Chapter 3 The professional audiences of the Hippocratic Epidemics

To summarise our findings, the Hippocratic Epidemics case reports is an example of a text whose intended audiences, despite the ambiguities and historical uncertainties about the texts’ composition and transmission, were very firmly delimited as professional and medical. Such closure defines this phase of ancient medicine as particularly territorial and “technical”, on the one hand – no literary pretence, nor broader intellectual appeal of the kind shown by Galen is on the horizon of these writers, nor any explicit attempt to win over lay audiences, at least in the Epidemics.77 Also, it tells us something about the epistemology and didactics at work in the Hippocratic handling of patients, which we can summarise as follows: non-theoretical, observation-based and data-centred; self-standing, i.e. not relying on a system of knowledge or a “syllabus” (compare Galen’s frequent recommendation on which of his books one should read first, which are for beginners, what should follow, etc.), but needing to “support itself” by insuring the memorisation of the repertoires of observations, procedures, risks and mistakes; lack of a synthesis of the empirical data, such as a form of diagnosis, or of the “epistemological extension” that might turn the observed case into an “experiment”.78 The Hippocratic use of individual evidence – the patient case – remained in this early stage a communication of pure data. Individual memory, in conclusion, the reception of an individual intellect – a future student, a training doctor – characterises the audience of these texts, motivates and even determines, concretely, their very existence

Iterative Methods for the Solution of the Phase Problem in Protein Crystallography

The phase problem is a major challenge when using X-ray crystallography for structure de-termination. This is especially true when the objects studied are macromolecular crystals, which contain many atoms and diffract quite poorly. For this reason, conventional direct methods, which are very successful for small and medium-sized molecule crystals, generally fail with protein crystals that do not diffract to atomic resolution. In this paper, we review some of the iterative phase retrieval methods used in optics, and present our own results obtained while trying to extend these methods to the field of macro-molecular crystallography. A binary constraint on density has been incorporated in a new iterative algorithm, as well as into an existing Difference Map, in order to attempt crystallographic phase retrieval. Another existing algorithm, Charge Flipping, has been modified to test a connectivity-based phasing approach. While the results on binary densities could not be extended to realistic cases, the connectivity criterion has shown to possess some phase extension power

The valuation of Tesla and BMW in a disrupted industry : a comparative analysis

The arrival of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) has brought about seismic changes within the automotive industry. Against the backdrop of Industry 4.0, a chasm in the market capitalization trajectories of traditional OEMs and Tesla has formed. This dramatic divergence indicates that a comparative analysis may provide valuable insight into these new market dynamics and the bilateral implications for the valuations of both new entrants and the established players. It is within this context that this paper analyzes the market valuations of BMW and Tesla. The first section of the paper focuses on the collection and processing of the necessary data and provides a detailed overview of both companies by means of a SWOT analysis. The underlying methodology for the empirical analysis is the application of two traditional valuation methods, the DCF (discounted cash flow) and the trading multiples method, used to calculate BMW and Tesla’s equity values between 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2020. Comparing the obtained equity values to each company’s market capitalization suggests that Tesla is overvalued and BMW is undervalued. The empirical analysis makes up the second part of the paper. It includes an assessment of the findings made in the first section, but exceeds the scope of this quantitative analysis by contextualizing the resulting valuations by means of a qualitative analysis. The aim of this qualitative analysis is to establish a framework with which to extend the valuation process beyond the merits of the two companies’ financial data, where traditional methods generally reach their limits. This qualitative analysis is predicated on an analysis of both the industry and the individual companies. An assessment of the current automotive industry by means of a PESTEL (political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal) analysis contextualizes BMW and Tesla’s valuations as a product of this highly dynamic environment and each company’s ability to identify and capitalize on the emerging trends that are reshaping the industry. The individual analysis of both companies frames the two companies’ valuations within a life-cycle perspective of corporate evolution and analyzes their strategies using different theories including disruptive innovation, blue ocean strategies, and the ten determinants of corporate success (i.e., ten levers). In BMW’s case, this contextualization reinforces the quantitative findings that suggest the group’s market value is undervalued. On the other hand, Tesla’s innovative strategy and position as a first mover within the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution lends credence to its high market capitalization. The paper’s findings evince that intangible assets are taking on an increased importance as a consequence of this new and dynamic environment. This has resounding implications on how value is understood, generated, and measured, and suggests that company valuations predicated solely on a firm’s financial data may provide an incomplete picture of their true value

Iterative Methods for the Solution of the Phase Problem in Protein Crystallography

The phase problem is a major challenge when using X-ray crystallography for structure de-termination. This is especially true when the objects studied are macromolecular crystals, which contain many atoms and diffract quite poorly. For this reason, conventional direct methods, which are very successful for small and medium-sized molecule crystals, generally fail with protein crystals that do not diffract to atomic resolution. In this paper, we review some of the iterative phase retrieval methods used in optics, and present our own results obtained while trying to extend these methods to the field of macro-molecular crystallography. A binary constraint on density has been incorporated in a new iterative algorithm, as well as into an existing Difference Map, in order to attempt crystallographic phase retrieval. Another existing algorithm, Charge Flipping, has been modified to test a connectivity-based phasing approach. While the results on binary densities could not be extended to realistic cases, the connectivity criterion has shown to possess some phase extension power

Long Lamai community ICT4D E‐commerce system modelling: an agent oriented role‐based approach

This paper presents the post‐mortem report upon completion of the Long Lamai e‐commerce development project. Some weaknesses with regards to the current software modelling approach are identified and an alternative role‐based approach is proposed. We argue that the existing software modelling technique is not suitable for modelling, making it difficult to establish a good contract between stakeholders causing delays in the project delivery. The role‐based approach is able to explicitly highlight the responsibilities among stakeholders, while also forming the contract agreement among them leading towards sustainable ICT4D

Herophilus and Erasistratus on the hēgemonikon

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Cambridge University Press via the DOI in this record.In Alexandria at some point in the early third century bc, Herophilus of Chalcedon identified the nerves as a distinct system within the body, traced their origins to the brain, and recognised their role in transmitting sensation and voluntary motion. His discovery was based on dissection and vivisection, not only of animals, but also of human beings. Herophilus’ younger contemporary Erasistratus also integrated these findings into his rather bolder physiology. The implications of this discovery were of course wide-ranging. From a modern perspective, it is now widely celebrated as having established, for the first time on something like a scientific basis, that the brain has more or less the functions that we now ascribe to it. Likewise, in antiquity, Galen relied heavily on Herophilus’ discovery in his proof that the rational soul is located in the brain. As we shall see, it also had an impact on Stoic psychology. What exactly Herophilus and Erasistratus saw as its implications, however, is a different question, and the difficulties in answering it are considerable given the state of the evidence

Unconventional approaches to the solution of the crystallographic phase problem

In this thesis some work aimed at the development of new phasing approaches in macromolecular crystallography is described. These approaches include a strategy using neural networks, a study of iterative algorithms and a new method of patterson map analysis

Therapy of the word and other psychotherapeutic approaches in Ancient Greek medicine

One of the most distinctive aspects of contemporary psychiatry is its firm grounding in a neurological and biochemical framework for the interpretation of mental life and its disturbances. In the absence of any strong neurological understanding or systematic knowledge of active pharmaceutical substances, one might expect that early ancient medicine readily resorted to non-somatic approaches to healing mental suffering. Instead, what is usually labelled “therapy of the word” and other forms of what one may call psychotherapy emerge relatively late in Greek medicine, only in the first centuries of our era. This paper provides an overview and analysis of this development in ancient history of psychology, philosophy and medicine, covering a broad period of time from the fifth century BCE to the end of the late-antique period, the fifth century CE. The focus is on the very idea (or lack thereof) of the curability of mental disturbance, and on the particular branch of therapeutics which addresses the psychological and existential condition of the patient, rather than his or her physiological state

Character in Greek tragedy and the Greek view of man : with special reference to Euripides' Bacchae

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