Developing Polarity: Trichotomy, Tetractys, and Pentad

Chapter 9 addresses noetic contemplation through Coleridge’s higher logic, or rather ‘Noetic’, of the ‘tetrad’, relating absolutes (the Trinity, reality, being, the good, etc.), and his pentad, relating non-absolutes (human institutions, natural powers, and phenomena). Section 9.1 argues that these forms ‘tautegorically’ represent Coleridge’s metaphysics and compares these forms to C. S. Peirce’s ‘abductive’ logic. Section 9.2 discusses Coleridge’s historical sources, mainly Schelling and other Naturphilosophen. Section 9.3 argues that Coleridge crucially differs from Schelling here with a divergent conception of the indifference-point, or Coleridgean mesothesis, and its relation to the Absolute. Section 9.4 illuminates Coleridge’s neglected distinction between his tetracti, which are always and entirely noetic, constellating absolutes (ideas or powers), and his pentads, which are either noetic, containing an absolute term, or logical, constellating only non-absolutes. Section 9.5 pauses for transitional remarks before the pentads are interpreted in Chapter 10 with respect to the humane value of contemplation and the realization of ideas.

DISCOUNTING OF SHARED REWARDS IN PIGEONS

Pigeons chose between shared (communal) and unshared patches. In the shared patch, the pigeon would share 14 food pellets with zero to seven other pigeons. In the unshared patch, the pigeon had access to food pellets by itself, in an amount that depended on the given trial. The number of food pellets in the unshared patch was increased or decreased depending on the pigeon’s choices, and the indifference point (the subjective value of the shared reward), here the pigeon chose the shared and unshared patches equally often, was reached. The subjective value of the shared rewards decreased systematically as the number of pigeons sharing the rewards increased. The discounting of the shared rewards was well- described using both hyperbolic and exponential functions. The results suggest that food sharing is a discounting factor, and the mathematical function that describes the social discounting of hypothetical monetary rewards in humans described social discounting in pigeons receiving real rewards.

The hydrostatic pressure indifference point underestimates orthostatic redistribution of blood in humans

The hydrostatic indifference point (HIP; where venous pressure is unaffected by posture) is located at the level of the diaphragm and is believed to indicate the orthostatic redistribution of blood, but it remains unknown whether HIP coincides with the indifference point for blood volume (VIP). During graded (± 20°) head-up (HUT) and head-down tilt (HDT) in 12 male volunteers, we determined HIP from central venous pressure and VIP from redistribution of both blood, using ultrasound imaging of the inferior caval vein (VIPui), and fluid volume, by regional electrical admittance (VIPadm). Furthermore, we evaluated whether inflation of medical antishock trousers (to 70 mmHg) affected HIP and VIP. Leaving cardiovascular variables unaffected by tilt, HIP was located 7 ± 4 cm (mean ± SD) below the 4th intercostal space (IC-4) during HUT and was similar (7 ± 3 cm) during HDT and higher ( P < 0.0001) than both VIPui (HUT: 22 ± 16 cm; HDT: 13 ± 7 cm) and VIPadm (HUT: 29 ± 9 cm; HDT: 20 ± 9 cm below IC-4). During HUT antishock trousers elevated both HIP and VIPui [to 3 ± 5 cm ( P = 0.028) and 17 ± 7 cm below IC-4 ( P = 0.051), respectively], while VIPadm remained unaffected. By simultaneous recording of pressure and filling of the inferior caval vein as well as fluid distribution, we found HIP located corresponding to the diaphragm while VIP was placed low in the abdomen, and that medical antishock trousers elevated both HIP and VIP. The low indifference point for volume shows that the gravitational influence on distribution of blood is more profound than indicated by the indifference point for venous pressure.

Postural effects on intracranial pressure: modeling and clinical evaluation

The physiological effect of posture on intracranial pressure (ICP) is not well described. This study defined and evaluated three mathematical models describing the postural effects on ICP, designed to predict ICP at different head-up tilt angles from the supine ICP value. Model I was based on a hydrostatic indifference point for the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) system, i.e., the existence of a point in the system where pressure is independent of body position. Models II and III were based on Davson's equation for CSF absorption, which relates ICP to venous pressure, and postulated that gravitational effects within the venous system are transferred to the CSF system. Model II assumed a fully communicating venous system, and model III assumed that collapse of the jugular veins at higher tilt angles creates two separate hydrostatic compartments. Evaluation of the models was based on ICP measurements at seven tilt angles (0–71°) in 27 normal pressure hydrocephalus patients. ICP decreased with tilt angle (ANOVA: P < 0.01). The reduction was well predicted by model III (ANOVA lack-of-fit: P = 0.65), which showed excellent fit against measured ICP. Neither model I nor II adequately described the reduction in ICP (ANOVA lack-of-fit: P < 0.01). Postural changes in ICP could not be predicted based on the currently accepted theory of a hydrostatic indifference point for the CSF system, but a new model combining Davson's equation for CSF absorption and hydrostatic gradients in a collapsible venous system performed well and can be useful in future research on gravity and CSF physiology.

TOMADA DE DECISÕES: TAXA DE JUROS DO PONTO DE INDIFERENÇA (MAKING DECISIONS: INTEREST RATE FOR THE INDIFFERENCE POINT)

Com base na necessidade de captação de recursos para o financiamento de novos projetos e de alavancagem financeira das empresas, a pesquisa tem por objetivo central apresentar um modelo para a decisão sobre financiamento, por meio do levantamento de um parâmetro em termos de taxa de juros máxima admissível. Parte-se da premissa que se optar por financiamento a uma taxa de juros maior que a fornecida pelo modelo, as empresas estarão se descapitalizando; em caso contrário, será possível garantir a capacidade operacional de amortização da dívida, tornando a empresa mais rentável, mantendo seu equilíbrio financeiro. Como metodologia, será utilizada uma pesquisa exploratória com a aplicação de um estudo de caso, onde se pretende apontar possíveis maneiras e procedimentos que poderão ser seguidos e avaliados para a construção do modelo de financiamento proposto. Como resultados esperados, objetiva-se reforçar alguns conceitos existentes na literatura sobre financiamentos, não deixando de lado, uma incursão teórica sobre a análise de riscos, tãoimportante, quanto necessária à tomada de decisões para as estratégias empresariais

A Model for Comparative Analysis of Inventory Costs of JIT and EOQ Purchasing in the Ready Mixed Concrete Industry

A model for comparing the inventory costs of purchasing under the economic order quantity (EOQ) system and the just-in-time (JIT) order purchasing system in existing literature concluded that JIT purchasing was virtually always the preferable inventory ordering system especially at high level of annual demand. By expanding the classical EOQ model, this paper shows that it is possible for the EOQ system to be more cost effective than the JIT system once the inventory demand approaches the EOQ-JIT cost indifference point. The case study conducted in the ready-mixed concrete industry in Singapore supported this proposition.

Multi-Attribute Decision Making Using Hypothetical Equivalents and Inequivalents

In this paper, the problem of selecting from among a set of alternatives using multiple, potentially conflicting criteria is discussed. A number of approaches are commonly used to make these types of decisions in engineering design, including pairwise comparisons, ranking methods, rating methods, weighted sum approaches, and strength of preference methods. In this paper, we first demonstrate the theoretical and practical flaws with a number of these commonly employed methods. We demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the various decision-making approaches using an aircraft selection problem. We then present a method based on the concept of hypothetical equivalents and expand the method to include hypothetical inequivalents. Visualization techniques, coupled with an indifference point analysis, are then used to understand the robustness of the solution obtained and determine the appropriate additional constraints necessary to identify a single robust optimal alternative. The same aircraft example is used to demonstrate the method of hypothetical equivalents and inequivalents.