22,108 research outputs found
Observation and its History
Recenze: Lorraine DASTON - Elizabeth LUNBECK, E., Histories of Scientific Observation. Chicago - London: University of Chicago Press 2011, 460 pp
Institutions and Dissent: Historical Geology in the Early Royal Society
The paper aims to ques- tion the traditional view of the early Royal Society of London, the oldest scientific institution in continuous existence. According to that view, the institutional life of the Society in the early decades of activity was characterized by a strictly Baconian methodology. But the re- construction of the discussions about fossils and natural history within the Society shows that this monolithic image is far from being correct. Despite the persistent reference to the Baconian Solomon House, the Society did not impose or support a common programme of research in the field of the natural history of the Earth
Competition and Innovation: An Experimental Investigation
The paper analyzes the effects of competitive intensity on firms' incentives to invest in process innovations through an experiment based on two-stage games, where R&D investment choices are followed by product market competition. An increase in the intensity of competition is modeled as an increase in the number of Ćrms or as a switch from Cournot to Bertrand. The theoretical prediction is that more intense competition is unfavorable to investments for both cases. In the experiment it turns out that the way of modeling the intensity of competition is essential. The theoretical prediction is confirmed for the number effects. On the other hand, the comparison of Cournot and Bertrand shows that more intense competition is beneĆcial for investments.R&D investment, intensity of competition, experiment
The prevalence of trunk asymmetries in the small island state of Malta
Background: Malta, the smallest member state of the European Union is constituted of two inhabited islands Malta and Gozo. In the Maltese islands there has not been any large population size definitive study concerning the incidence of trunk asymmetries that may indicate Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) amongst the general population. Scoliosis is one of the most deforming orthopaedic conditions confronting children. To confirm the orthopaedic condition of scoliosis one has to carry out a visual examination that usually consists of the Adamās Forward Bend test, this is followed by the measurement of trunk rotation with the use of a Bunnell Scoliometer. Should the angle of trunk rotation be more than five degrees then the positively screened student be referred for x-Rays and a 10 degree Cobb angle taken as being required to confirm the diagnosis of Scoliosis. The lack of a full scale study together with the apparent lack of awareness regarding the condition has prompted the authors to research the situation on all Gozitan children aged between 13 and 15 years of age. It was decided to measure Trunk Asymmetry and the aim of the study was to obtain statistical data on the occurrence of trunk asymmetries amongst the Gozitan population, to further analyse the ratio of distribution of trunk asymmetries between female and male students and finally to refer the positively screened students to the relevant medical authorities for x-ray to confirm a scoliosis diagnosis.
Methods: This quantitative study design was carried out on all children aged between 13 to 15 years old over a five-month period. An Adamās forward bend test and Scoliometer reading were taken for each participant consenting to this study. To minimse bias a qualified full time Physiotherapist graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Physiotherapy since 2012, carried out these tests in the selected schools.
Results: The results of the study concluded that 5.3% of the adolescent population in Gozo suffer from trunk asymmetries (13 out of 245). Prevalence of trunk asymmetry was calculated using the 95% confidence interval and the Chi square tests had a significant p-value. Further analysis showed that 69% of these were female and 31% were male. These results demonstrate that the prevalence of trunk asymmetries in Gozitan adolescents is comparable to that stated within the current literature.
Conclusions: Results from the study confirms that trunk asymmetry is relatively common within the Maltese population. This might be indicative that a significant portion of the Maltese adolescent population might suffer from Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. The intention of this research is to increase the general publicās awareness of the condition AIS, to make this condition more prominent to members of the allied professions, to reinforce the need for school screening projects and finally to ensure that the condition Trunk Asymmetry and Scoliosis is given the importance that it requires in the curriculum of study for physiotherapists.peer-reviewe
A thermodynamically consistent derivation of a frictional-damage cohesive-zone model with different mode i and mode II fracture energies
The present paper deals with the derivation of an interface model characterized by macroscopic fracture energies which are different in modes I and II, the macroscopic fracture energy being the total energy dissipated per unit of fracture area. It is first shown that thermo-dynamical consistency for a model governed by a single damage variable, combined with the choice of employing an equivalent relative displacement and of a linear softening in the stress-relative displacement law, leads to the coincidence of fracture energies in modes I and II. To retrieve the experimental evidence of a greater fracture energy in mode II, a micro-structured geometry is considered at the typical point of the interface where a Representative Interface Element (RIE) characterized by a periodic arrangement of distinct inclined planes is introduced. The interaction within each of these surfaces is governed by a coupled damage-friction law. A sensitivity analysis of the correlation between micromechanical parameters and the numerically computed single-point microstructural response in mode II is reported. An assessment of the capability of the model in predicting different mixed mode fracture energies is carried out both at the single microstructural interface point level and with a structural example. For the latter a double cantilever beam with uneven bending moments has been analyzed and numerical results are compared with experimental data reported in the literature for different values of mode mixity. Ā© 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved
Low back pain : a comparative study on the value of core training versus traditional strengthening exercises
This randomised controlled trial (RCT) employed a
pre-test/post-test design to compare the effects of core training
(Pilates method) and traditional back exercises on a population
with low back pain (LBP). Therapeutic intervention related to
the Pilates method has recently become popular, but there is
little evidence to prove it works. In this study, 120 individuals
with LBP were allocated to three different groups. Group A
was the control group, Group B was given modified Pilates
intervention and Group C received traditional back exercises.
All three groups were given a posture re-education session and
back-care advice. After the initial session, the control group had
individual sessions on posture re-education. The other groups
undertook a six-week course of either modified Pilates or general
back exercise classes. The modified Pilates group was taught
how to use the core muscles, incorporating stabilisation with
increasing functional movements. The back exercise group did
similar exercises without learning to specifically stabilise. The
Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODQ) and
the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used as measures for
pain and functional disability. Post-test ODQ readings showed
no significant difference for pain-related function whilst VAS
readings revealed a significant improvement in pain levels in all
three groups, with the control group showing the best scores.
However, the six-month follow-up scores showed that only the
modified Pilates group continued to improve. At this stage, the
control group was beginning to regress and the back exercise
group was almost back to baseline measures. It was therefore
concluded that core stability exercises have better long-term
effects than traditional back exercisespeer-reviewe
All-Pay Auctions with Negative Prize Externalities: Theory and Experimental Evidence
The paper characterizes the mixed-strategy equilibria in all-pay auctions with endogenous prizes that depend positively on own eļ¬ort and negatively on the eļ¬ort of competitors. Such auctions arise naturally in the context of investment games, lobbying games, and promotion tournaments. We also provide an experimental analysis of a special case which captures the strategic situation of a two-stage game with investment preceding homogenous Bertrand competition. We obtain overinvestment both relative to the mixed-strategy equilibrium and the social optimum.All-pay auctions, oligopoly, investment, experiment, overbidding
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