scholarly journals Heart and Ashes – the ‘Next’ Ciphers

Author(s):  
Lidia Denkova

The question “What next?” is a key one to all philosophical theories that consider causality, continuum, discontinuity, potentiality, and, more generally, probability. The notion of "cause" (aitia) and the rigid causality are based on what was said in the Fifth Book of Aristotle's Metaphysics, but ancient atomists, especially Plato, introduced the possibility of free "bifurcation of consequences", of symmetry and asymmetry of "next", which commence from an absolute new beginning. The principle of an absolute new beginning follows the interpretation of the myth of the deluge in De sapientia Veterum (1609) by Francis Bacon. The "logical pluralism" of numerous cause and effect relationships as well as the continuity principle (as formulated by Leibniz) are encompassed in two ciphers in accordance with the classical definition of cipher by Karl Jaspers. The cipher “sameness” and the cipher “change” suggest that we ask ourselves once again about Aristotle's "probable impossibility", and the starting point is the little-known myth of Dionysus, torn to pieces and restored to a new body thanks to his heart, as well as the creation of humanity from the ashes of the stricken Titans.

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. S. Lazarev

Introduction. Analysis of the definitions and perceptions of the notion of “impact”, introduced into circulation by Yu. Garfield in 1955, does not allow to assert that in the scientometrics literature there is a strict definition of this notion at all. Since it is assumed that citedness figures are its reliable indicator, it is necessary to discover what property is actually reflected by this indicator.Materials and methods. Analytical interpretation of the scientific literature related to this problem since 1955.Results. Comparison of the notion of “impact” with the possibilities of its quantitative evaluation by citedness figures demonstrated the unreliability of this basic scientometric method for the assessment of exactly “impact” as in terms of cause-and-effect relationships, “impact” may or may not be the reason for the use of scientific documents reflected in their citedness figures. In other words, citedness is not a very reliable proxy (substitute indicator) to be used for assessing poorly defined (as it was shown in my previous article published in Scholarly Research and Information; 2019;2(1):63–73) notion of “impact”. At the same time, citedness figures reflect the value of cited scientific documents (by reflecting their use while the creation of citing documents).Discussion and Conclusions. If “impact” should not be considered as a key notion of scientometrics, then its place can naturally be taken by the notion of the value of cited documents, their totalities, creators, etc.


Author(s):  
Volker Scheid

This chapter explores the articulations that have emerged over the last half century between various types of holism, Chinese medicine and systems biology. Given the discipline’s historical attachments to a definition of ‘medicine’ that rather narrowly refers to biomedicine as developed in Europe and the US from the eighteenth century onwards, the medical humanities are not the most obvious starting point for such an inquiry. At the same time, they do offer one advantage over neighbouring disciplines like medical history, anthropology or science and technology studies for someone like myself, a clinician as well as a historian and anthropologist: their strong commitment to the objective of facilitating better medical practice. This promise furthermore links to the wider project of critique, which, in Max Horkheimer’s definition of the term, aims at change and emancipation in order ‘to liberate human beings from the circumstances that enslave them’. If we take the critical medical humanities as explicitly affirming this shared objective and responsibility, extending the discipline’s traditional gaze is not a burden but becomes, in fact, an obligation.


Trictrac ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana Danciu ◽  
Petru Adrian Danciu

The axes of the creation and birth of the imaginary as a mythical language. Our research follows the relationships of the concepts that are taking into account creation on the double axis of verticality and horizontality. We highlight those symbolic elements which would later constitute the mythical language about the sacred space-temporality. Inside this space-temporality a rich spectrum of mythical images develops; images capable of explaining the relationships of the creation plans. Without a religious perception of the temporality, the conceptualization of the axis would remain a philosophical approach. Through our point of view, the two are born simultaneously. Thanks to them, creation can be imagined. The first “frozen” formula of the mystical human spirit can be thought, brought to a palpable reality, expressed in an oral and then a written form. Studied together, temporality (sacred or not) and space are permanently imagined together. For example, a loss of mundane temporality in the secret ecstasy that offers to the soul an ascending direction does not mean getting out of universal temporality, but of its mundane section. In the sacred space the soul relates to time. Even the gods are submitted by the sacred, Aeon sometimes being synonymous to destiny. The universal creator seems to evade every touch, but not consistently, only when he avoids the descent into its created worlds. In sacredness, time and space seem or become confused, both expressing the same reality, by the immediate swing from thinking to deed. The mythical imagery conceives the displacement in the primary space-temporality by the spoken word. So, for something to appear and live, the spoken word is required. Even the divine dream appears as a pre-word of a creator’s thought. The thought follows the spoken word, the spoken word follows the gestures which finally indicate the meanings of the creative act, controlling the rhythm of the creation days. These three will later be adapted through imitation in rite. We are now situated at the limit of the physical world, a real challenge for the mythical imagery. The general feature of the mythical expression on the creation of the material world is the state of the divinity’s exhaustion, most often conceptualized by sacrifice or divine fatigue. The world geography identifies with the anatomy of a self-gutted god. Practically, material creation is most likely the complete revelation of God’s body autopsy. As each body decomposes, everything in it is an illusion. An axial approach of the phenomenon exists in all religious systems. The created element’s origin is exterior, with or without a pre-existing matter, by a god’s sacrifice or only because it has to be that way. This is the starting point of the discussion on the symbolism of axiality as a reason for the constitution of the language of creation, capable of retelling the imaginary construction of myth in an oral and then written form.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1633.2-1634
Author(s):  
F. Cosan ◽  
O. M. Gedar

Background:Reactive arthritis (ReA) is defined by 1999 ACR criteria as arthritis preceding a bacterial genitourinary (GUS) or gastrointestinal (GIS) infection in 3 days-6 weeks and evidence of triggering infection. Recently, ReA is classified as SpA and patients who do not fulfill SpA criteria are classified as undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (USpA) according to ASAS/EULAR SpA classification criteria.Objectives:In several case reports which are associated with other infective agents are reported and the definition is extended for some clinicians so that SpA which is occurred after any infection is called as ReA. On the other hand, some researchers still accept the classical definition of ReA. The problem with the heterogeneity of opinions and unstandardized definition of ReA hinders studies about pathogenesis and standardization of treatments. In this study, we aimed to determine the spectrum of the use of the definition of reactive arthritis in publications in PubMed between 2009-2019.Methods:The ReA keyword is searched in PubMed for the years between 2009-2019. 248 different publications have been identified and included in this research. 89 articles, 47 reviews, 108 case reports, 2 guidelines, and 2 editorials reviewed for the definition of ReA.Results:Only 42.7% (106 patients) of these publications meet the classical definition which suggests ReA after only GIS and GUS infections. In 4 (1.6%) of the publications ReA was defined after GIS, GUS and oropharyngeal infections; in 3 (1,2%) of the publications after any bacterial infection; in 9 (3.6%) of the publications after any infection. In 8 (3.2%) of the publications, ReA and USPA was used correspondingly. In 39 (15,7%) of the publications the term agent related, ReA was used without making a general definition for ReA. 79 publications (31,9%) have not defined ReA.According to causative agent and ReA relationship, in 64 (24,6%) general infective agents, in 75 (30,2%) classical agents, in 22 (8,9%) other bacterial agents, in 23 (9,3%) streptococcus, in 10(4%) intravesical BCG, in 6 (2.4%) HIV, in 6 (2.4%) tuberculosis, in 12 (4,8%) clostrudium difficle, in 2 (0.8%) parasites were reported. In 31 (12,5%) of the publications the causative agent for the ReA was unknown, the diagnosis was made clinically.Conclusion:In this study, it is aimed to draw attention terminology intricacy and the need for the standardization of the definition of ReA and USpA. It is clear that to standardize the definition of Rea and USpA is necessary. Between 2009-2019 there are reported cases diagnosed as ReA associated with bacterial infections (especially with Clostridium difficile, streptococcus and tuberculosis infections), and viral infections (by a majority with HIV), and parasitic infections. It is not clear if we need to define them classically or define them as USPA. Another important consideration is the necessity of extended laboratory investigations to find out the real causative agent even if the patient is clinically diagnosed with ReA. The requirement of the differentiation between ReA and USpA must be revealed for therapeutic researches.References:[1]A proposal for the classification of patients for clinical and experimental studies on reactive arthritis. Pacheco-Tena C, Burgos-Vargas R, Vázquez-Mellado J, Cazarín J, Pérez-Díaz JA. J Rheumatol. 1999 Jun;26(6):1338-46.[2]The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society classification criteria for peripheral spondyloarthritis and for spondyloarthritis in general. Rudwaleit M, van der Heijde D, Landewé R, Akkoc N, Brandt J, Chou CT, Dougados M, Huang F, Gu J, Kirazli Y, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2011;70:25–31.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 721-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Murawski ◽  
Markus Bick

Purpose Considering working in the digital age, questions on the consequences for the individual workers are, so far, often neglected. The purpose of this paper is to deal with the question of whether the digital competences of the workforce is a research topic. The authors argue for the thesis that it is indeed a research topic. Design/methodology/approach In addition to a literature analysis of the top IS, HR, and learning publications, non-scientific sources, as well as the opinions of the authors, are included. The authors’ thesis is challenged through a debate of corresponding pros and cons. Findings The definition of digital competences lacks scientific depth. Focussing on the workforce is valid, as a “lifelong” perspective is not mandatory for research. Digital competence research is a multidisciplinary task to which the IS field can make a valuable contribution. Research limitations/implications Although relevant references are included, some aspects are mainly driven by the opinions of the authors. The theoretical implications encompass a call for a scientific definition of digital competences. Furthermore, scholars should focus on the competences of the workforce, including occupations, roles, or industries. The authors conclude by providing a first proposal of a research agenda. Practical implications The practical implications include the alignment of multiple stakeholders for the design of “digital” curricula and the integration by HR departments of the construct of digital competences, e.g. for compensation matters and job requirements. Originality/value This paper is one of very few contributions in the area of the digital competences of the workforce, and it presents a starting point for future research activities.


Author(s):  
Michael S. Wogalter ◽  
Peter A. Hancock ◽  
Patrick G. Dempsey

This work examines the terms most frequently used to describe our field, which has variously been named Ergonomics, Human Factors, Human Factors Engineering, and Engineering Psychology. A large number of definitions were collected, including those assembled in an earlier technical report by Licht, Polzella, and Boff (1990). First, the definitions were stripped of connector words. Second, the prefix root terms that had the same meaning were combined and third, the words were tabulated and sorted to reveal the content terms most frequently employed. These data may be used to develop core, concise definitions or longer more expository descriptions of the field. The list of terms could also be used as a starting point for the development of definitions oriented for different target audiences (e.g., lay persons vs. other engineering/science experts) as a method of disseminating information concerning what we do.


2008 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-76
Author(s):  
Andy Stirrup

This paper considers an implicit trend in youth ministry to present Jesus as the archetypal superhero and asks if this is a valid and a helpful approach. The paper examines the relationship between the biblical category of hero and the contemporary notion of superhero and a broader appreciation of the use of myth for communicating Christian apologetics as seen in Lewis and Tolkien. The starting point for the paper is that an arguable starting point for the creation of Superman is in the epic character of Hercules and the biblical hero Samson. Through an examination of biblical and other Near East material the paper calls for a deeper and more nuanced appreciation of the relevance of modern western myth in the task of communicating theological narratives and concepts.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 187
Author(s):  
Dorothee Boehm ◽  
Henrik Menke

Fluid management is a cornerstone in the treatment of burns and, thus, many different formulas were tested for their ability to match the fluid requirements for an adequate resuscitation. Thereof, the Parkland-Baxter formula, first introduced in 1968, is still widely used since then. Though using nearly the same formula to start off, the definition of normovolemia and how to determine the volume status of burn patients has changed dramatically over years. In first instance, the invention of the transpulmonary thermodilution (TTD) enabled an early goal directed fluid therapy with acceptable invasiveness. Furthermore, the introduction of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has triggered more individualized schemes of fluid therapy. This article explores the historical developments in the field of burn resuscitation, presenting different options to determine the fluid requirements without missing the red flags for hyper- or hypovolemia. Furthermore, the increasing rate of co-morbidities in burn patients calls for a more sophisticated fluid management adjusting the fluid therapy to the actual necessities very closely. Therefore, formulas might be used as a starting point, but further fluid therapy should be adjusted to the actual need of every single patient. Taking the developments in the field of individualized therapies in intensive care in general into account, fluid management in burn resuscitation will also be individualized in the near future.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franco Fassio

Food, the basic connecting unit of all the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, plays a crucial role in the ecological transition towards a circular economic paradigm. This paper takes scientific considerations as a starting point in order to contribute to the definition of a theoretical-operational framework in which to grow the Circular Economy for Food. This is a still-open question in a sector of the circular economy that is emerging as vital to sustainable development. The 3 C's of Capital, Cyclicality and Co-evolution offer a systemic, holistic vision of the food system's role. Within this conceptual framework, the designers can find the main boundaries of the system, within which to express their creativity. The aim must be to avoid damaging relationships with the best supplier of raw material known to humanity (Nature), respecting planetary boundaries and at the same time offering a fair space to civil society.


2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-321
Author(s):  
Luke O’Sullivan ◽  

The concept of civilisation is a controversial one because it is unavoidably normative in its implications. Its historical associations with the effort of Western imperialism to impose substantive conditions of life have made it difficult for contemporary liberalism to find a definition of “civilization” that can be reconciled with progressive discourse that seeks to avoid exclusions of various kinds. But because we lack a way of identifying what is peculiar to the relationship of civilisation that avoids the problem of domination, it has tended to be conflated with other ideas. Taking Samuel Huntington's idea of a “Clash of Civilisations” as a starting point, this article argues that we suffer from a widespread confusion of civilisation with “culture,” and that we also confuse it with other ideas including modernity and technological development. Drawing on Thomas Hobbes, the essay proposes an alternative definition of civilisation as the existence of limits on how we may treat others.


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