The investigation and modelling of aviation accident causation is dominated by linear models. Aviation is, however, a complex system and as such suffers from being artificially manipulated into non-complex models and methods. This thesis addresses this issue by developing a new approach to investigating aviation accident causation through information networks. These networks centralise communication and the flow of information as key indicators of a system‟s health and risk. The holistic approach focuses on the system itself rather than any individual event. The activity and communication of constituent elements, both human and non-human agents, within that system is identified and highlights areas of system failure. The model offers many potential developments and some key areas are studied in this research. Through the centralisation of barriers and information nodes the method can be applied to almost any situation. The application of Bayesian mathematics to historical data populations provides scope for studying error migration and barrier manipulation. The thesis also provides application of these predictions to a flight simulator study in an attempt of validation. Beyond this the thesis also discusses the applicability of the approach to industry. Through working with a legacy airline the methods discussed are used as the basis for a new and forward-thinking safety management system. This holistic approach focuses on the system environment, the activity that takes place within it, the strategies used to conduct this activity, the way in which the constituent parts of the system (both human and non-human) interact and the behaviour required. Each stage of this thesis identifies and expands upon the potential of the information network approach maintaining firm focus on the overall health of a system. It is contended that through the further development and application of this approach, understanding of aviation risk can be improved.

Unlike many of their North African and West African compatriots who reunified with family and settled in France in the 1970s and 80s, the decision of migrant worker hostel residents not to return definitively to places of origin at retirement is puzzling. Firstly, it calls into question the assumptions of the ‘myth of return’ literature, which explains non-return on the basis of family localisation. In the case of ‘geographically-single’ hostel residents, however, the grounds for non-return cannot be family localisation, since the men’s families remain in places of origin. Secondly, older hostel residents also remain unmoved by the financial incentives of a return homewards, where their French state pensions would have far greater purchasing power. Instead of definitive return, the overwhelming preference of hostel residents is for back-and-forth migration, between the hostel in France and communities of origin. The aim of this dissertation is to resolve this puzzle, by asking: What explains the hostel residents’ preference for back-and-forth mobility over definitive return at retirement? In order to make sense of these mobility decisions, several theories of migration are presented and evaluated against qualitative data from a multi-sited research design incorporating ethnography, life story and semi-structured interviews, and archive material. This fieldwork was carried out across France, Morocco and Senegal. Although no one theory adequately accounts for all the phenomena observed, the added value of each theory becomes most apparent when levels of analysis are kept distinct: at the household level as regards remittances; at the kinship/village level as regards re-integration in the home context; at the meso-level of ethnic communities in terms of migrants’ transnational ties; and at the macro-level of social systems concerning inclusion in healthcare and administrative organisations. Widening the focus beyond the puzzle/dilemma of late-in-life mobility, the thesis concludes by questioning what ‘home’ can mean for the retired hostel residents. An innovative way of theorising home – building on conventional conceptions of home based on territory and community – is outlined, arguing that to be ‘at home’ can also mean to be ‘included’ in different ‘social systems’. With this argument the thesis aims to contribute to broader debates on what it means for immigrants to belong and achieve inclusion in society.

The aim of this study was to procure knowledge about how members of families, where one of the members is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, described the mutual relationships, and also how the same family members experienced the response of the society. The study is qualitative and based on ten Swedish autobiographical texts written by different family members. The texts have been analysed through theories by both Salvador Minuchin and Erving Goffman. The result of the study showed that family members, regardless of if it was a sibling, a child, a parent or the person that was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder itself, described a quantity of different emotions about the family relationships in which they were part of. The emotions were described in both positive and negative terms. The family members described the response of the society as varying, they met both condemnatory comments and lack of understanding but also helpfulness, openness and love.

,Was können Soziolog_innen Nützliches für die Gesellschaft tun?‘ Es gibt verschiedene Möglichkeiten und Perspektiven auf diese Frage zu antworten. Ich wähle eine gesellschafttheoretische und setzte an bei der Systemtheorie von Niklas Luhmann. ,Etwas Nützliches tun?‘, dies können Soziolog_innen nicht nur, und vielleicht auch nicht in erster Linie, indem Sie sich als Expert_innen für bestimmte Themenbereiche zu Wort melden und fest strukturiertes Fachwissen zur konkreten Problemlösung anbieten. Folgt man der systemtheoretischen Perspektive von Niklas Luhmann, so erhält man zunächst eher einen ,Überblick‘ über die ,Gesellschaft‘ als Ganzes und ihrer Ausdifferenzierung in verschiedene funktionale Teilsysteme (Wirtschaft, Politik, Wissenschaft, Kunst, Erziehung, u.a.), sowie deren Autonomie und dann deren dennoch wechselseitiger aufeinander bezogene Angewiesenheit, im Sinne des füreinander Zur – Verfügung- Stellens von Möglichkeitsbedingungen des je eigenen Operierens. Ein derartig abstrakter Blick, lässt die Frage nach der ,Nützlichkeit‘ soziologischer Reflektion schnell in den Hintergrund treten und man richtet es sich bequem ein im Elfenbeinturm faszinierender akademischer Begriffsspiele. Was man dabei schnell übersehen kann, ist, dass gerade der begrifflichen Abstraktion ein Potential inhärent ist, einen Beitrag für die Bearbeitung konkreter komplexer gesellschaftlicher Probleme zu liefern. In der vorliegenden Dissertation versuche ich, für diese Möglichkeit der Systemtheorie durch Arbeit an den Grundbegriffen quasi eine Vorarbeit zu leisten und mit Hilfe einer Integration pragmatistischer Modelle eine Perspektive zu entwickeln, die in der Lage ist, brückenbildende Kommunikationsprozesse zwischen den (relativ) autonomen Funktionssystemen zunächst theoretisch- begrifflich zu beschreiben. Die Arbeit ist so konzipiert, dass in einem weiteren Schritt im Anschluss an die durchgeführte Theoriearbeit ein Konzept ,soziologischer Gesellschaftsberatung‘ entwickelt werden kann, das sich der Aufgabe widmet, komplexe, langfristige Problemkonstellationen soziologisch zu beobachten und zu bearbeiten.

Bakgrund: Kommunikationsbrister inom vården är en betydande patientsäkerhetsrisk. Med anledning av detta har ett kommunikationsverktyg med akronymen SBAR introducerats syftande till att motverka detta genom att på ett strukturerat och säkert sätt överföra informationen. Syfte: Syftet var att undersöka anestesisjuksköterskors erfarenheter av SBAR. Metod: Semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med 10 anestesisjuksköterskor på två sjukhus i Sverige. En kvalitativ innehållsanalys genomfördes baserat på detta. Inkluderades gjordes anestesisjuksköterskor som hade erfarenhet av SBAR utifrån ett bekvämlighetsurval. Resultat: SBAR uppfattades ge en struktur för kommunikation vilket bidrog till patientsäkerheten. Användningen av SBAR var trots detta varierande och många gånger bristfällig. Detta berodde främst på organisationsdynamik, förmågan att använda SBAR och implementeringsförfarandet. Det genomgående temat kom att benämnas Att vara kluven och arbeta i uppförsbacke. Slutsats: SBAR är ett kommunikationsverktyg som bidrar till patientsäkerhet och därmed patientens hälsa. Men för en lyckad implementering krävs en medvetenhet om och ett främjande av de feedbackprocesser som bidrar till användningen av SBAR. / Background: Insufficient communication in the healthcare environment is a considerable patient safety hazard. To prevent this, a tool for communication with the acronym SBAR has been introduced. This by arranging the information to be conveyed through a set structure. Aim: The aim is to examine the Nurse Anesthetists experiences of SBAR. Method: Semi-structured interviews were performed with 10 Nurse Anesthetists at two hospitals in Sweden. A qualitative content analysis was performed based on this. Nurse Anesthetists with experiences of SBAR were included through convenience sampling. Results: SBAR is perceived to provide communication with a structure promoting patient safety. Nonetheless the utilization of SBAR varied and was often lacking. This was mainly due to dynamics in the organization, proficiency with SBAR and the way it was implemented. The undergoing theme was called Working uphill in a state of discrepancy. Conclusion: SBAR is a tool for communication which contributes to patient safety and thus the patient’s health. A successful implementation requires awareness and a promotion of the feedback processes related to the use of SBAR.

<div>The dissertation consists of two research topics.</div><div><br></div><div>The first research direction is to study stability of functional and geometric inequalities. Stability problem is to estimate the deficit of a functional or geometric inequality in terms of the distance from the class of optimizers or a functional that identifies the optimizers. In particular, we investigate the logarithmic Sobolev inequality, the Beckner-Hirschman inequality (the entropic uncertainty principle), and isoperimetric type inequalities for the expected lifetime of Brownian motion. </div><div><br></div><div>The second topic of the thesis is a stochastic representation of fractional integrals and nonlocal operators. We extend the Hardy-Littlewood-Sobolev inequality to symmetric Markov semigroups. To this end, we construct a stochastic representation of the fractional integral using the background radiation process. The inequality follows from a new inequality for the fractional Littlewood-Paley square function. We also prove the Hardy-Stein identity for non-symmetric pure jump Levy processes and the L^p boundedness of a certain class of Fourier multiplier operators arising from non-symmetric pure jump Levy processes. The proof is based on Ito's formula for general jump processes and the symmetrization of Levy processes. <br></div>

While it is recognised that the burden on the caregiver of a person who has suffered a neurological event is great, research into the experience of caregiving and the effects of cognitive-communicative difficulties on intergenerational families is lacking. Studies examining these experiences within a multicultural and multilingual setting such as South Africa are few. The effects of neurogenic communication disorders in family systems also require further investigation. This study explores parent caregivers’ experiences of caring for their once-independent adult child, who are now faced with the reality of parenting for the second time. A qualitative research design was employed. Eighteen parents of adult children who have suffered TBIs, strokes or brain tumours were interviewed. The data obtained were analysed by means of thematic analysis. Themes associated with caring for an adult child, specifically in the South African context, are identified and discussed. These themes related to the parent caregiver’s experience of loss – loss of their child due to physical and cognitivecommunicative difficulties as well as the loss of their own dreams and plans for the future. Multiple roles within intergenerational family systems, support and information are identified as significant factors in either minimising or exacerbating their experience of loss. These themes are explained within a Family Systems Theory framework and assist in identifying both positive and negative factors that impact on experiences of caring for an adult child. It stresses the importance of the implementation of sustainable programmes and support services specifically catering for parents of adult children with neurological communication disorders.

Crime committed by youth within South Africa is a problem of growing concern. Family environments are seen as powerful putative factors in the development of offending behaviour. On the basis of family systems theory, it was postulated that juveniles are influenced by the reciprocal interactions amongst family members as it shapes their development. Kohlberg’s theory of moral development illustrates that the formation of morals is influenced by the quality of relationships within family units. This study therefore explored juvenile delinquent’s perceptions of their families and the impact it had on their offending behaviour. The subjective world of these offenders was focused upon within the qualitative paradigm through an exploration of their experiences. This method was deemed significant as it attempted to understand these delinquents in terms of their own definitions of their family lives in order to provide an in-depth and insightful account into how they perceived their families to have influenced their behaviour. Eleven juvenile offenders, aged between 15 and 21 attending a diversion programme participated in the study. The research was conducted in the form of semi-structured individual interviews where various themes relating to the family were explored. The participants’ responses were recorded and analysed utilising thematic content analysis. The participants perceived their families to potentially act as a contributing factor in the development of their criminal behaviour. Specific aspects, namely different family forms, family relationships, patterns and response styles, as well as families levels of emotional involvement were all perceived to have impacted on their delinquent behaviour. Although none of these factors can be considered in isolation, a complex interplay of these family characteristics may significantly contribute to the development of asocial behaviour. In contrast to these findings, areas of contestation also arose from participants’ talk. Despite their delinquency and the potential contribution of the family, some participants identified the family to act as a protective factor and thus not influencing their involvement in criminal acts. Aside from the family, other influences such as peer groups and community violence were also identified as potential risk factors for juvenile delinquency. Therefore although an important contributing factor, the family cannot be considered in isolation when attempting to identify what may lead these juveniles to engage in criminal acts.

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo analisar as bases sistêmicas do pensamento de Günther Jakobs, fazendo o cotejo com o pensamento teórico de Niklas Luhmann, sobretudo no tocante à polêmica teoria do Inimigo. Nesse passo, após uma breve digressão sobre a teoria dos sistemas de Luhmann, analisa-se a forma como a matriz sistêmica aporta no pensamento geral de Jakobs, sendo, em sequência, desenvolvido o pensamento inicial em relação à teoria da pena. Através da ligação radical entre a função da pena e a culpabilidade, verifica-se que os conceitos de acoplamento estrutural e encerramento operativo fornecem as bases para o desenvolvimento teórico da dogmática de Jakobs, sem, contudo, serem desenvolvidos até suas últimas consequências. Por fim, ante a comparação da teoria dos sistemas com os desenvolvimentos dogmáticos, analisa-se o quanto de Luhmann há em Jakobs, e o quanto ambas as teorias se distanciam, em especial, no tocante ao Direito Penal do Inimigo. / The present work aims to analyze the systemic basis of the thought of Günther Jakobs, making comparisons with the theoretical ideas of Niklas Luhmann, particularly with regard to the controversial Enemy´s Theory. In this step, after a brief digression on Luhmanns systems theory, we analyze how the system approach brings in the general thought of Jakobs, being, in sequence, developed the initial thought in relation to the penaltys theory. Through the radical connection between the penaltys function and culpability, we noted that the concepts of structural coupling and operational closure provide the foundation for the theoretical development of Jakobs dogmatic, without, however, being developed to their ultimate consequences. Finally, the comparison of the systems theory with the dogmatics development provides the analysis of how much Luhmann is there in Jakobs, and how long both theories depart, in particular, in regards the Enemy Criminal Law

O presente estudo busca problematizar a visão tradicional de democracia, a partir da análise do papel do dissenso na sociedade moderna hipercomplexa. Para tanto, utiliza-se como cânone teórico a teoria dos sistemas de Niklas Luhmann, a qual parte da diferenciação funcional para a identificação da sociedade moderna. A partir desta perspectiva de observação a democracia é compreendida como resultado da diferenciação funcional entre o sistema político e o sistema jurídico, os quais se fecham operativamente, trabalhando com seus próprios códigos. Em razão da diferenciação funcional, marcada pela autopoiese dos sistemas parciais sociais, a legitimação da tomada de decisão dos sistemas político e jurídico já não pode se embasar em uma cosmovisão devendo, portanto, partir de uma característica interna, ou seja, deve-se autolegitimar. Para tanto, são criados procedimentos que buscam justificar as escolhas realizadas pelos sistemas jurídico e político, controlando o dissenso e permitindo que suas decisões sejam tomadas como padrões de comportamento social. Contudo, em relação ao caso brasileiro, vê-se que o clientelismo, personalismo e exclusão social aparecem como óbice à estabilização da democracia como conquista evolutiva, na medida em que dificultam a realização das funções desses dois sistemas funcionais. Por fim, a leitura imagética do cinema é utilizada como forma problematização do caso brasileiro, a partir da busca da identidade desta sociedade pela via mais autêntica de expressão, qual seja, a cultura de um povo, evitando-se, assim, a crítica dos problemas sociais por meio da utilização de paradigmas evolutivos dos denominados países desenvolvidos, notadamente o padrão europeu. / This study seeks to question the traditional view of democracy, from the analysis of the role of dissent in hypercomplex modern society. For this purpose, we used as a theoretical canon Niklas Luhmanns systems theory, which draws on the functional differentiation for identification of modern society. From this observation perspective, democracy is understood as the result of functional differentiation between political and legal systems, which are operatively locked, working with their own codes. Because of the functional differentiation, marked by partial autopoiesis of partial social systems, the legitimacy of the decision making of legal and political systems can no longer be grounded in a worldview, and therefore from a built-in feature, that is, it should self-legitimate. To that end, procedures are created that seek to justify the choices made by the legal and political systems, controlling dissent and allowing decisions to be taken as patterns of social behavior. However, for the Brazilian case, we see that clientelism, personalism and social exclusion appear as an obstacle to the stabilization of democracy as an evolutionary achievement, in as much as they limit the realization of the functional roles of these two systems. Finally, the reading of film imagery is used as a questioning of the Brazilian case, from the search for identity in this society by the most authentic expression, namely the culture of a people, avoiding thus the criticism of social problems, using evolutionary paradigms of the so-called developed countries, notably the European standard.