Physically Similar Systems - A History of the Concept

PreprintThe concept of similar systems arose in physics, and appears to have originated with Newton in the seventeenth century. This chapter provides a critical history of the concept of physically similar systems, the twentieth century concept into which it developed. The concept was used in the nineteenth century in various fields of engineering (Froude, Bertrand, Reech), theoretical physics (van der Waals, Onnes, Lorentz, Maxwell, Boltzmann) and theoretical and experimental hydrodynamics (Stokes, Helmholtz, Reynolds, Prandtl, Rayleigh). In 1914, it was articulated in terms of ideas developed in the eighteenth century and used in nineteenth century mathematics and mechanics: equations, functions and dimensional analysis. The terminology physically similar systems was proposed for this new characterization of similar systems by the physicist Edgar Buckingham. Related work by Vaschy, Bertrand, and Riabouchinsky had appeared by then. The concept is very powerful in studying physical phenomena both theoretically and experimentally. As it is not currently part of the core curricula of STEM disciplines or philosophy of science, it is not as well known as it ought to be

Supplementary Material for: Early Organ Metastasis in Granulomatous Mycosis Fungoides: A Systematic Review

Background: Granulomatous mycosis fungoides (GMF) is a rare form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma characterized by a granulomatous inflammatory infiltrate. Objective: The impact of granulomatous inflammation on the prognosis of the disease remains controversial as there are both favorable and unfavorable outcomes documented. Methods: We performed a systematic review of 116 GMF cases previously described in the literature. Results: In contrast to the classic Alibert-Bazin type of mycosis fungoides (MF), cutaneous lesions in GMF tend to involve distal extremities (lower legs, feet, hands) early in the disease course. In the literature, 30% of GMF patients developed organ metastasis, most frequently to the lung. The median time to stage progression was 25 months. Conclusion: GMF is an aggressive form of mycosis fungoides. Therefore, screening for distant metastases should be considered at presentation and repeated during follow-up