Cosmopolitanism, sociology and the otherness of the other

This article is concerned with the ‘cosmopolitan turn’ in sociology and examines the ways in which the discipline attempts to come to terms with the otherness of the other as a corrective to its own Eurocentrism. It examines in particular the pluralisation of the notion of modernity and argues that although this strategy allows sociology to maintain its disciplinary identity, it falls short of the aim of transforming the discipline into a cosmopolitan discourse. More broadly, the article argues that cosmopolitanism is not a possible object of experience. Like other idealisations, it is plagued by what Derrida calls ‘autoimmunity’ – the tendency to self-destruct

Individualization and the aporias of modernity

Ulrich Beck’s musings on individualization have been described as a theory that provides a convincing explanation of what is happening in society, but has it seemed convincing because of its superior explanatory power or because it says what those who have been convinced wanted to hear anyway? This paper argues that, far from explaining more or better, the theory is haunted by intractable contradictions and paradoxes and that, at the root of these problems, is the sociological imagination itself, which insists on treating modernity as an empirical reality. This paper’s contention, by contrast, is that there is no such thing as modernity in society and history. It is an empty signifier, a phantom or, to use Beck’s own colourful terminology, a ‘zombie category’

Ontology, ‘hauntology’ and the ‘turn’ that keeps anthropology turning

© 2016, © The Author(s) 2016. Twentieth-century anthropology has been operating with the assumption of one nature and many cultures, one reality experienced and lived in many different ways. Its primary job, therefore, has been to render the otherness of the other understandable, to demonstrate that although different it is also the same; in short, to show that although other, others are people like us. The latest theoretical paradigm, known as the ‘ontological turn’, appears to reverse this assumption and to posit many natures and one culture. Whether it does in fact reverse it and constitutes a meta-ontology, as critics have pointed out, or it is only a heuristic, methodological device, as some of the proponents of the ‘turn’ have recently argued, the contention of my article is the same: first, this move – the ontological – is made in the hope of doing a better job in redeeming otherness than earlier anthropological paradigms; second, it fails as they did – in the same way and for the same reasons

Independent Cyprus? Postcoloniality and the spectre of Europe

This essay reflects on the postcolonial condition in Cyprus and argues that political independence does not mean the end of colonialism. Power is not merely what prevents people from doing what they wish to do but also, and more importantly, what colonises the mind and predisposes them to think and act in specific ways. The main contention of the essay is that 'independent' Cyprus is ruled by the idea of Europe and the desire to be recognised and confirmed as a modern European society. The essay further argues that it is largely because of this idea that Greek and Turkish Cypriots have not managed to live together on this island. They have been trying to reach this phantom destination - modernity - travelling apart

‘In the margins of Europe’ : Cypriot nationalism, liminality and the moral economy of the financial crisis

This article argues that Greek Cypriot nationalism has been in large part motivated by the misconceived idea of Cyprus becoming a modern, European society. Although Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, the perception of it by the European north as a culturally marginal Mediterranean society had not changed. This was amply demonstrated in 2013 when Cyprus applied to the EU for urgent financial assistance. It was forced to capitalize its banks through their customers' savings and, although this and other “corrective” measures were couched in seemingly rational economic terms, they were unmistakably a punishment and a civilizational lesson

Auditing Journal Entries Using Self-Organizing Map

A considerable body of regulatory pronouncements attests to the significance of auditing journal entries for ensuring that financial statements are free of material misstatements; however, existing empirical studies have paid insufficient attention to the audit of journal entries. To explore this issue further, this paper proposes a model based on self-organizing map as well as validates this model by performing experiments on a dataset containing journal entries. Empirical results suggest that the proposed model can detect {}``suspicious\u27\u27 and legitimate transactions with a high degree of accuracy. Further investigations reveal that the performance of the model is robust to varying prior probabilities of {}``suspicious\u27\u27 journal entries occurring in the population. The findings indicate that the model can assist auditors in detecting {}``suspicious\u27\u27 journal entries

Edge Chipping Resistance and Flexural Strength of Polymer Infiltrated Ceramic Network and Resin Nanoceramic Restorative Materials

Statement of problem Two novel restorative materials, a polymer infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) and a resin nanoceramic (RNC), for computer-assisted design and computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD-CAM) applications have recently become commercially available. Little independent evidence regarding their mechanical properties exists to facilitate material selection. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to measure the edge chipping resistance and flexural strength of the PICN and RNC materials and compare them with 2 commonly used feldspathic ceramic (FC) and leucite reinforced glass-ceramic (LRGC) CAD-CAM materials that share the same clinical indications. Material and methods PICN, RNC, FC, and LRGC material specimens were obtained by sectioning commercially available CAD-CAM blocks. Edge chipping test specimens (n=20/material) were adhesively attached to a resin substrate before testing. Edge chips were produced using a 120-degree, sharp, conical diamond indenter mounted on a universal testing machine and positioned 0.1 to 0.7 mm horizontally from the specimen’s edge. The chipping force was plotted against distance to the edge, and the data were fitted to linear and quadratic equations. One-way ANOVA determined intergroup differences (α=.05) in edge chipping toughness. Beam specimens (n=22/material) were tested for determining flexural strength using a 3-point bend test. Weibull statistics determined intergroup differences (α=.05). Flexural modulus and work of fracture were also calculated, and 1-way ANOVA determined intergroup differences (α=.05) Results Significant (PLRGC=FC\u3ePICN; flexural strength: RNC=LRGC\u3ePICN\u3eFC; flexural modulus: RNCLRGC=PICN\u3eFC. Conclusions The RNC material demonstrated superior performance for the mechanical properties tested compared with the other 3 materials

The development and testing of an artificial anal sphincter

The physiological mechanisms for achieving fecal continence and the results of the surgical methods to correct incontinence are reviewed. The devices hitherto designed to attempt to achieve continence artificially are discussed and an analysis of 4130 reported complications of a successful device for the control of urinary incontinence (the AMS 800) are presented. Based on these reviews, the need to design and evaluate a prosthetic anal sphincter is identified and such a device is presented in this thesis.The effect of circumferential occlusive pressure on the blood flow of porcine colon was assessed by a Laser Doppler flow meter. It was demonstrated that distal blood flow is reduced by 50% at 52 mmHg. The occlusion pressure required to achieve continence to semi-solids was shown to be reduced by the introduction of angulation both in a theoretical model and experimentally, using a specifically designed fecal substitute.The Neosphincter was, therefore, designed to simulate the normal physiology of the anorectum by closing and angulating the bowel without causing crenation and ischaemia.The design parameters of the device were evaluated in an in-vitro model and its placement assessed in a series of acute animal experiments in a porcine model. The effects of the prosthesis set at an operating occlusion pressure of 33-45 mmHg were then evaluated in survival animal experiments by implantation in Yucatan minipigs for up to 20 weeks. The device produced fecal continence in 85% of the activation times without causing ischaemic injury. Mechanical complications associated with the control pump were encountered and design faults were identified. A new pump was designed by the author.The effect of Neosphincter function on blood flow distribution in the human colon was studied during colectomy using a prototype Laser Doppler flow scanner. Blood flow remained greater than 50% at 60 mmHg occlusion pressure.d flow remained greater than 50% at 60 mmHg occlusion pressure. The data presented show that the Neosphincter achieves continence in the mini-pig model and further suggest that continence would be achieved in the human without producing intestinal ischaemia. Ethical approval has been obtained to proceed to trials in human patients