Browsing by Subject "Systems theory"
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Item Open Access Diagrammatics in Categorification and Compositionality(2019) Vagner, DmitryIn the present work, I explore the theme of diagrammatics and their capacity to shed insight on two trends—categorification and compositionality—in and around contemporary category theory. The work begins with an introduction of these meta- phenomena in the context of elementary sets and maps. Towards generalizing their study to more complicated domains, we provide a self-contained treatment—from a pedagogically novel perspective that introduces almost all notion via diagrammatic language—of the categorical machinery with which we may express the broader no- tions that found the sequel. The work then branches into two seemingly unrelated disciplines: dynamical systems and knot theory. In particular, the former research defines what it means to compose dynamical systems in a manner analogous to how one composes simple maps. The latter work concerns the categorification of the slN link invariant. In particular, we use a virtual filtration to give a more diagrammatic reconstruction of Khovanov-Rozansky homology via a smooth TQFT. Finally, the work culminates in a manifesto on the philosophical role of category theory.
Item Open Access “El sueño de todos”: A Qualitative Study of Family/Caregiver Experience after an Acute Neurological Event in Argentina(2017) Roberts, MichelleThe family of patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU) after a neurological event often immediately assume the role of caregiver to an individual with significant health care needs. Family/caregivers act as patient advocates and members of the care team, yet their experiences accompanying neurocritical care patients in Argentina and assuming the caregiving role are not well understood. The purpose of this study is to investigate the experiences of family members/caregivers during the time in which they assume the caregiving role as a means to better understand the relationship between patient, family/caregiver, provider, and health system in the ICU to potentially inform the development of appropriate interventions.
This study explores the use of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory to ethnographically investigate the perceptions and attitudes of family/caregivers regarding their experience and relationships and interactions between patient, family, provider, and health system after an acute neurological event in Argentina. Study implementation occurred over the course of eleven weeks and included direct observation and semi-structured interviews. The initial two-week direct observation period was used to determine study feasibility and provide contextual understanding. Family/caregiver experience was investigated using 9 qualitative, semi-structured interviews with family/caregivers. Participants were selected using purposive sampling of family/caregivers of patients in a hospital ICU. Family/caregivers were unpaid family members, at least 18 years of age, and self-identified or elected by the family to speak on behalf of the family for the patient admitted to the ICU for an acute neurological event. Direct observation continued throughout the nine weeks of participant identification and interviewing after the initial two-week period to aid the investigator’s comprehensive understanding of patient and family/caregiver experience. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and translated line-by-line from Spanish to English. Iterative thematic analysis using a grounded theory approach was used to code and analyze interview transcripts. Thick description and comparison and categorization of themes were used to identify, explain, and verify patterns and develop broad themes.
Nine themes emerged based on iterative thematic analysis, including: adjusting to a changed life, managing emotions, changing role, relying on faith, redefining recovery, participating in patient care, depending on clinical experts, el trato humano, and finding unity in purpose. Patients, family/caregivers, and medical providers often interact in the ICU. While patients rely upon both providers and family/caregivers for care, family/caregivers also rely upon providers to explain prognosis and next steps, including plans for rehabilitation. Medical providers have the power to affect patient and family/caregiver experience through more than just medical care – family/caregivers perceive and place importance on interactions with providers.
Family members/caregivers form an integral part of the care team. The centrality of the patient to both family/caregiver and provider unites these two groups and emphasizes the need for recognition of the role that family/caregivers play in patient experience as a mediator between provider and patient. Exploration of family/caregiver experience can help improve patient- and family-centered care and mitigate disability and other negative health outcomes through deeper understanding of the needs and concerns of family/caregivers as they support the patient across the care continuum.
Item Open Access Learning to Sail in the Storm: Integrating Murray Bowen's Concept of Differentiation of Self with Pastoral Theology and Leadership(2020) Stokes, Simon HardestyThis thesis integrates Murray Bowen’s concept of Differentiation of Self (DoS) with pastoral theology and practice. It does so with a particular emphasis on how DoS can assist pastors living and working in the North American context, and who are wrestling with vocational issues surrounding secularism, as defined by philosopher Charles Taylor, and systems anxiety. After laying out the initial problem of pastoral ministry within the North American context and then showing how Bowen’s understanding of family systems can and cannot overlap with Christian theology and practice, each chapter of this thesis aims to approach the issue of integration of DoS and pastoral theology from a different perspective: hermeneutic, missiological, and finally systems leadership.
Item Open Access Learning to Sail in the Storm: Integrating Murray Bowen's Concept of Differentiation of Self with Pastoral Theology and Leadership(2020) Stokes, Simon HardestyThis thesis integrates Murray Bowen’s concept of Differentiation of Self (DoS) with pastoral theology and practice. It does so with a particular emphasis on how DoS can assist pastors living and working in the North American context, and who are wrestling with vocational issues surrounding secularism, as defined by philosopher Charles Taylor, and systems anxiety. After laying out the initial problem of pastoral ministry within the North American context and then showing how Bowen’s understanding of family systems can and cannot overlap with Christian theology and practice, each chapter of this thesis aims to approach the issue of integration of DoS and pastoral theology from a different perspective: hermeneutic, missiological, and finally systems leadership.