Functions of Indeterminacy

2019 ◽  
pp. 169-215
Author(s):  
David Lanius
Keyword(s):  
Positive Function ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Formal Models ◽  
Potential Value ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Positive Side ◽  
Game Theoretic ◽  
Potential Use ◽  
Considerable Doubt ◽  
Signalling Games

This chaptersheds light on the potential use of linguistic indeterminacy. It identifies conditions under which indeterminacy in general (if not semantic vagueness) can be strategically used.The negative results of this examination are that most arguments for the value of semantic vagueness are unsound and that even our best game theoretic models of vagueness only show that some form of indeterminacy is beneficial under some conditions. On the positive side, the examination provides evidence based on formal models of signalling games for the possibility to strategically use conversational vagueness, ambiguity, and pragmatic indeterminacy - at least for certain conditions: for example, if there is a conflict of interests. Thus, while most forms of linguistic indeterminacy arguably can have a positive function, there is considerable doubt about any potential value of semantic vagueness.

Influential individuals: Approach to modeling

2018 ◽  
pp. 114-131
Author(s):  
O. Yu. Bondarenko
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Formal Models ◽  
Leader Influence ◽  
Learning Game ◽  
Game Theoretic ◽  
Asymmetric Interactions ◽  
Influential Individuals

his article explores theoretical and experimental approach to modeling social interactions. Communication and exchange of information with other people affect individual’s behavior in numerous areas. Generally, such influence is exerted by leaders, outstanding individuals who have a higher social status or expert knowledge. Social interactions are analyzed in the models of social learning, game theoretic models, conformity models, etc. However, there is a lack of formal models of asymmetric interactions. Such models could help elicit certain qualities characterizing higher social status and perception of status by other individuals, find the presence of leader influence and analyze its mechanism.

scholarly journals Don't know, can't know: embracing deeper uncertainties when analysing risks

2011 ◽  
Vol 369 (1956) ◽  
pp. 4730-4750 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Spiegelhalter ◽  
Hauke Riesch
Keyword(s):  
Level Structure ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Formal Models ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Risk Modelling ◽  
Based Medicine ◽  
Expression Of Uncertainty ◽  
Modelling Process

Numerous types of uncertainty arise when using formal models in the analysis of risks. Uncertainty is best seen as a relation, allowing a clear separation of the object, source and ‘owner’ of the uncertainty, and we argue that all expressions of uncertainty are constructed from judgements based on possibly inadequate assumptions, and are therefore contingent. We consider a five-level structure for assessing and communicating uncertainties, distinguishing three within-model levels—event, parameter and model uncertainty—and two extra-model levels concerning acknowledged and unknown inadequacies in the modelling process, including possible disagreements about the framing of the problem. We consider the forms of expression of uncertainty within the five levels, providing numerous examples of the way in which inadequacies in understanding are handled, and examining criticisms of the attempts taken by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to separate the likelihood of events from the confidence in the science. Expressing our confidence in the adequacy of the modelling process requires an assessment of the quality of the underlying evidence, and we draw on a scale that is widely used within evidence-based medicine. We conclude that the contingent nature of risk-modelling needs to be explicitly acknowledged in advice given to policy-makers, and that unconditional expressions of uncertainty remain an aspiration.

scholarly journals The mechanism of carbon assimilation in green plants: the photolytic decomposition of carbon dioxide in vitro

1906 ◽  
Vol 78 (526) ◽  
pp. 318-327 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Carbon Assimilation ◽  
Enzymic Activity ◽  
Green Plants ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Positive Side ◽  
Uranium Compounds ◽  
Photolytic Decomposition

In a previous paper* it was shown that carbon dioxide is decomposed in the green parts of plants independently of vital or enzymic activity, formaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide being produced. It follows from the analysis of the process of carbon assimilation there set out that this first step, the photolysis of carbon dioxide, should be capable of being artificially induced under laboratory conditions. It is impossible here to give a brief account of the work of previous investigators on these lines; it is sufficient to state that all experiments with chlorophyll solutions have given negative results, and as regards those with other forms of chlorophyll, such as dried powdered leaves or expressed juice, the balance of evidence favours the view that to decomposition takes place. Reference may be made to papers by Friedel and Macchiati on the positive side, and by Harroy,§ Herzog,|| and, quite recently, Bernard,¶ who obtained only negative results. Experiments with uranium compounds will be considered later.

On Assertoric and Directive Signals and the Evolution of Dynamic Meaning

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Franke
Keyword(s):  
Game Theory ◽  
Evolutionary Game Theory ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Language Evolution ◽  
Evolutionary Game ◽  
Formal Models ◽  
Linguistic Typology ◽  
Modelling Techniques ◽  
Standard Models ◽  
Signalling Games

Basic speech-act distinctions apply quasi-universally across languages, but little attention has been paid so far to formally modelling the evolution of these. Even worse so, standard models of language evolution from evolutionary game theory deliver functionally ambiguous meanings: evolved meanings in Lewisean signalling games seem hybrids between assertions and directives. This has been noted by Lewis (1969) already, but has only recently received renewed attention (Huttegger, 2007; Blume and Board, 2011; Zollman, 2011). Contrary to previous modelling attempts this paper argues that a functional distinction in formal models should be based on criteria that linguistic typology uses to distinguish clause types cross-linguistically. The paper then offers two simple models that delineate assertoric and imperative meanings once by semantic denotation and once by pragmatic effect. The latter requires us to go beyond standard modelling techniques: in order to account for the dynamic meaning element of “giving a directive” we need a mechanism of co-evolving meanings and norms.

scholarly journals Stepped-Care Approaches to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Sharpening Tools for the Clinician’s Toolbox

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A. Cigrang ◽  
Alan L. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Stepped Care ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Care Model ◽  
Evidence Based Treatment ◽  
Potential Value ◽  
Care Models

<p> Austern (2017) presents three composite Veteran case studies using Written Exposure Therapy (WET; Sloan, Lee, Litwack, Sawyer, &amp; Marx, 2013) as a first-level intervention in a larger stepped-care model for PTSD.  The relatively minimalist WET intervention may be appealing to Veterans with PTSD who have opted not to seek out more time and therapist-intensive treatments.  In addition, writing has been used effectively in other protocols as a method of achieving exposure to memories of traumatic experiences.  Austern’s three cases demonstrate a range of success in using WET to engage Veterans in evidence-based treatment and reduce suffering associated with PTSD.  We comment on the current status of the research literature on stepped-care models for PTSD, the potential value of incorporating Motivational Interviewing principles and specific homework tasks into these efforts, and the promise that abbreviated interventions and stepped-care approaches may hold for helping clinicians manage their clinical caseloads and avoid burnout.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Over-diagnosis and other crises facing evidence-based medicine

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-130
Author(s):  
Huw Llewelyn ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Based Medicine ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Raw Data ◽  
Acute Medicine ◽  
Coagulation Monitoring ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Reduced Frequency ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Based Medicine

There is a crisis in ‘evidence-based medicine’ (EBM). Reviewers and meta-analysts have become aware that much of their work may be futile because some investigators only publish selected results that favour their own point of view. Such reviews can only be reliable if there is access to all the raw data or if everyone is compelled to publish ‘negative’ results too. This is proving difficult and controversial. The latest example is dabigatran, which was hailed as a safe advance that needs no coagulation monitoring. It seems that the reduced frequency of bleeding if there is coagulation monitoring was not reported. There is also widespread uncertainty about the thresholds for treatment. This has been highlighted in the ‘over-diagnosis campaign’ to address a concern that many patients are subjected to harm without much benefit. Many see the problem as one of vested interest e.g. where those who gain from supplying a treatment will tend to advocate a low threshold for treating whereas those who wish to reduce costs or effort prefer to set high thresholds. The evidence needs to support what is best for the patient and gathered by those who care for them e.g. acute medicine physicians.

scholarly journals Therapeutic Potential of Rubber Latex: A Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malini Devi Raman Ramarao ◽  
Ong Ming Thong ◽  
Sunderasan Elumalai
Keyword(s):  
Medical Research ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Antiproliferative Activity ◽  
Seed Oil ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Rubber Latex ◽  
Positive Side ◽  
Potential Use

Exploration of the constituents of rubber for medicinal application is very limited due to the concern of allergenicity. However, the recent discovery of the ability of latex sera to exert specific antiproliferative activity against cancer-origin cell lines has paved a light of utilising rubber latex as therapeutics. Rubber latex and its seed oil show many potentials in various biological activities such as antifungal, antioxidant, anti-melanogenesis as well as a biomaterial in relation to angiogenesis. This review describes the current scientifically reported progress on the potential use of rubber in the field of medical research plus positive side concerning latex allergenicity.

“If Many Were Involved”

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 20-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Gray ◽  
Matt Carter
Keyword(s):  
Game Theory ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Social Web ◽  
Social Bookmarking ◽  
Web Technologies ◽  
Potential Value ◽  
Project Outcomes ◽  
Actual Participation

There is interest amongst educators in engaging university students in learning communities through social web technologies. Asking students to create and share content through social bookmarking is often suggested. However there are few evidence-based evaluations of actual implementations of social bookmarking. This paper reports on one implementation, comparing the rationale for the learning activity from a teaching perspective with an interpretation of project outcomes from students’ perspectives. The authors found that despite students understanding the potential value of participation in this activity, it didn’t translate into actual participation. The authors explain this outcome by recognising students as rationally self-interested actors who find themselves in a ‘prisoner’s dilemma,’ using a concept from game theory. This analysis supports the authors’ conclusion that efforts to engage students must be directed to encouraging their belief that all students will participate.

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