La “filosofia architettonica” di Frei Otto: i concetti di forma, estetica ed etica e la loro ricezione

Form(-finding), aesthetics and ethics are key concepts in the philosophy of architect Frei Otto. Several of his ideas currently appear to be experiencing a renaissance. This is especially true for his concept of “form-finding” which frequently features in contemporary architectural discourse – albeit often with one of two common misconceptions: in the first, the term is used, or misused, as a catch-all for every imaginable approach to form, while in the second misconception “form-finding” is often presented simply as the genesis of form in a process of experimentation overlooking its inseparably intertwined theoretical background. For these reasons, this paper comprehensively examines Frei Otto’s own position on the meaning of these key concepts. Two cases demonstrate exemplarily the wider dissemination of his ideas: in the work and writings of Swiss architect Lisbeth Sachs from the 1970s, and, more currently, in the buildings and urban planning of Zaha Hadid with the theoretical underpinning of her professional partner, Patrick Schumacher

Comparison of Visual Analog Pain Score Reported to Physician vs Nurse in Nonoperatively Treated Foot and Ankle Patients

Background: Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are taking a more prominent role in Orthopedics as health care seeks to define treatment outcomes. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is considered a reliable measure of acute pain. A previous study found that operative candidates’ VAS pain score was significantly higher when reported to the surgeon compared to the nurse. This study’s aim is to examine whether this phenomenon occurs in nonoperative patients. We hypothesize that patients’ VAS scores reported to the surgeon and a nurse will be the same Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort of 201 consecutive nonoperative patients treated by a single surgeon. Patients were asked to rate pain intensity by a nurse followed by the surgeon using a horizontal VAS, 0 “no pain” to 10 worst pain”. Differences in reported pain levels were compared with data from the previous cohort of 201 consecutive operative patients. Results: The mean VAS score reported to the nurse was 3.2 whereas the mean VAS score reported to the surgeon was 4.2 (p\u3c.001). The mean difference in VAS scores reported for operative patients was 2.9, whereas the mean difference for nonoperative patients was 1.0 (p \u3c .001). Conclusion: This study found statistically significant differences between VAS scores reported to the surgeon versus the nurse in nonoperative patients which support the trend found in our previous study, where operative patients reported significantly higher scores to the surgeon. The mean difference between reported pain scores is significantly higher for operative patients compared to nonoperative patients

A Computer-Based Interactive Multimedia Training CD-ROM for Novice Drivers in New Zealand

This paper will describe the psychological and educational rationales behind the development of a computer-based interactive multimedia training CD-ROM (‘CD-DRIVES’) that will be made available to all novice drivers in New Zealand at no cost to the individual. Novice drivers are lacking in crucial higher level driving skills such as eye scanning, hazard detection and risk management. More than 70 real-life traffic simulations allow these drivers to practice such skills from the safety of their own homes

Validation of the polysemen admixture on viability and acrosomal morphology of boar spermatozoa

Semen were collected using artificial vagina (AV), from 5 large white boars aged 2-2.5 years twice a week for 16 weeks in each of the two seasons, early rainy (ER) and late rainy (LR) seasons, to determine the effects of multiple semen pool admixture on the viability and acrosomal morphology. The semen qualities studied were sperm motility, live sperm and sperm concentration, while the acrosomal parameters includes normal apical ridge (NAR), damaged apical ridge (DAR), missing apical ridge (MAR) and loose apical ridge (LAC). There were no significant (P>0.05) seasonal effects. Three-boar semen admixture gave the highest percentage NAR, motility, live sperm concentration and least DAR and LAC, although these were not significantly (P>0.05) different from the 2-boar semen admixture. The result of this study suggests that 3-boar semen admixture is most suitable for use in artificial insemination program

Contractual Intermediaries

This paper analyzes the role of third party intermediaries, such as courts and arbitrators, in contract enforcement. In our model, intermediaries compel contracted transfers and resolve disputes when requested to do so by the contracting agents. When the verifiability of information is limited, successful enforcement requires that dispute resolution costs be sufficiently great. Optimal enforcement systems economize on dispute resolution and information costs, and may involve establishment of specific systems tailored to particular groups. We show further that the "holdup problem" may be resolved via an appropriately designed dispute resolution system.

Long-term Care in Turmoil

The reformulation of the regulation of long-term care seen in the recent White Paper and Royal Commission in the UK has led to topical debates on long-term care for older people. Given that there are over 500,000 people in residential nursing and dual registered homes across the country, there has, until now, been remarkably little research on the role of managers in the long-term care sector, the various tasks they undertake in the day-to-day operation of a care home, and the qualities and qualifications they bring to their work. This study investigates the range of tasks which managers of long-term care homes perform, and the skills they should possess to do their work. The opening chapter reproduced here provides a critical analysis of the current confusion which besets UK policy on long term care.long-term care; aging