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PubMed1989

A comparison of variant theories of intact biochemical systems. I. Enzyme-enzyme interactions and biochemical systems theory.

The need for a well-structured theory of intact biochemical systems becomes increasingly evident as one attempts to integrate the vast knowledge of individual molecular constituents, which has been expanding for several decades. In recent years, several apparently different approaches to the development of such a theory have been proposed. Unfortunately, the resulting theories have not been distinguished from each other, and this has led to considerable confusion with numerous duplications and rediscoveries. Detailed comparisons and critical tests of alternative theories are badly needed to reverse these unfortunate developments. In this paper we (1) characterize a specific system involving enzyme-enzyme interactions for reference in comparing alternative theories, and (2) analyze the reference system by applying the explicit S-system variant within biochemical systems theory (BST), which represents a fundamental framework based upon the power-law formalism and includes several variants. The results provide the first complete and rigorous numerical analysis within the power-law formalism of a specific biochemical system and further evidence for the accuracy of the explicit S-system variant within BST. This theory is shown to represent enzyme-enzyme interactions in a systematically structured fashion that facilitates analysis of complex biochemical systems in which these interactions play a prominent role. This representation also captures the essential character of the underlying nonlinear processes over a wide range of variation (on average 20-fold) in the independent variables of the system. In the companion paper in this issue the same reference system is analyzed by other variants within BST as well as by two additional theories within the same power-law formalism--flux-oriented and metabolic control theories. The results show how all these theories are related to one another.

Biochemical Phenomena↗
PubMed2002

Family systems theory, attachment theory, and culture.

Family systems theory and attachment theory have important similarities and complementarities. Here we consider two areas in which the theories converge: (a) in family system theorists' description of an overly close, or "enmeshed," mother-child dyad, which attachment theorists conceptualize as the interaction of children's ambivalent attachment and mothers' preoccupied attachment; (b) in family system theorists' description of the "pursuer-distance cycle" of marital conflict, which attachment theorists conceptualize as the interaction of preoccupied and dismissive partners. We briefly review family systems theory evidence, and more extensively review attachment theory evidence, pertaining to these points of convergence. We also review cross-cultural research, which leads us to conclude that the dynamics described in both theories reflect, in part, Western ways of thinking and Western patterns of relatedness. Evidence from Japan suggests that extremely close ties between mother and child are perceived as adaptive, and are more common, and that children experience less adverse effects from such relationships than do children in the West. Moreover, in Japan there is less emphasis on the importance of the exclusive spousal relationship, and less need for the mother and father to find time alone to rekindle romantic, intimate feelings and to resolve conflicts by openly communicating their differences. Thus, the "maladaptive" pattern frequently cited by Western theorists of an extremely close mother-child relationship, an unromantic, conflictual marriage characterized by little verbal communication and a peripheral, distant father, may function very differently in other cultures. While we believe that both theories will be greatly enriched by their integration, we caution against the application of either theory outside the cultures in which they were developed.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Sociotechnical systems theory. Analysis and application for nursing administration.

Work and system redesign are national trends in service organizations, especially healthcare. The sociotechnical systems theory of organizational design provides a framework for structure and evaluation of work redesign. Sociotechnical systems theory has recently been the framework for several innovations in the redesign of patient care. The author presents a description and analysis of sociotechnical systems theory for use in nursing administration with illustrations from research and practice.

Family↗
PubMed1987

The use of general systems theory as metatheory for developing and evaluating theories in the neurosciences.

The general designations of neural systems and their levels of organization as presently applied in the neurosciences are described as being at variance with rigorous systems thinking. It is proposed that the rule-driven use of systems terminology and hierarchies would facilitate investigations of neural functioning in the natural case. General systems theory with its major propositions for hierarchical organization, open systems, and equifinality, is presented as providing the guidelines for developing systems-type theories for neuroscience investigations. General systems theory as metatheory is also used to evaluate hierarchies and systems designations in the neurosciences as these concepts are now applied in theories, models, and research. The metatheory is comprised of three sets of rules: the criteria for hierarchies; the properties of the open biological system; the criteria for the final conditions of open biological systems. The notion of the discovery of neural systems is contrasted with the apparent design of systems as frequently practiced by neuroscientists. The metatheory is summarized as directions for developing theories and as questions directed toward any neuroscience theory proposing levels of organization and systems.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Developments in family systems theory and research.

Contemporary family systems theory and therapy complement child and adolescent psychiatrists' interests in advocating for children. This paper reviews major developments in the family systems field which can be valuable contributions to child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health. Advances in therapy with difficult clinical populations are summarized. Theoretical frameworks and applications in the areas of human development and the family life cycle, family assessment, and family systems therapy are described.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Analysis of systems influencing renal hemodynamics and sodium excretion. I. Biochemical systems theory.

In this article we present a new methodology--Biochemical Systems Theory and Analysis--as an alternative to traditional parametric statistical procedures for investigating differences between risk groups in a population. We review the systems theory and how it can be used to represent a model of processes influencing renal hemodynamics and sodium (Na+) excretion. We also discuss the potential for new measures of the biology of common diseases that can emerge from a synergism between systems theory and population-based statistical approaches.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1985

[Clinical psychosomatics: blood pressure regulation. Problem status from the systems theory viewpoint].

The systemic aspect which integrates the family as a whole to the diagnostic and therapeutical process becomes more and more important in Clinical Psychosomatics. The development of a sound relationship between the hypertensive patient and his physician and the degree to which the patient is able to accept the drug treatment seem to be influenced not only by the personality structure of the individual patients but also by the interaction pattern of the whole family. The possible influence exerted by the special interaction patterns of the family on the chronification and/or replication of essential hypertension is shown by 1) the obvious negative non-verbal communication behaviour 2) the low intensity of verbal communication and 3) the high need of control, the setting of rigid bounds and a great inflexibility to solve the existing problems.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1989

Hospice programs and the hospice movement: an investigation based on general systems theory.

This study used General Systems Theory as the framework for examining hospice programs and the hospice movement. Data drawn from program administrators and archival sources were used to test the thesis that two broad types of hospice programs exist in the United States. Results indicate that independent programs tend to be characterized by processes that amplify change in the extant medical delivery system--that is, deviation amplification. Hospices associated with preexisting institutions tend to be characterized by processes that counteract change, thus maintaining the status quo--that is, deviation counteracting processes.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1991

Biochemical systems theory: operational differences among variant representations and their significance.

An appropriate language or formalism for the analysis of complex biochemical systems has been sought for several decades. The necessity for such a formalism results from the large number of interacting components in biochemical systems and the complex non-linear character of these interactions. The Power-Law Formalism, an example of such a language, underlies several recent attempts to develop an understanding of integrated biochemical systems. It is the simplest representation of integrated biochemical systems that has been shown to be consistent with well-known growth laws and allometric relationships--the most regular, quantitative features that have been observed among the systemic variables of complex biochemical systems. The Power-Law Formalism provides the basis for Biochemical Systems Theory, which includes several different strategies of representation. Among these, the synergistic-system (S-system) representation is the most useful, as judged by a variety of objective criteria. This paper first describes the predominant features of the S-system representation. It then presents detailed comparisons between the S-system representation and other variants within Biochemical Systems Theory. These comparisons are made on the basis of objective criteria that characterize the efficiency, power, clarity and scope of each representation. Two of the variants within Biochemical Systems Theory are intimately related to other approaches for analyzing biochemical systems, namely Metabolic Control Theory and Flux-Oriented Theory. It is hoped that the comparisons presented here will result in a deeper understanding of the relationships among these variants. Finally, some recent developments are described that demonstrate the potential for further growth of Biochemical Systems Theory and the underlying Power-Law Formalism on which it is based.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Repetition and iteration. From psychoanalysis to systems theory].

Starting with Freud's presentation in "Beyond the Pleasure Principle", the conception of the repetition compulsion is introduced. Freud gave a teleological interpretation of the psychological phenomenon of repetition. On one hand, he considered it as an attempt of the psyche to get delayed control over a penetrating amount of traumatic stimuli, on the other hand, he interpreted it within his conception of death instinct as an expression of a destructive impulse. From systems theory, especially from chaos theory originates the conception of iteration. It is used to describe systems characterized by repeatedly performed operations representing simultaneously an important model of homeostatic regulation in living systems. The applicability of the iteration conception on repetition phenomena in the psychic field is being discussed. With reference to Luhmann's systems theory, repetition can be considered as an iterative phenomenon within the selfreferencing organization of the psyche. However the connection between physiological processes in the nervous system and psychological phenomena is not ascertainable, especially not from the point of view of systems theory. Conceptions of systems theory being transferred to the psychic field represent a hermeneutic approach to the matter.

Humans↗
PubMed1975

The relationship between systems theory and community psychiatry.

General systems theory, when applied to human personality and behavior, considers the human system to be an active, open one in which personality develops through interaction with other systems; problems within one system can produce ripple effects in others. Community psychiatry sees the roots of most mental disorders as being in disturbances within the network of interacting systems. The author believes that community mental health centers, with their multifaceted approach to treatment and prevention, reflect the health profession's efforts to deal with the mental health problems of a community in a systems-oriented way. Although the CMHC movement has weaknesses, he feels they do not stem from the basic concepts behind the centers, but from the inadequate implementation of those concepts. He considers four major interfacing variables that are relevant in determining a center's capacity to survive and to function.

Community Mental Health Services↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Identity from the systems theory viewpoint].

During the last two decades systems theory has changed. The theory of autopoietic (selfreferential) systems was introduced by Maturana and Varela and modified by Luhmann. The concept of identity is discussed in the light of the new theories.

Child↗