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 Þrms 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 beneÞcial 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 Adam’s 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 Adam’s 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 public’s 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. © 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 effort and negatively on the effort 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