Interdisciplinary Chemistry

Abstract

Physical instruments have brought to chemistry a transition and a renaissance. Chemical change can be studied in picoseconds, molecular beam technology, coupled to lasers, can probe quantum states, micelles, colloids and membranes can be analyzed as truly dynamic chemical systems. The tools of the physicist have given the chemist a far better interdisciplinary understanding of nature than ever before.     

Interdisciplinary Teaching in Health

Abstract

In this brief survey, the author sketches his hopes and the difficulties of introducing an interdisciplinary approach to the academic training of health personnel. The solution would appear to be an organizing framework in which the many medical and health disciplines, their values and end results, could be synthesized into a single interdisciplinary approach. Our quality of life depends on this.     

Adhesion An Interdisciplinary Science

Abstract

The interdisciplinary science of adhesion is built upon contributions from the classical branches of science: chemistry, physics and mathematics, and some of their more specialized subdivisions such as polymer chemistry, surface chemistry, rheology and continuum mechanics. An historical review of the development of adhesive technology stresses the role of polymer chemistry in the advances made in modern adhesion technology, but many other disciplines have contributed. Their roles are discussed from the point of view of adhesion theories that are biased toward one discipline or another. Such bias can lead to fallacy. Challenging adhesion problems still exist and their solution will involve other disciplines, like biology and medicine.     

严复与近代学科

就现实与学理的关系而言,严复对近代学科的建构既有学理的追求,又有对现实政治中救亡图存的反思。以1905年清政府宣布废除科举制度为界限,严复对近代学科建构可分两个阶段。从甲午战争到清末新政宣布废除科举,严复侧重用狭义的进化论结合学科知识,探求西方富强之缘由。1905年前后君主立宪得到朝野呼应,严复在学理上将广义的进化论诠释为狭义的社会进化阶梯,从改良层面解释政治制度变革的艰难。在治学方法及治学路径的选择上,严复以天演进化论为学科理念及对逻辑论证方法的强调,是"不变"的一面。严复对近代学科的建构既有西方学理成分,更有近代世变之亟的困境下实现民族救亡的思路。     

In Praise of Interdisciplinary Archaeology

Abstract

The study of instabilities has long been a central aspect of physical theories and experimental investigation. Chaotic behaviour is a more recently recognized general feature of physical systems, expecially hard-driven dynamical systems. This review describes physical models illustrating these phenomena and seeks to indicate their application to understanding a variety of problems outside physics. Thus, the occurrence of instabilities is advanced as the reason why different sciences have developed independently, and why their results cannot be regarded as deducible from the fundamental laws of physics. In particular, sociology and political science are seen as attempting to deal with extreme cases of chaotic behaviour resulting from widespread instability. Finally, a simple physical model of stop-go oscillations is described, and interpreted as a warning against over-optimistic expectations that modern attempts at participatory democracy are compatible with a stable society.     

环境史学与跨学科研究

环境史是在战后现代环保运动推动下所产生的历史学的一个新的次分支学科,其研究对象是历史上人与自然之间的关系,以及以自然为中介的各种社会关系。由于研究对象非常复杂,环境史的兴起,就为从事跨学科研究提供了重要契机。传统上,人文社会科学以人和社会为研究对象,而自然科学则以自然为研究对象。环境史的出现,则为人文社会科学之间的融合,也为人文社会科学与自然科学之间的合作搭建了桥梁。跨学科研究方法,也就成为环境史最重要的研究方法。一、复杂的研究对象对环境史这一领域而言,跨学科研究不是一种奢侈,而是一种必需。其所以如此,主要…     

Eco-Archaeometry: Interdisciplinary Applications in Egypt

Abstract

One of the problems currently faced by modern society is the worldwide catastrophic deterioration of archaeological and cultural sites directly exposed to the action of the environment. Frequently, it has proved difficult to identify the processes responsible for these deteriorations, which are often the result of an abrupt change in site specific environmental conditions. To understand them a broad interdisciplinary approach is needed, and consequently, a substantial input from several disciplines, such as archaeology and archaeometric, environmental and conservation sciences, is necessary. Such interaction is particularly necessary on a basic research level, and can best be achieved if the relevant disciplines are drawn together a priori on equal footing into a complementary effort in eco-archaeometry. The primary goal of eco-archaeometry is to identify and quantify physicochemical processes which cause the deterioration of ancient cultural patrimony. Its findings are essential prerequisites for the development of optimum, safe methods for conservation and preservation of ancient monuments. Some examples of the eco-archaeometric approach in Egypt are summarised and it is demonstrated that without an interdisciplinary approach such studies would not have been successful.     

Interdisciplinary Research and the American University

Abstract

The rise and fall of physical theories may have common features with the appearances and the disappearances of fashion, their political and economic roots. The history and philosophy of scientific methodology form the background to the consideration of big physics, accelerator research, and of small physics carried out with electronic equipment. The first is fashionable, the second not yet. It is concluded that science is a perpetual race, enjoyable for scientists to run.     

跨学科研究的学术规范——从《信誉：在从猿到人转变过程中的意义》一文谈起

《信誉 :在从猿到人转变过程中的意义》一文缺乏跨学科研究的学术规范。从事跨学科的学术研究 ,首先必须掌握所跨学科的基本常识 ,正确理解其基本理论 ;其次 ,利用所跨学科研究资料时应如实反映 ,准确理解 ,尤其是引用外文资料 ,更要认真阅读 ,客观引用 ;第三 ,跨学科研究要遵守一般的学术规范 ,经得起学术检验。     

Erasmus Darwin: Master of Interdisciplinary Science

Abstract

Dr Erasmus Darwin (1731–1802) was by profession a physician, at Lichfield and later Derby, and was widely regarded as the leading doctor in Britain, author of the massive treatise Zoonomia (1794–6). His many original contributions to science cover a wide range of disciplines, including physics, chemistry, geology, meteorology, plant growth and nutrition and evolutionary biology. He was a prolific inventor, a close friend of Boulton and Watt, and a leading spirit in the ‘Lunar Society’ of Birmingham. In the 1790s he became the most famous poet of the day with his Botanic Garden, which greatly influenced Coleridge, Wordsworth and others.     

Smell: A Challenge to Interdisciplinary Science

Abstract

The sense of smell remains an intractable problem and a challenge to interdisciplinary sciences. Not only are there no primary odors or periodic table of scents but there are no satisfactory numerical identifications by visual, auditory or somesthetic methods of measurement. A particle-wave relation may exist to reconcile the correlation of many odors with infrared spectra, but the vibrational theory of smell is currently out of fashion. Structure-activity relationships have been studied in human olfactory processes and have yielded perfume compounds of great value to commerce. Research on pheromones is intense to control insects, and the further study of human pheromones may even reveal an unsuspected communications system. At present, interdisciplinary sciences can well be guided by the artist-perfumer for what seems a millennium of research in molecular biology.     

跨学科方法与冷战史研究

就研究方法而言,受兰克史学观念的影响,中国的冷战史研究长期以来以档案研究和传统叙事为主,急需跨学科理论与方法的引入。国际关系理论、文化研究方法和社会性别理论可以帮助冷战史学者提出新问题、发现新领域、挖掘新材料和建立新解释。跨学科理论和方法的引入不仅不会削弱冷战史的史学色彩,反而会加强冷战史的人文特性,并有助于建立起关于冷战史的新叙事。     

Contemporary Studies of Ritual in Anthropology and Related Disciplines

Rindos, David. The Origins of Agriculture: An Evolutionary Perspective. Orlando, Florida: Academic Press, 1984. xvii + 324 pp. including bibliography and index. $32.50 cloth.     

方志学与其他相关学科的关系辨析

现代方志学的发展离不开社会科学其他学科的支撑,特别是地理学、历史学、文献学、政治学、经济学、文化学、社会学、城市学等学科。同时,自然科学对方志学的产生和发展也有着重要的影响。现代方志学和这些学科有很多相通之处,但作为一门独立的学科和这些学科又有所区别。方志学与其他相关学科相互借鉴,相互融合,共同促进我国社会科学的繁荣和发展。