Search results for "Systems analysis"
showing 10 items of 29 documents
English Language Policy in Relation to Teachers and Teacher Educators in Latvia: Insights from Activity Systems Analysis
2020
The ambitious objectives of European language policy and the strive for competitiveness have led to an increasing emphasis on foreign language competence at the level of national education systems. Using Spolsky’s onion model of language policy (2004) and Engeström’s Expansive Learning theory (1987, 2008), the study attempts to determine the formative influence of the existing multilayered language policy on the professional development of Latvian educators with the aim to compare the situation for teachers and teacher educators in respect of their English language proficiency.Given the prioritisation of English and strategic differences in foreign language management in relation to teacher…
A "systems medicine" approach to the study of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
2016
a b s t r a c t The prevalence of fatty liver (steatosis) in the general population is rapidly increasing worldwide. The progress of knowledge in the physiopathology of fatty liver is based on the systems biology approach to studying the complex interactions among different physiological systems. Similarly, translational and clinical research should address the complex interplay between these systems impacting on fatty liver. The clinical needs drive the applications of systems medicine to re-define clinical phenotypes, assessing the multiple nature of disease susceptibility and progression (e.g. the definition of risk, prognosis, diag- nosis criteria, and new endpoints of clinical trials).…
Transcription factor NRF2 as a therapeutic target for chronic diseases: a systems medicine approach
2018
Systems medicine has a mechanism-based rather than a symptom- or organ-based approach to disease and identifies therapeutic targets in a nonhypothesis-driven manner. In this work, we apply this to transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) by cross-validating its position in a protein-protein interaction network (the NRF2 interactome) functionally linked to cytoprotection in low-grade stress, chronic inflammation, metabolic alterations, and reactive oxygen species formation. Multiscale network analysis of these molecular profiles suggests alterations of NRF2 expression and activity as a common mechanism in a subnetwork of diseases (the NRF2 diseasome). This netw…
Building an advocacy model to improve the dementia-capability of health plans in California
2021
Background Given the high and growing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and the intensity of this population's care needs, it is imperative that healthcare systems increase their capacity to effectively serve people living with dementia (PLwD). The Dementia Cal MediConnect (Dementia CMC) project proposes an advocacy model that may foster dementia-capable systems change. Methods The Dementia CMC project was a 5-year partnership (2013-2018) between local Alzheimer's organizations and 10 managed care health plans (HPs) in California's duals demonstration. It used an advocacy model with the following steps: (1) Identify dementia-capable best practices to set as systems ch…
Analysis of neuronal networks in the visual system of the cat using statistical signals
1976
If the input signals of the visual system in the cat are statistical patterns in space and time, a complete system analysis can be carried out. What counts here as a system are the neuronal networks between retina and recording site. In the case of linearity, one obtains the temporal impulse response functions at every point in the receptive field with the aid of correlation methods. The measuring time is about one minute. Some aspects of the procedure are explained in terms of examples. The method of measurement also makes it possible to determine the characteristic function of the system in time and space between different recording sites within the cortex. It is possible to specialize th…
An integrated approach based on Life Cycle Assessment and Thermoeconomics: Application to a water-cooled chiller for an air conditioning plant
2018
Abstract A large number of methods for energy systems analysis were developed in the last decades, aimed at acquiring an in-depth understanding of plant performances and enabling analysts to identify optimal design and operating conditions. In this work an integrated approach based on Life Cycle Assessment and Thermoeconomics is proposed as a method for assessing the exergo-environmental profile of energy systems. The procedure combines the capabilities of these two techniques, to account simultaneously for aspects related to thermodynamics of energy conversion processes and to the overall impacts along the plant life cycle related to other phases, i.e. from raw material extraction to the d…
Parameter subset selection for the dynamic calibration of activated sludge models (ASMs): experience versus systems analysis.
2007
In this work we address the issue of parameter subset selection within the scope of activated sludge model calibration. To this end, we evaluate two approaches: (i) systems analysis and (ii) experience-based approach. The evaluation has been carried out using a dynamic model (ASM2d) calibrated to describe nitrogen and phosphorus removal in the Haaren WWTP (The Netherlands). The parameter significance ranking shows that the temperature correction coefficients are among the most influential parameters on the model output. This outcome confronts the previous identifiability studies and the experience based approaches which excluded them from their analysis. Systems analysis reveals that parame…
An Analysis Of The Work System Framework For Examining Information Exchange In A Healthcare Setting
2016
Employee shirking and overworking: modelling the unintended consequences of work organisation
2020
Underworking (i.e. shirking) and overworking of employees can have detrimental effects for the individual and the organisation. We develop a computational model to investigate how work structure, specifically the way in which managers distribute work tasks amongst employees, impacts work intensity and working time. The model draws on theories from economics, psychology and management, and on empirical observations. The simulations show that when managers correctly estimate task difficulty, but undervalue the employee’s competence, opportunities for shirking are provided due to longer deadlines. Similarly, if managers overvalue the employee’s competence, they set tighter deadlines leading to…
Changes in disease burden in Poland between 1990-2017 in comparison with other Central European countries: A systematic analysis for the Global Burde…
2020
Background Systematic collection of mortality/morbidity data over time is crucial for monitoring trends in population health, developing health policies, assessing the impact of health programs. In Poland, a comprehensive analysis describing trends in disease burden for major conditions has never been published. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) provides data on the burden of over 300 diseases in 195 countries since 1990. We used the GBD database to undertake an assessment of disease burden in Poland, evaluate changes in population health between 1990–2017, and compare Poland with other Central European (CE) countries. Methods The results of GBD 2017 for …