Infallible Divine Foreknowledge cannot Uniquely Threaten Human Freedom, but its Mechanics Might

It is not uncommon to think that the existence of exhaustive and infallible divine foreknowledge uniquely threatens the existence of human freedom. This paper shows that this cannot be so. For, to uniquely threaten human freedom, infallible divine foreknowledge would have to make an essential contribution to an explanation for why our actions are not up to us. And infallible divine foreknowledge cannot do this. There remains, however, an important question about the compatibility of freedom and foreknowledge. It is a question not about the existence of foreknowledge, but about its mechanics

Development and optimization of a novel sustained-release dextran tablet formulation for propranolol hydrochloride

A novel oral controlled delivery system for propranolol hydrochloride (PPL) was developed and optimized. The in vitro dissolution profiles of sustained-release matrix tablets of racemic PPL were determined and compared with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) tolerance specifications for Propranolol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules. The influence of matrix forming agents (native dextran, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), cetyl alcohol) and binary mixtures of them on PPL release in vitro was investigated. A central composite design was applied to the optimization of a sustained-release tablet formulation. The sustained-release matrix tablets with good physical, mechanical and technological properties were obtained with a matrix excipient:PPL ratio of 60:40 (w/w), with a dextran:HPMC ratio of 4:1 (w/w) and with a cetyl alcohol amount of 15% (w/w). A comparative kinetic study of the present matrix tablets and commercial SUMIAL RETARD capsules (Spain) was established. The value for the similarity factor (f2 = 69.6) suggested that the dissolution profile of the present two sustained-release oral dosage forms are similar. Higuchi (diffusion) and Hixon–Crowell (erosion) kinetic profiles were achieved and this codependent mechanism of drug release was established

Transverse frames for Petrov type I spacetimes: a general algebraic procedure

We develop an algebraic procedure to rotate a general Newman-Penrose tetrad in a Petrov type I spacetime into a frame with Weyl scalars $\Psi_{1}$ and $\Psi_{3}$ equal to zero, assuming that initially all the Weyl scalars are non vanishing. The new frame highlights the physical properties of the spacetime. In particular, in a Petrov Type I spacetime, setting $\Psi_{1}$ and $\Psi_{3}$ to zero makes apparent the superposition of a Coulomb-type effect $\Psi_{2}$ with transverse degrees of freedom $\Psi_{0}$ and $\Psi_{4}$.Comment: 10 pages, submitted to Classical Quantum Gravit

Successful Treatment of an MTBE-impacted Aquifer Using a Bioreactor Self-colonized by Native Aquifer Bacteria

A field-scale fixed bed bioreactor was used to successfully treat an MTBE-contaminated aquifer in North Hollywood, CA without requiring inoculation with introduced bacteria. Native bacteria from the MTBE-impacted aquifer rapidly colonized the bioreactor, entering the bioreactor in the contaminated groundwater pumped from the site, and biodegraded MTBE with greater than 99 % removal efficiency. DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene identified MTBE-degrading bacteria Methylibium petroleiphilum in the bioreactor. Quantitative PCR showed M. petroleiphilum enriched by three orders of magnitude in the bioreactor above densities pre-existing in the groundwater. Because treatment was carried out by indigenous rather than introduced organisms, regulatory approval was obtained for implementation of a full-scale bioreactor to continue treatment of the aquifer. In addition, after confirmation of MTBE removal in the bioreactor to below maximum contaminant limit levels (MCL; MTBE = 5 μg L−1), treated water was approved for reinjection back into the aquifer rather than requiring discharge to a water treatment system. This is the first treatment system in California to be approved for reinjection of biologically treated effluent into a drinking water aquifer. This study demonstrated the potential for using native microbial communities already present in the aquifer as an inoculum for ex-situ bioreactors, circumventing the need to establish non-native, non-acclimated and potentially costly inoculants. Understanding and harnessing the metabolic potential of native organisms circumvents some of the issues associated with introducing non-native organisms into drinking water aquifers, and can provide a low-cost and efficient remediation technology that can streamline future bioremediation approval processes

Transport and the Order Parameter of Superconducting Sr2_2RuO4_4

Recent experiments make it appear more likely that the order parameter of the unconventional superconductor Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ has a spin-triplet $f$-wave symmetry. We study ultrasonic absorption and thermal conductivity of superconducting Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ and fit to the recent data for various $f$-wave candidates. It is shown that only $f_{x^2-y^2}$-wave symmetry can account qualitatively for the transport data.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, references added and update

Analysis of Alaska Transportation Sectors to Assess Energy Use and Impacts of Price Shocks and Climate Change Legislation

We analyzed the use of energy by Alaska’s transportation sectors to assess the impact of sudden fuel prices changes. We conducted three types of analysis: 1) Development of broad energy use statistics for each transportation sector, including total annual energy and fuel use, carbon emissions, fuel use per ton-mile and passenger-mile, and cost of fuel per ton-mile and passenger-mile. 2) Economic input-output analysis of air, rail, truck, and water transportation sectors. 3) Adjustment of input-output modeling to reflect sudden fuel price changes to estimate the potential impact on industry output and employment. Alaska air transportation used approximately 1.9 billion gallons of fuel annually; 961 million gallons were used for intra-state and exiting Alaska flights. Water transportation used 101.8 million gallons annually, approximately 84.3 million gallons for intra-state and exiting segments. Railroad and truck transportation used 5.1 and 8.8 million gallons annually, respectively. Simulated fuel price increases resulted in an estimated $456.8 million in value-added losses to the Alaska economy through the increase in cost of transportation services, as well as an equivalent loss in income to Alaska household of$26.8 million. A carbon emissions tax would have the greatest impact on the cost of air transportation services followed by water, trucking and rail.309002 DTRT06-G-0011List of Figures / List of Tables / Acknowledgements / Abstract / Executive Summary / Introduction / Background / Research Approach / Findings and Applications / Conclusions / References / Appendix A. Marine Transportation Companies / Appendix B. Barge Fuel Use Calculations / Appendix C. Data Dictionary of Variables and Sources Used for Aviation Fuel Estimates / Appendix D. Glossary of Economic Impact Term

Ultrasound Attenuation in Sr2_2RuO4_4: an Angle-Resolved Study of the Superconducting Gap Function

We present a study of the electronic ultrasound attenuation $\alpha$ in the unconventional superconductor Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ . The power law behavior of $\alpha$ at temperatures down to $T_c/30$ clearly indicates the presence of nodes in the gap. In the normal state, we find an enormous anisotropy of $\alpha$ in the basal plane of the tetragonal structure. In the superconducting state, the temperature dependence of $\alpha$ also exhibits significant anisotropy. We discuss these results in relation to possible gap functions.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Interpretation of data clarified. Accepted for publication in PR

On the use of CO2 laser induced surface patterns to modify the wettability of Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)

CO2 lasers can be seen to lend themselves to materials processing applications and have been used extensively in both research and industry. This work investigated the surface modification of PMMA with a CO2 laser in order to vary the wettability characteristics. The wettability characteristics of the PMMA were modified by generating a number of patterns of various topography on the surface using the CO2 laser. These induced patterns were trench and hatch with scan dimensions of 50 and 100 μm. Through white light interferometry it was found that for all laser patterned samples the surface roughness had significantly increased by up to 3.1 μm. The chemical composition of selected samples were explored using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and found that the surface oxygen content had risen by approximately 4% At. By using a sessile drop device it was found that, in comparison to the as-received sample, 50 μm dimensions gave rise to a more hydrophilic surface; whereas 100 μm dimensions gave rise to either no change in contact angle or an increase making the PMMA hydrophobic. This can be explained by combinations of surface roughness and γp contributing to the observed contact angle, in addition to the possibility of different wetting regimes taking place owed to the variation of topographies over the as-received and laser patterned samples

Effect of water supply on leaf area development, stomatal activity, transpiration, and dry matter production and distribution in young olive trees

Two-year-old olive trees cv. Cornicabra, trained in a central leader form for hedgerow planting, were grown outdoors in 45-L weighing lysimeters to evaluate the effect of water supply on growth and development. Four treatments were established and maintained for 155 days during spring–autumn. Treatment T100 was irrigated to maintain the potting medium close to water-holding capacity by progressive replenishment of consumption that was measured at weekly intervals by weighing and recording drainage. Treatments T80, T60, and T40 received 80, 60, and 40%, respectively, of the water applied to T100. For these treatments, transpiration and leaf area were measured every fortnight. Dry matter in roots, stems, and leaves was measured at the beginning and end of the experiment. Leaf conductance was measured at 09:00 and 12:00 solar time every fortnight and at c. 2-hourly intervals throughout one day each month. Over the experimental period, T100 produced 0.42±0.01m2 leaf area, 319.6±60.4 g dry biomass, and transpired 77.5±1.1 L water. Water stress significantly reduced leaf area development and dry matter production (P<0.05) in T60 and T40, but not in T80. There was no effect on dry matter partitioning to the various organs of the trees or the roots/aerial part ratio. Leaf conductance was more sensitive to water stress than vegetative growth, with significant differences (P<0.05) established among treatments 3 weeks before differences were observed in transpiration. In autumn, transpiration and leaf conductance increased in all treatments independently of soil water status. Over the experiment, transpiration efficiency (TE, g/L) increased with reducedwater supply, with a significant difference (P<0.10) between T100 and both T60 and T40. The study has established that maximum growth of young olive plants can be achieved, without effect on the distribution of biomass between organs, at water supply less than that required to support maximum transpiration