedures used to obtain them

Epileptic spasms - 175 years on: Trying to teach an old dog new tricks

PURPOSE: This text provides an overview of how the condition "infantile spasms" has evolved in the last 175 years. METHOD: Key references are summarised to assimilate this review. Results: Infantile spasms, first described by Dr West in 1841, has undergone extensive investigation to understand the pathogenesis, aetiologies, optimal intervention and most likely prognosis for the affected child. The terminology has recently evolved such that the preferred term for the condition is now “epileptic spasms” in recognition of the fact that cases can present outside infancy. The aetiologies are diverse and can be structural, genetic, metabolic or acquired. Increasing numbers of presumed causative genetic mutations are now being identified. The condition is an epileptic encephalopathy such that without adequate control of the clinical seizures and correction of the abnormal EEG, ongoing neurological damage occurs. In some cases neuroregression is inevitable despite intervention. First-line treatments are either hormonal therapies, adrenocortcotrophic hormone or prednisolone, or vigabatrin. In the sub-group of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex, vigabatrin is the preferred treatment. High dose prednisolone may be a more viable option in resource limited settings. Recent research has suggested that combining hormonal therapies with vigabatrin will result in more patients achieving spasm cessation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite extensive study, the pathogenic mechanisms remain an area of debate and in need of further exploration. The enigma, however, may be explained as the role of resting state and dysfunctional brain networks are elucidated further