Society as an information and communication technology

“We explore the hypothesis that the social system (society) is not composed of human beings, but by their interactions and communications (Luhmann, 1984). Social order can then be considered as the complex dynamics of the expectations exchanges among us.” (SISN syntegration outcome resolve - Light Blue group, 2001) Notes on rapportage: This report attempts to capture the ideas presented and discussed during the Light Blue group’s Spring Seminar presented by Dr. Loet Leydesdorff (15Feb2002). They are not intended as a chronological summary of the presentation, but rather aim to (re)present key themes identified by the rapporteur and felt to be of transferable general interest to the whole Systems and Information Society Network. This reporting process may in fact be seen as another example of the communication process as suggested by Luhmann; consisting of information, utterance and understanding. My notes here reflect my utterance of a personal understanding of the meanings intended within our February seminar. I hope that Loet and the other attendees will find some resonance with their own interpretations , and that where this is not the case the difference itself may create some useful further discussion

Supplying Salt and Light by Lorna Goodison

Review of Supplying Salt and Light by Lorna Goodison

Within the Pillars of Hercules

The Kiona’s hull sliced neatly through the batting waves, her sails pulling forward with the ceaseless breath of the northwestern winds. The boards of the ship hummed beneath Carrice Leon’s feet, interlaced with the rhythmic beating of 170 oars against serene waters. In the distance, white spires were beginning to peak just above the starboard horizon, a shimmering beacon in the endless blue. They were making good time, despite the previous day’s storm. Carrice looked up to find the sun high in the sky. “Starboard side, in-oars!” Her voice boomed across the length of the deck, ringing clear over the wind and waves below. The crew manning the right side of the deck clattered their oars into oarlocks as the port side continued to row in perfect synchrony. Carrice nodded to herself as the soft wood of the helm’s wheel glided smoothly against her hands, nudging the Kiona further starboard. “Oars in,” she commanded; more clattering of oars onto the deck ensued. The ship was running with the wind. Why not show off a little and sail in. [excerpt

Power control circuit

Power control switching circuit using low voltage semiconductor controlled rectifiers for high voltage isolatio

Coastal planning, education and the Australian context

The Victorian Planning Minister&rsquo;s response to the &lsquo;Coastal Climate Change Advisor Report&rsquo;, initiated by the Baillieu government in 2010, identified the need to &ldquo;initiate ! a skills audit with the view to developing a range of professional development courses to meet the shortfall of professionals with the capability to assess coastal climate change impacts&rdquo; (Victoria 2012). The following paper addresses this deficiency by examining how Australia&rsquo;s higher education and further education sectors currently attend to the issue of coastal planning.A detailed review of a large number of national and international planning programs was undertaken to highlight the subject matter contained in each program with a specific focus on any coastal planning courses. Working from a theoretical perspective, the first part of the paper addresses why a dedicated subject on Coastal Planning is required in the present Australian planning school syllabus, and how such a program would be positioned within the intent of PIA&rsquo;s Education Policy.Utilising the benefits of Problem Based learning and Student Centred Learning in relating to delivering a Coastal planning course, the second part of the paper provides a theoretical overview of the types of competencies which students may be expected to attain when undertaking such a course. The third part of the paper proposes a series of 12 lectures to underpin a unit titled &ldquo;Coastal Planning: The Australian Context&rdquo; which includes a draft lecture relating to the monitoring of Coastal Erosion in Adelaide.<br /

The application of Riegels' rule and time-like damping to transonic flow calculations

Finite difference relaxation solutions of the nonlinear small perturbation equations have proven reliable and successful in determining the transonic flowfields about thin airfoils. However, application of the small perturbation approach to thick airfoils usually results in an accuracy less than desirable. The incorporation of Riegels' Rule and time-like damping into the small perturbation approach and their application to thick and thin airfoils in transonic flow are discussed. Studies for thick and thin airfoils are presented. It is concluded that Riegels' Rule and damping should both be included in small perturbation transonic flow calculations

The Hudson Laboratories microbarograph system: Results and future trends

The ultralow frequency microbarograph system is described, and some results for periods ranging from a few minutes to a few hours are presented. Problems encountered during operation of the system are also discussed

Autonomy and midwifery.

Autonomy is a concept central to the definition of a midwife: “the midwife is an autonomous practitioner of midwifery, accountable for the care she or he provides” (WHO 1992, P3). However, as a concept, the term ‘autonomy’ is very complex and the degree that midwives are able to demonstrate their autonomy when making decisions in the clinical setting is variable and depends on the extent of authority given to them by their place of practice as well as their own personal willingness to accept such freedom. This study looks at the nature of autonomy within the midwifery profession, the impetus for which, arose from my passion for the art and science of midwifery over the past sixteen years and my constant questioning of the real possibility of autonomous midwifery practice or more specifically of the parameters and limitations entailed with autonomy and how this impacts on midwifery care. The aims of the study were fourfold: 1. To explore and interrogate the nursing, midwifery and medical literature on aspects of autonomous practice. 2. To explore midwives views on the concept of autonomy. 3. To identify factors that might influence autonomy within practice. 4. To explore the effect of different working environments on midwives’ autonomy. Methodology Critical reviews of the literature: The literature reviews, which were confined to a maximum of seven of the more widely, read journals, covering the past twenty years, included: • The scope of midwives’ practice and how this affects autonomy • The impact of supervision on autonomy and freedom of practice • The link between accountability and autonomy within a litigious society. Case study: a qualitative naturalistic research model was used to understand the experiences of midwives and the meaning attached to the concept of autonomy within the profession. A phenomenological approach was selected for this study to guide the research process and to assist the researcher to reach the main aims of the study. Phenomenology is commonly understood in either two ways: as a disciplinary field in philosophy, or as a movement in the history of philosophy. The discipline of phenomenology may be defined initially as the study of structures of experience, or consciousness. Phenomenology was chosen because it allows the study of experiences and the meanings things have in our experiences of events, others and oneself. Qualitative research can be criticised in that it is strongly subject to researcher bias and that the research is so personal to the researcher that there is no guarantee that a different researcher would not come to radically different conclusions. It was crucial in this study to set aside any bias, everyday understandings, theories, beliefs and judgements for myself as well as the interviewees, therefore the method of “bracketing” was utilised; where the phenomenologist is required to put all assumptions aside or into “brackets” to allow the descriptions to arise from the “first-person” point of view in order to ensure that the respective item, in this case autonomy, is described exactly as it is experienced by the participants of the study. The study included twenty-five midwives within the Independent and NHS sector who were selected for interview by utilising purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Five areas of midwifery practice were chosen as each had a different model of care for the women and with regards to the flexibility and range of work for the midwives in each area. These ranged from private midwifery led community care in the woman’s own home to a birth centre and a high-risk obstetric labour ward: • Independent Sector – private midwifery led care in the woman’s own home • Stand-alone birth centre- midwifery led care within an NHS birth centre based in the community setting. • Community – NHS midwifery led care within the community of a multicultural London borough. • Integrated birth centre – midwifery led care in a birth centre that is within an acute hospital setting and attached to an acute obstetric led labour ward. • Labour ward – Acute obstetric led services within an NHS hospital. All midwives and managers working within each area were given the information leaflet informing them of the study and inviting them to take part. There was no exclusion for experience or level of seniority and male and female midwives were included. Midwifery managers were contacted for the various hospitals and working areas within which the research was undertaken. They then facilitated access to recruiting five midwives from each model of care for the research. Semi-structured interviews: All twenty-five midwives were individually interviewed using a semi-structured schedule that was designed and developed in response to the aims of the study. The aim of the interview schedule was to assist me to elicit a comprehensive account of the midwives experiences of the phenomenon and not to direct the interview process. Nine open-ended questions were included in the interview schedule. The design of the questions was done in such a way that they did not influence the formation of answers. Analysis of data: a phenomenological design by Colaizzi (1978) utilising a seven step framework for analysing qualitative data was selected to guide the process of analysing the data collected. This included reading all transcripts to acquire a feeling of the data, reviewing each transcript and extracting significant statements, spelling out the meaning of each significant statement to identify underlying themes, organising the formulated meanings into clusters, integrating the results into an exhaustive description of the phenomenon, formulating an exhaustive description of the phenomenon and asking participants about the findings as a final validating step. Confirmability: as the sole researcher for this study the data was checked by validation of the themes and sub themes by a sample of the interviewees as described earlier and the analysis and results discussed and debated by the research supervisors for this study. Credibility: credibility in this study was ensured by multiple review of the field notes and audiotapes, the neutrality of the researcher doing the interview, careful handling of the emotional expressions and returning transcriptions to interviewees for verification of facts and results. Researcher Bias: Cognisance must be given to the possibility of subjectivity on the part of the researcher who is closely involved with some of the interviewees within independent practice and with autonomous midwifery led care outside of the NHS. Throughout this study the author has borne in mind the need for objectivity in all research activities and to this end, has endeavoured to maintain an impartial stance in all interactions with participants. Ethical Aspects: Consideration was given to the use of and access to NHS premises; consent from the Director of Midwifery for each unit was obtained. Ethical approval was sought from the School of Health and Social Sciences Health Studies Ethics sub-committee at Middlesex University and application made locally to each ethical committee at the hospitals used within my study through the online application with the National Research Ethics Committee (NREC). Authorisation was also obtained from the Research and Development Officer for women’s services at each NHS Trust. An issue for the study was that of confidentiality of information collected and anonymity of respondents. To gain the confidence and co-operation of the midwives involved I approached each participant individually and explained the purpose of the research with an assurance that their identity and the information they provide would not be divulged further. Overall findings: Whilst respondents advocated autonomous practice, the findings did not always support this philosophy. Some responses reflected confusion in the interpretation of autonomy and what equates to autonomous practice. Education was a key issue, both within the profession itself, among NHS management and other relevant professional groups alongside this was the issue surrounding the culture of the working environments regarding hierarchical structure and its impact on the ability to practice with autonomy. Recommendations: The study recommends • In-house professional development programmes to address lack of knowledge regarding the concept of autonomy (to include medics and midwifery managers) • Active involvement in hospital guideline groups and service development programmes, promotion of midwifery led care. • Replication of this study in other areas of the UK to determine any significance to workload and place of practice would seem vital in directing the education of midwives in particular as to where they will eventually practice. • A comparative study of work culture including hierarchical systems to determine significance to autonomous practice