137 research outputs found
The geography of spheres: an introduction and critical assessment of Peter Sloterdijk's concept of spheres
With his three-volume magnum opus on spheres, Peter Sloterdijk introduces a
critical philosophical and cultural view of the spatiality of current
society. His spatial metaphors serve as an intriguing source for inspiration
for geographers. He describes the topological conditions of society by means
of three different forms of spherical conditions of life: bubbles, globes,
and foams. To understand, assess, and critique our current society we,
according to Sloterdijk, need to replace the arrogant and cynical academic
view of Plato and his followers with the more serene composure of the
kinetic view of Diogenes. In this contribution, on the one hand we shall
elaborate the spatial metaphor Sloterdijk uses. On the other hand we want to
scrutinise Sloterdijk's ideas by drawing some parallels between his ideas and
those of other philosophical anthropological thinkers. Finally, we very
briefly want to point to a suitable conceptual framework for empirically
investigating the spherology of human being in the world.</p
Puzzled by GRB 060218
We study the optical-UV/X-ray spectral energy distribution of GRB 060218
during the prompt phase and during what seems to be the afterglow phase. The
results are puzzling, since if the opt-UV and the X-ray emission belong to a
single backbody (BB), then its luminosity is too large, and this BB cannot be
interpreted as the signature of the shock breakout of the supernova. There are
also serious problems in associating the emission expected by the supernova
shock breakout with either the opt-UV or the X-ray emission. In the former case
we derive too small ejecta velocities; in the latter case, on the contrary, the
required velocity is too large, corresponding to the large radius of a BB
required to peak close to the UV band. We then present what we think is the
most conservative alternative explanation, namely a synchrotron spectrum,
self-absorbed in the opt-UV and extending up to the X-ray band, where we
observe the emission of the most energetic electrons, which are responsible for
the exponential roll-over of the spectrum. The obtained fit can explain the
entire spectrum except the BB observed in the X-rays, which must be a separate
component. The puzzling feature of this interpretation is that the same model
is required to explain the spectrum also at later times, up to 1e5 s, because
the opt-UV emission remains constant in shape and also (approximately) in
normalisation. In this case the observed X-ray flux is produced by self-Compton
emission. Thus the prompt emission phase should last for ~1e5 s or more.
Finally, we show that the BB observed in X-rays, up to 7000 seconds, can be
photospheric emission from the cocoon or stellar material, energized by the GRB
jet at radii comparable to the stellar radius (i.e. 1e10-1e11 cm), not very far
from where this material becomes transparent (e.g. 1e12 cm).Comment: revised version accepted for publication in MNRAS (Letters
2016 ACR-EULAR adult dermatomyositis and polymyositis and juvenile dermatomyositis response criteria-methodological aspects
Objective. The objective was to describe the methodology used to develop new response criteria for adult DM/PM and JDM. Methods. Patient profiles from prospective natural history data and clinical trials were rated by myositis specialists to develop consensus gold-standard ratings of minimal, moderate and major improvement. Experts completed a survey regarding clinically meaningful improvement in the core set measures (CSM) and a conjoint-analysis survey (using 1000Minds software) to derive relative weights of CSM and candidate definitions. Six types of candidate definitions for response criteria were derived using survey results, logistic regression, conjoint analysis, application of conjoint-analysis weights to CSM and published definitions. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve were defined for candidate criteria using consensus patient profile data, and selected definitions were validated using clinical trial data. Results. Myositis specialists defined the degree of clinically meaningful improvement in CSM for minimal, moderate and major improvement. The conjoint-analysis survey established the relative weights of CSM, with muscle strength and Physician Global Activity as most important. Many candidate definitions showed excellent sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve in the consensus profiles. Trial validation showed that a number of candidate criteria differentiated between treatment groups. Top candidate criteria definitions were presented at the consensus conference. Conclusion. Consensus methodology, with definitions tested on patient profiles and validated using clinical trials, led to 18 definitions for adult PM/DM and 14 for JDM as excellent candidates for consideration in the final consensus on new response criteria for myositis
Eccentric Positionality and Urban Space
Contains fulltext :
152952.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access
Critical geopgraphy in post-modern times
Contains fulltext :
68593.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)to mark forty years of commitment to the filed of development geopgraphy by Ton van Naersse
De handelingsgerichte geografie in de klas
Contains fulltext :
86740.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)3 p
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