Abstract singular terms and thin reference

The prevailing approach to the problem of the ontological status of mathematical entities such as numbers and sets is to ask in what sense it is legitimate to ascribe a reference to abstract singular terms; those expressions of our language which, taken at face value, denote abstract objects. On the basis of this approach, neo-Fregean Abstractionists such as Hale and Wright have argued that abstract singular terms may be taken to effect genuine reference towards objects, whereas nominalists such as Field have asserted that these apparent ontological commitments should not be taken at face value. In this article I argue for an intermediate position which upholds the legitimacy of ascribing a reference to abstract singular terms in an attenuated sense relative to the more robust ascription of reference applicable to names denoting concrete entities. In so doing I seek to clear up some confusions regarding the ramifications of such a thin notion of reference for ontological claims about mathematical objects.

Locating frames of reference for information systems : a position paper

Frame analysis has been applied in Information Systems (IS) research to generate understanding of such issues as organisational change and IS implementation. Frames are the unconscious interpretive schemas that people, or groups of people, use to interpret their surroundings, determine what is important, and guide their actions. While framing has been used as a theoretical lens in IS research into organisations, there has been no analysis to date of how frames may play a role in the IS field itself. This paper argues that is relevant and insightful to examine the IS discourse from a framing perspective. In order to demonstrate the potential value of such an approach, a subset of a collection of articles from six journals in the senior scholars’ basket of journals was analysed in an exploratory attempt to locate the frames of reference that predominate in the IS discourse. Three levels of framing were identified and a provisional schema is proposed. We suggest that further investigation of the schema, the frames and their application will provide opportunity for critical reflection on the nature of Information Systems as an academic discipline. Such critical self-examination may even foster purposive frame breaking, in support of recent calls for transformation in the IS field.

Localized corrosion and inhibition studies using the wire beam electrode in conjunction with the electrochemical noise analysis and the scanning reference electrode techniques

Several new technical developments have been made based on the combined use of the wire beam electrode (WBE), electrochemical noise analysis (ENA) and the scanning reference electrode technique (SRET). These have included: (i) The WBE-R n method- the combined use of the WBE and the noise resistance (Rn) to map the rates and patterns of uniform or localized corrosion; (ii) The WBE-Noise Signatures method- the combined use of the WBE and the noise signature to detect the origination and propagation of localized corrosion; and (iii) The WBE-SRET method- the combined use of the WBE and SRET to investigate localized corrosion from both the metallic and electrolyte phases of a corroding metal surface. This paper presents a brief review on these novel methods and their applications for detecting general and localized corrosion, for mapping the rates of corrosion, and for studying corrosion inhibitors.

Physical interpretation of the reference features in textural fractography of fatigue fractures

Reference features of a fatigue fracture surface are the reference texture and reference crack growth rate which are unambiguously mutually related. The reference texture is a subset of the image texture in SEM fractographs. It is expected to be common to all fractures caused by loadings in which significant events occur sufficiently regularly and frequently. The ratio of the reference and the conventional crack growth rate called reference factor is a characteristic of a particular loading. Its value may be related to the sequence of successive sizes of the cyclic plastic zone, while the mechanism of the effect of overloads follows the models of Wheeler and Willenborg. Application to a set of nine test specimens from aluminium alloy loaded by three different loading regimes is shown.

Letters to a young scientist by Edward O. Wilson : interview

I am an early- to mid-career researcher, and Letters to a Young Scientist struck a chord with me from the very first page. The journey from amateur enthusiast to professional scientist is an exciting, challenging and often difficult one, and Edward Wilson - a Pulitzer prizewinner and one of the world's greatest entomologists - is well qualified to guide and advise the new generation. Written as a collection of letters filled with anecdotes and well-considered advice, this book is inspired by the author's experience of the journey from being a young boy enthused by ants to an eminent scholar. Like many in his field, Wilson's education began when he was a child fascinated by insects in the garden (my own summers spent excavating ant nests feel somewhat validated). He traces his progression through formal education to the establishment of his own scientific research programme.

Measurement of immunoglobulin A in saliva by particle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay: sample collection, limits of quantitation, precision, stability and reference range

Background: Total immunoglobulin A in saliva (s-IgA) is normally assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We have investigated methodological issues relating to the use of particle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay (PENIA)
to measure s-IgA in whole unstimulated saliva and determine its reference range.

Methods: Whole unstimulated resting saliva was collected to determine sample stability (temperature, time, effect of a protease inhibitor), limit of quantitation (LOQ), assay precision and analytical variation. The reference range for 134 healthy adults was determined.

Results: Linearity was excellent (4–10.3 mg L21, P, 0.001; R2 ¼ 0.997) and without significant bias (mean of 20.7%). The lowest intra- and inter-analytical coefficients of variation were 1.8% and 7.5% and LOQ was 1.4 mg L21. The concentration of s-IgA is stable at room temperature for up to 6 h, at 48C for 48 h, at 248C for two weeks and at 2808C for up to 1.3 yr. There is no evidence that a protease inhibitor increases the stability or that repeated freeze–thawing cycles degrade sample quality. The reference ranges for s-IgA concentration, s-IgA secretion, s-IgA:albumin and s-IgA:osmolality were 15.9–414.5 mg L21, 7.2–234.9 mg min21, 0.4–19 and 0.6–8.9, respectively.

Conclusion: Automated PENIA assay of s-IgA is precise and accurate. High stability of collected saliva samples and the ease and speed of the assay make this an ideal method for use in athletic and military training situations. The convenience of measuring albumin and IgA on the same analytical platform adds to the practicability of the test.