Causality action

C. Dewdney, P. R. Holland, A. Kyprianidis, and J. P. Vigier, Causal action at a distance in a relativistic system of two bound charged spinless particles Hydrogen-like models, Phys. Rev. D (Special Issue Particles and Fields) 31(10), 2533—2538 (1985). 

As an example, a NASA Procedures and Guidelines document (NPG 8621 Draft 1) defines a root cause as Along a chain of events leading to an mishap, the first causal action or failure to act that could have been controlled systematically either by policy/practice/procedure or individual adherence to policy/ practice/procedure. ... 

Thom s theory of catastrophes has acquired much popularity for its simple yet valuable description ofthe system-environment interaction that includes phenomena such as steady state equilibrium and life cycles (Thom, 1973). In particular, biological systems come first under catastrophe modeling because they display a causal action-reaction response to various natural or imposed constraining limits. As an example, the reactions of oiganisms to vital toxicological threats were developed into the survival attractor... 

The section on remedial actions is usually directed at preventing a recurrence of the specific accident which is the focus of the investigation. It often consists of a sequence of recommended actions linked to the causal categories identified in the previous section. Again, remedial actions directed at more fundamental systemic causes are rarely addressed. 

In the second case study, variation tree analysis and the events and causal factors chart/root cause analysis method are applied to an incident in a resin plant. This case study illustrates the application of retrospective analysis methods to identify the imderlying causes of an incident and to prescribe remedial actions. This approach is one of the recommended strategies in the overall error management framework described in Chapter 8. 

Sampling studies can be classified Into two types - enumeratlve, or descriptive, and analytic (j ). The classification Is Important because the applicable statistical methods and approaches are different for these two types. The objective of either type of study Is to provide a basis for action. In an enumeratlve study the action Is directed to the population from which the samples were taken. How or why the population was formed Is not of primary Interest. In an analytic study, the primary Interest Is the causal system or process which created the conditions observed In the study. Action taken Is directed toward this process rather than the population sampled. 

All of the stimulants discussed have some potential for abuse, varying with environmental factors, context of use, and individual predispositions. Still, pharmacology plays a major causal role drugs with direct or indirect actions on dopamine systems are more likely to be used compulsively. Stimulants have important roles in the cultures that use them. Whether used for positive or negative purposes, it is likely that our relationships with stimulant plants will long continue. 

Thus, ginkgo s actions on the HPA axis may afford it anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects, particularly when stress is a causal factor. Considering its neuroendocrine effects, investigation of ginkgo in depression may still be warranted, particularly where stress and anxiety play causal roles. Summaty and Conclusions... 

Once the evidence has heen collected and a timeline or sequence diagram developed, the next phase of the investigation involves identifying the causal factors. These causal factors are the negative occurrences and actions that made a major contrihution to the incident. Causal factors involve human errors and equipment failures that led to the incident, hut can also he undesirable conditions, failed harriers (layers of protection, such as process controls or operating procedures), and energy flows. Causal factors point to the key areas that need to he examined to determine what caused that factor to exist. 

Timing of occurrences Location of personnel Environmental conditions Positions of personnel and victims Anything moved/repositioned Emergency response activities Indicators of conditions Actions of other people Training and preparation Histories of similar incidents Information gaps Inconsistencies in data Management and staff involvement Possible causal areas... 

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