Ted Howard

Bio: Ted Howard is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Entropy (arrow of time) & Scarcity. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 10 publications receiving 447 citations.

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Abstract: The existing reviews of massage therapy (MT) research are either limited to infants, adults, or were conducted prior to the publication of the most recent studies using pediatric samples. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of pediatric MT are reviewed. A literature search yielded 24 RCTs of pediatric MT, defined as the manual manipulation of soft tissue intended to promote health and well-being in recipients between 2 and 19 years of age. Because RCTs of pediatric MT varied considerably in the amount and types of data reported, quantitative and narrative review methods were both used. Singledose and multiple-dose effects were examined separately. Among single-dose effects, significant reductions of state anxiety were observed at the first session (g 1⁄4 0.59, P < 0.05) and the last session (g 1⁄4 1.10, P < 0.01) of a course of treatment. Effects for salivary cortisol (g 1⁄4 0.28), negative mood (g 1⁄4 0.52) and behavior (g 1⁄4 0.37) were non-significant. Three of eleven multiple-dose effects were statistically significant. These were trait anxiety (g 1⁄4 0.94, P < 0.05), muscle tone (g 1⁄4 0.90, P< 0.01) and arthritis pain (g1⁄4 1.33, P< 0.01). Results of studies not permitting effect size calculation were judged to be generally consistent with quantitative results. MT benefits pediatric recipients, though not as universally as sometimes reported. Numerous weaknesses endemic to MT research (e.g. low statistical power, frequent failure to report basic descriptive statistics) are identified, and recommendations for future pediatric MT research are discussed.

Entropy Optimization Principles and Their Applications

Abstract: A state-of-the-art description of the theory and applications of the various entropy optimization principles is given. These principles include Jaynes’ maximum entropy principle (MaxEnt), Kullback’s minimum cross-entropy principle (MinxEnt), generalised maximum entropy and minimum cross-entropy principles, inverse entropy optimization principles, minimum interdependence principle, minimax entropy principle and finally, the dual entropy optimization principles. The relation between information-theoretic entropy and thermodynamic entropy is specially recalled in the context of the more general relationship that exist between what are designated as primary and secondary entropies.

Managerial and Organizational Communication in Terms of the Conduit Metaphor

Abstract: Linguistic conceptions regarding what Reddy (1979) calls the “conduit metaphor” are applied to the teaching and practice of organizational communication. The argument is advanced that in “everyday” discourse and even current management textbooks, organizational communication frequently is explicated in terms of the conduit metaphor. Furthermore, it is suggested that the conduit metaphor implicitly engenders the assumption that successful communication is easy and requires little effort. The practical and research implications of this argument are examined.

Escaping from the economy: the politics of degrowth

Abstract: Purpose – Whilst there is a growing recognition of environmental degradation, the policies of sustainable development or ecological modernisation offered by national governments and international institutions seem to do little more than “sustain the unsustainable”. By promising to reconcile growth with the environment, they fail to question the economic principle of endless growth that has caused environmental destruction in the first place. In this context, alternatives based on critiques of growth may offer more promising grounds. The aim of this paper is to explore how the degrowth movement that emerged in France over the last decade resonates with, and can contribute to, green politics.Design/methodology/approach – After locating the movement within environmental politics and providing a brief account of its development, the paper focuses on its core theme – escaping from the economy.Findings – Here it is argued that the movement's main emphasis is not merely on calling for less growth, consumption or...