Two Histories of Bioinformatics: Data Science vs Life Science

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Keyword(s):  
Data Science ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Scientific Discipline ◽  
Scientific Practices ◽  
Living Things ◽  
History Of ◽  
Normative Criterion ◽  
Necessary And Sufficient ◽  
Descriptive Criterion ◽  
Computational Methods And Technologies

This paper focuses on two attempts to reconstruct the history of bioinformatics as a scientific discipline. Paulien Hogeweg who coined the term “bioinformatics,” presents one of them, while Hallam Stevens, who is both a historian and sociologist of science, offers the other. Although both of them can speak authoritatively about bioinformatics inasmuch as Hogeweg was personally involved in creating the field while Stevens has amassed a substantial amount of microsociological, scientometric and other evidence, they tell two fundamentally different stories. According to Hogeweg, bioinformatics came about as a response to new epistemic demands on the life sciences that arose from several key discoveries in molecular biology in the middle of 20th century. For Stevens, the new discipline was the result of transplanting computational methods and technologies into biology. This difference stems from divergent interpretations of what bioinformatics is, and these in turn depend upon different ontological claims about the nature of living things. The link between the concepts of life and information is explained by Hogeweg through a systems approach. Stevens discounts that link and concentrates instead on the transposition of scientific practices from other disciplines and on the new ways of understanding the living which are generated by this transposition. The attempt to define bioinformatics as a scientific discipline ends for both of these theorists a tautology: the discipline is defined by something defined by this same discipline, that is, by a certain idea about information and/or data. The effect of this tautology is that a normative criterion for delimitation of disciplines (a set of requirements which are necessary and sufficient for considering a field of research as a scientific discipline) does not allow us to explain how each of them occurs individually. Instead, a descriptive criterion is proposed, which is to be understood as the study of the conditions which make possible the differentiations in scientific practices which have already taken place. A distinct understanding of information or data and the ontology associated with it should be the outcome of a study of this kind and not presupposed by it.

scholarly journals Data Science Tools for Monitoring the Global Repository Eco-System and its Lines of Evolution

Publications ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Friedrich Summann ◽  
Andreas Czerniak ◽  
Jochen Schirrwagen ◽  
Dirk Pieper
Keyword(s):  
Monitoring System ◽  
Data Science ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
First Results ◽  
History Of ◽  
System Data ◽  
Open Archives

The global network of scholarly repositories for the publication and dissemination of scientific publications and related materials can already look back on a history of more than twenty years. During this period, there have been many developments in terms of technical optimization and the increase of content. It is crucial to observe and analyze this evolution in order to draw conclusions for the further development of repositories. The basis for such an analysis is data. The Open Archives Initiative (OAI) service provider Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE) started indexing repositories in 2004 and has collected metadata also on repositories. This paper presents the main features of a planned repository monitoring system. Data have been collected since 2004 and includes basic repository metadata as well as publication metadata of a repository. This information allows an in-depth analysis of many indicators in different logical combinations. This paper outlines the systems approach and the integration of data science techniques. It describes the intended monitoring system and shows the first results.

A Dynamic Systems Approach to Personality

2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence A. Pervin
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Systems ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Dynamic View ◽  
The Future ◽  
History Of

David Magnusson has been the most articulate spokesperson for a holistic, systems approach to personality. This paper considers three concepts relevant to a dynamic systems approach to personality: dynamics, systems, and levels. Some of the history of a dynamic view is traced, leading to an emphasis on the need for stressing the interplay among goals. Concepts such as multidetermination, equipotentiality, and equifinality are shown to be important aspects of a systems approach. Finally, attention is drawn to the question of levels of description, analysis, and explanation in a theory of personality. The importance of the issue is emphasized in relation to recent advances in our understanding of biological processes. Integrating such advances into a theory of personality while avoiding the danger of reductionism is a challenge for the future.

scholarly journals Ernst von Leyden (1832–1910): a pioneer in making oncology a respected medical discipline

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Voswinckel ◽  
Nils Hansson
Keyword(s):  
International Association ◽  
German Society ◽  
Scientific Discipline ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Medical Discipline ◽  
History Of ◽  
National Socialists ◽  
New Research ◽  
German Physician

Abstract Purpose This article presents new research on the role of the renowned German physician Ernst von Leyden (1832–1910) in the emergence of oncology as a scientific discipline. Methods The article draws on archival sources from the archive of the German Society of Haematology and primary and secondary literature. Results Leyden initiated two important events in the early history of oncology: the first international cancer conference, which took place in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1906, and the founding of the first international association for cancer research (forerunner of today's UICC) in Berlin in 1908. Unfortunately, these facts are not mentioned in the most recent accounts. Both had a strong impact on the professionalization of oncology as a discipline in its own right. Conclusion Although not of Jewish origin, von Leyden was considered by the National Socialists to be “Jewish tainted”, which had a lasting effect on his perception at home and abroad.

scholarly journals Altruism, Solidarity and Responsibility from a Committed Sociology: Contributions to Society

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estrella Gualda
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Data Science ◽  
Collective Responsibility ◽  
Focus Of Attention ◽  
Sociological Research ◽  
Refugee Crisis ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Humanitarian Emergencies ◽  
History Of

AbstractA careful look at the international development of Sociology highlights the centrality that the study of social problems and the approach to possible solutions to them have had in the history of this discipline, not infrequently for the sake of better social integration, stability, development, social change or even modernity. Recent approaches suggest shifting this focus of attention, arguing about the deficit in sociological research and practice concerning theor etical frameworks that pay attention to the positive aspects. This text reflects on the contributions that altruism, solidarity, and collective responsibility can have to improve the quality of life in contemporary societies and face humanitarian emergencies with a certain degree of success. For instance, the so-called refugee crisis or the current COVID-19 pandemic poses significant challenges for societies. This article also explores briefly new roles of data science in connection with responsibility and altruism. The text invites us to revisit sociology, thinking about the lights more than the shadows.

scholarly journals Sexuality and Affection in the Time of Technological Innovation: Artificial Partners in the Japanese Context

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 296
Author(s):  
Beatriz Yumi Aoki ◽  
Takeshi Kimura
Keyword(s):  
18Th Century ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Human Sexuality ◽  
Sexual Intimacy ◽  
Ancient History ◽  
Human Relationships ◽  
Living Things ◽  
Long Time ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

Recent years have witnessed an increase in the number of academic studies on the impact of technological advancements on human life, including possible transformations and changes in human sexuality following the development of sex-related devices, such as sex robots. In this context, terms such as posthuman sexuality, digisexuality, and techno-sexuality have emerged, signaling possible new understandings of sexual, intimacy, and emotional practices. It is important to note that ancient history shows that humankind has for a long time been fascinated with their relationship to non-living things, mostly human-like figures, such as dolls. The Ningyo (人形, the Japanese term for doll) has a long history of usage, and has deep religious and animistic significance in the Japanese context—there are records of sexual use as early as the 18th century. With this context in mind, this paper focuses on three Japanese examples, aiming to shine a light on beyond-human relationships, which include a Japanese man’s marriage to a digital character, sex dolls, and communicative robots, from both a sexual and emotional perspective. In a new horizon of sexual and romantic possibilities, how will humans respond, and what can emerge from these interactions?

scholarly journals A Few Issues Surrounding Research into the General History of Chinese Film

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-99
Author(s):  
Yaping Ding
Keyword(s):  
Film History ◽  
Scientific Discipline ◽  
History Writing ◽  
Chinese Film ◽  
Comprehensive View ◽  
Broad Scope ◽  
History Of

Abstract The practice of film history highlights the value and significance of the researcher. A more comprehensive view of the situation of film history raises several issues. General research into the history of film is directly related to the production of film history. The question of how to reinvent general film history research is necessarily connected to ideologies, cultures, systems and concepts, as well as the broad scope and complexity of film history. Writing a general history of Chinese film demands a combination of innovation and continuing tradition, with an emphasis on the construction of a rational and scientific discipline of film history and historical empiricism. The aim should be a more rational history. The paper expresses my own thoughts and efforts with respect to relevant issues and attempts to deepen and open up general research into the history of Chinese film.

scholarly journals A Global Critical Race and Racism Framework: Racial Entanglements and Deep and Malleable Whiteness

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Christian
Keyword(s):  
White Supremacy ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
First Century ◽  
Critical Race ◽  
Race And Racism ◽  
State Economy ◽  
Global Linkages ◽  
History Of ◽  
Core Components

Twenty years after Bonilla-Silva developed the analytic components of a structural race perspective and called for “comparative work on racialization in various societies,” U.S.-centric race theory continues to be mostly rooted in a U.S. focus. What is missing is a framework that explores race and racism as a modern global project that takes shape differently in diverse structural and ideological forms across all geographies but is based in global white supremacy. Drawing from Bonilla-Silva’s national racialized social systems approach, global South scholars, and critical race scholars in the world-systems tradition, the author advances a global critical race and racism framework that highlights two main areas: (1) core components that include the “state,” “economy,” “institutions,” and “discourses” and “representations,” as divided by “racist structure” and “racist ideology” and shaped by the “history” of and current forms of transnational racialization and contemporary “global” linkages, and (2) the production of deep and malleable global whiteness. With this framework, both the permanence and flexibility of racism across the globe can be seen, in all its overt, invisible, and insidious forms, that ultimately sustains global white supremacy in the twenty-first century.

scholarly journals HENRI LÉVY-BRUHL’S DOCTRINE ON LAW AND ON THE FORMATION OF LEGAL SCIENCE OF A NEW TYPE

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 58-66
Author(s):  
Владимир Пужаев ◽  
Vladimir Puzhaev
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Discipline ◽  
Sociology Of Law ◽  
Legal Anthropology ◽  
Legal Doctrine ◽  
Judicial Practice ◽  
True Source ◽  
History Of ◽  
New Type ◽  
History Of Law

The article is devoted to the investigation of legal ideas of Henri Lévy-Bruhl, a French lawyer and sociologist of the XX century, who is considered to be one of the founders of contemporary sociology of law, legal ethnography and legal anthropology. The author of the article analyzes the late articles of Henri Lévy-Bruhl. The author of the article examines the notion “juristique”, introduced by the French professor, and investigates its methodological and substantial peculiarities. As a scientific discipline, “juristique” was supposed to be shaped through the integration of sociology of law, history of law and comparative law into a body. The author also pays special attention to H. Lévy-Bruhl’s theoretical views on the question of law and mechanisms of its formation, on subjects of law-making and sources of law. In particular, the author considers Lévy-Bruhl’s views of collective opinion as the only true source of law, customs’ priority over legislation among all forms of law, judicial practice as the modality of a custom. The key role of Durkheim’s sociology in the shaping of Henri Lévy-Bruhl’s legal views is also highlighted. Henri Lévy-Bruhl’s particular ideas are compared with the doctrine of historical school of law. The final part of the article is devoted to formulating a series of theses which reflect the peculiarities of Henri Lévy-Bruhl’s legal views and his role in contemporary legal doctrine.

scholarly journals Excavating awareness and power in data science: A manifesto for trustworthy pervasive data research

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 205395172110407
Author(s):  
Katie Shilton ◽  
Emanuel Moss ◽  
Sarah A. Gilbert ◽  
Matthew J. Bietz ◽  
Casey Fiesler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Science ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Colonial Legacy ◽  
Research Scholarship ◽  
History Of ◽  
Rich Information ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Frequent public uproar over forms of data science that rely on information about people demonstrates the challenges of defining and demonstrating trustworthy digital data research practices. This paper reviews problems of trustworthiness in what we term pervasive data research: scholarship that relies on the rich information generated about people through digital interaction. We highlight the entwined problems of participant unawareness of such research and the relationship of pervasive data research to corporate datafication and surveillance. We suggest a way forward by drawing from the history of a different methodological approach in which researchers have struggled with trustworthy practice: ethnography. To grapple with the colonial legacy of their methods, ethnographers have developed analytic lenses and researcher practices that foreground relations of awareness and power. These lenses are inspiring but also challenging for pervasive data research, given the flattening of contexts inherent in digital data collection. We propose ways that pervasive data researchers can incorporate reflection on awareness and power within their research to support the development of trustworthy data science.

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