Tangible Entities Research Articles

Lines in the Sand: Problematizing Arab Media in the Post-Taxonomic Era

The 18th century Swedish botanist and zoologist, Carolus Linnaeus is often credited with being the father of taxonomy in contemporary science. His manuals-turned-encyclopedia of classification, Systema Naturae, is still regarded as the most comprehensive attempt at systematically cataloguing living things in nature according to the rules of binomial categorization. Perhaps Linnaeus’ greatest legacy though is a categorical and systematic way by which entities, natural or artificial, are grouped depending on properties of commonality or difference (1768). Such a hierarchical classificatory procedure shook then-conventions on inquiry and revolutionized scientific research. However, at its core, Linnaeus’ effort was epistemologically founded upon the immutability of natural characteristics which defined the differences between organisms. In support of this, he is quoted as saying “[t]he invariability of species is the condition for order [in nature].” Some 250 years later, Linnaeus’ approach has not only shaped the natural sciences; it has greatly influenced all methods of inquiry in the humanities and the social sciences, transforming even the study of culture accordingly. Beyond the realm of socio-biology and evolutionary psychology, taxonomy has become central to the way we typologize, theorize, and thereby comprehend all potentially observable phenomena, tangible entities and measurable variables. Even sociologist Emile Durkheim’s (1915) folk taxonomies resorted to the classification of socio-cultural institutions, practices and expressions of religion by applying a system originated by Linnaeus. Durkheim’s work differed only to the extent that the categorization avoided claims of objectivity and universalism. Nonetheless, Durkheim appeals to a genealogical study of origins à la Linnaeus to comprehend the precursors of modern religious ritualism, e.g. totemism.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac (SI) joint as a primary source of low back pain is a resurgent, yet controversial subject. In 1905, Goldthwaite proposed that the sacroiliac joint could be a physiologic pain generator independent of pregnancy.1 The role of the sacroiliac joint fell into obscurity over the ensuing decades, with the discovery of such tangible entities (with accepted pathophysiology) as the herniated nucleus pulposus,2 and spinal stenosis.3 Accordingly, there is a paucity of basic and clinical science information available to aid physicians in understanding the biomechanics, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

Schenkerian Theory: Its Implications for the Undergraduate Curriculum

It is useful to begin by considering the nature and interrelationships of three music-pedagogical disciplines and the place of Schenker's theoretical work in relation to each. These disciplines are strict counterpoint, figured bass, and harmony. With respect to each discipline, the following two closely related questions are of interest: (1) to what extent is the discipline concrete -that is, to what extent does it comprise rules that are formulated exclusively in terms of tangible musical entities? And (2) to what extent can it be learned and taught without reference to the other two? The answers to these questions suggest that the traditional undergraduate curriculum stands in need of certain modifications if it is to be made fully compatible with the Schenkerian conception of tonal music.

The Oblique Projection in Examination of the Lumbar Spine

THE prime object in making a diagnosis is to be able to select the proper remedial measures, to alleviate or cure a disease, or to prevent unnecessary detrimental interferences. However, since the enactment of legislation under which the employer is obliged to compensate an employee for injuries sustained during the performance of his duties, a new condition has arisen requiring proper adjudication to all concerned; certainly, this means of compensation is a proper responsibility to offset more or less disability, either permanent or temporary, with the consequent inability to enjoy the fruits of a gainful occupation. As in most instances in which a monetary gain is possible, malingering immediately becomes a common practice, especially successful if collusion exists among a dishonest patient, a dishonest lawyer, and a dishonest doctor ; hence it becomes apparent that great care must be exercised to circumvent such practices. Subjective symptoms can never be completely disputed; however, the precise methods now possible in scientific medicine reduce many of these symptoms to tangible entities because they must be reconciled with sound thinking and new facts. In injuries, the skeletal system is frequently involved, and, by means of a proper and thorough roentgen examination, certain possibilities are definitely established, either positively or negatively. The roentgenologist should be free to choose all the angles necessary, particularly when the spinal column is under investigation. It is constructed of a number of pieces, securely connected together and having only a slight degree of movement between any two individual pieces, though permitting of a very considerable range of movement as a whole, allowing a sufficient mobility with a minimum diminution of strength. The main joints of which the spine is composed, together with the varied movements to which it is subjected, render it liable to sprains, which may complicate other injuries or may exist alone, but so closely are the individual vertebræ articulated that these sprains are seldom severe and an amount of violence sufficiently great to produce tearing of the ligaments would tend to cause a fracture or dislocation. The further safety of the column and its freedom from liability to injury are provided for by its arrangement in curves instead of one straight line. For it is an elastic column and must first bend before it breaks. Under these circumstances, being made up of three curves, it represents three columns, and greater force is required to produce bending of a short column than of a longer one that is equal to it in breadth and material. A pain, the safety of the column is provided for by the interposition of the intervertebral discs between the bodies of the vertebræ, which act as buffers in counteracting the effects of violent jars or shocks.